nivea Vital

Ingredients overview

Label order. Colour is our internal rating: green routine, yellow restricted or worth a look, red prohibited or high-risk, grey not yet decoded.

Ingredients are listed in label order; the order reflects the label only, not exact concentrations.

1. Aqua
2. Glycerin
3. Dicaprylyl Carbonate
4. Ethylhexyl Salicylate
5. Cetearyl Alcohol
6. Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
7. Glyceryl Stearate
8. Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
9. Methylpropanediol
10. Squalane
11. C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
12. Dimethicone
13. Calcium Pantothenate
14. Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
15. Hydrolyzed Pearl
16. Tocopherol
17. Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
18. Ethylhexylglycerin
19. Carbomer
20. Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
21. Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
22. Trisodium EDTA
23. Sodium Hydroxide
24. Phenoxyethanol
25. Linalool
26. Citronellol
27. Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
28. Benzyl Alcohol
29. Geraniol
30. Limonene
31. Coumarin
32. Parfum

Highlights

Free of parabensFree of sulfatesFree of formaldehyde releasersContains mineral oilContains alcoholContains animal-derivedContains siliconesContains essential oilsContains EU-26 allergensContains fragrance

Formulation view Emulsion with titanium dioxide and organic UV filters for broad-spectrum protection. Hydrating base includes squalane, mineral oil, and plant butters. Panthenol and pearl hydrolysate soothe. Ideal for post-sun care and daily defense. Formulator note: UV filters require UVA co-filters for broad spectrum; plant butters may compromise lightness, caution advised for acne-prone skin.

Key ingredients

SOLVENT

Aqua

DENATURANT

Glycerin

SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT

Dicaprylyl CarbonateCetearyl AlcoholHydrogenated Coco-GlyceridesGlyceryl Stearate

LIGHT STABILIZER

Ethylhexyl Salicylate

SKIN CONDITIONING

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter

Other ingredients

MethylpropanediolSqualaneC12-15 Alkyl BenzoateDimethiconeCalcium PantothenateVitis Vinifera Seed OilHydrolyzed PearlTocopherolPotassium Cetyl PhosphateEthylhexylglycerinCarbomerButyl MethoxydibenzoylmethanePhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic AcidTrisodium EDTASodium HydroxidePhenoxyethanolLinaloolCitronellolAlpha-Isomethyl IononeBenzyl AlcoholGeraniolLimoneneCoumarinParfum

Skim through

Ingredients explained

Aqua

Solvent, main base; microbial control is critical

Glycerin

Workhorse humectant at 3–10%; tacky at high levels, pair with occlusives

Dicaprylyl Carbonate

Light emollient solvent at 5–15%; mineral oil-free, refreshing feel, low sensitization.

Ethylhexyl Salicylate

Ethylhexyl salicylate, UVB absorber; volatile, requires combination with UVA filters for broad spectrum.

Cetearyl Alcohol

Fatty alcohol emulsifier at 1-5%; non-ionic surfactant

Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides

Hydrog coco glycerides; waxy emollient; low irrit, low-mid comed, occlusive option

Glyceryl Stearate

Emulsifier at 1-3%; may require acid to prevent saponification

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter

Shea butter for occlusive moisturizing; high melt point, rich texture, caution for oily skin.

Methylpropanediol

Diol solvent and extraction carrier; enhances solubility of actives, low irritation profile.

Squalane

Emollient from plants or synthetic; light texture

C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate

C12-15 alkyl benzoate; emollient, emulsifier, and antistatic; aids stability and smoothness, moderate low comedogenicity.

Dimethicone

Silicone occlusive at 1–5%; provides smooth feel, non-penetrating, suitable for sensitive skin

Calcium Pantothenate

Pro-vitamin B5 for hair/skin conditioning; water-soluble, used in conditioners

Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil

Grapeseed oil, lightweight emollient and antioxidant; high linoleic acid, suitable for oily and combination skin.

Hydrolyzed Pearl

Hydrolyzed pearl source of amino acids and minerals; humectant and skin conditioner for repair claims.

Tocopherol

Natural antioxidant (vitamin E) at 0.1–1%; prone to oxidation, store protected from light

Potassium Cetyl Phosphate

Cetyl phosphate potassium, O/W emulsifier; pH-sensitive, often requires buffering.

Ethylhexylglycerin

Mild conditioner and preservative booster at 0.5–1%; reduces preservative load, smooth feel

Carbomer

Gelling thickener requiring neutralization; watch out for ion compatibility

Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane

High-potency UVA filter (Parsol MXX); requires stabilizers and UVB blockers.

Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid

UV absorber and light stabilizer; compliant use required, common in sunscreens

Trisodium EDTA

Metal chelator improving formula stability and synergizing preservatives; used at very low levels (<0.1%), control heavy metals.

Sodium Hydroxide

Strong base neutralizer for pH adjustment; handle with extreme care

Phenoxyethanol

Broad-spectrum preservative at ≤1%; may irritate sensitive eye areas, often paired with ethylhexylglycerin

Linalool

Natural fragrance component at ≤0.05%; one of EU 26 allergens, caution for sensitive skin

Citronellol

Citronellol for fragrance; EU 26 allergen, labeling required above 0.001%.

Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone

Vanilla-like fragrance ingredient; one of EU 26 allergens, caution advised for sensitive skin.

Benzyl Alcohol

Mild preservative/solvent at 0.5-1.0%; EU allergen (labeling required), irritation risk if concentrated, avoid in infant/highly sensitive skin.

Geraniol

Geraniol for fragrance; EU 26 allergen, labeling required above 0.001%.

Limonene

Natural fragrance solvent, EU allergen; poor photostability

Coumarin

Classic fragrance and photosensitizer, EU restriction III/77; high allergen risk, limit in facial products

Parfum

Fragrance for scent; may contain allergens, caution for sensitive skin, full labeling required.

Related products in this category

• synergie-skin Synergie Skin Suprema-C+ with 20% CMF Tri-acid Complex
• synergie-skin Synergie Skin Vitamin B
• loccitane L´Occitane Aqua Réotier Refreshing Eye Gel
• confianca Confiança Sulfur Soap
• seventyone-percent Seventyone Percent The Blue Lagoon
• florence-by-mills Florence by Mills Spot A Spot