Is Alba Botanica Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Face Lotion SPF 50 Reef Safe?
Not everywhere. Allowed in 8 of 9 places we track. See why
- Allowed: Hawaii
- Allowed: Maui County
- Allowed: Hawaiʻi County
- Allowed: U.S. Virgin Islands
- Not allowed: Palau
- Allowed: Aruba
- Allowed: Guam
- Allowed: Northern Mariana Islands
- Allowed: Thailand
Alba Botanica Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Face Lotion SPF 50 is allowed under the sunscreen laws of Hawaii statewide, Maui County, Hawaiʻi County (Big Island), the U.S. Virgin Islands, Aruba, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and Thailand's national parks, but not in Palau. It uses one mineral UV filter: zinc oxide 24.1%. It is a broad-spectrum facial sunscreen lotion made by Alba Botanica (The Hain Celestial Group, Inc.) and is water resistant for up to 80 minutes.
Sizes: 2 oz
Where Alba Botanica Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Face Lotion SPF 50 is allowed
| Location | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Palau | Not allowed | Phenoxyethanol: banned by name. |
| Hawaii (statewide) | Allowed | No restricted ingredients found. |
| Maui County (Maui, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi) | Allowed | No restricted ingredients found. |
| Hawaiʻi County (Big Island) | Allowed | No restricted ingredients found. |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | Allowed | No restricted ingredients found. |
| Aruba | Allowed | No restricted ingredients found. |
| Guam | Allowed | No restricted ingredients found. |
| Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) | Allowed | No restricted ingredients found. |
| Thailand (all national parks) | Allowed | No restricted ingredients found. |
Guidance and repealed rules (4)
| Mexico: federal marine protected areas (e.g., Isla Mujeres, Punta Cancún & Punta Nizuc) | Meets guidance | |
| Bonaire (Bonaire National Marine Park) | Meets guidance | |
| U.S. National Parks with coral reefs (NPS guidance) | Meets guidance | |
| Key West, Florida | No rule in force |
Alba Botanica Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Face Lotion SPF 50 active ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Zinc Oxide | 24.1% | Mineral |
Alba Botanica Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Face Lotion SPF 50 inactive ingredients
Water (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, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Highlighted ingredients are regulated somewhere; red ones are restricted in at least one location we track. Dotted ones are listed below.
Fragrance allergens, essential oils and alcohol
- Drying alcohol: Alcohol
The EU requires these allergens to be named on cosmetic labels above 0.001% in leave-on products (Regulation 1223/2009, Annex III). They can cause skin reactions in people who are sensitized; they don’t affect whether a sunscreen is legal anywhere we track.
Note: Same active % and inactive list as the Sheer Mineral body lotions on the brand site. Size inferred from the brand-hosted image file name; the product page does not list sizes.
Common questions about Alba Botanica Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Face Lotion SPF 50
Is Alba Botanica Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Face Lotion SPF 50 reef safe?
“Reef safe” isn’t a regulated label claim, so we answer by law instead. It is allowed under the sunscreen laws of Hawaii statewide, Maui County, Hawaiʻi County (Big Island), the U.S. Virgin Islands, Aruba, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and Thailand's national parks, but not in Palau. Its only UV filters are minerals, which every law we track permits.
Is Alba Botanica Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Face Lotion SPF 50 legal in Hawaii?
Under Hawaii’s statewide law (Act 104, which bans oxybenzone and octinoxate) it is allowed. In Maui County (Maui, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi), which allows only mineral sunscreens, it is allowed. In Hawaiʻi County (the Big Island), which has a mineral-only rule for sales, it is allowed. Oʻahu and Kauaʻi have no county rule, so only the statewide law applies there.
Where is Alba Botanica Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Face Lotion SPF 50 not allowed?
Palau: it contains phenoxyethanol, which is not allowed there.
Does Alba Botanica Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Face Lotion SPF 50 contain oxybenzone?
No. It contains neither oxybenzone nor octinoxate, the two chemicals banned under Hawaii’s statewide law.
Is Alba Botanica Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Face Lotion SPF 50 a mineral or chemical sunscreen?
Mineral. Its UV filter is zinc oxide 24.1%.
Is the zinc oxide in Alba Botanica Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Face Lotion SPF 50 non-nano?
Its Drug Facts ingredient list doesn’t state particle size, and US labels aren’t required to. Many brands make non-nano claims elsewhere on the pack or website. No sunscreen law we track regulates nano particles.
Is Alba Botanica Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Face Lotion SPF 50 water resistant?
Yes, for up to 80 minutes of swimming or sweating, according to its label. Reapply after 80 minutes in the water, immediately after towel drying, and at least every 2 hours.
What is the UPC for Alba Botanica Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Face Lotion SPF 50?
The UPC barcode is 724742010522. Different sizes and scents carry different barcodes.
Alternatives to Alba Botanica Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Face Lotion SPF 50 for Palau
Mineral sunscreens from other brands, allowed in that place, ranked by label: water resistance, SPF 30–50, broad spectrum, no listed fragrance. How we rank
Daily Moisturizer SPF 30
Thinksport SPF 50 Clear Zinc Face Sunscreen
SPF 30 Mineral Facial Sunscreen
Sheer Face Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion