Nivea Sun SPF 50+ Protect & Moisture Trigger Spray
Works for
1 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 4 UV filters · Broad spectrumWeak protectionLow filter dose
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.
Moisturizing9 ingredients credited for this claimGood evidence
“Sun SPF 50+ Protect & Moisture Trigger Spray”
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?
Irritancy8 strong irritants: Parfum, Coumarin + 6 more — patch-test recommendedHigh 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.
Parfum~22–33%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumCoumarin~3.8–5.6%
Eugenol~4.2–6.3%
Citronellol~3.3–4.9%
Alpha-isomethyl ionone~2.5–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. Potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Alpha-isomethyl iononeBenzyl alcohol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholButylphenyl methylpropional~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. Can trigger allergic reactions and be irritating
More about Butylphenyl methylpropionalLimonene~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneLinalool~1–1.5%
Ethylparaben~0.2–0.4%
Methylparaben~0.15–0.3%
Phenoxyethanol~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolEthylhexylglycerin~0.2–0.7%
Trisodium edta~0.15–0.6%
Dimethicone~0.2–0.75%
- 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 DimethiconeCitric acid~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidSodium citrate~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products
More about Sodium citrateSilica~0.3–0.7%
Stearyl alcohol~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Stearyl alcoholCetyl alcohol~0.15–0.7%
- 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 alcoholSodium acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps create a nice product texture. It can be an allergen. It can cause skin irritation when acrylate monomer residue has not been removed during the ingredient manufacturing process. Most reputable cosmetic manufacturers used the purified version of this ingredient that is not irritating
More about Sodium acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerXanthan gum~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumVp/hexadecene copolymer~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Creates a nice product texture and can support water-resistance of sunscreens
More about Vp/hexadecene copolymerTocopheryl acetate~0.1–0.35%
- 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 acetateMyristyl myristate~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient. Is not recommended for acne-prone skin as it can be comedogenic
More about Myristyl myristateHydrogenated coco-glycerides~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together while creating a nice finish on the skin
More about Hydrogenated coco-glyceridesPanthenol~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolGlyceryl stearate citrate~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together while softening the upper layer of the skin
More about Glyceryl stearate citrateDicaprylyl carbonate~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
More about Dicaprylyl carbonateBis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine~0.2–0.75%
- 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 triazineAlcohol denat.~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.C12-15 alkyl benzoate~0.15–0.7%
- 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 benzoateButylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprateButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~0.15–0.7%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneTitanium dioxide~0.15–0.6%
- 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 dioxideGlycerin~0.1–0.35%
- 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 GlycerinOctocrylene~0.1–0.4%
- 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 OctocryleneWater~0.05–0.2%
Ingredient list view
Parfum, Coumarin, Eugenol, Citronellol, Alpha-isomethyl ionone, Benzyl alcohol, Butylphenyl methylpropional, Limonene, Linalool, Ethylparaben, Methylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trisodium edta, Dimethicone, Citric acid, Sodium citrate, Silica, Stearyl alcohol, Cetyl alcohol, Sodium acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Xanthan gum, Vp/hexadecene copolymer, Tocopheryl acetate, Myristyl myristate, Hydrogenated coco-glycerides, Panthenol, Glyceryl stearate citrate, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Alcohol denat., C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Butylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Titanium dioxide, Glycerin, Octocrylene, Water
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
Product summary
"Nivea - Sun SPF 50+ Protect & Moisture Trigger Spray" is using UV filters in a relatively low concentration. Because of this, it might not be able to provide reliable sun protection.
It also works as a moisturizer, so you do not have to use an additional hydrating product.
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 and octocrylene. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses titanium dioxide.
Irritation risk
There are quite a few common irritants in this product, including ingredients without particular skin benefits. We would not recommend it for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen 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 6 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 4Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 5
- 6
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.