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Alba Botanica Mango Vanilla Shave Cream
Alba Botanica

Alba Botanica Mango Vanilla Shave Cream

Efficacy75/100IrritancyHigh
See all ingredients

Works for

Moisturizing
Glycerin, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice + 3 more
Works
What the product description says
“Enriched with aloe vera, calendula, lavender and vitamin E, this concentrated, hydro-active cream maximizes water absorption to help fight dryness and chaffing.”
Source: SmallFlower

This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, aloe barbadensis leaf juice.

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. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).

GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~0.2–0.4%
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice· HumectantEffect: LowTraditionally 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~2.2–2.7%
Ananas sativus fruit extractEffect: LowA fruit extract that might help to attract water to the upper layer of the skin, but there is no evidence for any other benefits to the skin~1.8–2.2%
Mangifera indica fruit extractEffect: LowA fruit extract that might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin. There is no evidence of other benefits in skin~0.4–0.6%
TocopherolEffect: Low, below effective dosePure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself~0.2–0.35%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
9 strong irritants: Calendula officinalis flower extract, Carica papaya fruit extract + 7 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 18 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonateHelps oil and water mix together and used as a cleansing agent. Can be irritating and is better avoided for sensitive skinHigh~11–13%est.
Cocamidopropyl betaineHelps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergenHigh~5.6–6.9%est.
Calendula officinalis flower extractA plant extract that has some anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial properties. Can be irritatingHigh~1.4–1.8%est.
Carica papaya fruit extract—High~1.3–1.6%est.
Hibiscus sabdariffa flower extractA plant extract that can be irritating. It might contain a compound anthocyanin that could be helpful in neutralizing free radicalsHigh~0.7–1%est.
Lavandula angustifolia extractUsed for fragrance and contains volatile compounds that can irritate the skinHigh~0.55–0.8%est.
Vanilla planifolia fruit extractA plant extract used as a fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.2–0.4%est.
Benzyl alcoholA preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritatingHigh~0.05%est.
Benzyl benzoateFragrance with sweet balsamic smell. Help to preserve products and dissolve other ingredients. Could trigger allergic reactions and be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.1%est.
CoumarinA fragrance. Is a likely skin allergen and can be irritatingHigh~0.05%est.
LimoneneA common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heatHigh~0.01–0.05%est.
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.01–0.05%est.
Sodium cocoamphoacetateHelps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent. Creates foamMedium~3.8–4.6%est.
Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceTraditionally 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 skinMedium~2.2–2.7%est.
Ananas sativus fruit extractA fruit extract that might help to attract water to the upper layer of the skin, but there is no evidence for any other benefits to the skinMedium~1.8–2.2%est.
Mangifera indica fruit extractA fruit extract that might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin. There is no evidence of other benefits in skinMedium~0.4–0.6%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.2–0.35%est.
EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeMedium~0.15–0.25%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~45–55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate~11–13%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together and used as a cleansing agent. Can be irritating and is better avoided for sensitive skin

More about Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate
Cocamidopropyl betaine~5.6–6.9%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen

More about Cocamidopropyl betaine
Sodium cocoamphoacetate~3.8–4.6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent. Creates foam

More about Sodium cocoamphoacetate
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice~2.2–2.7%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingReduces rednessReduces irritationAntibacterialAnti-inflammatoryAnti-blemishAnti-aging

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 juice
Ananas sativus fruit extract~1.8–2.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

A fruit extract that might help to attract water to the upper layer of the skin, but there is no evidence for any other benefits to the skin

More about Ananas sativus fruit extract
Calendula officinalis flower extract~1.4–1.8%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-oxidation

A plant extract that has some anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial properties. Can be irritating

More about Calendula officinalis flower extract
Carica papaya fruit extract~1.3–1.6%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
More about Carica papaya fruit extract
Hedychium coronarium root extract~1–1.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Hedychium coronarium root extract
Hibiscus sabdariffa flower extract~0.7–1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-oxidation

A plant extract that can be irritating. It might contain a compound anthocyanin that could be helpful in neutralizing free radicals

More about Hibiscus sabdariffa flower extract
Lavandula angustifolia extract~0.55–0.8%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Used for fragrance and contains volatile compounds that can irritate the skin

More about Lavandula angustifolia extract
Mangifera indica fruit extract~0.4–0.6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

A fruit extract that might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin. There is no evidence of other benefits in skin

More about Mangifera indica fruit extract
Passiflora incarnata flower extract~0.3–0.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Passiflora incarnata flower extract
Passiflora incarnata fruit extract~0.2–0.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Passiflora incarnata fruit extract
Vanilla planifolia fruit extract~0.2–0.4%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A plant extract used as a fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Vanilla planifolia fruit extract
Citric acid~0.2–0.35%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH

More about Citric acid
Glycerin~0.2–0.4%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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 Glycerin
Tocopherol~0.2–0.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidationMoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryAnti-aging

Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself

More about Tocopherol
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.25%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Ethylhexylglycerin
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Benzyl alcohol~0.05%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating

More about Benzyl alcohol
Benzyl benzoate~0.05–0.1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Fragrance with sweet balsamic smell. Help to preserve products and dissolve other ingredients. Could trigger allergic reactions and be irritating

More about Benzyl benzoate
Coumarin~0.05%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Is a likely skin allergen and can be irritating

More about Coumarin
Limonene~0.01–0.05%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat

More about Limonene
Parfum~0.01–0.05%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Ingredient list view

Water, Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Sodium cocoamphoacetate, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Ananas sativus fruit extract, Calendula officinalis flower extract, Carica papaya fruit extract, Hedychium coronarium root extract, Hibiscus sabdariffa flower extract, Lavandula angustifolia extract, Mangifera indica fruit extract, Passiflora incarnata flower extract, Passiflora incarnata fruit extract, Vanilla planifolia fruit extract, Citric acid, Glycerin, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl alcohol, Benzyl benzoate, Coumarin, Limonene, Parfum

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Worth comparing, line by line.

Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
Alba BotanicaMango Vanilla Shave CreamYOUR PRODUCTTaylor of Old Bond StreetOrganic Shave Cream BowlJames + JakeHow Smooth Calming Post Shave CreamBaume.BePre Shave Gel
Match—39%39%34%
Price—$22.99——
Shared key ingredients—1 of 22 of 21 of 2
Key difference—AllantoinButyrospermum Parkii ButterCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Irritancy High Low Medium Medium
Drying alcohol————
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 11 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Final Report On the Safety Assessment of Sodium Alpha-Olefin Sulfonatesjournals.sagepub.com
  2. 2
    Topical application of Calendula officinalis (L.): Formulation and evaluation of hydrophilic cream with antioxidant activitypdfs.semanticscholar.org
  3. 3
    The seamy side of natural medicines: contact sensitization to arnica (Arnica montana L.) and marigold (Calendula officinalis L.)ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. 4
    Final report on the safety assessment of Calendula officinalis extract and Calendula officinalisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. 5
    Contact dermatitis as an adverse reaction to some topically used European herbal medicinal products – part 1: Achillea millefolium–Curcuma longaonlinelibrary.wiley.com
  6. 6
    Anthocyanin-rich extract from Hibiscus sabdariffa calyx counteracts UVC-caused impairments in ratsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Alba Botanica Mango Vanilla Shave Cream
Alba BotanicaMango Vanilla Shave Cream
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Find on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.