Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+ Sunscreen Versus Nivea Sun Super Water Gel SPF 50 PA+++
Overview
What they are
These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain SPF and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry 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 needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+ Sunscreen 45 ingredients
Nivea Sun Super Water Gel SPF 50 PA+++ 19 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
Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+ Sunscreen 45 ingredients
Nivea Sun Super Water Gel SPF 50 PA+++ 19 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2.3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 10%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 5%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientTalc
Abrasive
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Dimethicone
Emollient
PEG/PPG-9/2 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningSd Alcohol 40-B
Astringent
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingGlycerin
Humectant
Dextrin Palmitate
Emulsifying
Sucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate
Emollient
Isododecane
EmollientPPG-3 Dipivalate
Skin ConditioningTrimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Chloride
Masking
PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningSaxifraga Sarmentosa Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPPG-17
Skin ConditioningDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingCalcium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantIsostearic Acid
Cleansing
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Trisodium EDTA
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
PEG-6
HumectantBHT
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Syzygium Jambos Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPolysilicone-2
Methylparaben
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Iron Oxides
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2.3%, Homosalate 10%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 5%, Water, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Talc, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, PEG/PPG-9/2 Dimethyl Ether, Sd Alcohol 40-B, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Triethylhexanoin, Glycerin, Dextrin Palmitate, Sucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate, Isododecane, PPG-3 Dipivalate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Silica, Sodium Chloride, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, Saxifraga Sarmentosa Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, PPG-17, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Calcium Stearate, Isostearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Trisodium EDTA, Alcohol, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, PEG-6, BHT, Tocopherol, Butylene Glycol, Stearic Acid, Sodium Metabisulfite, Syzygium Jambos Leaf Extract, Polysilicone-2, Methylparaben, Parfum, Iron Oxides
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
HumectantPyrus Cydonia Seed Extract
MaskingGeranium Robertianum Extract
AstringentPhellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingBHT
Antioxidant
Methylparaben
Preservative
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Pyrus Cydonia Seed Extract, Geranium Robertianum Extract, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hydroxide, BHT, Methylparaben
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 WaterDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeAlcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is usually an astringent alcohol.
These alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Fatty alcohols come from plant oils such as coconut oil. These can help hydrate the skin and are non-irritating. Some fatty alcohols include cetyl and stearyl alcohol.
Learn more about AlcoholBHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolMethylparaben 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 MethylparabenIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+ Sunscreen 45 ingredients
Nivea Sun Super Water Gel SPF 50 PA+++ 19 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+ Sunscreen 45 ingredients
not a bad sunscreen, works pretty good but very thick. i would only recommend if u have dry and aren’t acne prone since i feel my skin did get small bumps on my forehead. the fragrance didn’t irritate my skin which was surprising and didn’t burn my eyes or nose area. i used on my arms which was very thick and left me greasy but did protect me from the sun! it’s decent sunscreen but there are Show more
Greasy
Feels super greasy and gross on my face.
