Nivea Men Maximum Hydration Protective Lotion SPF 15, 2.5 Fluid Ounce
Works for
1 of 4 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 15 · 3 UV filters · Broad spectrumWeak protectionSPF under 30
This product offers broad spectrum sun protection, but it is weak. We recommend to use a broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30.
This product can be considered "reef safe" because it does not contain the UV filters (oxybenzone and octinoxate) that can be harmful to coral reefs when present in the water in high concentrations.
Moisturizing7 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Men Maximum Hydration Protective Lotion SPF 15, 2.”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
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. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
glycerin.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: caprylic/capric triglyceride, cetearyl alcohol.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol
Anti-agingNo ingredient credited for this claimLimited support
“Spending time in the sun increases your risk of skin cancer and early skin aging.”
This product does not contain ingredients that are able to reduce fine lines and wrinkles or help with skin elasticity, but it can improve the look of the skin temporarily through moisturization. Well-moisturized skin might also be able to repair the sun damage better.
The biggest anti-aging effect in this product comes from sun protection. Sun damage is the main factor causing early signs of skin aging. We, however, do not recommend using this product as a sunscreen because the protection it offers is not strong enough).
Anti-blemishNo ingredient credited for this claimNo support
“Protective Lotion is enriched with both Vitamins and moisturizers, and is oil-free so it wont clog pores.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Parfum, Hamamelis virginiana bark/leaf extract + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic4 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale4 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Tocopheryl acetate~26–39%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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 acetatePhenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolTapioca starch~4.5–6.8%
Chamomilla recutita flower extract~3.5–5.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Chamomilla recutita flower extractEthylhexylglycerin~2.6–3.9%
Parfum~2–3%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumAcrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~1.8–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerCaprylic/capric triglyceride~1.7–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideWater~1.3–1.9%
Hamamelis virginiana bark/leaf extract~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Isopropyl palmitate~0.95–1.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
More about Isopropyl palmitateCetearyl alcohol~1–1.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholSodium hydroxide~0.6–1.35%
Carbomer~0.55–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerPanthenol~0.55–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolTrisodium edta~0.55–1.25%
Glycerin~0.55–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 Glycerin2-hexanol~0.45–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glyceryl stearate citrate~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together while softening the upper layer of the skin
More about Glyceryl stearate citrateMaltodextrin~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize the product formulation and can help absorb oil
More about MaltodextrinPiroctone olamine~0.4–0.8%
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane30%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Avobenzone. An organic, or so-called "chemical" UV filter. Protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Needs to be combined with other filters in a formulation to be stable.
More about Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethaneEthylhexyl salicylate47%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Octisalate. A UV filter. It offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about Ethylhexyl salicylateOctocrylene84%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A weak sunscreen that protects against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB) and is somewhat effective against the UVA rays. It is quite stable and can help stabilize other, more vulnerable, sunscreen ingredients like Avobenzone. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about OctocryleneWater~0.4–0.95%
Isopropyl palmitate~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
More about Isopropyl palmitateGlycerin~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 GlycerinAlcohol denat.~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Tapioca starch~0.3–0.7%
Cetearyl alcohol~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholGlyceryl stearate citrate~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together while softening the upper layer of the skin
More about Glyceryl stearate citrateAloe barbadensis leaf juice powder~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powderPanthenol~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolTocopheryl acetate~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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 acetatePhenoxyethanol~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about Phenoxyethanol1,2-hexanediol~0.1–0.35%
Carbomer~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerParfum~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumEthylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.3%
Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerSodium hydroxide~0.05–0.2%
Trisodium edta~0.05–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Tocopheryl acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Tapioca starch, Chamomilla recutita flower extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Water, Hamamelis virginiana bark/leaf extract, Isopropyl palmitate, Cetearyl alcohol, Sodium hydroxide, Carbomer, Panthenol, Trisodium edta, Glycerin, 2-hexanol, Glyceryl stearate citrate, Maltodextrin, Piroctone olamine, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Octocrylene, Water, Isopropyl palmitate, Glycerin, Alcohol denat., Tapioca starch, Cetearyl alcohol, Glyceryl stearate citrate, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder, Panthenol, Tocopheryl acetate, Phenoxyethanol, 1,2-hexanediol, Carbomer, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Sodium hydroxide, Trisodium edta
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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.
| NiveaMen Maximum Hydration Protective Lotion SPF 15, 2.5 Fluid OunceYOUR PRODUCT | NiveaSensitive Face Lotion with SPF 15 | EucerinQ10 Anti-Wrinkle Face Lotion SPF 15 | OlayWhip Face Moisturizer SPF 25 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 74% | 62% | 58% |
| Price | $38.64 | $6.29−$32.35 | $12.49−$26.15 | $14.49−$24.15 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 5 | 3 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Key difference | — | — | Cyclomethicone | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| SPF | SPF 15 | SPF 15 | SPF 15 | SPF 25 |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | Contains drying alcohol | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"Nivea - Men Maximum Hydration Protective Lotion SPF 15, 2.5 Fluid Ounce" offers broad spectrum protection. It means that it protects from both UVA and UVB rays (you can remember UVB as "burning" sunlight - they cause sunburn. You can remember UVA rays as "aging" - they do not lead to sunburn, but they cause photodamage and contribute to early signs of skin aging and hyperpigmentation). On the negative side, the SPF of this moisturizer is not high enough. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
Because it includes good moisturizing ingredients, it can also work as a hydrating day cream.
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen uses so-called "chemical", or organic UV filters (organic simply means that their molecules contain atoms of carbon). These filters typically give good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for sensitive skin. These are the sun protection ingredients in this sunscreen: avobenzone 30.00% (declared), octisalate 47.00% (declared) and octocrylene 84.00% (declared).
Irritation risk
We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 6 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Isopropyl Isostearatejournals.sagepub.com
- 2Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
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