Alba Botanica SPF 33 Very Emollient Mineral Spray Sunscreen - Fragrance Free
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 33 · 2 UV filtersBroad spectrum
This product offers a good level of protection against both UVB and UVA rays.
It is a mineral sunscreen. In other words, it contains non-organic UV filters. It will probably not sting your eyes but might leave a white cast.
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-aging2 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“It is water resistant up to 80 minutes, with broad spectrum SPF 33 protection against sunburn, skin cancer and premature signs of aging.”
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 · 1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
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 · 4 ingredients credited for this claimModerate support
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 · 7 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
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:
glycerin, aloe barbadensis leaf juice.
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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, jojoba esters.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Calendula officinalis flower extractMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Titanium dioxide6.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
More about Titanium dioxideZinc oxide6.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A broad spectrum sunblock (protects from both UVA and UVB rays). Is suitable for most sensitive skins. In small concentrations, can be used as a colorant
More about Zinc oxideWater~45–55%
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~7.6–9.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideGlyceryl oleate citrate~5.2–6.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Glyceryl oleate citrateGlycerin~4.2–5.1%
- 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 GlycerinCoco-caprylate~3.6–4.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that softens skin and creates a nice product texture
More about Coco-caprylateAloe barbadensis leaf juice~2.9–3.6%
- 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 juiceCalendula officinalis flower extract~2.2–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that has some anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial properties. Can be irritating
More about Calendula officinalis flower extractCamellia sinensis leaf extract~1.9–2.3%
- 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 extractChamomilla recutita flower extract~1.4–1.7%
- 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 extractGinkgo biloba leaf extract~1–1.3%
- 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 extractJojoba esters~0.95–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier function
More about Jojoba estersPolyhydroxystearic acid~0.7–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Polyhydroxystearic acidSodium chloride~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideStearic acid~0.6–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidTocopheryl acetate~0.25–0.5%
- 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 acetateXanthan gum~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumPhenoxyethanol~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPotassium sorbate~0.15–0.25%
Ingredient list view
Titanium dioxide, Zinc oxide, Water, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Glyceryl oleate citrate, Glycerin, Coco-caprylate, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Calendula officinalis flower extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Chamomilla recutita flower extract, Ginkgo biloba leaf extract, Jojoba esters, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Sodium chloride, Stearic acid, Tocopheryl acetate, Xanthan gum, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium sorbate
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Product summary
Based on the ingredients included, we believe that "Alba Botanica - SPF 33 Very Emollient Mineral Spray Sunscreen - Fragrance Free" can offer reliable sun protection. We love that it can protect from both UVA and UVB rays (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 is a mineral sunscreen. It uses titanium dioxide and zinc oxide for sun protection. Both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide almost never irritate even the most sensitive skin and eyes, but can leave a white cast.
Irritation risk
It contains some common irritants, including those without 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.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 12 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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