Alba Botanica Sunscreen For Face, Fragrance-free Sheer Mineral Face Sunscreen Lotion, Broad Spectrum SPF 50
70/100 overall score
Sign in to see this product's score for your skin.
About this sunscreen
Alba Botanica Sheer Mineral Face Sunscreen Lotion is a fragrance-free SPF 50 pure mineral formula using Zinc Oxide. It has a balanced finish with a medium chance of white cast and a medium weight on skin, and it is generally gentle and unlikely to sting. It wears acceptably under makeup and is low on the pore-clogging scale. With a score of 69.7/100 and moderate protection, it is a sensible fragrance-free mineral choice for the face.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Moderate
43
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
π»
White cast
Medium
41
- +100 Starting score
- β55 Zinc Oxide, 24.1% declared
- β15 Pure mineral formula (24.1% total declared)
- +7 PHSA dispersant, fights agglomeration
- +4.4 Coated minerals (Triethoxycaprylylsilane)
π₯
Eye sting
Low
100
- +100 Starting score
- β1 Volatile alcohol at #18
- +0.8 Mineral filter system, low-sting filters
πͺ¨
Heavy feel
Medium
60
- +100 Starting score
- β40 Zinc Oxide, 24.1% declared
π΄
Comedogenic
Low
91
- +100 Starting score
- β9 Glyceryl Stearate SE at #7, moderate comedogenic signal
π
Fungal acne
Medium
52
- +100 Starting score
- β48 2 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Isoamyl Laurate, Glyceryl Stearate SE)
- +0 Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride at #3, a safe base that does not feed Malassezia
π
Fabric stains
Low
85
- +100 Starting score
- β15 Zinc Oxide at #1, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
π§
Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- β 2 Volatile alcohol at #18
- β 5 Zinc Oxide at #1, mild sebum absorbent
- β 4 Glycerin at #12, the anchor humectant
- β 1 1 emollient lipids (Squalane)
- β 4 Light emollient/solvent (Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride)
β¨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 0.5 Volatile alcohol at #18
- β 2 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Isoamyl Laurate)
- β 1 1 emollient lipids (Squalane)
π
Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- β 2 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 15 High mineral load at #1 greys under foundation
π
Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
- +7 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¨ Niacinamide
- β¨ Vitamin E
Full ingredient list (20)
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.
-
Mineral UV filter (Zinc Oxide), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 41 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 55 24.1% declared
- β 40 24.1% declared
- β 15 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- light β 5 mild sebum absorbent
- pills β 15 High mineral load greys under foundation
-
2 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 4 β nourishing light emollient
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 2 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
- β 24 feeds malassezia
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 moderate comedogenic signal
- β 24 feeds malassezia
-
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
Film former, locks the formula onto skin for water resistance
- β 7 film former
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
12 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 4 β nourishing the anchor humectant
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
-
Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
-
16 Squalane
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 1 β nourishing emollient lipid
- 1 β dewy emollient lipid
-
17 Xanthan Gum
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
18 Alcohol
Volatile alcohol, a drying solvent that can sting eyes
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
Is Alba Botanica Sheer Mineral Face Sunscreen mineral or chemical?
It is a pure mineral, fragrance-free sunscreen using Zinc Oxide as its only filter, which suits people who prefer non-chemical, fragrance-free formulas.
Does the Alba Botanica Sunscreen For Face, Fragrance-free Sheer Mineral Face Sunscreen Lotion, Broad Spectrum SPF 50 leave a white cast?
It has a medium chance of white cast, common for zinc-based formulas. A balanced finish helps it blend, but darker tones may notice some residue.
Is it good for sensitive or acne-prone skin?
It may suit sensitive and acne-prone skin: it is fragrance-free, generally gentle, and rated low for pore-clogging. It scores 69.7/100 with moderate protection.