Nivea Sun Protect & Play SPF50
Works for
1 of 1 advertised claim delivered
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 7 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.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · No ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
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 · 1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
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.
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · 8 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
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, butylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., ParfumMedium risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Glycerin~5–6.1%
- 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 GlycerinIsopropyl palmitate~3.9–4.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
More about Isopropyl palmitateAlcohol denat.~3.1–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~3–3.7%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneCocoglycerides~1.9–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Help soften the upper layer of the skin and make it easier for oil and water mix together. Recently, a rising number of allergic reactions to cocoglycerides and other coconut-derived surfactants has been reported. As there is a significant overlap between frequent irritants and allergens, we flag this ingredient for attention of those with very sensitive, reactive skin
More about CocoglyceridesBis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine~2.1–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Tinosorb S. One of the most effective broad spectrum sunscreen ingredients. Protects from both UVA and UVB rays. It is photostable. Unfortunately, not approved by FDA (US) yet.
More about Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazineEthylhexyl salicylate~2–2.4%
- 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 salicylateTitanium dioxide~1.6–1.9%
- 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 dioxideButylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate~0.9–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprateC12-15 alkyl benzoate~0.65–0.95%
- 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 benzoateHydrogenated rapeseed oil~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Uvinul A Plus. A new generation broad spectrum sunscreen that offers an effective protection especially in the UVA range. It is stable in formulations. Unfortunately, is not approved by the FDA (US) yet
More about Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoateEthylhexyl triazone~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Uvinul T. A UV filter. Effective against UVB rays. It is photostable. Can increase water resistance properties of the sunscreen. Unfortunately, not approved by the FDA (US) yet
More about Ethylhexyl triazoneSilica dimethyl silylate~0.35–0.65%
Phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Ensulizole. A UV filter that is effective against UVB rays. Does not protect against UVA light. It is photostable and can be used to help stabilize other sunscreen ingredients. It is water-soluble meaning that it can help create lighter sunscreen formulations
More about Phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acidPrunus amygdalus dulcis oil~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin
More about Prunus amygdalus dulcis oilTocopheryl acetate~0.25–0.5%
- 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 acetateBehenyl alcohol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcoholStearyl alcohol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Stearyl alcoholHydroxypropyl starch phosphate~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together and used to stabilize product formulations
More about Hydroxypropyl starch phosphateCellulose gum~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create thicker product consistency and stabilize emulsions
More about Cellulose gumPhenoxyethanol~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolXanthan gum~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumHydroxyacetophenone~0.15–0.3%
Silica~0.25–0.5%
Sodium stearoyl glutamate~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl glutamateTrisodium edta~0.1–0.2%
Dimethicone~0.15–0.3%
- 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 DimethiconeSodium hydroxide~0.1–0.15%
Sodium chloride~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideParfum~0.05%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Isopropyl palmitate, Alcohol denat., Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Cocoglycerides, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Titanium dioxide, Butylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Hydrogenated rapeseed oil, Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate, Ethylhexyl triazone, Silica dimethyl silylate, Phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid, Prunus amygdalus dulcis oil, Tocopheryl acetate, Behenyl alcohol, Stearyl alcohol, Hydroxypropyl starch phosphate, Cellulose gum, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan gum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Silica, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Trisodium edta, Dimethicone, Sodium hydroxide, Sodium chloride, Parfum
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
Product summary
We believe that "Nivea - Sun Protect & Play SPF50" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredients listed. It can protect from both UVA and UVB rays. This is great news because 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).
Because it includes good moisturizing ingredients, it can also work as a hydrating day cream. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product helps prevent early signs of aging.
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: tinosorb s, avobenzone, uvinul a plus, octisalate and uvinul t. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses titanium dioxide.
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 sunscreen 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.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 6 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Isopropyl Isostearatejournals.sagepub.com
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.