Nivea

Sun SPF 50 Lotion SPF 50

Strong SPF 50 UVB protection

Hybrid Chemical DominantLotion
38
Needs ReviewOverall Rating
Based on formula analysis

Skin Type Match

25%

Drying · Comedogenic · Sensitizing

Pros
  • High SPF protection
  • Broad spectrum coverage
  • No active conflicts
Cons
  • High drying alcohol
  • Highly comedogenic
  • Heavy fragrance load
View other sunscreens for Textured Dry Skin

Performance Scores

SPF Level

Excellent

The active ingredient list contains multiple recognized UVB filters—Homosalate, Octocrylene, Octisalate, and Titanium Dioxide—providing sufficient absorption to justify the SPF 50 claim.

Broad Spectrum

Excellent

Avobenzone provides primary UVA I coverage with a peak absorption at 357 nm, while Octocrylene and Titanium Dioxide effectively bridge the UVA II gap from 315 to 340 nm.

Sweat Resistance

Poor

VP/Hexadecene Copolymer is present and recognized in cosmetic science as an effective hydrophobic film-former, but its functional efficacy remains unverified by clinical water-resistance testing.

Photo Stability

Excellent

Cosmetic photobiology literature establishes that Octocrylene acts as a highly effective triplet-state quencher to mitigate the UV-induced degradation of Avobenzone.

Visible Light

Poor

The ingredient list contains zero iron oxide color indices (e.g., CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499) and relies exclusively on transparent nano-grade Titanium Dioxide which does not block visible light.

Irritation Risk

High Risk

Dermatological literature confirms short-chain alcohols disrupt the skin barrier, exacerbating the penetration and irritant potential of contact allergens like octocrylene and fragrance terpenes.

Pore Clogging

High Risk

Clinical and dermatological comedogenicity scales classify myristyl myristate as a 5/5 severe comedogen due to its high propensity to induce microcomedone formation.

White Cast

Low Risk

Nano-particulate titanium dioxide shifts light scattering out of the visible spectrum, largely eliminating white cast (Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed).


Ingredients Analysis

Active Filters

Homosalate ChemicalUVB

Laboratory studies indicate homosalate may act as an endocrine disruptor by interfering with hormone systems [1.1].

Octocrylene ChemicalUVB / UVA II

Banned in several jurisdictions due to evidence of coral toxicity and accumulation in marine life.

Avobenzone ChemicalUVA I / UVA II

Rapidly degrades under UV exposure losing significant UVA protection capacity unless stabilized by other filters.

Octisalate ChemicalUVB

Clinical trials demonstrate systemic absorption into the bloodstream exceeding the FDA threshold requiring further safety testing.

Titanium Dioxide MineralUVB / UVA II

Classified as a possible human carcinogen if inhaled making spray and powder formulations a potential risk while dermal application remains safe

Key Inactive Ingredients

Water WaterSolvent
Glycerin GlycerinHumectant
Denatured Alcohol AlcoholSolvent

Can strip natural lipids and disrupt the skin moisture barrier which may lead to dryness and contact dermatitis in sensitive skin types [1.5].

C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate Synthetic OilEmollient
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate AnionicEmulsifier
Panthenol OtherHumectant
Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides Fatty Acid EsterEmollient

Derived from coconut oil it contains saturated fatty acids that may contribute to clogged pores or exacerbate fungal acne in susceptible individuals [1.10].

Myristyl Myristate Fatty Acid EsterEmollient

Widely recognized as highly comedogenic with a rating of up to 5 out of 5, making it a potential trigger for clogged pores and breakouts in acne prone individuals depending on its concentration [1.9].

Vitamin E Acetate VitaminAntioxidant
Tetrasodium Iminodisuccinate OtherChelating Agent
Cellulose Gum CelluloseThickener
VP/Hexadecene Copolymer Synthetic PolymerFilm Former
Xanthan Gum GumThickener
Sodium Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer PolymericThickener
Cetyl Alcohol WaxThickener
Stearyl Alcohol WaxThickener
Silica Mattifying AgentSensory Modifier
Dimethicone SiliconeEmollient
Trisodium EDTA EDTAChelating Agent

Trisodium EDTA is poorly biodegradable and can accumulate in water systems, where it may mobilize heavy metals and pose a threat to aquatic ecosystems [2.1].

Hydroxyacetophenone SyntheticAntioxidant

Whilewidelyconsideredsafeandnon-sensitizingbytheCIR, rarecasereportsofallergiccontactdermatitisfromcosmeticproductshavebeendocumented[1.1].

Ethylhexylglycerin MultifunctionalPreservative

Recognized as a rare but emerging cause of allergic contact dermatitis, particularly in leave-on cosmetic products.

Linalool NaturalFragrance

Linalool oxidizes upon exposure to air to form hydroperoxides which are potent skin sensitizers and a frequent cause of allergic contact dermatitis [1.8].

Limonene NaturalFragrance

When exposed to air, it oxidizes into limonene hydroperoxides which are potent skin sensitizers and frequent causes of allergic contact dermatitis [1.7].

Benzyl Alcohol MultifunctionalPreservative

Recognized as a fragrance allergen that can trigger allergic contact dermatitis and nonimmunologic contact urticaria in sensitive individuals [1.15].

Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone SyntheticFragrance

Recognized as a well established contact allergen and skin sensitizer that can trigger allergic contact dermatitis in susceptible individuals [1.8][3].

Citronellol SyntheticFragrance

A well-known fragrance compound that can auto-oxidize into sensitizing hydroperoxides upon air exposure, frequently causing allergic contact dermatitis [1.8].

Coumarin SyntheticFragrance

Coumarin is a well recognized fragrance allergen that can cause allergic contact dermatitis and skin sensitization in susceptible individuals [1.5].

Fragrance SyntheticFragrance

Undisclosedfragranceblendsareamongthemostcommoncausesofcontactdermatitisandskinsensitizationincosmeticproducts[1.6].