Nivea SUN Tan Activating Suncream Spray SPF 20, Protect & Bronze
Works for
2 of 3 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 20 · 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.
Moisturizing3 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
“SUN Tan Activating Suncream Spray SPF 20, Protect & Bronze”
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).
Evens skin tone1 ingredient credited for this claimModerate support
“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”
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).
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · 2 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
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).
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · No ingredient credited for this claimModerate support
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).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy7 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., Linalool + 5 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
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Water~40–60%
Homosalate~5.1–7.6%
- 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~3.8–5.7%
- 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 OctocryleneEthylhexyl salicylate~3–4.5%
- 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 salicylateAlcohol denat.~2.1–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~2.2–3.3%
- 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~1.5–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateGlycerin~1.3–2%
- 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 GlycerinGlycyrrhetinic acid~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- 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
More about Glycyrrhetinic acidTocopheryl acetate~0.6–1.35%
- 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 acetateVp/hexadecene copolymer~0.45–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Creates a nice product texture and can support water-resistance of sunscreens
More about Vp/hexadecene copolymerCopernicia cerifera cera~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Brazilian palm wax. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Copernicia cerifera ceraTetrasodium iminodisuccinate~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cellulose gum~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create thicker product consistency and stabilize emulsions
More about Cellulose gumMicrocrystalline cellulose~0.15–0.6%
Xanthan gum~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumSodium stearoyl glutamate~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl glutamateTrisodium edta~0.15–0.5%
Citric acid~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidSodium chloride~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideHydroxyacetophenone~0.1–0.4%
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolLinalool~0.1–0.35%
Limonene~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneBenzyl alcohol~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholAlpha-isomethyl ionone~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. Potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Alpha-isomethyl iononeCitronellol~0.05–0.2%
Geraniol~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, 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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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.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 7 studies and safety reviews.
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