Test It Out Thursday #2: Alba Botanica

It is Test it Out Thursday for week two!  

Last week I tested out Alba Botanical sunscreen, SPF 45.

I have fair skin and my skin has a tendency to burn if I don't have a strong base tan.  I spent about 3 hours in the sun, 1 of the hours direct sun....and mind you this was at Denver's altitude of 5,280 ft where the sun is intense.  It gave me complete protection and I didn't even reapply.  With grocery store sunscreens, SPF 30, I would normally have to reapply or I would get a slight burn (plus they always have a heavy chemical stench or it is masked with perfumy scents).  The sunscreen was not greasy and it did not clog my pores.  It had little to no scent, more of a mild lotion scent.

I also tried out their facial sunscreen.  My forehead, nose, and scalp nearly always burn if I don't use some sort of sun protection and this was a great facial sunscreen that did not clog my pores or go on greasy.  And again, I appreciated the fact that it had very little scent, so I didn't feel like I was putting on a dangerous, heavy cream on my face.

Dangerous?  Why do I say "dangerous"?  I recommend you read this excellent blog by Aquaman to understand the dangers of conventional, grocery store sunscreens.  The chemicals they contain may be more harmful and cancer-causing than actually getting a sunburn.

The importance of picking a good, GREEN sunscreen is more important than ever - and especially for my fellow Denverites at high altitudes or if you are vacationing at places closer to the equator where the sun is more intense and will burn your skin more quickly.  Just like ingesting food or drinks, any product that you put on your skin leaks the chemicals into your body and into your bloodstream.  So it is vital that you read labels and know what you are putting into your body.  Just like "you are what you eat," you are what what products you put on your body. 

Back to the Alba sunscreen products...I loved them both!  I am using it at the Rockies game I will be at today, which will be in direct sun for a minimum of 3 hours. I am not worried about getting a sun burn at all.  I am excited to use it again.

Alba Botanical products are GREEN and sustainable because they are made without the use of parabens, sulfates, or phtalates.  In fact, their products are all 100% vegetarian, containing no animals products whatsoever.  Plus, they do not test on animals.  Plus, I checked all of the inactive ingredients and active ingredients listed on the product and they all check out as being safe.  See the pictures of the ingredient labels below.

References
Paula's Choice. (2013). Cosmetic ingredient dictionary. Retrieved from http://www.paulaschoice.com/cosmetic-ingredient-dictionary/

Sircuit. (2012). Ingredient news. Retrieved from http://sircuitskin.com/ingredient_news





So, is there a GREEN product YOU have bought or tested lately?  We want to hear about it!

Beware of greenwashing!  For more info on this and eco-labels, see my post on this from last week here.

Be sure to login to Rafflecopter below to get your bonus points for the challenge


a Rafflecopter giveaway