Nivea UV FACE SOOTHING SENSITIVE SUN CREAM SPF 50+
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 5 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.
Anti-agingNo 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.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · 1 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).
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · 8 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
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).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Alcohol denat.Medium risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Alcohol denat.~8–9.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~4.7–5.7%
- 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 methoxydibenzoylmethaneBis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine~3.6–4.4%
- 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 triazineIsopropyl palmitate~2.4–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
More about Isopropyl palmitateC12-15 alkyl benzoate~2–2.5%
- 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 benzoateDibutyl adipate~1.8–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Dibutyl adipateEthylhexyl triazone~1.9–2.3%
- 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 triazoneButylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprateCetearyl alcohol~1.1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholDistarch phosphate~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid~0.9–1.1%
- 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 acidGlyceryl stearate~0.55–0.85%
- 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 stearateTapioca starch~0.45–0.7%
Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate~0.6–0.9%
- 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 benzoateMethylpropanediol~0.45–0.65%
Glycerin~0.45–0.65%
- 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 GlycerinGlycyrrhiza inflata root extract~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that can help lighten the skin and calm down inflammation. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals
More about Glycyrrhiza inflata root extractTocopheryl acetate~0.3–0.6%
- 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 acetateXanthan gum~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumHydroxypropyl starch phosphate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together and used to stabilize product formulations
More about Hydroxypropyl starch phosphateCocoglycerides~0.3–0.55%
- 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 CocoglyceridesHydrogenated coco-glycerides~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together while creating a nice finish on the skin
More about Hydrogenated coco-glyceridesHydrogenated rapeseed oil~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium stearoyl glutamate~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl glutamateSilica dimethyl silylate~0.2–0.4%
Sodium chloride~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideSodium hydroxide~0.15–0.25%
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.2%
Hydroxyacetophenone~0.1–0.15%
Trisodium edta~0.05–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Water, Alcohol denat., Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Isopropyl palmitate, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Dibutyl adipate, Ethylhexyl triazone, Butylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate, Cetearyl alcohol, Distarch phosphate, Phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid, Glyceryl stearate, Tapioca starch, Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate, Methylpropanediol, Glycerin, Glycyrrhiza inflata root extract, Tocopheryl acetate, Xanthan gum, Hydroxypropyl starch phosphate, Cocoglycerides, Hydrogenated coco-glycerides, Hydrogenated rapeseed oil, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Silica dimethyl silylate, Sodium chloride, Sodium hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Trisodium edta
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Product summary
We believe that "Nivea - UV FACE SOOTHING SENSITIVE SUN CREAM SPF 50+" 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).
It also works as a moisturizer, so you do not have to use an additional hydrating product. This product prevents early signs of aging by protecting against sun damage (all broad spectrum sunscreens do that).
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen uses so-called "chemical", or organic UV filters (organic simply means that their molecules contain atoms of carbon). These filters typically give good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for sensitive skin. Here are the exact UV filters in this sunscreen: tinosorb s 3.60% - 4.40%, avobenzone 4.70% - 5.70%, uvinul a plus 0.60% - 0.90% and uvinul t 1.90% - 2.30%.
Irritation risk
This formulation includes some common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of it 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 3 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Isopropyl Isostearatejournals.sagepub.com
- 2
- 3
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