PRODUCT REVIEW

Nivea SUN Tan Activating Suncream Spray SPF 20, Protect & Bronze

Works for:

based on ingredients and %

Moisturizing
Evens skin tone
Anti-oxidation
Anti-aging

Doesn't work for:

based on ingredients and %

Sun protection

Can it cause trouble?

Key actives

Glycyrrhetinic acid 1% - 1.5%Homosalate 5.1% - 7.6%

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Product summary

"Nivea - SUN Tan Activating Suncream Spray SPF 20, Protect & Bronze" 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 sunscreen is not high enough. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.

It also works as a moisturizer, so you do not have to use an additional hydrating product.

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 2.20% - 3.30%, octisalate 3.00% - 4.50%, homosalate 5.10% - 7.60% and octocrylene 3.80% - 5.70%.

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.

What can the product work for?

Does not work for

Sun protection

Evens skin tone

What does the product description say?

Moisturising – Suncream cares for and moisturises skinSPF 20 – Factor 20 spray reduces the risk of sun damagePro-Melanin Extract – For a beautiful and even tanWater Resistant – Water-resistant formulaImmediate Protection – Instantly protects against harmful UV raysUVA/UVB protection – Filters reduce the risk of sun allergies

Source: Boots

The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: glycyrrhetinic acid.

The biggest effect for evening out skin tone in this product comes from sun protection. Sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations. This is why sun protection is the best strategy for maintaining an even skin tone. We, however, do not recommend using this product as a sunscreen because the protection it offers is not strong enough).

glycyrrhetinic acid 1% - 1.5%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: MEDIUM

Active compound of licorice root. Works to calm down inflammation, as an anti-oxidant, and might be helpful in lightening the skin and reducing hyperpigmentation

Moisturizing

What does the product description say?

SUN Tan Activating Suncream Spray SPF 20, Protect & Bronze

Source: From product name

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).

glycerin 1.3% - 2%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant

copernicia cerifera cera 0.4% - 0.9%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: MEDIUM

Brazilian palm wax. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

glyceryl stearate 1.5% - 2.2%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: LOW

An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together

Anti-aging

This product contains glycyrrhetinic acid. This ingredient help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they might be able to prevent early signs of aging (like fine lines and wrinkles), at least to some extent. These ingredients will not be able to "reverse" signs of aging. The biggest anti-aging effect in this product comes from sun protection. Sun damage is the main factor causing early signs of skin aging. We, however, do not recommend using this product as a sunscreen because the protection it offers is not strong enough).

Anti-oxidation

This product contains antioxidants (glycyrrhetinic acid) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).

glycyrrhetinic acid 1% - 1.5%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

Active compound of licorice root. Works to calm down inflammation, as an anti-oxidant, and might be helpful in lightening the skin and reducing hyperpigmentation

tocopheryl acetate 0.6% - 1.35%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Insufficient!

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.

Sun protection

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.

butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane 2.2% - 3.3%

Irritation risk:

UVA I protection: UVA II protection: UVB protection: Photo stable: Ingredient type Organic

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.

octocrylene 3.8% - 5.7%

Irritation risk:

UVA I protection: UVA II protection: UVB protection: Photo stable: Ingredient type Organic

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

homosalate 5.1% - 7.6%

Irritation risk:

UVA I protection: UVA II protection: UVB protection: Photo stable: Ingredient type Organic

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

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Ingredients & concentrations

All ingredients

Key Actives

glycyrrhetinic acid 1% - 1.5%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Anti-inflammatory, Anti-oxidation, Evens skin tone

Active compound of licorice root. Works to calm down inflammation, as an anti-oxidant, and might be helpful in lightening the skin and reducing hyperpigmentation

homosalate 5.1% - 7.6%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Sun protection

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Potential irritants

alcohol denat. 2.1% - 3.1%

Irritation risk:

Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products

linalool 0.1% - 0.35%

Irritation risk:

A fragrance. Can be irritating

Comodogenic ingredients

We couldn't find any comodogenic ingredients in this product

All ingredients

water 40% - 60%

Irritation risk:

Plain old water

homosalate 5.1% - 7.6%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Sun protection

octocrylene 3.8% - 5.7%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Sun protection

Ingredient list view

Water, Homosalate, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Alcohol denat., Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Glyceryl stearate, Glycerin, Glycyrrhetinic acid, Tocopheryl acetate, Vp/hexadecene copolymer, Copernicia cerifera cera, Tetrasodium iminodisuccinate, Cellulose gum, Microcrystalline cellulose, Xanthan gum, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Trisodium edta, Citric acid, Sodium chloride, Hydroxyacetophenone, Phenoxyethanol, Linalool, Limonene, Benzyl alcohol, Alpha-isomethyl ionone, Citronellol, Geraniol, Parfum

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Price
WIMJ similarity score		48%	47%	46%	46%	46%	46%	46%	46%	46%	46%
SPF	SPF 20	SPF 30	SPF 50	SPF 50	SPF 70	SPF 50	SPF 50	SPF 30	SPF 50	SPF 50	SPF 30
Key ingredients	butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane glycerin +3 more	Common: butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane glycerin +2 more Other: ethylhexyl triazone sodium hyaluronate +1 more	Common: butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane glycerin +3 more Other: bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid	Common: butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane glycerin +2 more Other: retinyl palmitate	Common: butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane glycerin +2 more Other: butyloctyl salicylate camellia sinensis leaf extract +3 more	Common: butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane glycerin +2 more Other: bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine caprylic/capric triglyceride +4 more	Common: butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane glycerin +2 more Other: retinyl palmitate	Common: glycerin homosalate +2 more Other: niacinamide cocos nucifera fruit extract +4 more	Common: butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane glycerin +2 more Other: dimethicone drometrizole trisiloxane +5 more	Common: butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane glycerin +2 more Other: bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate +2 more	Common: butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane glycerin +2 more Other: drometrizole trisiloxane ethylhexyl triazone +3 more
Irritancy	IRRITANCY HIGH	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM
Potential Irritants	parfum Has skin benefit? geraniol Has skin benefit? +14 more	parfum Has skin benefit? alcohol denat. Has skin benefit? +12 more	alcohol denat. Has skin benefit? 1,2-hexanediol Has skin benefit? +10 more	ascorbic acid Has skin benefit? retinyl palmitate Has skin benefit? +11 more	ginkgo biloba leaf extract Has skin benefit? chamomilla recutita flower extract Has skin benefit? +12 more	calendula officinalis flower extract Has skin benefit? ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate Has skin benefit? +12 more	ascorbic acid Has skin benefit? retinyl palmitate Has skin benefit? +11 more	parfum Has skin benefit? alcohol denat. Has skin benefit? +4 more	p-anisic acid Has skin benefit? lauryl peg/ppg-18/18 methicone Has skin benefit? +11 more	alcohol denat. Has skin benefit? acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer Has skin benefit? +11 more	parfum Has skin benefit? alcohol denat. Has skin benefit? +10 more
All ingredients	water Has skin benefit? homosalate Has skin benefit? +27 more	water Has skin benefit? alcohol denat. Has skin benefit? +24 more	water Has skin benefit? homosalate Has skin benefit? +18 more	butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane Has skin benefit? homosalate Has skin benefit? +32 more	butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane Has skin benefit? homosalate Has skin benefit? +21 more	alcohol denat. Has skin benefit? octocrylene Has skin benefit? +21 more	butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane Has skin benefit? homosalate Has skin benefit? +32 more	homosalate Has skin benefit? octocrylene Has skin benefit? +20 more	water Has skin benefit? homosalate Has skin benefit? +32 more	water Has skin benefit? diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate Has skin benefit? +21 more	water Has skin benefit? alcohol denat. Has skin benefit? +21 more

PRODUCT REVIEW

Nivea SUN Tan Activating Suncream Spray SPF 20, Protect & Bronze

Works for:

Doesn't work for:

Can it cause trouble?

Key actives

Cheaper alternatives

Product summary

Sunscreen filters

Irritation risk

What can the product work for?

Works for

Does not work for

Evens skin tone

What does the product description say?

Moisturizing

What does the product description say?

Anti-aging

Anti-oxidation

Sun protection

Honesty check

How honest is this product?

Buy now

Can it cause trouble?

Potential irritants

Comodogenic ingredients

User reviews (0)

Similar products & dupes

Ingredients & concentrations

All ingredients

Key Actives

Potential irritants

Comodogenic ingredients

All ingredients

Ingredient list view

Sources