Nivea

Nivea Smoothness Lip Care with Broad Spectrum SPF 15 Sunscreen

Name: Nivea - Smoothness Lip Care with Broad Spectrum SPF 15 Sunscreen
Brand: Nivea

SPF 15Efficacy62/100IrritancyMedium·3 UV filters

See all ingredients

Works for

Sun protection

SPF 15 · 3 UV filters · Broad spectrum

Weak protectionSPF under 30

SPF 15Broad spectrumChemical filtersNo white castTinted

This product offers broad spectrum sun protection, but it is weak. We recommend to use a broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30.

UV spectrum

UVB290–320 nmUVA II320–340 nmUVA I340–400 nm

Octinoxate

Octocrylene

Avobenzone

FilterCoverageWhat it doesEst. amount

OctinoxateEthylhexyl MethoxycinnamateUVBOctinoxate. When used in higher concentrations, works as a sunscreen protecting the skin from UVB rays. When used in lower concentration, helps to preserve the product formulation. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can be irritating6%

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" sunscreen1.8%

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.2.5%

Moisturizing

Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Ricinus communis seed oil + 10 more

Works

What the product description says

“Carmex Daily Care Minis Moisturizing Lip Balm Tubes with SPF 15, Strawberry, Cool Mint, Wild Berry, Peach Mango and Fresh Cherry Lip Balm Pack - 0.18 oz each, 5 Count”

Source: Walmart

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: beeswax, butyrospermum parkii butter.

Caprylic/capric triglycerideKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin~4.9–7.3%

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~4–6.1%

Cetyl palmitateKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumAn emollient that helps soften the skin and is used to improve product texture and stability~2.9–4.4%

Myristyl myristateKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighAn emollient. Is not recommended for acne-prone skin as it can be comedogenic~2.4–3.6%

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~1.1–1.6%

Cetearyl alcoholKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture~1–1.5%

Copernicia cerifera waxKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighHelps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency~0.9–1.35%

Butyrospermum parkii butterKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: 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~0.55–1.3%

BeeswaxKey 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~0.2–0.75%

Glyceryl glucosideKey active· HumectantEffect: HighCan help to restore skin barrier function and soften its upper layer~0.2–0.7%

Octyldodecanol· EmollientEffect: LowAn emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation~22–34%

Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceEffect: Low, below effective doseTraditionally 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~0.2–0.8%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy

1 strong irritant: Parfum

Medium risk

We flagged 9 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamateOctinoxate. When used in higher concentrations, works as a sunscreen protecting the skin from UVB rays. When used in lower concentration, helps to preserve the product formulation. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can be irritatingHigh6%

ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.1–0.35%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.Medium2.5%

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" sunscreenMedium1.8%

Caprylic/capric triglycerideA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerinMedium~4.9–7.3%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~4–6.1%est.

Myristyl myristateAn emollient. Is not recommended for acne-prone skin as it can be comedogenicMedium~2.4–3.6%est.

Polyglyceryl-3 diisostearateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~1.5–2.3%est.

Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceTraditionally 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 skinMedium~0.2–0.8%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 comedogenic3/5~2.4–3.6%est.

Polyglyceryl-3 diisostearateHelps oil and water mix together3/5~1.5–2.3%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 radicals3/5~0.55–1.3%est.

Cetearyl alcoholA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture2/5~1–1.5%est.

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane2.5%

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

Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate6%

UV filterKey activeIrritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Works for

Sun protection

Octinoxate. When used in higher concentrations, works as a sunscreen protecting the skin from UVB rays. When used in lower concentration, helps to preserve the product formulation. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can be irritating

More about Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate

Octocrylene1.8%

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

Octyldodecanol~22–34%

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

Microcrystalline wax~5.5–8.3%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Microcrystalline wax

Caprylic/capric triglyceride~4.9–7.3%

Key activeIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Moisturizing

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 triglyceride

Ricinus communis seed oil~4–6.1%

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~2.9–4.4%

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~2.4–3.6%

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

Polyglyceryl-3 diisostearate~1.5–2.3%

Comedogenic 3/5Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium
Comedogenicity: 3/5

Works for

Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Polyglyceryl-3 diisostearate

Water~1.2–1.8%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Plain old water

More about Water

Glycerin~1.1–1.6%

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~1–1.5%

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

Copernicia cerifera wax~0.9–1.35%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

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

More about Copernicia cerifera wax

Butyrospermum parkii butter~0.55–1.3%

Key activeComedogenic 3/5

Irritation risk: Low
Comedogenicity: 3/5

Works for

MoisturizingAnti-agingAnti-oxidation

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

Aloe barbadensis leaf juice~0.2–0.8%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

MoisturizingAntibacterialReduces irritationReduces rednessAnti-inflammatoryAnti-blemishAnti-aging

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

Glyceryl glucoside~0.2–0.7%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

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

More about Glyceryl glucoside

C20-40 alkyl stearate~0.15–0.5%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

More about C20-40 alkyl stearate

Beeswax~0.2–0.75%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

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 Beeswax

Parfum~0.1–0.35%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum

Ingredient list view

Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Octocrylene, Octyldodecanol, Microcrystalline wax, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Ricinus communis seed oil, Cetyl palmitate, Myristyl myristate, Polyglyceryl-3 diisostearate, Water, Glycerin, Cetearyl alcohol, Copernicia cerifera wax, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Glyceryl glucoside, C20-40 alkyl stearate, Beeswax, Parfum

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Walmart0.17 oz

$9.14

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Walmart0.17 oz

$10.78

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Walmart0.17 oz

$21.71

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Amazon US

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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
	NiveaSmoothness Lip Care with Broad Spectrum SPF 15 SunscreenYOUR PRODUCT	AquaphorLip Repair + Protect Broad Spectrum SPF 30	Supergoop!Shine On Lip Screen SPF 40	Jack BlackIntense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25 - Shea Butter & Vitamin E
Match	—	42%	36%	35%
Price	$9.14	$3.36−$5.78	—	$10.00+$0.86
Shared key ingredients	—	8 of 11	4 of 11	4 of 11
Key difference	—	Petrolatum	Cocos Nucifera Oil	Petrolatum
Irritancy	Medium	Medium	Low	Low
SPF	SPF 15	SPF 30	SPF 40	SPF 25
Drying alcohol	—	—	—	—
	View product	Shop	Shop	Shop

More alternatives: SunSense Lip Balm SPF50+Ultra Violette Bejewelled Sheen Screen SPF 50 Hydrating Lip Balm

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Product summary

"Nivea - Smoothness Lip Care with Broad Spectrum SPF 15 Sunscreen" 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 it is not high enough. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.

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. Here are the exact UV filters in this sunscreen: avobenzone 2.50% (declared), octinoxate 6.00% (declared) and octocrylene 1.80% (declared).

Irritation risk

There are some common irritants in this product, including ingredients that do not have benefits for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this lip product to be medium. 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.

Price

The product retails from 3.74$ up to 21.71$ in the United States.

For a detailed price comparison: click here.

Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 6 studies and safety reviews.

NiveaSmoothness Lip Care with Broad Spectrum SPF 15 Sunscreen

Buy at Walmart$9.14 Amazon

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

Buy at Walmart$9.14 Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.