Babo Botanicals SPF50 Sheer Zinc Continuous Fragrance Free Sunscreen Spray Duo

Babo Botanicals SPF50 Sheer Zinc Continuous Fragrance Free Sunscreen Spray Duo

SPF 50Efficacy90/100IrritancyMedium·2 UV filters
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Works for

1 of 1 advertised claim delivered

Sun protection
SPF 50 · 2 UV filters
Broad spectrum
SPF 50Broad spectrumMineral + chemical filtersWater-resistantTinted

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.

UV spectrum
UVB290–320 nmUVA II320–340 nmUVA I340–400 nm
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Zinc Oxide
FilterCoverageWhat it doesEst. amount
Butyloctyl SalicylateUVBA 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~2.8–4.2%
Zinc Oxide Mineral UVBUVA Photo-stable 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 colorant12%
~ marks concentrations estimated from label position and typical use levels
Reef-safe
No oxybenzone or octinoxate — the two filters banned in Hawaii, Florida Keys and Aruba.
Evens skin tone
Not advertised by the brand · No ingredient credited for this claim
Strong 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-aging
Not advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claim
Strong support

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.

Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceEffect: 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~6.3–9.4%
Moisturizing
Not advertised by the brand · 9 ingredients credited for this claim
Good 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: helianthus annuus seed oil, carthamus tinctorius seed oil.

Helianthus annuus seed oilKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA 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~0.4–0.95%
Jojoba estersKey active· EmollientEffect: HighAn emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier function~0.2–0.8%
Carthamus tinctorius seed oilKey active· EmollientEffect: HighAn emollient that helps soften the skin and might help calm down inflammation~1.2–1.9%
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~0.45–1.05%
Heptyl undecylenateKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: MediumHelps soften the upper layer of the skin, reduce water loss from the skin surface over time and create a nice product finish~0.35–0.8%
Cetearyl alcoholKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture~1.1–1.6%
Methyl dihydroabietateKey activeEffect: MediumHelps soften the upper layer of the skin~0.1–0.5%
Caprylyl glycol· Humectant, EmollientEffect: LowHelps preserve products and creates a nice product texture~1.5–2.2%
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~6.3–9.4%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
1 strong irritant: Calendula officinalis flower extract
Medium risk
We flagged 11 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Calendula officinalis flower extractA plant extract that has some anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial properties. Can be irritatingHigh~2–2.9%est.
Chamomilla recutita flower extractPlant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritatingHigh~0.85–1.3%est.
Coco-glucosideUsed as a cleansing agent (surfactant) in cleansers. Helps water and oil mix together in lotions. Can be irritatingHigh~0.6–1.35%est.
Nasturtium officinale flower/leaf extractUsed as a fragrance or masking agentHigh~0.1–0.35%est.
Spiraea ulmaria flower extractMight have some anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Can be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.2%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~6.3–9.4%est.
Butyloctyl salicylateA 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 ownMedium~2.8–4.2%est.
Caprylhydroxamic acidA preservativeMedium~1.7–2.5%est.
Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureMedium~1.5–2.2%est.
Heptyl undecylenateHelps soften the upper layer of the skin, reduce water loss from the skin surface over time and create a nice product finishMedium~0.35–0.8%est.
Jojoba estersAn emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier functionMedium~0.2–0.8%est.
Comedogenic
1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
1 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Cetearyl alcoholA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture2/5~1.1–1.6%est.
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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Zinc oxide12%
UV filterKey active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Sun protection

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 oxide
Neral~23–35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Neral
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice~6.3–9.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAntibacterialAnti-inflammatoryReduces irritationReduces rednessAnti-agingAnti-blemish

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
Bentonite~3.8–5.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-blemish

Helps stabilize the product formulation

More about Bentonite
Butyloctyl salicylate~2.8–4.2%
UV filterKey activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Sun protection

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 salicylate
Calendula officinalis flower extract~2–2.9%
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
Caprylhydroxamic acid~1.7–2.5%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Caprylhydroxamic acid
Caprylyl glycol~1.5–2.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture

More about Caprylyl glycol
Carthamus tinctorius seed oil~1.2–1.9%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

An emollient that helps soften the skin and might help calm down inflammation

More about Carthamus tinctorius seed oil
Cetearyl alcohol~1.1–1.6%
Key activeComedogenic 2/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
2/5
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture

More about Cetearyl alcohol
Chamomilla recutita flower extract~0.85–1.3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-inflammatory

Plant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritating

More about Chamomilla recutita flower extract
Coco-glucoside~0.6–1.35%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Used as a cleansing agent (surfactant) in cleansers. Helps water and oil mix together in lotions. Can be irritating

More about Coco-glucoside
Glycerin~0.45–1.05%
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
Helianthus annuus seed oil~0.4–0.95%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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 oil
Heptyl undecylenate~0.35–0.8%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin, reduce water loss from the skin surface over time and create a nice product finish

More about Heptyl undecylenate
Jojoba esters~0.2–0.8%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

An emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier function

More about Jojoba esters
Methyl dihydroabietate~0.1–0.5%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Methyl dihydroabietate
Nasturtium officinale flower/leaf extract~0.1–0.35%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Used as a fragrance or masking agent

More about Nasturtium officinale flower/leaf extract
Pueraria lobata root extract~0.05–0.25%
Formula
Spiraea ulmaria flower extract~0.05–0.2%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-oxidationAnti-inflammatory

Might have some anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Can be irritating

More about Spiraea ulmaria flower extract
Water~0.05–0.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Ingredient list view

Zinc oxide, Neral, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Bentonite, Butyloctyl salicylate, Calendula officinalis flower extract, Caprylhydroxamic acid, Caprylyl glycol, Carthamus tinctorius seed oil, Cetearyl alcohol, Chamomilla recutita flower extract, Coco-glucoside, Glycerin, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Heptyl undecylenate, Jojoba esters, Methyl dihydroabietate, Nasturtium officinale flower/leaf extract, Pueraria lobata root extract, Spiraea ulmaria flower extract, Water

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Product summary

The ingredient list suggests that "Babo Botanicals - SPF50 Sheer Zinc Continuous Fragrance Free Sunscreen Spray Duo" can provide 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).

It contains good moisturizing ingredients and can double as a hydrating day cream. This product prevents early signs of aging by protecting against sun damage (all broad spectrum sunscreens do that).

Sunscreen filters

This sunscreen uses a mixture of both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") UV filters. Here are the organic filters this product uses: butyloctyl salicylate. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses zinc oxide.

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 "Babo Botanicals" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.

Price

The product retails at around 39.98$ 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 18 studies and safety reviews.

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Babo Botanicals SPF50 Sheer Zinc Continuous Fragrance Free Sunscreen Spray Duo
Babo BotanicalsSPF50 Sheer Zinc Continuous Fragrance Free Sunscreen Spray Duo

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