Nivea Refreshing Day Cream SPF15
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 15 · 2 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.
MoisturizingGlycerin, Cetearyl alcohol + 7 moreWorks
“Refreshing Day Cream SPF15”
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: dimethicone, cetearyl alcohol.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Isoquercitrin, Tocopheryl acetate + 1 moreMay help
This product contains antioxidants (isoquercitrin) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
Evens skin toneSide benefit · IsoquercitrinMay help
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: isoquercitrin.
The biggest effect for evening out skin tone in this product comes from sun protection. Sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations. This is why sun protection is the best strategy for maintaining an even skin tone. We, however, do not recommend using this product as a sunscreen because the protection it offers is not strong enough).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy9 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., Nelumbo nucifera flower extract + 7 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Glycerin~4.6–5.6%
- 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.~4.1–5.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Methylpropanediol~3.1–3.7%
Cetearyl alcohol~2.3–2.8%
- 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 alcoholEthylhexyl salicylate~2.5–3.1%
- 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 salicylateEthylhexyl stearate~1.6–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Ethylhexyl stearateTapioca starch~1.4–1.7%
Dimethicone~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconeGlyceryl stearate citrate~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together while softening the upper layer of the skin
More about Glyceryl stearate citrateCaprylic/capric triglyceride~0.75–1.1%
- 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 triglycerideCetearyl isononanoate~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and helps prevent moisture loss.
More about Cetearyl isononanoateMyristyl myristate~0.6–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient. Is not recommended for acne-prone skin as it can be comedogenic
More about Myristyl myristateOctyldodecanol~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation
More about OctyldodecanolGlucosylrutin~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Isoquercitrin~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Antioxidant that might help reduce free radicals and reduce melanin production, but more research is needed to understand if it is effective in skin
More about IsoquercitrinTocopheryl acetate~0.4–0.6%
- 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 acetateNelumbo nucifera flower extract~0.3–0.55%
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.3–0.55%
Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.3–0.55%
- 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 crosspolymerAmmonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Increases thickness of a product. Texture enhancer for oil-in-water emulsions
More about Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymerButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~0.45–0.65%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneTrisodium edta~0.2–0.4%
Sodium hydroxide~0.2–0.4%
Phenoxyethanol~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolLimonene~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneLinalool~0.15–0.3%
Benzyl alcohol~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholCitronellol~0.15–0.25%
Geraniol~0.1–0.2%
Alpha-isomethyl ionone~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. Potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Alpha-isomethyl iononeBenzyl salicylate~0.1–0.15%
Bht~0.05–0.1%
Parfum~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Alcohol denat., Methylpropanediol, Cetearyl alcohol, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Ethylhexyl stearate, Tapioca starch, Dimethicone, Glyceryl stearate citrate, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Cetearyl isononanoate, Myristyl myristate, Octyldodecanol, Glucosylrutin, Isoquercitrin, Tocopheryl acetate, Nelumbo nucifera flower extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Trisodium edta, Sodium hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Limonene, Linalool, Benzyl alcohol, Citronellol, Geraniol, Alpha-isomethyl ionone, Benzyl salicylate, Bht, Parfum
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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.
| NiveaRefreshing Day Cream SPF15YOUR PRODUCT | EucerinHyaluron-Filler + Elasticity Day Care SPF15 | Dennis KnudsenDay Cream | BaleaMen Anti-Wrinkle Day Cream Lift Effect | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 44% | 43% | 41% |
| Price | — | $32.04 | — | $6.99 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 6 | 4 of 6 | 2 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Tinosorb S | Mineral Oil | Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | High |
| SPF | SPF 15 | SPF 15 | SPF 15 | SPF 15 |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Clinique Smart Moisturizer SPF15Simple Kind to Skin Vital Vitamin Cream SPF15
Product summary
"Nivea - Refreshing Day Cream SPF15" "is a broad spectrum sunscreen meaning that it protects both from UVB rays (" burning "- they cause sunburn) and UVA rays (" aging "- they don't cause sunburn but lead to premature aging and pigmentation issues). However, this moisturizer does not offer enough sun protection. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
This moisturizer should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer during the day.
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 0.45% - 0.65% and octisalate 2.50% - 3.10%.
Irritation risk
This moisturizer contains a bunch of common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide any known benefit for the skin. It might not be the best choice if your skin is sensitive. 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 7 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 4
- 5
- 6
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