Nivea Sensitive Immediate Protect Soothing Sun Lotion SPF 30 Versus Nivea Sun Protect & Moisture SPF 50 PA+++
Updated on November 27, 2023
Overview
Cool Features
They both contain SPF and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols
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
Nivea Sensitive Immediate Protect Soothing Sun Lotion SPF 30 30 ingredients
Nivea Sun Protect & Moisture SPF 50 PA+++ 33 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Nivea Sensitive Immediate Protect Soothing Sun Lotion SPF 30 30 ingredients
Nivea Sun Protect & Moisture SPF 50 PA+++ 33 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentCopernicia Cerifera Cera
Emollient
Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil
Emollient
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientCetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTrisodium EDTA
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Chloride
Masking
Water, Alcohol Denat., Isopropyl Palmitate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Dibutyl Adipate, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Cetyl Palmitate, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trisodium EDTA, Cellulose Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride
Water
Skin ConditioningHomosalate
Skin Conditioning
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Glycerin
Humectant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
Emollient
Myristyl Myristate
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tetrasodium Iminodisuccinate
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingVp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Dimethicone
Emollient
Trisodium EDTA
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLinalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Coumarin
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Water, Homosalate, Octocrylene, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Titanium Dioxide, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Panthenol, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Myristyl Myristate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrasodium Iminodisuccinate, Cellulose Gum, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Silica, Dimethicone, Trisodium EDTA, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Linalool, Limonene, Benzyl Alcohol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Citronellol, Coumarin, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying - mostly due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue, constricting pores and leaving your skin dried out.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is if this alcohol is near the end of an ingredients list, it will probably not affect your skin much.
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.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 MethoxydibenzoylmethaneCellulose Gum is a water-soluble polymer that comes from cellulose. It is used to change the texture of a product and to help stabilize emulsions.
As an emulsifier, cellulose gum specifically thicken the texture of water-based products.
This ingredient is considered hypoallergenic and non-toxic. Cellulose Gum can be found in cosmetics, food, and other household goods such as paper products.
Learn more about Cellulose GumEthylhexyl Salicylate is an organic compound used to block UV rays. It primarily absorbs UVB rays but offers a small amount of UVA protection as well.
Commonly found in sunscreens, Ethylhexyl Salicylate is created from salicylic acid and 2-ethylhexanol. You might know salicylic acid as the effective acne fighter ingredient and BHA.
The ethylhexanol in this ingredient is a fatty alcohol and helps hydrate your skin, similar to oils. It is an emollient, which means it traps moisture into the skin.
According to manufacturers, Ethylhexyl Salicylate absorbs UV wavelength of 295-315 nm, with a peak absorption at 307-310 nm. UVA rays are linked to long term skin damage, such as hyperpigmentation. UVB rays emit more energy and are capable of damaging our DNA. UVB rays cause sunburn.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl SalicylateEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWe don't have a description for Trisodium EDTA yet.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Nivea Sensitive Immediate Protect Soothing Sun Lotion SPF 30 30 ingredients
Nivea Sun Protect & Moisture SPF 50 PA+++ 33 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
