Nivea Sensitive Day Cream

Works for

1 of 2 advertised claims delivered

Sun protection
SPF 15 · 2 UV filters · Broad spectrum
Weak protectionSPF under 30
SPF 15Broad spectrumChemical filtersNo white cast

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.

UV spectrum
UVB290–320 nmUVA II320–340 nmUVA I340–400 nm
Octocrylene
Avobenzone
FilterCoverageWhat it doesEst. amount
OctocryleneUVB Photo-stable 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~1–1.6%
AvobenzoneButyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneUVA1Avobenzone. 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.~1.3–1.9%
~ marks concentrations estimated from label position and typical use levels
Reef-safe
No oxybenzone or octinoxate — the two filters banned in Hawaii, Florida Keys and Aruba.
Moisturizing
8 ingredients credited for this claim
Good support
What the product description says
“Sensitive Day Cream”
From product name

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, glyceryl glucoside.

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: vitis vinifera seed oil, c12-15 alkyl benzoate.

Vitis vinifera seed oilKey active· EmollientEffect: HighA great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant properties~0.35–0.85%
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~4.7–7.1%
Glyceryl glucosideKey active· HumectantEffect: HighCan help to restore skin barrier function and soften its upper layer~0.15–0.7%
C12-15 alkyl benzoateKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumEnhances the product texture and makes it more spreadable. Helps reduce water loss from the outer layer of skin. Extands the shelf life by preventing bacteria growth~1.9–2.8%
Cetearyl alcoholKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture~3.6–5.4%
Dicaprylyl ether· EmollientEffect: LowHelps soften the upper layer of the skin while creating a non-greasy feel on the skin. Helps to dissolve other ingredients~1.5–2.3%
Octyldodecanol· EmollientEffect: LowAn emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation~0.4–0.95%
PanthenolUnder-dosedEffect: HighHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function~0.2–0.75%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
10 flagged ingredients
Low risk
We flag 10 ingredients with irritancy potential; the product's overall irritancy is low. The table lists each ingredient's own rating.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
MethylpropanediolHelps dissolve other ingredients in a formulationMedium~3–4.5%est.
Tapioca starchUsed to create a thicker product consistencyMedium~2.2–3.4%est.
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethaneAvobenzone. 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.Medium~1.3–1.9%est.
OctocryleneA 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" sunscreenMedium~1–1.6%est.
Hydrogenated coco-glyceridesHelps oil and water mix together while creating a nice finish on the skinMedium~0.5–1.1%est.
Glycyrrhiza inflata root extractA plant extract that can help lighten the skin and calm down inflammation. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicalsMedium~0.4–0.9%est.
Vitis vinifera seed oilA great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant propertiesMedium~0.35–0.85%est.
EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeMedium~0.15–0.55%est.
Sodium stearoyl glutamateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.15–0.65%est.
Piroctone olamineA preservativeMedium~0.1–0.3%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
Cetearyl alcoholA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture2/5~3.6–5.4%est.
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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
Glycerin~4.7–7.1%
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
Cetearyl alcohol~3.6–5.4%
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
Methylpropanediol~3–4.5%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps dissolve other ingredients in a formulation

More about Methylpropanediol
Tapioca starch~2.2–3.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Tapioca starch
C12-15 alkyl benzoate~1.9–2.8%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Enhances the product texture and makes it more spreadable. Helps reduce water loss from the outer layer of skin. Extands the shelf life by preventing bacteria growth

More about C12-15 alkyl benzoate
Dicaprylyl ether~1.5–2.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin while creating a non-greasy feel on the skin. Helps to dissolve other ingredients

More about Dicaprylyl ether
Sodium pg-sulfonate~1.3–2%
Formula
Phenyl
Not recognized
Benzimidazole~1.1–1.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Benzimidazole
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~1.3–1.9%
UV filterKey activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Sun protection

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 methoxydibenzoylmethane
Octocrylene~1–1.6%
UV filterKey activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Sun protection

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 Octocrylene
Hydrogenated coco-glycerides~0.5–1.1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps oil and water mix together while creating a nice finish on the skin

More about Hydrogenated coco-glycerides
Octyldodecanol~0.4–0.95%
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
Glycyrrhiza inflata root extract~0.4–0.9%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Evens skin toneAnti-oxidation

A plant extract that can help lighten the skin and calm down inflammation. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals

More about Glycyrrhiza inflata root extract
Vitis vinifera seed oil~0.35–0.85%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

A great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant properties

More about Vitis vinifera seed oil
Panthenol~0.2–0.75%
Under-dosed
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Reduces rednessMoisturizingReduces irritation

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

More about Panthenol
Glyceryl glucoside~0.15–0.7%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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

More about Glyceryl glucoside
Carbomer~0.15–0.65%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations

More about Carbomer
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.55%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Ethylhexylglycerin
Sodium stearoyl glutamate~0.15–0.65%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Sodium stearoyl glutamate
Sodium chloride~0.1–0.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures

More about Sodium chloride
Trisodium edta~0.1–0.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Helps preserve product formulations

More about Trisodium edta
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Piroctone olamine~0.1–0.3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Piroctone olamine
Ingredient list view

Water, Glycerin, Cetearyl alcohol, Methylpropanediol, Tapioca starch, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Dicaprylyl ether, Sodium pg-sulfonate, Unknown, Benzimidazole, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Octocrylene, Hydrogenated coco-glycerides, Octyldodecanol, Glycyrrhiza inflata root extract, Vitis vinifera seed oil, Panthenol, Glyceryl glucoside, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Sodium chloride, Trisodium edta, Phenoxyethanol, Piroctone olamine

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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
NiveaSensitive Day CreamYOUR PRODUCTNo7Men Sensitive Care MoisturiserOlayRegenerist Collagen Peptide24 SPF30 day face creamHello SundayThe Everyday One SPF30 Face Moisturiser
Match—57%57%55%
Price$7.27$13.70+$6.43—$21.02+$13.75
Shared key ingredients—4 of 64 of 64 of 6
Key difference—Butyrospermum Parkii ButterNiacinamideButyloctyl Salicylate
Irritancy Low Low Low Low
SPFSPF 15SPF 15SPF 30SPF 30
Drying alcohol————
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Product summary

"Nivea - Sensitive Day Cream" "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.

Because it includes good moisturizing ingredients, it can also work as a hydrating day cream.

Sunscreen filters

This is a so-called" chemical "sunscreen. It means that it uses organic UV filters. They typically offer good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for some people with sensitive skin. The UV filters in this sunscreen are: avobenzone 1.30% - 1.90% and octocrylene 1.00% - 1.60%.

Irritation risk

This product does not contain known common irritants and is suitable for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be low. 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.

What our users say

Based on 2 reviews 100% recommend this product
  • When it comes to comedogenicity, the reviewer found that it does not clog pores.
  • As for the white cast, two out of two reviewers say that the product does not leave a white cast.
  • When it comes to using this sunscreen under makeup, the user found that it pills under a foundation.
  • As for using this sunscreen in the eye area, two out of two reviewers say that it doesn't sting eyes.
Our users describe the finish of this product as shiny - dewy, They find the product's texture to be light - heavy and In terms of the smell, our users report that light fragrance - no smell.

Price

The product retails for 17.50$ in the United States.

For a detailed price comparison: click here.

Nivea Sensitive Day Cream
NiveaSensitive Day Cream

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.