Nivea

Nivea Gentle Exfoliating Face Scrub

Name: Nivea - Gentle Exfoliating Face Scrub
Brand: Nivea

Efficacy50/100IrritancyMedium

See all ingredients

Works for

Moisturizing

Panthenol, Glycerin + 3 more

Works well

What the product description says

“Features Exfoliates thoroughly while removing dead skin cells Smoothes the skin’s surface for an even complexion while supporting the skin’s own moisture balance The formula with Vitamin E is especially mild to the skin Product Specification Size (150) Unit (ML) Height (15.”

Source: Supderdrug

This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, glyceryl glucoside.

When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).

The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol

PanthenolHero· HumectantEffect: HighHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function~1.2–1.7%

GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~3.6–5.3%

Glyceryl glucosideKey active· HumectantEffect: HighCan help to restore skin barrier function and soften its upper layer~2.1–3.1%

LactoseKey active· HumectantEffect: MediumHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin~0.4–0.9%

Propylene glycol· HumectantEffect: LowHelps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating~0.95–1.45%

Exfoliation

Microcrystalline cellulose

Not delivered

What the product description says

“Gentle Exfoliating Face Scrub”

From product name

This product does not contain effective exfoliating ingredients. It might be able to deliver physical exfoliation, that is scrub off some of the dead cells on the surface of the skin. We do not recommend physical exfoliation, because it is not uniform (some bits of skin can get exfoliated too much while others not at all). It can also traumatize the skin and aggrevate acne and other skin conditions.

Microcrystalline celluloseEffect: Low~5.5–8.2%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy

1 strong irritant: Parfum

Medium risk

We flagged 8 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

Propylene glycolHelps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritatingHigh~0.95–1.45%est.

Sodium laureth sulfateWorks as a foaming cleansing agentHigh~0.9–1.35%est.

ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.05–0.15%est.

Sodium acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerHelps create a nice product texture. It can be an allergen. It can cause skin irritation when acrylate monomer residue has not been removed during the ingredient manufacturing process. Most reputable cosmetic manufacturers used the purified version of this ingredient that is not irritatingMedium~2.8–4.2%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~1.6–2.4%est.

Lauryl glucosideHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.85–1.3%est.

Hydroxypropyl methylcelluloseUsed to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulationMedium~0.2–0.7%est.

BhtA preservativeMedium~0.05–0.2%est.

Comedogenic

1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale

1 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

Sodium laureth sulfateWorks as a foaming cleansing agent2/5~0.9–1.35%est.

Alternatives

Cheaper, or higher on efficacy

ROUND LAB 1025 Dokdo Pad

Higher efficacy · 100/10061% match

Skinfood Rice Brightening Pad (60 Pads)

Higher efficacy · 66/10057% match

$18.76

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Plain old water

More about Water

Microcrystalline cellulose~5.5–8.2%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Exfoliation

More about Microcrystalline cellulose

Glycerin~3.6–5.3%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant

More about Glycerin

Sodium acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~2.8–4.2%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Helps create a nice product texture. It can be an allergen. It can cause skin irritation when acrylate monomer residue has not been removed during the ingredient manufacturing process. Most reputable cosmetic manufacturers used the purified version of this ingredient that is not irritating

More about Sodium acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer

Glyceryl glucoside~2.1–3.1%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Can help to restore skin barrier function and soften its upper layer

More about Glyceryl glucoside

Tocopheryl acetate~1.6–2.4%

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

Nelumbium speciosum flower extract~1.4–2.1%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

More about Nelumbium speciosum flower extract

Panthenol~1.2–1.7%

Hero · Moisturizing

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

Propylene glycol~0.95–1.45%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Works for

Moisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating

More about Propylene glycol

Lauryl glucoside~0.85–1.3%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Lauryl glucoside

Sodium laureth sulfate~0.9–1.35%

Comedogenic 2/5Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High
Comedogenicity: 2/5

Works for

Cleansing

Works as a foaming cleansing agent

More about Sodium laureth sulfate

Lactose~0.4–0.9%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Lactose

Cellulose~0.45–1%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Mattifying

Can be used to help absorb oil as well as add volume and imporve texture of products.

More about Cellulose

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose~0.2–0.7%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation

More about Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose

Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.5%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol

Methylparaben~0.15–0.3%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

A preservative

More about Methylparaben

Bht~0.05–0.2%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

A preservative

More about Bht

Parfum~0.05–0.15%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum

Ci 77007~0.05–0.15%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

A blue pigment

More about Ci 77007

Ingredient list view

Water, Microcrystalline cellulose, Glycerin, Sodium acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Glyceryl glucoside, Tocopheryl acetate, Nelumbium speciosum flower extract, Panthenol, Propylene glycol, Lauryl glucoside, Sodium laureth sulfate, Lactose, Cellulose, Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Bht, Parfum, Ci 77007

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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
	NiveaGentle Exfoliating Face ScrubYOUR PRODUCT	ROUND LAB1025 Dokdo Pad	S. NatureAqua Oasis Panthe-Allan Calming Pad (60ea)	SkinfoodRice Brightening Pad (60 Pads)
Match	—	61%	59%	57%
Price	$9.42	—	$19.63+$10.21	$18.76+$9.34
Shared key ingredients	—	3 of 3	3 of 3	3 of 3
Key difference	—	Gluconolactone	Gluconolactone	Niacinamide
Irritancy	Medium	Low	Low	Medium
Drying alcohol	—	—	—	—
	View product	Shop	Shop	Shop

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Product summary

"Nivea - Gentle Exfoliating Face Scrub" is effective for: Moisturizing

Ingredient callouts

An effective concentration of Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) - about 1.20% - 1.70%. Panthenol helps strengthen the skin barrier, improve hydration and reduce inflammation in skin.
Humectants (glyceryl glucoside 2.10% - 3.10%, panthenol 1.20% - 1.70% and glycerin 3.60% - 5.30%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.