Alba Botanica Sensitive Sunscreen Clear Spray, Fragrance-Free, SPF 50
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 5 UV filtersBroad spectrum
This product offers a good level of protection against both UVB and UVA rays.
This sunscreen uses organic (so-called "chemical") sunscreen filters. Organic, or "chemical" filters usually provide reliable sun protection and rarely leave a white cast. Sunscreens with organic filters can sting eyes.
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.
Anti-agingCamellia sinensis leaf extractStrong evidence
“Help prevent sun damage and premature signs of aging with Alba Botanica SPF 50 Sensitive Sunscreen Spray.”
This product can help prevent early signs of skin aging because it offers a good level of broad spectrum sun protection. Sun damage is the main cause of premature skin aging, and protecting your skin from the sun is the best anti-aging strategy.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · Camellia sinensis leaf extractStrong evidence
This product offers broad spectrum sun protection. It means that it can prevent hyperpigmentation and help keep the skin tone even (sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations).
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Ginkgo biloba leaf extract + 3 moreModerate evidence
This product contains antioxidants (camellia sinensis leaf extract, ginkgo biloba leaf extract) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · Helianthus annuus seed oil, Carthamus tinctorius seed oil + 4 moreGood evidence
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: helianthus annuus seed oil, carthamus tinctorius seed oil.
Keep in mind that this product does not contain effective ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. This is why an additional product with humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid can be helpful (apply it before this product for the best results).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Alcohol denat.Medium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~22–34%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneAlcohol denat.~5.5–8.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Butyloctyl salicylate~3.8–5.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A synthetic ester of salicylic acid that is used to help disperse pigments and boost effectiveness of sunscreen ingredients. It is able to absorb UV light (working as an organic, or chemical filter), but is not approved as a sunscreen ingredient on its own
More about Butyloctyl salicylateAcrylates/octylacrylamide copolymer~3.1–4.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Aloe barbadensis leaf extract~2.2–3.3%
- 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 extractCamellia sinensis leaf extract~1.2–1.8%
- 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 extractCarthamus tinctorius seed oil~0.9–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and might help calm down inflammation
More about Carthamus tinctorius seed oilChamomilla recutita flower extract~0.9–1.35%
- 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 extractDiisopropyl adipate~0.55–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Diisopropyl adipateGinkgo biloba leaf extract~0.45–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals and reduce inflammation in skin. It can be irritating
More about Ginkgo biloba leaf extractHelianthus annuus seed oil~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
More about Helianthus annuus seed oilPanax ginseng root extract~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might have some anti-inflammatory properties, but solid evidence is lacking. It can be irritating
More about Panax ginseng root extractPersea gratissima oil~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin and could be helpful in repairing its barrier function
More about Persea gratissima oilTocopheryl acetate~0.1–0.4%
- 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 acetateButyl 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneHomosalate2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A weak sunscreen that offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not offer meaningful protection against 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. When used in low concentrations, helps to stabilize the product formulation
More about HomosalateEthylhexyl salicylate14.7%
- 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 salicylateOctocrylene4.9%
- 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 OctocryleneAlcohol denat.~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Butyloctyl salicylate~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A synthetic ester of salicylic acid that is used to help disperse pigments and boost effectiveness of sunscreen ingredients. It is able to absorb UV light (working as an organic, or chemical filter), but is not approved as a sunscreen ingredient on its own
More about Butyloctyl salicylateAcrylates/octylacrylamide copolymer~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Aloe barbadensis leaf extract~0.15–0.55%
- 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 extractCamellia sinensis leaf extract~0.05–0.3%
- 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 extractCarthamus tinctorius seed oil~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and might help calm down inflammation
More about Carthamus tinctorius seed oilChamomilla recutita flower extract~0.05–0.2%
- 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 extractDiisopropyl adipate~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Diisopropyl adipateGinkgo biloba leaf extract~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals and reduce inflammation in skin. It can be irritating
More about Ginkgo biloba leaf extractHelianthus annuus seed oil~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
More about Helianthus annuus seed oilPanax quinquefolius root extract~0.01–0.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Persea gratissima oil~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin and could be helpful in repairing its barrier function
More about Persea gratissima oilTocopheryl acetate~0.01–0.1%
- 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 acetateIngredient list view
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Alcohol denat., Butyloctyl salicylate, Acrylates/octylacrylamide copolymer, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Carthamus tinctorius seed oil, Chamomilla recutita flower extract, Diisopropyl adipate, Ginkgo biloba leaf extract, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Panax ginseng root extract, Persea gratissima oil, Tocopheryl acetate, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Octocrylene, Alcohol denat., Butyloctyl salicylate, Acrylates/octylacrylamide copolymer, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Carthamus tinctorius seed oil, Chamomilla recutita flower extract, Diisopropyl adipate, Ginkgo biloba leaf extract, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Panax quinquefolius root extract, Persea gratissima oil, Tocopheryl acetate
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Product summary
We assess that "Alba Botanica - Sensitive Sunscreen Clear Spray, Fragrance-Free, SPF 50" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredient list. It can protect from both UVA and UVB rays. This is great news because not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. (UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
Because it includes good moisturizing ingredients, it can also work as a hydrating day cream. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product helps prevent early signs of aging.
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 22.00% - 34.00%, butyloctyl salicylate 0.10% - 0.40%, octisalate 14.70% (declared), homosalate 2.90% (declared) and octocrylene 4.90% (declared).
Irritation risk
This formulation includes some common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen to be medium. 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.
Price
The product retails from 10.48$ up to 12.90$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 10 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Cosmeceutical Critique: Ginkgo Bilobamdedge.com
- 4
- 5
- 6Effect of topically applied lipids on surfactant-irritated skinonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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