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Alba Botanica Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30

Alba Botanica SPF 30 πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ American
Alba Botanica Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30

78/100 overall score

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About this sunscreen

Alba Botanica Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen is an SPF 30 formula using a pure mineral filter system of Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide. It has a dewy finish but feels somewhat heavier, and as a mineral formula it can show a medium level of white cast. It is unlikely to sting and is low on pore-clogging, though it is generally a poor fit under makeup. With good protection and a score of 77.7, it is a solid sensitive-skin mineral option.

Ingredient & SPF scores

β˜€οΈ

UV protection

Good 74
  • +41 Zinc Oxide at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
  • +33 Titanium Dioxide at #2, UV filter (UVA1 +5)
  • βˆ’1 UVA2 coverage saturated
  • +1 Label claims (SPF 30)
How we rate uv protection β†’
☒️

Health safety

High 100
  • +100 Starting score
How we rate health safety β†’
🀧

Allergens

Low 99
  • +100 Starting score
  • βˆ’1 1 declared fragrance allergens
How we rate allergens β†’
πŸ‘»

White cast

Medium 46
  • +100 Starting score
  • βˆ’28 Zinc Oxide, 14.5% declared
  • βˆ’7 Titanium Dioxide, 2% declared
  • βˆ’10 Zinc Oxide + Titanium Dioxide together
  • βˆ’15 Pure mineral formula (16.5% total declared)
  • +6 PHSA dispersant, fights agglomeration
How we rate white cast β†’
πŸ”₯

Eye sting

Low 100
  • +100 Starting score
  • βˆ’1 Volatile alcohol at #19
  • +0.8 Mineral filter system, low-sting filters
How we rate eye sting β†’
πŸͺ¨

Heavy feel

Medium 57
  • +100 Starting score
  • βˆ’18 Zinc Oxide, 14.5% declared
  • βˆ’10 Titanium Dioxide, 2% declared
  • βˆ’5 Butyrospermum Parkii Fruit at #10, butter/occlusive fat
  • βˆ’10 Both minerals in the top 3, dual mineral paste
How we rate heavy feel β†’
πŸ”΄

Comedogenic

Low 83
  • +100 Starting score
  • βˆ’17 Ethylhexyl Palmitate at #6, heavy comedogenic ester
How we rate comedogenic β†’
πŸ„

Fungal acne

High 0
  • +100 Starting score
  • βˆ’30 1 polysorbate/sorbitan emulsifiers that feed Malassezia (Sorbitan Sesquioleate)
  • βˆ’37 3 oils/butters that feed Malassezia (Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Fruit)
  • βˆ’50 3 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glyceryl Isostearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Ricinoleate)
  • βˆ’10 2 different Malassezia-feeding families high in the list
  • +0 Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil at #13, jojoba wax ester, fungal-acne exception (not penalized)
  • +27 Penalties exceed the scale, floored at 0
How we rate fungal acne β†’
πŸ‘•

Fabric stains

Low 80
  • +100 Starting score
  • βˆ’15 Zinc Oxide at #1, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
  • βˆ’5 Both minerals present, heavier deposit
How we rate fabric stains β†’
πŸ’§

Moisture

Balanced
LightNourishing
  • ← 2 Volatile alcohol at #19
  • ← 1.5 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica)
  • ← 5 Zinc Oxide at #1, mild sebum absorbent
  • ← 2 Titanium Dioxide at #2, mild sebum absorbent
  • β†’ 4 Glycerin at #8, the anchor humectant
  • β†’ 6 4 emollient lipids (Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, …)
  • β†’ 2 Light emollient/solvent (Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride)
How we rate moisture β†’
✨

Finish

Dewy
MatteDewy
  • ← 1 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica)
  • ← 0.5 Volatile alcohol at #19
  • β†’ 8 4 emollient lipids (Butyrospermum Parkii Fruit, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, …)
  • β†’ 4 1 slippy emollient esters (Ethylhexyl Palmitate)
How we rate finish β†’
πŸ’„

Makeup base

Poor
PillsPrimer
  • β†’ 3 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
  • ← 4 Occlusives/waxes float the foundation
  • ← 15 High mineral load at #1 greys under foundation
How we rate makeup base β†’
🌊

Water resistance

Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant

Nothing flagged in the ingredient list.

How we rate water resistance β†’

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.

  • ✨ Aloe vera

Full ingredient list (25)

What each ingredient does and how it moves each rating: green helps, red hurts, ↑ / ↓ give the direction, and ← / β†’ shift a slider toward its ends (finish, moisture, makeup base). Auto-derived from our scoring rules and the ingredient's position.

  1. 1 Zinc Oxide

    Mineral UV filter (Zinc Oxide), high in the list, a primary filter

    • ↑ 41 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
    • ↑ 28 14.5% declared
    • ↑ 18 14.5% declared
    • ↑ 15 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
    • light ← 5 mild sebum absorbent
    • pills ← 15 High mineral load greys under foundation
  2. 2 Titanium Dioxide

    Mineral UV filter (Titanium Dioxide), high in the list, a primary filter

    • ↑ 33 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
    • ↑ 7 2% declared
    • ↑ 10 2% declared
    • light ← 2 mild sebum absorbent
  3. 3 Water

    Solvent base, the water phase

  4. 4 Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

    Emollient, softens and smooths skin

    • 2 β†’ nourishing light emollient
  5. 5 Dimethicone

    Emollient, softens and smooths skin

  6. 6 Ethylhexyl Palmitate

    Emollient, softens and smooths skin

    • ↑ 17 heavy comedogenic ester
    • 4 β†’ dewy slippy emollient ester
    • ↑ 24 feeds malassezia
  7. 7 Sorbitan Sesquioleate

    Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended

    • ↑ 30 feeds malassezia
  8. 8 Glycerin

    Humectant, pulls water into the skin

    • 4 β†’ nourishing the anchor humectant
  9. 9 Glyceryl Isostearate

    Emollient, softens and smooths skin

    • ↑ 14 feeds malassezia
  10. 10 Butyrospermum Parkii Fruit

    Botanical extract

    • ↑ 5 butter/occlusive fat
    • 2 β†’ nourishing emollient lipid
    • 3 β†’ dewy emollient lipid
    • ↑ 14 feeds malassezia
  11. 11 Polyglyceryl-3 Ricinoleate

    Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended

    • ↑ 14 feeds malassezia
  12. 12 Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

    Botanical extract

    • 2 β†’ nourishing emollient lipid
    • 3 β†’ dewy emollient lipid
    • ↑ 14 feeds malassezia
  13. 13 Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil

    Botanical extract

    • 1 β†’ nourishing emollient lipid
    • 1 β†’ dewy emollient lipid
  14. 14 Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil

    Botanical extract

    • 1 β†’ nourishing emollient lipid
    • 1 β†’ dewy emollient lipid
    • ↑ 9 feeds malassezia
  15. 15 Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

    Soothing, skin-conditioning active

  16. 16 Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract

    Botanical extract

  17. 17 Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract

    Botanical extract

  18. 18 Tocopheryl Acetate

    Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin

  19. 19 Alcohol

    Volatile alcohol, a drying solvent that can sting eyes

  20. 20 Magnesium Sulfate

    Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream

  21. 21 Polyhydroxystearic Acid

    Emollient, softens and smooths skin

  22. 22 Silica

    Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish

    • light ← 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
    • matte ← 1 sebum-absorbing powder
  23. 23 Sodium Chloride

    Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream

  24. 24 Benzyl Alcohol

    Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling

  25. 25 Phenoxyethanol

    Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling

Is Alba Botanica Sensitive mineral or chemical?

It is a pure mineral sunscreen using Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide. It contains no chemical UV filters.

Does the Alba Botanica Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 work under makeup?

It is rated a poor fit under makeup, with a dewy finish and a somewhat heavier feel. It can also show a medium level of white cast.

Is it good for sensitive skin?

It is marketed for sensitive skin, is unlikely to sting, and is low on pore-clogging. It scores 77.7 out of 100 with good protection.

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