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Nivea Super Water Gel SPF 50/ PA +++

Nivea SPF 50
Nivea Super Water Gel SPF 50/ PA +++

79/100 overall score

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About this sunscreen

Nivea Super Water Gel SPF 50 PA+++ is a hybrid chemical sunscreen using filters including Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Triazone and Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate. Its balanced, lightweight gel finish leaves little to no white cast, is unlikely to sting or clog pores, and works well as a makeup base. With good protection and a 79/100 score, it is a comfortable daily option.

Ingredient & SPF scores

☀️

UV protection

Good 69
  • +18 Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate at #2, UV filter
  • +20.9 Ethylhexyl Triazone at #6, UV filter
  • +34.2 Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate at #7, UV filter (UVA1 +20.9)
  • −6.9 UVB coverage saturated
  • +3 Label claims (SPF 50, PA rating)
How we rate uv protection →
☢️

Health safety

High 64
  • +100 Starting score
  • −36 Octinoxate at #2 (regulatory/evidence concern)
How we rate health safety →
🤧

Allergens

Low 100
  • +100 Starting score
How we rate allergens →
👻

White cast

Low 100
  • +100 Starting score
How we rate white cast →
🔥

Eye sting

Low 61
  • +100 Starting score
  • −16 Octinoxate at #2, migrates into eyes with sweat
  • −18 Volatile alcohol at #3
  • −5 Alcohol high up speeds filter migration
How we rate eye sting →
🪨

Heavy feel

Low 100
  • +100 Starting score
How we rate heavy feel →
🔴

Comedogenic

Low 100
  • +100 Starting score
How we rate comedogenic →
🍄

Fungal acne

Safe 100
  • +100 Starting score
How we rate fungal acne →
👕

Fabric stains

Low 85
  • +100 Starting score
  • −15 Uvinul A Plus (DHHB) at #7, oil-soluble UVA filter, fabric stains
How we rate fabric stains →
💧

Moisture

Light
LightNourishing
  • ← 22 Volatile alcohol at #3
  • → 2 Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid at #13, hyaluronic family
  • → 1 Humectant polyols
How we rate moisture →

Finish

Balanced
MatteDewy
  • ← 5 Volatile alcohol at #3
How we rate finish →
💄

Makeup base

Good
PillsPrimer
  • → 3 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
  • → 10 Quick-setting carrier (alcohol at #3), fast, even canvas
  • ← 1 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer)
How we rate makeup base →
🌊

Water resistance

Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant

Nothing flagged in the ingredient list.

How we rate water resistance →

Skincare extras

Beneficial actives this formula contains. Informational only, not part of the rating: their effect depends on a concentration the label does not disclose.

  • ✨ Vitamin E

Full ingredient list (19)

What each ingredient does and how it moves each rating: green helps, red hurts, ↑ / ↓ give the direction, and ← / → shift a slider toward its ends (finish, moisture, makeup base). Auto-derived from our scoring rules and the ingredient's position.

  1. 1 Water

    Solvent base, the water phase

  2. Legacy UV filter (Octinoxate), high in the list, a primary filter

    • ↑ 18 UV protection
    • ↑ 16 migrates into eyes with sweat
  3. 3 Alcohol

    Volatile alcohol, a drying solvent that can sting eyes

    • ↑ 5 high up speeds filter migration
  4. Humectant, pulls water into the skin

    • 1 → nourishing humectant polyol
  5. 5 Dimethicone

    Emollient, softens and smooths skin

  6. Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Uvinul T 150)

    • ↑ 20.9 UV protection
  7. Modern UV filter, broad-spectrum and photostable (Uvinul A Plus)

    • ↑ 34.2 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
    • ↑ 15 oil-soluble UVA filter, fabric stains
  8. Humectant, pulls water into the skin

  9. Protein, peptide or amino acid, conditions and hydrates skin

  10. Botanical extract

  11. Botanical extract

  12. Botanical extract

  13. Humectant, pulls water into the skin

    • 2 → nourishing hyaluronic family
  14. Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream

  15. 15 Carbomer

    Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream

  16. Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin

  17. 17 Sodium Hydroxide

    pH adjuster

  18. 18 BHT

    Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin

  19. 19 Methylparaben

    Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling

Does Nivea Super Water Gel leave a white cast?

White cast is low, so it should leave little to no visible residue. The gel formula is designed to wear lightweight and sink in clear.

Is Nivea Super Water Gel mineral or chemical?

It is a chemical sunscreen, using a hybrid filter mix including Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Triazone and Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate. There are no mineral filters in the formula.

Is it good for daily use?

It scores 79/100 in our catalog with good SPF 50 PA+++ protection, a low pore-clogging risk and a light gel feel. That makes it a comfortable option for everyday face wear and under makeup.

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