Formula · 7.9

Brand · 6.6

NIVEA · panthenol in a rich base · Germany

NIVEA Creme

NIVEA Creme
7.9

LabReadAI label score

How the score is calculated
  • Actives and evidence0.8Effect moderately supported
  • Active concentration1.0The active sits above the 1 % line — by list order a working concentration is 100 % likely
  • Completeness for the purpose0.7For “dryness and a damaged barrier” — 67 %; without ceramides — the bricks of the barrier; could be added without conflict: ceramides; a broad formula across 6 purposes
  • Tolerance0.8Debatable ingredient groups: fragrance and its allergens (skin test positive in 13 of 100 tested); comedogenic ingredients at a notable share (may clog pores): decyl oleate
  • adults
  • pregnancyallowed per the leaflet
  • children
  • babies
  • sensitive skinlanolin allergy is possible
  • atopic skinfragrance is a common trigger
  • acne-pronemay clog pores in leave-on face products
Free from:
  • alcohol (alcohol denat) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “denatured alcohol” group — evaporates fast and degreases; frequent contact can dry the skin — a tolerance question, not a regulatory one; does not clog pores
  • sulfates (SLS/SLES) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “ammonium laureth sulfate (ALES), ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS), sodium coco-sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium myreth sulfate, TEA-lauryl sulfate” group — a cleansing surfactant from the sulfate family but with an ethoxylated chain: it cleanses more gently than lauryl sulfate. Still not for those looking for a sulfate-free product.
  • formaldehyde releasers · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “formaldehyde releasers” group — preservatives that slowly release formaldehyde; allowed at low levels but a frequent cause of contact allergy
  • isothiazolinones (MIT/MCI) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “isothiazolinone preservatives (MIT/MCI)” group — preservatives; banned in EU leave-on products and limited in rinse-off (0.0015%) — a frequent cause of contact allergy
  • parabens · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “parabens” group — preservatives; methyl- and ethylparaben are recognised as safe at permitted levels, propyl- and butyl- are limited by the EU to 0.14 %; a frequent buyer question rather than proven harm
  • soap · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “potassium soap (potassium cocoate), plant soap base (sodium palmate, sodium cocoate), tallow soap base (sodium tallowate)” group — liquid soap: fatty acids boiled with alkali. It cleanses well, but its acidity is around 9-10 against 5 for skin, which is why it often leaves tightness. The product is rinsed off, so the question is tolerance.
  • silicones · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “silicones” group — form a smooth film and shine; inert and not absorbed — a preference question, not a safety one
  • gelatin in the coating · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “vegetarian coating” group — a plant-based tablet coating instead of gelatin; it keeps moisture out and makes swallowing easier
  • toning dyes · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “violet toning dyes” group — direct dyes that settle on the hair surface and cancel the yellow cast of blonde; they wash out in 1–3 washes and leave a lilac tint if left too long; HC Blue 2 and Disperse Violet 1 are known contact allergens of hair dyes
  • tar · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “wood (birch) tar” group — a traditional remedy for dandruff and itching with a sharp smell; it reduces flaking, but can irritate a sensitive scalp and dries the hair
What for: Dry skin needs three things at once: draw water in (glycerin, hyaluronate), rebuild the barrier (ceramides with cholesterol, panthenol) and seal moisture with a film (petrolatum, oils). One of the three is half the job.
When:
  • leave-on
  • morning
  • daytime
  • evening
any time, can be applied often
When to expect an effect: soothing — days; barrier — 2–4 weeks

Ingredients — 20 components · 1 works

What works: 1 of 20 ingredients: panthenol. Dry skin needs three things at once: draw water in (glycerin, hyaluronate), rebuild the barrier (ceramides with cholesterol, panthenol) and seal moisture with a film (petrolatum, oils). One of the three is half the job.

Strengths: active concentration

What lowers the score: actives and evidence: effect moderately supported; completeness for the purpose: for “dryness and a damaged barrier” — 67 %; tolerance: debatable ingredient groups: fragrance and its allergens

Questions: fragrance and its allergens: limonene, geraniol, hydroxycitronellal, linalool, citronellol, benzyl benzoate, cinnamyl alcohol, fragrance — the fragrance and its aromatic components; the EU requires 26 of them to be listed separately — matters to people allergic to fragrance, does not affect how the product works

  • Aqua base: coating, fillers · water — the solvent and base; listed first because there is more of it than anything else; in supplements — part of the capsule shell
  • Paraffinum Liquidum base: coating, fillers · purified cosmetic-grade petroleum products: form a protective barrier film; safety is established, a preference question; 0–2 of 5 (depends on the raw-material source), cosmetic white oil per DiNardo (2005) is non-comedogenic
  • Cera Microcristallina base: coating, fillers · purified cosmetic-grade petroleum products: form a protective barrier film; safety is established, a preference question; 0–2 of 5 (depends on the raw-material source), cosmetic white oil per DiNardo (2005) is non-comedogenic
  • Glycerin base: coating, fillers · a humectant: coats the tablet, holds moisture in creams and shampoos; does not clog pores
  • Lanolin Alcohol (Eucerit base: coating, fillers · a lanolin fraction, emulsifier and softener; the main culprit in lanolin allergy; rarely clogs pores in leave-on face products
  • Paraffin base: coating, fillers · purified cosmetic-grade petroleum products: form a protective barrier film; safety is established, a preference question; 0–2 of 5 (depends on the raw-material source), cosmetic white oil per DiNardo (2005) is non-comedogenic
  • Panthenol works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: panthenol
  • Magnesium Sulfate base: coating, fillers · tune the acidity and texture; salt is a common shampoo thickener
  • Decyl Oleate base: coating, fillers · emollient/base; may clog pores in leave-on face products
  • Octyldodecanol base: coating, fillers · a branched fatty-alcohol emollient: softens, gives slip and dissolves oil-soluble components; not “alcohol” in the everyday sense, does not dry the skin
  • Aluminum Stearates base: coating, fillers · soften, condition and carry the actives; the backbone of the texture
  • Citric Acid base: coating, fillers · acidity regulator
  • Magnesium Stearate base: coating, fillers · tablet-pressing lubricant; contains negligible magnesium, not counted as the element; in powders — a slip agent; does not clog pores
  • Limonene questions · the fragrance and its aromatic components; the EU requires 26 of them to be listed separately — matters to people allergic to fragrance, does not affect how the product works
  • Geraniol questions · the fragrance and its aromatic components; the EU requires 26 of them to be listed separately — matters to people allergic to fragrance, does not affect how the product works
  • Hydroxycitronellal questions · the fragrance and its aromatic components; the EU requires 26 of them to be listed separately — matters to people allergic to fragrance, does not affect how the product works
  • Linalool questions · the fragrance and its aromatic components; the EU requires 26 of them to be listed separately — matters to people allergic to fragrance, does not affect how the product works
  • Citronellol questions · the fragrance and its aromatic components; the EU requires 26 of them to be listed separately — matters to people allergic to fragrance, does not affect how the product works
  • Benzyl Benzoate questions · the fragrance and its aromatic components; the EU requires 26 of them to be listed separately — matters to people allergic to fragrance, does not affect how the product works
  • Cinnamyl Alcohol questions · the fragrance and its aromatic components; the EU requires 26 of them to be listed separately — matters to people allergic to fragrance, does not affect how the product works
  • Parfum questions · the fragrance and its aromatic components; the EU requires 26 of them to be listed separately — matters to people allergic to fragrance, does not affect how the product works

NIVEA Creme is a product whose active ingredient is panthenol (pro-vitamin b5). The concentration is not declared, but the active sits above the 1 % line in the list — a working share is likely. The effect is moderately supported: 1–5 %: soothes, speeds up skin recovery and holds moisture. The formula has 20 ingredients, 1 of which does the work; the rest is the formula base. Worth noting: Limonene, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Linalool, Citronellol, Benzyl Benzoate, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Parfum (the fragrance and its aromatic components; the EU requires 26 of them to be listed separately — matters to people allergic to fragrance, does not affect how the product works). Dry skin needs three things at once: draw water in (glycerin, hyaluronate), rebuild the barrier (ceramides with cholesterol, panthenol) and seal moisture with a film (petrolatum, oils). One of the three is half the job. By the list, no alcohol (alcohol denat), sulfates (SLS/SLES), formaldehyde releasers, isothiazolinones (MIT/MCI), parabens, soap, silicones, gelatin in the coating, toning dyes, tar. Suitable for: adults, pregnancy, children, babies. sensitive skin, atopic skin, acne-prone — ask a doctor. fragrance allergy — not without a doctor. Use: any time, can be applied often. When to expect an effect: soothing — days; barrier — 2–4 weeks. Label score — 7.9 out of 10 (effect moderately supported; for “dryness and a damaged barrier” — 67 %; without ceramides — the bricks of the barrier; could be added without conflict: ceramides; a broad formula across 6 purposes; debatable ingredient groups: fragrance and its allergens (skin test positive in 13 of 100 tested); comedogenic ingredients at a notable share (may clog pores): decyl oleate).

Who it does not suit

  • fragrance allergyrisk of reaction

Is this product right for your skin?

The score describes the formula, not your skin: the same product dries one person and saves another. Describe your skin type, reactions and goals, attach a photo of the ingredient list or the product — we will go through every ingredient and say whether it suits you, what to pair it with and what to avoid.

Cosmetic ingredient checkDecode my tests

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