Alba Botanica Hydration Sensation Water Gel SPF 18 Face Moisturizer
Works for
1 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 18 · 3 UV filters · Broad spectrumWeak protectionSPF under 30
This product offers broad spectrum sun protection, but it is weak. We recommend to use a broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30.
This product can be considered "reef safe" because it does not contain the UV filters (oxybenzone and octinoxate) that can be harmful to coral reefs when present in the water in high concentrations.
Moisturizing14 ingredients credited for this claimGood evidence
“Hydration Sensation Water Gel SPF 18 Face Moisturizer”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
biosaccharide gum-1, glycerin.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: squalane, coco-caprylate/caprate.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy14 strong irritants: Cananga odorata flower oil, Citrus aurantium leaf oil + 12 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Avobenzone. An organic, or so-called "chemical" UV filter. Protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Needs to be combined with other filters in a formulation to be stable.
More about Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethaneEthylhexyl salicylate5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Octisalate. A UV filter. It offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about Ethylhexyl salicylateOctocrylene10%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A weak sunscreen that protects against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB) and is somewhat effective against the UVA rays. It is quite stable and can help stabilize other, more vulnerable, sunscreen ingredients like Avobenzone. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about OctocryleneWater~45–55%
Coconut alkanes~5.7–7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Coconut alkanesGlycerin~4.6–5.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinAloe barbadensis leaf juice~3.5–4.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceSodium stearoyl glutamate~2.7–3.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl glutamateCananga odorata flower oil~1.8–2.1%
Citrus aurantium leaf oil~1.3–1.5%
Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oil~1.1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant oil with a high content of volatile compounds that can irritate the skin and lead to allergic reactions. Can lead to photosensitivity
More about Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oilCitrus limon peel oil~0.8–1.2%
Cupressus sempervirens oil~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Eucalyptus globulus leaf oil~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil that can be very irritating. Has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Eucalyptus globulus leaf oilEugenia caryophyllus leaf oil~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil. Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and sensitizing
More about Eugenia caryophyllus leaf oilFerula galbaniflua resin oil~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Juniperus mexicana oil~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Lavandula hybrida oil~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract that can be irritating and is a known allergen
More about Lavandula hybrida oilPogostemon cablin oil~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Thuja occidentalis leaf oil~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Camellia sinensis leaf extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
More about Camellia sinensis leaf extractChamomilla recutita flower extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Chamomilla recutita flower extractCocos nucifera fruit juice~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cocos nucifera (coconut) liquid endosperm~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Nelumbo nucifera flower extract~0.2–0.4%
Oryza sativa starch~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tocopheryl acetate~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateBiosaccharide gum-1~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and is claimed to provide a longer-lasting hydration because of its ability to create a water-binding film on the surface of the skin
More about Biosaccharide gum-1Citric acid~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidCoco-caprylate/caprate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture
More about Coco-caprylate/caprateCyamopsis tetragonoloba gum~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glyceryl caprylate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products
More about Glyceryl caprylateHyaluronic acid~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. Naturally present in skin. Typically has large molecule size unless advertised otherwise on the product label. Helps support skin's barrier function and may help to reduce inflammation
More about Hyaluronic acidHydrolyzed hyaluronic acid~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. A version of it is naturally present in skin
More about Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acidHydrolyzed jojoba esters~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrolyzed jojoba estersLysolecithin~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Lecithin derivative. It helps oil and water mix together and can enhance penetration of other ingredients. It helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LysolecithinPullulan~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
Creates a thin drying film on the skin resulting in a short-term tightening effect
More about PullulanSclerotium gum~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create gel-like formulas and stabilize emulsions
More about Sclerotium gumSilica~0.35–0.6%
Sodium anisate~0.2–0.4%
Sodium chloride~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideSodium hyaluronate~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateSodium levulinate~0.2–0.35%
Squalane~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
More about SqualaneXanthan gum~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumAlcohol~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties
More about AlcoholEthylhexylglycerin~0.2–0.4%
Phenoxyethanol~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPotassium sorbate~0.2–0.35%
Sodium benzoate~0.15–0.25%
Amyl cinnamal~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Geraniol~0.15–0.25%
Limonene~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneLinalool~0.1–0.2%
Ingredient list view
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Octocrylene, Water, Coconut alkanes, Glycerin, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Cananga odorata flower oil, Citrus aurantium leaf oil, Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oil, Citrus limon peel oil, Cupressus sempervirens oil, Eucalyptus globulus leaf oil, Eugenia caryophyllus leaf oil, Ferula galbaniflua resin oil, Juniperus mexicana oil, Lavandula hybrida oil, Pogostemon cablin oil, Thuja occidentalis leaf oil, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Chamomilla recutita flower extract, Cocos nucifera fruit juice, Cocos nucifera (coconut) liquid endosperm, Nelumbo nucifera flower extract, Oryza sativa starch, Tocopheryl acetate, Biosaccharide gum-1, Citric acid, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Cyamopsis tetragonoloba gum, Glyceryl caprylate, Hyaluronic acid, Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, Hydrolyzed jojoba esters, Lysolecithin, Pullulan, Sclerotium gum, Silica, Sodium anisate, Sodium chloride, Sodium hyaluronate, Sodium levulinate, Squalane, Xanthan gum, Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate, Amyl cinnamal, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool, Unknown
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Product summary
"Alba Botanica - Hydration Sensation Water Gel SPF 18 Face Moisturizer" offers broad spectrum protection. It means that it protects from both UVA and UVB rays (you can remember UVB as "burning" sunlight - they cause sunburn. You can remember UVA rays as "aging" - they do not lead to sunburn, but they cause photodamage and contribute to early signs of skin aging and hyperpigmentation). On the negative side, the SPF of this moisturizer is not high enough. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
Its formula is also hydrating, so you might not need an additional moistruizer during the day.
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen uses so-called "chemical", or organic UV filters (organic simply means that their molecules contain atoms of carbon). These filters typically give good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for sensitive skin. These are the sun protection ingredients in this sunscreen: avobenzone 3.00% (declared), octisalate 5.00% (declared) and octocrylene 10.00% (declared).
Irritation risk
There are quite a few common irritants in this product, including ingredients without particular skin benefits. We would not recommend it for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Alba Botanica" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 10 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Air oxidation increases skin irritation from fragrance terpenesonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 5Safety Assessment of Alkyl Esters as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
- 6Efficacy of a New Topical Nano-hyaluronic Acid in Humansncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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