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Alba Botanica Sheer Mineral Face Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50, Fragrance Free, 2 fl oz (59 ml)
Alba Botanica

Sheer Mineral Face Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50, Fragrance Free, 2 fl oz (59 ml)

SPF 50
Our score 84.0 / 100

Fragrance-free with ethanol of unknown concentration; Drug Facts order cannot establish its level. At 24.1% zinc oxide, residue is plausible despite dispersants and light esters; wear is untested.

Tone-up Brightening veil from mineral & tone-up formulas; evens out your skin tone. Sensitive & baby fragrance-free, low-irritant, baby-safe gentle formulas. United States
03 The facts, at a glance
Protection
Filter type Mineral filters (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) sit on skin and reflect UV. Chemical filters absorb UV. Hybrid runs both.
Mineral
Broad spectrum Covers both UVA and UVB. UVA drives aging and deeper damage; UVB gives you burns.
Yes
Formulation & feel
Texture How it feels going on — milk, gel, cream, spray, stick, essence, lotion, powder, or cushion.
Lotion
Finish How it looks once dry: matte, natural, dewy, or glowy.
Natural
Tinted Adds sheer pigment (iron oxides) that masks the white cast common to mineral filters and gives a skin-tone finish.
No
fragrance-free No synthetic perfume added. Not FDA-defined in the US; the EU requires 'Parfum' + the 26 named allergens on the label. 'Unscented' is different — it can hide masking fragrance. Botanical oils still scent.
Yes
Alcohol-free No drying short-chain alcohols (alcohol denat., SD alcohol, ethanol). Doesn't mean fatty alcohols like cetyl or stearyl — those are emollients.
No
Where to buy it
Target US In stock
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84.0
Composite score · independent
Ranks #986 of 1759 in the current catalogue. Fragrance-free with ethanol of unknown concentration; Drug Facts order cannot establish its level. At 24.1% zinc oxide, residue is plausible despite dispersants and light esters; wear is untested.
Composite is a weighted blend: UV 25% · Modernity 10% · Sensitivity 15% · Environment 10% · Elegance 15% · Health 25%. That's the recipe.
The score breakdown
UV protection How hard it blocks UVA + UVB across the spectrum at the stated SPF/PA. 82
Filter modernity Dings legacy filters (octinoxate, oxybenzone); rewards photostable next-gen ones. 80
Sensitivity safety Risk for reactive skin — fragrance, alcohol, and known sensitisers. 82
Reef / env. safety Reef toxicity plus how biodegradable the UV filters and surfactants are. 100
Cosmetic elegance Spread, finish, white-cast, and how it actually feels on skin. 71
Health safety Endocrine concerns and systemic absorption signals across the whole formula. 90
02 Composition · key UV filters 1 filters resolved
UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — covered UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — covered
Zinc Oxide Mineral Physical filter — sits on skin and reflects UV. Reef-safer.
04 Full ingredient list (INCI) 20 ingredients
MODERN FILTER 0 LEGACY FILTER 1 MINERAL FILTER 1 ADDED FRAGRANCE 0 NATURAL FRAGRANCE 0 ALCOHOL 1 WATCH 0 ACTIVE 4
Zinc Oxide Mineral UV filter — physical block; reef-safer. ·Water·Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride·Ethylhexyl Olivate· Butyloctyl Salicylate Salicylate-class booster; supports avobenzone. ·Isoamyl Laurate·Glyceryl Stearate· Niacinamide Vitamin B3 — barrier + brightening. ·VP/Hexadecene Copolymer·Tocopheryl Acetate· Glycerin Humectant — the workhorse hydrator. ·Polyhydroxystearic Acid·Potassium Cetyl Phosphate·Sodium Phytate· Squalane Plant emollient; skin-mimicking. ·Triethoxycaprylylsilane·Xanthan Gum· Alcohol Drying short-chain alcohol — can compromise the skin barrier and disturb the film if used in high amounts. · Ethylhexylglycerin Humectant — the workhorse hydrator. ·Phenoxyethanol
Source: brand-published INCI. Last verified 2026. Show in detail
01 Zinc Oxide MINERAL FILTER Mineral UV filter — physical block; reef-safer.
02 Water Water
03 Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
04 Ethylhexyl Olivate Ethylhexyl Olivate
05 Butyloctyl Salicylate LEGACY FILTER Salicylate-class booster; supports avobenzone.
06 Isoamyl Laurate Isoamyl Laurate
07 Glyceryl Stearate Glyceryl Stearate
08 Niacinamide ACTIVE Vitamin B3 — barrier + brightening.
09 VP/Hexadecene Copolymer VP/Hexadecene Copolymer
10 Tocopheryl Acetate Vitamin E Acetate
11 Glycerin ACTIVE Humectant — the workhorse hydrator.
12 Polyhydroxystearic Acid Polyhydroxystearic Acid
13 Potassium Cetyl Phosphate Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
14 Sodium Phytate
15 Squalane ACTIVE Plant emollient; skin-mimicking.
16 Triethoxycaprylylsilane Triethoxycaprylylsilane
17 Xanthan Gum Xanthan Gum
18 Alcohol ALCOHOL Drying short-chain alcohol — can compromise the skin barrier and disturb the film if used in high amounts.
19 Ethylhexylglycerin ACTIVE Humectant — the workhorse hydrator.
20 Phenoxyethanol Phenoxyethanol