nivea Daily Essentials Gentle Exfoliating Scrub

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. Microcrystalline Cellulose
3. Glycerin
4. Sodium Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
5. Glyceryl Glucoside
6. Tocopheryl Acetate
7. Nelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract
8. Panthenol
9. Propylene Glycol
10. Lauryl Glucoside
11. Sodium Laureth Sulfate
12. Lactose
13. Cellulose
14. Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
15. Phenoxyethanol
16. Methylparaben
17. Bht
18. Parfum
19. Ci 77007

Highlights

Free of alcoholFree of siliconesFree of mineral oilFree of essential oilsFree of formaldehyde releasersContains sulfatesContains fragranceContains parabensContains EU-26 allergens

Formulation view Physical scrub using microcrystalline cellulose as the primary exfoliant, thickened with acrylates copolymer. Includes glycerin, lactose, and panthenol for hydration and repair, plus lotus extract. Mild surfactants assist cleansing. Phenoxyl alcohol and BHT provide preservation. Suitable for non-damaged skin needing gentle exfoliation. Formulation note: high cellulose loading makes dispersion uniformity a key process challenge; prevention of particle aggregation is crucial for texture; preservation must address water activity.

Key ingredients

SOLVENT

Aqua

ABRASIVE

Microcrystalline Cellulose

DENATURANT

Glycerin

FILM FORMING

Sodium Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

HUMECTANT

Glyceryl Glucoside

ANTIOXIDANT

Tocopheryl Acetate

SKIN CONDITIONING

Nelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract

ANTISTATIC

Panthenol

Other ingredients

Propylene GlycolLauryl GlucosideSodium Laureth SulfateLactoseCelluloseHydroxypropyl MethylcellulosePhenoxyethanolMethylparabenBhtParfumCi 77007

Skim through

Ingredients explained

Aqua

Solvent, main base; microbial control is critical

Microcrystalline Cellulose

Cellulose derivative for anti-caking, oil absorption, and physical sunscreen carrier; water-insoluble, affects texture at high levels.

Glycerin

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

Sodium Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

Synthetic thickener/film former for stability and adhesion; non-sensitizing, not for mucous membranes

Glyceryl Glucoside

Polyol humectant with light, non-sticky feel; less tacky than glycerin

Tocopheryl Acetate

Vitamin E derivative antioxidant at 0.1–1%; more stable than tocopherol, store protected from light

Nelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract

Lotus flower extract containing magnolol, skin conditioner; botanical, low concentration use

Panthenol

Panthenol (vitamin B5) at 1–5%; moisturizing and reparative, supports barrier recovery

Propylene Glycol

Polyol humectant at 3-10%; hygroscopic, slight tackiness, mild irritation at high conc., verify preservative efficacy, no allergen.

Lauryl Glucoside

Mild nonionic surfactant for cleansing; 1-5%, suitable for sensitive skin

Sodium Laureth Sulfate

Common anionic surfactant, strong foam but drying; check cationic compatibility, high eye irritation

Lactose

Low-irritant humectant and skin conditioner, common in gentle formulations.

Cellulose

Plant-derived thickener at 0.1–1%; requires full hydration, poor cationic compatibility

Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose

High polymer for thickening and film formation; water-soluble, used in physical sunscreens or gels, tacky at high levels

Phenoxyethanol

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

Methylparaben

Preservative, narrow spectrum; often combined, check allergen risk and regulatory limits.

Bht

Lipophilic antioxidant at 0.01-0.05%; ineffective with acidic systems, label-sensitive, check regulatory limits as preservative alternative.

Parfum

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

Ci 77007

Mica-based colorant, restricted use; mineral origin, check heavy metal impurities compliance