Fun-filled summer with Alba Botanica

Summer is just around the corner, which means I felt like it was the perfect opportunity to introduce you to a new sunscreen brand that will allow you to take a permanent vacation from harsh sulfates and common chemicals this season. Alba Botanica is all-natural, 100% vegetarian and features cruelty-free ingredients. Each product is also formulated without parabens, phthalates, artificial colours, propylene glycol, aluminum, mineral pol, petrolatum, oxybenzone, PABA, nano-particles, DES, MEA, TEA, PEGs and PEG derivatives, ethoxylated ingredients associated with dioxane, formaldehyde donors or GMOS. I’m not going to lie, I don’t even know what half of those ingredients are, but truthfully this line is incredibly pure, which is just one of the reasons I wanted to feature them on this fashion blog.

We know the importance of wearing sunscreen all year round, but it’s even more important in the summer as we spend more time outside enjoying the warmth of the sun. I often wonder about the harsh chemicals in sunblock, we all know how much it stings if we start to sweat or get our faces wet and it drips into our eyes. That can’t be a good sign. I love that all 5 of Alba Botanica sun care products allow me to have a carefree summer without worrying about the damaging effects of the sun’s harmful UV rays. Each product is filled with emollient, protective and moisturizing broad spectrum UVA and UVB sunscreen benefits for both the face and body. Each product is also extremely lightweight, fragrance-free, non-greasy, fast-absorbing, water-resistant, dermatologist tested and comes in both spray and lotion formulas.

Now, before we get started on the actual products, I want to make sure you are fully protected by explaining how much sunscreen is needed to get the full protection it offers. You need at least 30 ml (about a shot glass) worth of sunscreen to cover your entire body, a minimum of 30 minutes before sun exposer, and reapplying every 2 hours or after swimming, towel-drying or extreme sweating. In the hours between 10AM and 4PM, the UV rays are at the strongest and most damaging, so remember to take cover under some shade, wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and UV protective clothing. And most of all, choose water-resistant and broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher to help stay protected when outdoors or in the water.

Alba Botanica Facial Sunscreen Lotion features soothing botanicals, like aloe, ginseng, lavender and calendula to not only help hydrate and nourish, but is gentle enough to not irritate delicate and sensitive skin. It has an incredibly lightweight, thin, almost runny consistency that blends into the skin beautifully and absorbs within seconds. It dries to a soft matte, never greasy or sticky finish with UVA/UVB protection with SPF 40. It easily penetrates deep down into the skin without clogging the pores, causing breakouts. It also seems to work beautifully under my foundation, without causing it to breakdown, separate or cause flash-back. It retails for $9.99 for 113ml.

Have a busy lifestyle, are you active outdoors in the summer, the Alba Botanica Sport Sunscreen Lotions have you covered. With SPF 40 it comes in both a lotion and spray version that’s sweat-proof and water resistant ensuring you stay protected and conditioned no matter what activities you’re taking part in this season. Although both have an extremely lightweight touch and feel, I actually prefer the spray version as it’s quick and easy to apply. I tend to get lazy (or in a rush) so I love the fact you don’t have to rub anything into the skin, just spray and go. It dries instantly to a matte finish that’s not irritating and non-sticky on the skin. The finish feels incredibly drier to the touch than your typical lotion sunscreen. Lotion version retails for $9.99 for 113ml and the spray version $9.99 for 110ml.

Kids are extremely sensitive to the sun, which is why it’s so important to keep them safe and protected all year round. Just like Alba Botanica Sport, Alba Botanica Kids Sunscreen is available in both a lotion and spray version. These kid-friendly sunscreens come with SPF 40 that provides both broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection, along with highly moisturizing ingredients to keep your kids’ skin hydrated all day. It’s water resistant, perfect for a day at the beach, it’s non-greasy to keep your kids happy and is also fast-absorbing ensuring your kids can get back to their active and daily activities quickly. We all remember being a kid, and that 3 minutes it takes to apply our sunblock seems like forever. Of course, the spray version is faster and easier than the lotion, but both are excellent for your little ones. Lotion version retails for $9.99 for 113ml and the spray version $9.99 for 110ml.

Thanks to these 5 Alba Botanica products your skin will not only be protected this summer, but nourished and moisturized. You can find these at your local Whole Foods, London Drugs and Well.ca or enter below for your chance to win an amazing prize pack.

And the winner is……. Michelle Djorsev

To enter, follow both myself and Alba Botanica on Instagram and then tag a friend in this photo

You can also follow myself and Alba Botanica on Twitter and re-tweet this photo

Or finally, you can also follow myfelf and and Alba Bontanica on Facebook and then share this photo