If Nivea Creme have been a tech gadget, it’d be the primary cell phone. Keep in mind that? It was so cumbersome, weighted a bit of greater than a kilo and will solely make calls. But, it was revolutionary. For the primary time ever, you can make and obtain calls from in every single place.

No extra struggling to seek out sufficient cash to make a name at a public sales space. Or panicking when your automobile broke down in the course of nowhere. Or begging your mother and father to arrange a line in your bed room so you can speak to your boyfriend with out them eagerly overhearing each phrase.

And but… Quick ahead a couple of years and it was already historical past. As of late, cellphones are lighter, make calls, take photographs and, whereas they’ll’t make you espresso but, they’ll order it for you. Would you ever return to that first cell phone? Thought so.

That’s how I really feel about Nivea Creme. Groundbreaking for its time. Terribly outdated now.

A Brief Historical past Of Nivea Creme

Nivea Creme might be the oldest magnificence product in the marketplace now – the primary batch was made in 1911. Again then, lanolin was the one remedy for dry pores and skin. When you didn’t like that, laborious luck. So when Nivea Creme got here alongside, it was an enormous deal.

Nivea Creme was the primary water in oil emulsion you can purchase in a store. This kind of components is tremendous moisturising: it creates a barrier on the pores and skin that retains moisture in and germs out. It was only a easy mix of glycerin, paraffin and mineral oil nevertheless it was simply what the physician ordered for dry pores and skin. Girls went loopy for it.

Quick ahead a century and Nivea’s Creme’s as fashionable as ever. It now wears a brand new gown – the jar packaging is blue as a substitute of yellow – however the cream inside’s simply the identical. And that’s my drawback.

There’s little doubt Nivea Creme works – that’s the key of its century lengthy success. However what was revolutionary again then doesn’t lower it anymore. We now have higher moisturising substances, loads of antioxidants and a military of peptides that may moisturise pores and skin, battle wrinkles and agency pores and skin – why not use them?

Key Substances In Nivea Creme: What Makes It Work?

PARAFFINUM LIQUIDUM & PARAFFIN TO MOISTURISE SKIN

Paraffinum liquid (a.ok.a. mineral oil) and paraffin are each derived from petroleum. However they’re NOT petroleum. Earlier than they’re put into the cream, they endure a strict purifying course of to take away all toxins. So, no, they received’t provide you with most cancers.

They received’t clog your pores both. A minimum of not when used alone. These substances work by making a protecting barrier on the pores and skin that slows down water loss.

When you use any merchandise with comedogenic substances beneath, then sure, Nivea Cream will entice them into the pores and skin, growing your probabilities of getting pimples. Keep away from these and your pores and skin might be nice.

The true “drawback” with mineral oil and paraffin is that they solely moisturise pores and skin. They don’t do anything.

Associated: Is Mineral Oil Unhealthy For Pores and skin?

GLYCERIN TO HYDRATE SKIN

It’s all effectively and good to entice moisture into the pores and skin. However you must have that moisture within the first place, don’t you? Enter glycerin. It’s a humectant (i.e. moisture magnet) that attracts moisture from the air into the pores and skin. Now that this further moisture will get trapped into the pores and skin, your pores and skin is plumper, softer and brighter.

Associated: Why The Heck Is Glycerin In All My Skincare Merchandise?

The Relaxation Of The Formulation & Substances

• Aqua: The principle solvent within the product, it helps to dissolve different substances.
• Cera Microcristallina: A thickener that provides skincare merchandise a semi-solid texture.
• Lanolin Alcohol (Eucerit®): A wealthy moisturiser derived from sheep glands that makes pores and skin softer and smoother.
• Panthenol: A humectant that pulls moisture from the air into the pores and skin, thus will increase its hydration ranges. It additionally soothes irritations.
• Decyl Oleate: A pores and skin conditioning agent that deeply hydrates pores and skin.
• Octyldodecanol: An emollient and emulsifier. It makes pores and skin smoother and enhances the feel of skincare merchandise.
• Aluminum Stearates: A thickening agent.
• Citric Acid: It adjusts the pH of skincare merchandise.
• Magnesium Sulfate: It stabilises water-in-oil emulsions and improves the feel of skincare merchandise.
• Magnesium Stearate: It provides slip and adhesion to skincare merchandise.
• Parfum: It makes the product odor good, nevertheless it’s a typical allergen and irritant.
• Limonene: A aromatic part present in citrus fruits. It smells superb, nevertheless it should be listed individually as a result of it’s a typical allergen.
• Geraniol: It smells like rose, nevertheless it’s a typical allergen.
• Hydroxycitronellal: A aromatic ingredient with a floral scent. It’s a typical allergen.
• Linalool: It provides merchandise a floral scent, nevertheless it’s a typical allergen.
• Citronellol: It has a grassy, citrus-like odor. You’ve guessed it, it’s a typical allergen.
• Benzyl Benzoate: A preservative that retains your skincare merchandise secure from micro organism.
• Cinnamyl Alcohol: It has a candy and spicy scent. And yep, it’s a typical allergen.

Texture

I exploit the German model. It’s thick however dries shortly to a satiny, non-greasy end. The American model is thicker and feels greasy on the pores and skin.

Perfume

It’s clear and never too robust. If a product should include perfume, this isn’t too unhealthy. Take into account, although, that perfume can simply irritate delicate pores and skin. Therefore why it shouldn’t be right here. Delicate pores and skin wants primary lotions like this, however not with added perfume! It kinda defeats the aim.

How To Use It

You need to use it throughout your physique after a bathe or in your face because the final step of your skincare routine at evening. It’s fairly wealthy, so I don’t suggest utilizing it within the morning.

Packaging

Nivea Creme is available in a giant blue and white jar. It’s sensible, particularly for a wealthy cream like this. Is it hygienic? The preservative system will not be the perfect, so wash your arms earlier than dipping your fingers in it. However you don’t have to fret concerning the packaging spoiling the components. There are not any antioxidants or different substances in right here that’ll go if uncovered to gentle and air. Informed you, it’s a really primary components.

Need assistance creating the perfect skincare routine for you dry pores and skin? Signal as much as the e-newsletter beneath to obtain the “Dry Skincare Routine Cheatsheet” (it contains product suggestions, too!).

Efficiency & Private Opinion

I completely get it why so lots of you like Nivea Cream. At any time when I slather this thick cream on my Sahara-like physique pores and skin after a bathe, all the things feels instantly softer and smoother.

There aren’t many lotions that preserve my pores and skin moisturised for your complete day. This does the trick.  However, I nonetheless want to make use of wealthy physique butters from Home Of Gloi and The Physique Store. They use pure oils and butters, like pumpkin and shea, which might be simply as moisturising and have antioxidant properties as well.

Plus, they’re straightforward to use. The German model I exploit isn’t as thick because the American model, however nonetheless, I wrestle to unfold it evenly throughout my pores and skin. You need to use Nivea Creme in your face too. I don’t as a result of my pores and skin isn’t as dry there. Quite the opposite, my t-zone is a bit of oiler than the remainder of my face and the cream takes manner longer to soak up there.

If you wish to apply it to the face as effectively, don’t overlook to use an antioxidant serum first. The cream will make your wrinkles LOOK smaller, nevertheless it received’t make them smaller or stop new ones from forming.

How Does concept Creme Examine to Nivea Mushy?

Nivea Mushy is just like Nivea Creme. They’re each primary moisturisers that strengthen the pores and skin’s protecting barrier and make even the driest of pores and skin varieties softer and smoother. Nivea Mushy has, due to the addition of thinning alcohol, a thinner texture. And as a substitute of paraffin, it incorporates artificial emollients, like Myristyl Myristate, that make pores and skin softer and smoother, however clog pores. That is undoubtedly one thing I wouldn’t be utilizing on my face – and it’s not acne-friendly, both.

What I Like About Nivea Creme

• Wealthy texture that does NOT really feel greasy
• Very moisturising, makes even the driest of pores and skin softer and smoother
• Can be utilized on face, physique, and arms

What I DON’T Like About Nivea Creme

• Very primary, solely moisturises pores and skin and nothing else
• Accommodates perfume, which can irritate delicate pores and skin
• The US model is greasier and takes longer to soak up

Who Ought to Use This?

Girls (and males) with very dry pores and skin on the lookout for a primary, moisturising components they’ll use throughout.

Does Nivea Creme Reside Up To Its Claims?

Value & Availability

£5.99 at Boots

The Verdict: Ought to You Purchase It?

Can’t say I’m a fan. There are higher moisturisers round. However should you’re on the lookout for one thing very primary on the most cost-effective doable value, Nivea Creme will do the deed.

Dupes & Alternate options

• Clinique Dramatically Completely different Moisturizing Cream ($28.00): A wealthy, primary moisturiser for dry pores and skin. It has a sprinkle of cucumber extract to assuage pores and skin. Obtainable at Boots, Nordstrom, and Ulta
• Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream (£28.00): An previous traditional that deeply moisturises pores and skin. It smells good, however that may irritate delicate pores and skin. Obtainable at Boots, Look Improbable, and Sephora.
• Paula’s Alternative Moisture Enhance Hydrating Therapy Cream ($29.00): A deeply nourishing cream enriched with hyaluronic acid to hydrate and antioxidants to battle untimely growing old. Obtainable at Paula’s Alternative.

About Gio

Hello, I am Gio. I am a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is pores and skin coach and author on a mission that can assist you obtain your greatest pores and skin day ever – every single day. I bust skincare myths and debunk advertising and marketing jargon that can assist you work out what’s well worth the splurge and what’s greatest left on the shelf – utilizing science, not hype. I additionally supply skincare consultations that can assist you create the perfect skincare routine on your distinctive wants.