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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Nivea Sun Water Gel SPF35/PA+++ versus Nivea Sun Super Water Gel SPF 50 PA+++ .

Published on June 19, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid, SPF and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for brightening skin

Free From

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

What's Inside

They both contain harsh alcohols, parabens and silicones

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

Sunscreen German Brand Germany
Sunscreen German Brand Germany

Sunscreen

Sunscreens help absorb or reflect UV radiation and protect skin against skin damage. Sunscreens may come in the form of lotion, gel, foam, spray, or solid-stick.

Sunscreen

Sunscreens help absorb or reflect UV radiation and protect skin against skin damage. Sunscreens may come in the form of lotion, gel, foam, spray, or solid-stick.

Price

Shop

Buy Sun Water Gel SPF35/PA+++

Starts at $9.99
Shop

Buy Sun Super Water Gel SPF 50 PA+++

Starts at $7.79

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
spf rating
35
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
spf rating
50

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter (3)
Vitamin E
Exfoliators
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Skin Texture
Anti-Aging
Scar Healing
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating (3)
Rosacea
Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter (3)
Vitamin E
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Brightening

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating (2)
Rosacea
Eczema (3)
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Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Nivea Sun Water Gel SPF35/PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 1.

Nivea Sun Super Water Gel SPF 50 PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: UV Absorber, UV Filter
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is an organic compound that provides UVB protection. It often goes by the more common name of octinoxate. It is created from methoxycinnamic acid and 2-ethylhexanol.

Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate absorbs UVB rays with wavelengths between 280-320 nm. UV absorbers protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy.

UVB (290-320 nm) rays emit more energy than UVA rays. They are capable of damaging DNA, causing sunburns and are thought to be linked to skin cancer.

The state of Hawaii has banned sunscreens containing octinoxate due to its potential impact on coral reefs. More research is needed to bridge gaps in this research. The European Union allows higher levels of octinoxate in sunscreens than the US and Australia.

Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is oil soluble. It is not stable and may lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight.

Learn more about Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate

Nivea Sun Water Gel SPF35/PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 3.

Nivea Sun Super Water Gel SPF 50 PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.

Dimethicone has been found increase absorption in skin, boosting the benefits of other ingredients. While there is concern for the safety of dimethicone, the levels used in skincare are safe for use.

Nivea Sun Water Gel SPF35/PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 4.

Nivea Sun Super Water Gel SPF 50 PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 5.

4
What it does: UV Absorber, UV Filter
Community Rating: Liked

Ethylhexyl Triazone is a modern chemical sunscreen that protects from UV-B radiation.

It is the most effective of existing UV-B filters, as it provides the highest level of photo-stable absorption. It protects from the entire UV-B range (280 to 320nm), with it's highest level of protection at 314nm.

Ethylhexyl Triazone is oil soluble, oderless and colorless, which mean it is able to be incorporated into a variety of different formulations.

It is not currently available within the United States due to slow changing FDA regulations. Outside of the US, it is used in formulations at concentrations up to 5%.

Learn more about Ethylhexyl Triazone

Nivea Sun Water Gel SPF35/PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 6.

Nivea Sun Super Water Gel SPF 50 PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 6.

5
What it does: UV Filter
Community Rating: Liked

Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB) is a chemical UVA absorber. It is formulated for high UVA protection (320-400 nm) and photostability.

DHHB has been approved by the EU, Japan, Taiwan, and South America for use up to 10%.

UV absorbers are an agent that absorbs UV rays. They protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy.

UV rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation from the sun. Other sources include tanning beds and welding torches. Radiation is the emission of energy. UV Rays are divided into 3 groups. UVA (320-400 nm) contains the least amount of energy. They are linked to long term skin damage such as wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. UVB (290-320 nm) rays emit more energy than UVA rays. They are capable of damaging DNA in skin cells. UVB causes sunburns and are thought to be linked to skin cancer. UVC (200-280 nm) contains the highest amount of energy. Our ozone blocks UVC. UVC can also originate from welding torches, mercury lamps, and sanitizing bulbs.

Learn more about Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate

Nivea Sun Water Gel SPF35/PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 7.

Nivea Sun Super Water Gel SPF 50 PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 7.

6
What it does: Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

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 Acetate

Nivea Sun Water Gel SPF35/PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 12.

Nivea Sun Super Water Gel SPF 50 PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 16.

7
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Mixed

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.

Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.

"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.

Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide

Nivea Sun Water Gel SPF35/PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 15.

Nivea Sun Super Water Gel SPF 50 PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 17.

8
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Methylparaben is a preservative and is a paraben. It is used to prevent the growth of fungus, mold, and other harmful bacteria. Parabens are chemicals used as preservatives in both cosmetics and food.

Methylparaben can be synthetically created. It can also be found naturally in some fruits, such as blueberries.

Oftentimes, Methylparaben is combined with other parabens to help increase the shelf life.

The safety of Methylparaben is currently being studied. While ongoing studies are looking into the safety of parabens, the results have been very mixed. Some studies have not found Methylparaben to be harmful.

Learn more about Methylparaben

Nivea Sun Water Gel SPF35/PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 16.

Nivea Sun Super Water Gel SPF 50 PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 19.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

31% are loved or liked
13% have mixed ratings
31% are disliked or very disliked
25% have no rating yet
37% are loved or liked
11% have mixed ratings
37% are disliked or very disliked
16% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Nivea Sun Water Gel SPF35/PA+++ 16 ingredients

Sun Water Gel SPF35/PA+++ hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Nivea Sun Super Water Gel SPF 50 PA+++ 19 ingredients

2.7 /5
from 3 ratings

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