Alba Botanica Sensitive Sunscreen Spf 50
67/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Alba Botanica Sensitive Sunscreen is a chemical SPF 50 spray using an older-school blend of Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Homosalate, Octocrylene and Ethylhexyl Salicylate. It has a balanced finish, feels lightweight and leaves a low white cast, and it works well as a makeup base. Note that it scores high on stinging, so it may not suit sensitive eyes. The overall score is 67.0/100 with good protection.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Good
61
- +30 Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +16)
- +12 Homosalate at #2, UV filter
- +16 Octocrylene at #3, UV filter
- +7.6 Ethylhexyl Salicylate at #4, UV filter
- Γ0.9 Limited long-UVA1 coverage
- +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
β’οΈ
Health safety
Medium
46
- +100 Starting score
- β40 Homosalate at #2 (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β10.5 Octocrylene at #3, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β3.5 Avobenzone at #1, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
π€§
Allergens
Low
97
- +100 Starting score
- β3 Photoallergen-tail UV filters (Octocrylene)
π₯
Eye sting
High
29
- +100 Starting score
- β24 Avobenzone at #1, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β22 Octocrylene at #3, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β9 Homosalate at #2, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β6 Octisalate at #4, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β10 Volatile alcohol at #5
π΄
Comedogenic
Low
91
- +100 Starting score
- β9 Persea Gratissima Oil at #7, moderate comedogenic signal
π
Fungal acne
Low
76
- +100 Starting score
- β24 1 oils/butters that feed Malassezia (Persea Gratissima Oil)
π
Fabric stains
High
25
- +100 Starting score
- β50 Avobenzone at #1, reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
- β15 Octocrylene at #3, co-stains alongside avobenzone
- β10 Avobenzone + Octocrylene, the classic staining pair
π§
Moisture
Light
LightNourishing
- β 13 Volatile alcohol at #5
- β 1 Glycerin at #14, the anchor humectant
- β 4 1 emollient lipids (Persea Gratissima Oil)
β¨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 3 Volatile alcohol at #5
- β 1 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Diisopropyl Adipate)
- β 6 1 emollient lipids (Persea Gratissima Oil)
π
Makeup base
Good
PillsPrimer
- β 6 Quick-setting carrier (alcohol at #5), fast, even canvas
- β 1 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 2 Occlusives/waxes float the foundation
π
Water resistance
Resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
- +13 1 film-forming polymers that lock the formula on for water resistance
Skincare extras
Beneficial actives this formula contains. Informational only, not part of the rating: their effect depends on a concentration the label does not disclose.
- β¨ Aloe vera
- β¨ Green tea
- β¨ Vitamin E
Full ingredient list (17)
What each ingredient does and how it moves each rating: green helps, red hurts, β / β give the direction, and β / β shift a slider toward its ends (finish, moisture, makeup base). Auto-derived from our scoring rules and the ingredient's position.
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Legacy UV filter (Avobenzone), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 30 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 3.5 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β 24 migrates into eyes with sweat
- β 50 reacts with iron in wash water into rust-yellow stains
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Legacy UV filter (Homosalate), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 12 UV protection
- β 9 migrates into eyes with sweat
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Legacy UV filter (Octocrylene), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 16 UV protection
- β 10.5 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β 22 migrates into eyes with sweat
- β 15 co-stains alongside avobenzone
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Legacy UV filter (Octisalate)
- β 7.6 UV protection
- β 6 migrates into eyes with sweat
-
Volatile alcohol, a drying solvent that can sting eyes
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
- β 13 film former
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Plant oil, an emollient
- β 9 moderate comedogenic signal
- 4 β nourishing emollient lipid
- 6 β dewy emollient lipid
- β 24 feeds malassezia
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 1 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
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Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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Botanical extract
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Botanical extract
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Botanical extract
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Botanical extract
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14 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 β nourishing the anchor humectant
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
Does Alba Botanica Sensitive sting the eyes?
It scores high on stinging, so it may not suit sensitive eyes despite the sensitive name. Take care when applying near the eye area.
Does the Alba Botanica Sensitive Sunscreen Spf 50 leave a white cast?
No, the white cast is low and it works well as a makeup base. The finish is balanced and it feels lightweight.
Is it good?
It scores 67.0/100 with good protection at SPF 50, using an older-school chemical filter blend. The main caveat is the stinging risk.