Formula · 6.1

Brand · 6.6

NIVEA · jojoba oil and vitamin E · Germany

NIVEA Soft

NIVEA Soft
6.1

LabReadAI label score

How the score is calculated
  • Actives and evidence0.4Actives with strong evidence: 0 of 2
  • Active concentration1.0Actives sit above the 1 % line — by list order a working concentration is 100 % likely
  • Completeness for the purpose0.6For “hydration” — 65 %; below threshold: dryness and a damaged barrier; a broad formula across 5 purposes
  • Tolerance0.5Debatable ingredient groups: denatured alcohol, fragrance and its allergens (skin test positive in 13 of 100 tested); comedogenic ingredients at a notable share (may clog pores): myristyl myristate
  • adults
  • pregnancyallowed per the leaflet
  • oily skin
  • sensitive skinirritation possible
  • dry skinmay dry
  • nut allergywith a almond allergy — ask a doctor
  • acne-pronemay clog pores in leave-on face products
  • atopic skinfragrance is a common trigger
Free from:
  • 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
  • mineral oils and petrolatum · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “petrolatum and mineral oils” group — 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
  • 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: Hydrating products draw water into the upper skin layer (glycerin, hyaluronate, panthenol, ectoin) — one humectant is enough. Without barrier ingredients (niacinamide, ceramides, oils) the effect does not last.
When:
  • leave-on
  • morning
  • evening
morning and evening
When to expect an effect: softness — immediately; barrier — 2–4 weeks; gives no visible effect alone — protects the formula's oils
What is normal: a light film on the skin

Ingredients — 38 components · 2 work

What works: 2 of 38 ingredients: jojoba oil, vitamin e. Hydrating products draw water into the upper skin layer (glycerin, hyaluronate, panthenol, ectoin) — one humectant is enough. Without barrier ingredients (niacinamide, ceramides, oils) the effect does not last.

Strengths: active concentration

What lowers the score: actives and evidence: actives with strong evidence: 0 of 2; completeness for the purpose: for “hydration” — 65 %; tolerance: debatable ingredient groups: denatured alcohol, fragrance and its allergens

Questions: denatured alcohol — evaporates fast and degreases; frequent contact can dry the skin — a tolerance question, not a regulatory one; does not clog pores; fragrance and its allergens: linalool, citronellol, alpha-isomethyl ionone, acetyl cedrene, bitter orange peel oil, limonene, terpineol, lavender oil, linalyl acetate, 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
  • Glycerin base: coating, fillers · a humectant: coats the tablet, holds moisture in creams and shampoos; does not clog pores
  • Myristyl Alcohol base: coating, fillers · a fatty alcohol (C14), an emulsifier; the most irritating of the fatty alcohols; rarely clogs pores in leave-on face products
  • Alcohol Denat questions · evaporates fast and degreases; frequent contact can dry the skin — a tolerance question, not a regulatory one; does not clog pores
  • Myristyl Myristate base: coating, fillers · emollient/base; may clog pores in leave-on face products
  • Cetearyl Glucoside base: coating, fillers · soften, condition and carry the actives; the backbone of the texture
  • Coco-Caprylate/Caprate base: coating, fillers · soften, condition and carry the actives; the backbone of the texture
  • Glyceryl Stearate base: coating, fillers · the basic cream emulsifier (neutral NSE form); the self-emulsifying SE form with added potassium stearate is a separate entry, 3 of 5; does not clog pores
  • Palmitic Acid base: coating, fillers · a fatty acid (C16), a thickener and soap component; rarely clogs pores in leave-on face products
  • Stearic Acid base: coating, fillers · in tablets — a pressing lubricant, in creams — a thickener and soap component; rarely clogs pores in leave-on face products
  • Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides base: coating, fillers · the plant base: emollient oils, waxes and care extracts
  • Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: seed oil
  • Tocopheryl Acetate works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: tocopheryl acetate (ester; in cosmetics)
  • Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil base: coating, fillers · a light nourishing oil; rarely clogs pores in leave-on face products
  • Vegetable Oil base: coating, fillers · the plant base: emollient oils, waxes and care extracts
  • Cetyl Ricinoleate base: coating, fillers · soften, condition and carry the actives; the backbone of the texture
  • Triisostearin base: coating, fillers · soften, condition and carry the actives; the backbone of the texture
  • Sorbitan Stearate base: coating, fillers · a mild cream emulsifier; does not clog pores
  • Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate base: coating, fillers · hold the texture: gels, creams and foam do not separate
  • Sodium Hydroxide base: coating, fillers · tune the acidity and texture; salt is a common shampoo thickener
  • Cetearyl Alcohol base: coating, fillers · a fatty-alcohol blend (C16–C18), an emulsifier and thickener, does not dry the skin; paired with ceteareth-20 — 4 of 5; rarely clogs pores in leave-on face products
  • Gellan Gum base: coating, fillers · hold the texture: gels, creams and foam do not separate
  • Xanthan Gum base: coating, fillers · hold the texture: gels, creams and foam do not separate
  • Myristic Acid base: coating, fillers · a fatty acid (C14), gives dense foam in cleansers; may clog pores in leave-on face products
  • Arachidic Acid base: coating, fillers · a saturated fatty acid from plant oils: a thickener and part of the emulsifier; no data on pore clogging
  • Oleic Acid base: coating, fillers · a fatty acid (the main one in olive oil): an emollient and part of the emulsifier; rarely clogs pores in leave-on face products
  • Lauric Acid base: coating, fillers · a fatty acid (C12), the base of soap and foam; the main acid of coconut oil; may clog pores in leave-on face products; a finished product with it is not always comedogenic
  • Disodium Cetearyl Sulfosuccinate base: coating, fillers · cleanse and bind water with oils; milder than the sulfate ones
  • Phenoxyethanol base: coating, fillers · the most widespread cosmetic preservative: it keeps the product sterile. Permitted in the EU up to 1 %, recognised as safe at that level.
  • 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
  • Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone 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
  • Acetyl Cedrene 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
  • Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil 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
  • 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
  • Terpineol 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
  • Lavandula Oil/Extract 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
  • Linalyl Acetate 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 Soft is a product whose active ingredient is jojoba oil + vitamin e. The concentration is not declared, but the active sits above the 1 % line in the list — a working share is likely. There is little evidence of effect: jojoba oil, vitamin e. The formula has 38 ingredients, 2 of which do the work; the rest is the formula base. Worth noting: Alcohol Denat. (evaporates fast and degreases; frequent contact can dry the skin — a tolerance question, not a regulatory one; does not clog pores); Linalool, Citronellol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Acetyl Cedrene, Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil, Limonene, Terpineol, Lavandula Oil/Extract, Linalyl Acetate, 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). Hydrating products draw water into the upper skin layer (glycerin, hyaluronate, panthenol, ectoin) — one humectant is enough. Without barrier ingredients (niacinamide, ceramides, oils) the effect does not last. By the list, no sulfates (SLS/SLES), formaldehyde releasers, isothiazolinones (MIT/MCI), parabens, mineral oils and petrolatum, soap, silicones, gelatin in the coating, toning dyes, tar. Suitable for: adults, pregnancy, oily skin. sensitive skin, dry skin, nut allergy, acne-prone, atopic skin — ask a doctor. fragrance allergy — not without a doctor. Use: morning and evening. When to expect an effect: softness — immediately; barrier — 2–4 weeks. Label score — 6.1 out of 10 (actives with strong evidence: 0 of 2; for “hydration” — 65 %; below threshold: dryness and a damaged barrier; a broad formula across 5 purposes; debatable ingredient groups: denatured alcohol, fragrance and its allergens (skin test positive in 13 of 100 tested); comedogenic ingredients at a notable share (may clog pores): myristyl myristate).

Who it does not suit

  • fragrance allergyrisk of reaction

When to stop: rarely — contact allergy: rash, itching — stop

Is this product right for your skin?

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Cosmetic ingredient checkDecode my tests

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