Versus

Estée Lauder Perfectionist Pro Multi-Defense Aqua UV Gel SPF 50 Versus Nivea UV Face Sensitive Protect SPF 50 - Australia

Sunscreen
Sunscreen
American Brand United States
German Brand Germany

Updated on October 10, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain SPF

Free From

They both do not contain any common allergens, oils, parabens or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Perfectionist Pro Multi-Defense Aqua UV Gel SPF 50

Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%

UV Absorber
Chemical UV Filter IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Homosalate 5%

Skin Conditioning
Chemical UV Filter IconNon-Reef-Safe Icon

Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4.5%

UV Absorber
0 / 0 Chemical UV Filter IconNon-Reef-Safe IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Octocrylene 2.8%

UV Absorber
Chemical UV Filter IconNon-Reef-Safe IconMay worsen Eczema Icon

Benzophenone-3 3%

UV Absorber
0 / 0 Chemical UV Filter IconMay cause irritation IconNon-Reef-Safe Icon

Water

Skin Conditioning

Alcohol Denat.

Antimicrobial
Alcohol IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Tocopheryl Acetate

Antioxidant
0 / 0 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant Icon

Sodium Hyaluronate

Humectant
0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid Icon

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Antimicrobial
Antioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract

Masking
Fragrance Icon

Algae Extract

Emollient
May worsen Oily Skin Icon

Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract

Skin Conditioning

Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps reduce irritation Icon

Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Squalane

Emollient
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Hordeum Vulgare Extract

Emollient

Lilium Tigrinum Extract

Skin Conditioning

Tuna Extract

Skin Conditioning

Caffeine

Skin Conditioning

Acrylates Copolymer

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Masking

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient

Cholesterol

Emollient
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Ergothioneine

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Sucrose

Humectant

Alcaligenes Polysaccharides

Emollient

Thermus Thermophillus Ferment

Skin Conditioning

Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate

Antioxidant
Vitamin C IconAntioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Hexylene Glycol

Emulsifying
0-2 / 0-1

Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer

Sodium Hydroxide

Buffering

Dehydroxanthan Gum

Emulsion Stabilising

Dipropylene Glycol

Masking

Carbomer

Emulsion Stabilising
1 / 0

PPG-8-Ceteth-20

Emulsifying

Dextrin Palmitate

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Cyclodextrin

Absorbent

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

Sorbeth-30 Tetraisostearate

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Glyceryl Stearate

Emollient
1 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Polymethylsilsesquioxane

Silicon Icon

Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer

BHT

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Disodium EDTA

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

UV Absorber, UV Filter

Also known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-A range.

Avobenzone is globally approved and is the most commonly used UV-A filter in the world.

Studies have found that avobenzone becomes ineffective when exposed to UV light (it is not photostable; meaning that it breaks down in sunlight). Because of this, formulations that include avobenzone will usually contain stabilizers such as octocrylene.

However, some modern formulations (looking at you, EU!) are able to stabilize avobenzone by coating the molecules.

Avobenzone does not protect against the UV-B range, so it's important to check that the sunscreen you're using contains other UV filters that do!

The highest concentration of avobenzone permitted is 3% in the US, and 5% in the EU.

Learn more about Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
Skin Conditioning, UV Absorber, UV Filter

Homosalate is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-B range (280nm - 320 nm), with a peak protection at 306 nm. It is internationally approved for use in sunscreens.

Homosalate is not photo-stable, meaning it's strength as a UV filter degrades over time with exposure to the sun. Because of this, it's often used in combination with other chemical sunscreen filters as avobenzone (which protects from the UV-A range). Homosalate also helps act as a solvent for harder-to-dissolve UV filters.

(Part of the reason that sunscreens need to be frequently re-applied is due to the photo instability of many chemical sunscreen filters)

Currently, homosalate is approved in concentrations up to 10% in the EU and 15% in the US. The FDA is currently doing further research on the effects of homosalate, and it is possible that these approved concentrations will change in the future.

Learn more about Homosalate
UV Absorber, UV Filter

Octocrylene protects skin from sun damage. It absorbs UV-B with peak absorption of 304 nm. It is a common sunscreen ingredient and often paired with avobenzone, a UVA filter. This is because octocrylene stabilizes other sunscreen ingredients by protecting them from degradation when exposed to sunlight. Octocrylene is a photostable ingredient and loses about 10% of SPF in 95 minutes.

Octocrylene also acts as an emollient, meaning it helps skin retain moisture and softens skin. It is oil-soluble and hydrophobic, enhancing water-resistant properties in a product.

Those who are using ketoprofen, a topical anti-inflammatory drug, may experience an allergic reaction when using octocrylene. It is best to speak with a healthcare professional about using sunscreens with octocrylene.

The EU allows a maximum of these concentrations:

Learn more about Octocrylene
Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.

It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.

Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.

This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.

Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol
Preservative

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.

It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.

When to use

7 Routines
100% use in am
0% use in pm
100% use every day
14 Routines
100% use in am
0% use in pm
100% use every day

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Nivea UV Face Sensitive Protect SPF 50 9 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating
Works Well (1)
Ella777's avatar

Ella777

1 year ago
Review

It goes well with my skin. I love the ingredients.

#works well