Nivea

Nivea Essential Care Lip Care Balm Original

Name: Nivea - Essential Care Lip Care Balm Original
Brand: Nivea

Efficacy75/100IrritancyMedium

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Works for

1 of 1 advertised claim delivered

Moisturizing

12 ingredients credited for this claim

Good support

What the product description says

“That's why Nivea have created Lip Care Essential.”

Source: Feelunique DE

This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: bis-diglyceryl polyacyladipate-2, cera alba.

Keep in mind that this product does not contain effective ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. This is why an additional product with humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid can be helpful (apply it before this product for the best results).

Bis-diglyceryl polyacyladipate-2Key active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and reduce water loss from its surface~1.6–2.4%

Cera albaKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighForms a protective barrier that holds water and keeps dry skin hydrated. Keeps an emulsion from separating into its oil and liquid components, and increases the thickness of a product. Can be an allergen~0.4–0.9%

Cera microcristallinaKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighHelps to soften the upper layer of the skin, reduce water loss from its surface and create a thicker product consistency~22–33%

Myristyl myristateKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighAn emollient. Is not recommended for acne-prone skin as it can be comedogenic~2.3–3.5%

Ricinus communis seed oilKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA plant oil that can help soften the skin. It might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but solid research is lacking. Is often used in lip products to create the needed product consistency~3.9–5.9%

Cetearyl alcoholKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture~1.7–2.5%

Cetyl palmitateKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumAn emollient that helps soften the skin and is used to improve product texture and stability~2.8–4.2%

Copernicia cerifera ceraKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumBrazilian palm wax. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin~0.85–1.3%

Octyldodecanol· EmollientEffect: LowAn emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation~5.1–7.6%

Hydrogenated polydecene· EmollientEffect: LowHelps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture~4.4–6.7%

Butyrospermum parkii butterUnder-dosedEffect: HighA great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals~0.55–1.25%

PanthenolUnder-dosedEffect: HighHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function~0.1–0.35%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy

1 strong irritant: Parfum

Medium risk

We flagged 6 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.05–0.3%est.

Ricinus communis seed oilA plant oil that can help soften the skin. It might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but solid research is lacking. Is often used in lip products to create the needed product consistencyMedium~3.9–5.9%est.

Myristyl myristateAn emollient. Is not recommended for acne-prone skin as it can be comedogenicMedium~2.3–3.5%est.

Polyglyceryl-3 diisostearateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.95–1.45%est.

Tocopheryl acetateA more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.Medium~0.15–0.65%est.

Cera albaForms a protective barrier that holds water and keeps dry skin hydrated. Keeps an emulsion from separating into its oil and liquid components, and increases the thickness of a product. Can be an allergenMedium~0.4–0.9%est.

Comedogenic

4 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale

4 flagged

These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.

IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount

Myristyl myristateAn emollient. Is not recommended for acne-prone skin as it can be comedogenic3/5~2.3–3.5%est.

Polyglyceryl-3 diisostearateHelps oil and water mix together3/5~0.95–1.45%est.

Butyrospermum parkii butterA great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals3/5~0.55–1.25%est.

Cetearyl alcoholA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture2/5~1.7–2.5%est.

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Cheaper Alternatives

Similar formulations, better price

Eucerin Aquaphor SOS Lip Repair

60% match

$8.55

Elizabeth Grant Green Power with Hemp Seed Oil Lip Balm

51% match

$15.00

View all alternatives

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Cera microcristallina~22–33%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin, reduce water loss from its surface and create a thicker product consistency

More about Cera microcristallina

Octyldodecanol~5.1–7.6%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

An emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation

More about Octyldodecanol

Hydrogenated polydecene~4.4–6.7%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture

More about Hydrogenated polydecene

Ricinus communis seed oil~3.9–5.9%

Key activeIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

MoisturizingAnti-inflammatory

A plant oil that can help soften the skin. It might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but solid research is lacking. Is often used in lip products to create the needed product consistency

More about Ricinus communis seed oil

Cetyl palmitate~2.8–4.2%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

An emollient that helps soften the skin and is used to improve product texture and stability

More about Cetyl palmitate

Myristyl myristate~2.3–3.5%

Key activeComedogenic 3/5Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium
Comedogenicity: 3/5

Works for

Moisturizing

An emollient. Is not recommended for acne-prone skin as it can be comedogenic

More about Myristyl myristate

Cetearyl alcohol~1.7–2.5%

Key activeComedogenic 2/5

Irritation risk: Low
Comedogenicity: 2/5

Works for

CleansingMoisturizing

A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture

More about Cetearyl alcohol

Bis-diglyceryl polyacyladipate-2~1.6–2.4%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and reduce water loss from its surface

More about Bis-diglyceryl polyacyladipate-2

Polyglyceryl-3 diisostearate~0.95–1.45%

Comedogenic 3/5Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium
Comedogenicity: 3/5

Works for

Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Polyglyceryl-3 diisostearate

C20-40 alkyl stearate~0.6–1.4%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

More about C20-40 alkyl stearate

Copernicia cerifera cera~0.85–1.3%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Brazilian palm wax. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Copernicia cerifera cera

Butyrospermum parkii butter~0.55–1.25%

Under-dosedComedogenic 3/5

Irritation risk: Low
Comedogenicity: 3/5

Works for

MoisturizingAnti-oxidationAnti-aging

A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals

More about Butyrospermum parkii butter

Buxus chinensis

Not recognized

Tocopheryl acetate~0.15–0.65%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Anti-oxidation

A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.

More about Tocopheryl acetate

Cera alba~0.4–0.9%

Key activeIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

CleansingMoisturizing

Forms a protective barrier that holds water and keeps dry skin hydrated. Keeps an emulsion from separating into its oil and liquid components, and increases the thickness of a product. Can be an allergen

More about Cera alba

Panthenol~0.1–0.35%

Under-dosed

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

MoisturizingReduces rednessReduces irritation

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function

More about Panthenol

Parfum~0.05–0.3%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum

Ingredient list view

Cera microcristallina, Octyldodecanol, Hydrogenated polydecene, Ricinus communis seed oil, Cetyl palmitate, Myristyl myristate, Cetearyl alcohol, Bis-diglyceryl polyacyladipate-2, Polyglyceryl-3 diisostearate, C20-40 alkyl stearate, Copernicia cerifera cera, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Unknown, Tocopheryl acetate, Cera alba, Panthenol, Parfum

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Amazon AustraliaPrice as of 9/24/2026 03:01 GMT

≈ $9.76

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Amazon UKPrice as of 10/3/2026 15:18 GMT

≈ $19.17

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Feelunique DE

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Worth comparing, line by line.

Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
	NiveaEssential Care Lip Care Balm OriginalYOUR PRODUCT	EucerinAquaphor SOS Lip Repair	Elizabeth GrantGreen Power with Hemp Seed Oil Lip Balm
Match	—	60%	51%
Price	$18.48	$8.55−$9.93	$15.00−$3.48
Shared key ingredients	—	5 of 7	5 of 7
Key difference	—	Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride	Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil
Irritancy	Medium	Low	Medium
Drying alcohol	—	—	—
	View product	Shop	Shop

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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 8 studies and safety reviews.

NiveaEssential Care Lip Care Balm Original

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