Nivea Sun Pocket Size Sun Lotion SPF30 High
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 5 UV filtersBroad spectrum
This product offers a good level of protection against both UVB and UVA rays.
This sunscreen uses organic (so-called "chemical") sunscreen filters. Organic, or "chemical" filters usually provide reliable sun protection and rarely leave a white cast. Sunscreens with organic filters can sting eyes.
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.
MoisturizingPanthenol, Dimethicone + 5 moreStrong evidence
“Instantly protects against harmful UV rays UVA/UVB protection .”
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, c12-15 alkyl benzoate.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · No ingredient credited for this claimStrong evidence
This product offers broad spectrum sun protection. It means that it can prevent hyperpigmentation and help keep the skin tone even (sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations).
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · No ingredient credited for this claimStrong evidence
This product can help prevent early signs of skin aging because it offers a good level of broad spectrum sun protection. Sun damage is the main cause of premature skin aging, and protecting your skin from the sun is the best anti-aging strategy.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy6 strong irritants: Linalool, Limonene + 4 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Homosalate~5.6–6.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A weak sunscreen that offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not offer meaningful protection against 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. When used in low concentrations, helps to stabilize the product formulation
More about HomosalateOctocrylene~4.3–5.3%
- 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 OctocryleneGlycerin~2.9–3.6%
- 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.~2.3–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~2.5–3.1%
- 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 salicylate~2.1–2.6%
- 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 salicylateC12-15 alkyl benzoate~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 benzoateTitanium dioxide~1.6–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
More about Titanium dioxideGlyceryl stearate citrate~0.9–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together while softening the upper layer of the skin
More about Glyceryl stearate citratePanthenol~0.6–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolHydrogenated coco-glycerides~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together while creating a nice finish on the skin
More about Hydrogenated coco-glyceridesMyristyl myristate~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient. Is not recommended for acne-prone skin as it can be comedogenic
More about Myristyl myristateTocopheryl acetate~0.25–0.45%
- 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 acetateTetrasodium iminodisuccinate~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cellulose gum~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create thicker product consistency and stabilize emulsions
More about Cellulose gumVp/hexadecene copolymer~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Creates a nice product texture and can support water-resistance of sunscreens
More about Vp/hexadecene copolymerXanthan gum~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumAcrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.25–0.45%
- 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 crosspolymerStearyl alcohol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Stearyl alcoholCetyl alcohol~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholSilica~0.25–0.5%
Dimethicone~0.2–0.35%
- 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 DimethiconeTrisodium edta~0.15–0.25%
Hydroxyacetophenone~0.15–0.25%
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.3%
Sodium hydroxide~0.15–0.3%
Linalool~0.15–0.25%
Limonene~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneBenzyl alcohol~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholAlpha-isomethyl ionone~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. Potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Alpha-isomethyl iononeCitronellol~0.1–0.15%
Coumarin~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, Homosalate, Octocrylene, Glycerin, Alcohol denat., Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl salicylate, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Titanium dioxide, Glyceryl stearate citrate, Panthenol, Hydrogenated coco-glycerides, Myristyl myristate, Tocopheryl acetate, Tetrasodium iminodisuccinate, Cellulose gum, Vp/hexadecene copolymer, Xanthan gum, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Stearyl alcohol, Cetyl alcohol, Silica, Dimethicone, Trisodium edta, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium hydroxide, Linalool, Limonene, Benzyl alcohol, Alpha-isomethyl ionone, Citronellol, Coumarin, 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.
| NiveaSun Pocket Size Sun Lotion SPF30 HighYOUR PRODUCT | LACURASPF 50+ Sensitive Lotion | ASDA ProtectSensitive Formula Sun Lotion SPF 50 High | TESCOSoleil Baby Sun Lotion Spf50+ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 59% | 59% | 59% |
| Price | $4.01 | — | — | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 8 | 6 of 8 | 6 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Uvinul A Plus | Carnosine | Uvinul A Plus |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| SPF | SPF 30 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
We believe that "Nivea - Sun Pocket Size Sun Lotion SPF30 High" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredients listed. We love that it can protect from both UVA and UVB rays (not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
This product should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer during the day. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product has an anti-aging benefit.
Sunscreen filters
This is a "mixed" sunscreen in the sense that it uses both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") sun filters. Here are the organic filters this product uses: avobenzone, octisalate, homosalate and octocrylene. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses titanium dioxide.
Irritation risk
It 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 it 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.
Price
The product retails for 2.99£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 7 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 4
- 5
- 6Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
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