Quick Summary:
Date Tested: 8/18/2023
In this Alba Botanica Sheer Mineral Face SPF50 sunscreen lotion review, I find a fantastic sunscreen value!
***Super quick update***
I do realize it has been almost 5 months since my last sunscreen review (which is due to going back to school), and yet sunscreen testing is very much still on my mind. In fact, I have been testing samples from different entrepreneurs seeking to manufacture their own formulations. I have also been putting my electronics building skills towards creating an open source fast protein liquid chromatography machine which will hopefully be able to purify proteins for the Open Insulin Foundation. So please excuse the lack of recent reviews.
The Alba Botanica Sheer Mineral Face SPF 50 sunscreen lotion is a mineral based formulation containing 24.1% Zinc Oxide. This is a rather high concentration of active ingredient, so I was excited to see what kind of results this sunscreen formulation would score after 2 hours in the sunscreen tester.
The Alba Botanica Sheer Mineral Face SPF50 sunscreen lotion did a great job filtering UVA by 99.16%, reducing UVB by 97.21%, and blocking total UVI by 99.04%. It is a very high performing mineral formulation, and I would absolutely recommend it!
Alba Botanica Sheer Mineral Face SPF 50 sunscreen lotion ingredients
Active ingredients: Zinc Oxide (24.1%)
Inactive Ingredients: (Aqua), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Isoamyl Laurate, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Niacinamide, VP/Hexadecene Copolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycerin, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Sodium Phytate, Squalane, Xanthan Gum, Alcohol (1), Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Manufacturers Website: www.albabotanica.com
Alba Botanica Sheer Mineral Face SPF 50 sunscreen lotion characteristics at a glance:
- no oxybenzone or octinoxate
- fragrance free
- water resistant (up to 80 minutes)
- biodegradable formula
- Viscosity neither too runny or too thick
Prepared slide ready for testing
The Alba Botanica Sheer Mineral Face SPF50 sunscreen lotion has a medium viscosity and distributes active ingredient well. It spreads nicely and just barely seems to thin towards the center. It is by no means too thick or too runny.
Alba Botanica Sheer Mineral Face SPF50 UV blocking test results
Ultraviolet light quick reference:
UVA: The Ultraviolet wavelength from 315nm – 400nm. The “Aging UV light” – Causes wrinkles.
UVB: The Ultraviolet wavelength from 280nm – 315nm. The “Bad UV light” – Causes skin cancer.
UVI: The global sun UV index. The more a sunscreen can reduce the level of UVI, the better.
UV test results:
Ultraviolet sensor readings:
| Before Sunscreen | After Sunscreen | % UV Blocked | |
| TEMP | 85.35 | 85.15 | |
| UVA | 40958 | 344 | 99.16% |
| UVB | 2035 | 56.75 | 97.21% |
| UVI | 24.02 | .23 | 99.04% |
Want to know more about how I test sunscreen? Head here to read about the details.
Testing notes:
Of the products I have tested from Alba Botanica, they have consistently performed well. They are becoming a brand I would not hesitate to recommend based on brand alone. However, I will always tell people to apply often and evenly despite what sunscreen they choose.
At about $10 for a tube, this is a pretty good value. I recommend this sunscreen for its price/performance.
Want to try the Alba Botanica Sheer Mineral Face SPF 50 sunscreen lotion?
Nice value, and great protection. Recommended
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