Nivea SUN Suncream Lotion SPF 15, Protect & Moisture
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 15 · 4 UV filters · Broad spectrumWeak protectionSPF under 30
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.
MoisturizingPanthenol, Glycerin + 4 moreWorks well
“Moisturising - Suncream cares and moisturises skin”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin.
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. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy7 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., Linalool + 5 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~6.3–7.7%
- 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~4.4–5.4%
- 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 OctocryleneGlycerin~3.1–3.7%
- 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 GlycerinC12-15 alkyl benzoate~2.4–2.9%
- 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 benzoateAlcohol denat.~1.9–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Ethylhexyl 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 salicylateButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~2–2.4%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneGlyceryl stearate citrate~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together while softening the upper layer of the skin
More about Glyceryl stearate citratePanthenol~0.95–1.15%
- 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~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together while creating a nice finish on the skin
More about Hydrogenated coco-glyceridesMyristyl myristate~0.65–0.95%
- 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~0.5–0.75%
- 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 acetateCellulose gum~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create thicker product consistency and stabilize emulsions
More about Cellulose gumTetrasodium iminodisuccinate~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Vp/hexadecene copolymer~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Creates a nice product texture and can support water-resistance of sunscreens
More about Vp/hexadecene copolymerXanthan gum~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumSodium acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.35–0.65%
- 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 crosspolymerCetyl alcohol~0.35–0.6%
- 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 alcoholStearyl alcohol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Stearyl alcoholSilica dimethyl silylate~0.25–0.5%
Trisodium edta~0.2–0.4%
Hydroxyacetophenone~0.2–0.35%
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.2–0.35%
Linalool~0.15–0.3%
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~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholAlpha-isomethyl ionone~0.1–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. Potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Alpha-isomethyl iononeCitronellol~0.1–0.2%
Coumarin~0.05–0.15%
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, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Alcohol denat., Ethylhexyl salicylate, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Glyceryl stearate citrate, Panthenol, Hydrogenated coco-glycerides, Myristyl myristate, Tocopheryl acetate, Cellulose gum, Tetrasodium iminodisuccinate, Vp/hexadecene copolymer, Xanthan gum, Sodium acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Cetyl alcohol, Stearyl alcohol, Silica dimethyl silylate, Trisodium edta, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, 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 Suncream Lotion SPF 15, Protect & MoistureYOUR PRODUCT | Face Reality SkincareBrilliant Defense SPF 50 | HawaiianTropic Ht Sheer Touch Spf30 Ltn | OlayRegenerist Regenerating Lotion | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 67% | 67% | 67% |
| Price | — | $42.00 | — | $29.99 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 6 | 5 of 6 | 5 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate | Butyrospermum Parkii Butter | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | High | Low | Medium | Medium |
| SPF | SPF 15 | SPF 50 | SPF 30 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Supergoop! PLAY Everyday Face Lotion SPF 50Banana Boat Light As Air Sunscreen Lotion - SPF 50
Product summary
"Nivea - SUN Suncream Lotion SPF 15, Protect & Moisture" 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 this moisturizer is not high enough. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
This moisturizer should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer during the day.
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. These are the sun protection ingredients in this sunscreen: avobenzone 2.00% - 2.40%, octisalate 2.10% - 2.60%, homosalate 6.30% - 7.70% and octocrylene 4.40% - 5.40%.
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 moisturizer 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 at around 5.70£ 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 5 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 4
- 5
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