Skin Comes First


For us at NIVEA, skin always comes first. For more than 100 years, we have been researching skin and looking for the best, safest, and most effective skincare formulas. As one of the leading experts in the skincare world with the most advanced skin research centers, we are devoted to humanity and the natural health and beauty of the human skin. Caring for the environment is a logical consequence of our commitment to safe, gentle and effective skincare.
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NIVEA knows skin …

With over 100 years of experience, close to 2,000 scientific studies per year and more than 1,000 NIVEA experts working in research and development alone, we have a deep understanding of skin and its impact on human well-being. In 2018 alone, over 1900 of our own patent technologies were used for your NIVEA products or were used for future developments of NIVEA products worldwide. Never satisfied with mere regulatory compliance, we go above and beyond legal requirements to make sure that even the most sensitive skin feels only the positive, caring touch of NIVEA. Consequently, our list of safety criteria for ingredients and products is far stricter than any regulations.
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… and we love it.

True to our high standards for skin health and safety, we choose the ingredients for our products that keep skin healthy and beautiful: we always search for the best and most sustainable solution possible - which may not always be the one you’d expect. In some cases, man-made ingredients are actually better for our skin and our planet than the naturally sourced alternatives. Take essential oils: the natural version can leave skin irritated or even cause allergic reactions. In contrast, our synthetic essential oils are gentle to the most sensitive skin - with no harm to us or our world.

THE ESSENCE OF SKINCARE

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A pioneer of modern skin care, NIVEA has more than a century of experience in helping people feel beautiful and comfortable in their own skin. Millions of consumers around the world trust and love our products. Always striving to create the best skin care experience possible, we continue to evolve and improve our formulas. We believe in skin care that delivers just what our skin needs to be healthy and leaves out anything we do not trust completely.

In our ingredients, we distinguish between “Significant” and “Signature” substances. “Significant” ingredients are the everyday heroes of the cosmetics world. They serve basic functions and help our products care for your skin in the best, most reliable way. As texturizers and emulsifiers, they make our products smooth, pleasant to the touch and easy to apply. As preservatives, they keep your NIVEA products fresh and safe to use for a long time.

“Signature” ingredients are the superheroes that add the special benefits to our products. Some of our signatures – like Q10 – are NIVEA discoveries that revolutionized the cosmetics world. All of them help our products deliver extra special care by enhancing skin’s natural function. Nothing more, nothing less.

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Whether signature or significant: any ingredient that goes into our products has been tested rigorously and beyond the scope of regulatory requirements. We do this to ensure that each of our products meets the highest standards and justifies the trust you place in NIVEA.

Want to know more about NIVEA ingredients? Explore individual ingredients and ingredient groups and learn what they are, how they work, and why NIVEA uses them.


Signature Ingredients

Meet the superheroes that make NIVEA skin care so special! Our Signature ingredients take extra care of your skin. They support and protect your skin’s natural balance, counteract the visible signs of skin aging and enhance our products’ effectiveness:

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Eucerit

What is Eucerit?

In a way, Eucerit is the bedrock of modern cosmetics and of the entire NIVEA brand. Discovered over a century ago, the emulsifier became a key ingredient of our iconic NIVEA Creme. Eucerit allows oily and watery parts in cosmetic products to mix, acting as a link between oily and watery components. A naturally derived substance, Eucerit is derived from wool wax.

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Q10

What is Q10?

Coenzyme Q10 is a molecule that our bodies produce. It is essential for our cells’ energy metabolism. As an energizer it helps our cells to grow, stay healthy, and regenerate. Q10 is also a potent antioxidant that fights free radicals, highly reactive molecules that damage cells on many levels, including cell DNA, proteins, and lipids.

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Creatine

What is Creatine?

Creatine is an organic compound produced in the liver, kidney, and pancreas. It plays a key part in our organs’ energy supply, acting like a battery that binds, transports and releases energy.

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Sweet Almond Oil

What is sweet almond oil?

Sweet almond oil is cold-pressed from ripe almond kernels – the sweet, peeled fruit of the almond tree – and then refined. The golden oil with its mild, sweetly nutty aroma has been used in medicine and skin care for many centuries.


Significant Ingredients

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Mixing Agents

To ensure the different ingredients blend for the skin to best absorb (e.g. water and oil)

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Texturizers

To create a pleasant feel and appearance of the creme, lotion or gel on your skin.

  • Rheological modifier
  • Solvents
  • Pearlising agent
  • Opacifiers
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Cleansers

To free skin from pollutants and/or exfoliate

  • Surfactants
  • Peeling Agents
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Prep Care

To prepare and provide skin with the most essential care on a perfect pH level

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UV Filters

To protect the skin from potentially harmful sun rays

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Fragrances

To let the product look, smell or taste (lip care) good

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Preservatives

Preservatives

To keep products fresh and always safe on skin