Review: NIVEA SUN UV Face Suncream SPF 50, Moisture Mousse

Where to purchase: From Boots HERE

Price: £12.00

Volume: 75ml (it’s more than the other Nivea UV Sun Face mls I think because this is in foam format)

What is it?: A Moisturising Sunblock

Description: A moisturising formula that provides a light and smooth skin feeling. Highly effective UVA/UVB protection against both sunburn and premature skin ageing.

Good for: Dry skins (this is dewy!) – and people who want a lightweight texture.

NOTE: I have reviewed the other Nivea Sunblocks: Anti-age & Pigments HERE / Mattifying (Anti-shine) HERE

Youtube video! – Includes watches of the Anti-Age & Anti-Pigments UV Face Sunblock AND The UV Face Shine Control. Reviews of these products are also here: Shine Control Review / Anti-Age & Anti-Pigments Review

Initially, the product looks really clean, no product build-up at the tip/cap, but that does change (see later pictures). It’s a tip that pushes down and the foam comes out. the tube is cold metal, so it’s a pressurised container.

From the above picture – Definitely a mousse / foam!

Directions: ”IMPORTANT USAGE INSTRUCTIONS During and after application keep yourself away from flames and other sources of ignition • Shake well before use • Apply generously before sun exposure enough to give a visible layer before rubbing in, let it dry then reapply to ensure adequate coverage and no missed areas • Reapply frequently especially after swimming, perspiring and toweling • Applying insufficient product will lower the level of protection • Avoid intensive midday sun (11-3pm) • Wear protective clothing (hat, t-shirt and sun glasses) and use sufficient sunscreen for unprotected areas • Allow to absorb completely and avoid contact with textiles and hard surfaces to prevent staining • Keep babies and young children out of direct sunlight • Even when protected avoid over-exposure to the sun as it is a serious health threat.” – This is quoted from the Boots website.

• I am a little confused if Nivea want me to directly spray this onto my face – which seems messy as the product comes out like a shaving foam.

How I use it: I apply onto my hand and then straight onto my face. I do put 2 layers on just to be safe.

Key Ingredients: Glycerin (moisture). The UV filters: Homosalate / Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid Ethylhexyl salicylate, Ethylhexyl Triazone,

Full Ingredients: Aqua, Homosalate, Glycerin, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Isobutane, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Propane, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Glycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Distarch Phosphate, Butane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Sodium Hydroxide, Trisodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Linalool, Limonene, Benzyl Alcohol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Geraniol, Citronellol, Coumarin, Parfum.

NOTE: The Incidecoder have a full Ingredient list breakdown HERE

Texture:

Once this has settled, it’s not too sticky! If I touch my face, I don’t feel stickiness (but I think a loose hair could stick to the face – but it’s not like I’m sticking to everything my face touches).

This does feel relatively lightweight, I would say it has the same sensation or texture as the Krave Beauty Beet the Sun SPF. What I mean is, this still has a layer on the skin i.e. I can still feel like I have cream on my face BUT it’s not a silicone-type layer that balls up / makes my skin feel like it can’t breath. this product is light enough where it doesn’t make me feel like im sweating BUT it’s not light enught hat I can’t feel it, because I absolutely do. I wouldn’t say it’s really sticky, but there is some sort of feeling like hair could stick to your face.

When I sweat / workout, this doesn’t emulsify (turn milky) and run down my face which is nice. And this is comfortable enough to work out in. And this isn’t difficult to wash off / remove because it’s light.

Bubble/foam-like texture when applied onto the skin.

Do you see it’s a foam/mousse texture? The scent of the product still lingers but once rubbing in, it does die down.

When rubbing and spreading this around, you can see the foam starts to disappear.

My hand does look more dewy – so oily skins or people who prefer matte products, beware!

Fragrance?: Geraniol, Citronellol, Coumarin, Parfum, Limonene Linalool

White cast?: NO! And that is why I would repurchase (as well as being relatively lightweight)

Good Under Makeup?: I haven’t worn this under makeup as I’m in lockdown. but the way it is so dewy, I don’t know if this would do well with my matte foundation and keeping it all in place.

NOTE ABOUT THE POSSIBLE ‘MESSINESS’ WHEN USING THIS:

With the above picture – I’m just showing how the product dries up and makes a bit of a mess at the tip. Because of the way it’s shaped, I can’t wipe the dried up product off easily.

With the above picture – I a showing that the product basically ‘leaks’ out even when I haven’t pressed down on the cap. So when I squirt product out, take the product onto my hand and close the cap, excess product/foam still comes out that I am not aware of. and so it dries down and becomes this and I need to wipe it. So it can be messy and waste a little bit of product

How long have I been using this?: About a month

The Effect?: It does moisturise the skin and of course protects the skin

Stings the eyes?: No this doesn’t appear to sting my eyes, and I work out in this.

What I like:

• Relatively lightweight! (lighter than the purito centella unscented SPF) – my skin can breathe
• No weird milky look / emulsification when sweating with this on
• Face doesn’t feel too sticky (but I can feel this product on my face regardless) And when I say it doesn’t feel sticky ) I do think loose hair could stick to your face, but if I press my hand against my face, my cheek doesn’t stick to my hand. But there is a little bit of a tackiness (however it’s not too uncomfortable in my opinion).
• SPF50
• I like the price and easy to obtain here in the UK – so I can over-apply without feeling like I’m wasting product/money
• No stinging, No irritation
• Because it is in a shaving can format – this means I don’t need to squeeze out product like a tube. This should get every little bit of product out.

What I don’t like:

• Never fully dries down / disappears. it feels your regular moisturiser that still sits on top of your face to form an occlusive layer (not suffocating) but just occlusive and IT’S THERE. Which isn’t my favourite – I prefer a formula that feels like it’s not there (but I do think dry skins would like this feeling)
• Can be messy to apply because it’s in a foam format
• Also messy because the product spills out and collects/dries up at the tip of the cap (see above pictures)
• Because it’s in a foam format, I can’t really accurately measure how much product I’m putting on (which I think is important when applying an spf)
• fragrance and essential oils

Overall Rating and Conclusion: 3.9/5 – This is lightweight- but I am more of a matte finish than a dewy finish, and this is dewy. I’d put it on pay with having the same texture and finish as the Krave Beauty Beet the Sun SPF (Review HERE). My issue is that I’m not a fan of the foam format – it actually makes it messier and harder to apply (in terms of applying it on the skin and also accurately measuring the right amount of sunblock to wear). Also as shown in the pictures, it’s a messy product (spills and foams at the end). HOWEVER the good points are 1. This is easy to obtain as I can just get it from the supermarket compared to having to order in my beloved Missha aqua sun gel and 2. Although this is dewy, IT IS LIGHTWEIGHT so my skin feels like it can breath and 3. Because this isn’t so painfully expensive (K-beauty SPFs get expensive because they get imported and you have to pay postage and packaging), I don’t feel bad over-applying as I don’t feel as guilty wasting product. And in my opinion I would much rather over-apply SPF than under-apply it. This has been a fine sunblock to wear during quarantine, but I do much prefer the UV Face Shine Control – and I think I’m not the only one as I can’t find the Shine control ANYWHERE in the supermarket so my guess is other people have caught on to how good it is. And so this is my second best option which I’m ok with as I am wearing this in the house and not going out to visit people, as I think this would reak havoc on my oil control and make me look quite sweaty. I also think this wouldn’t help keep my matte foundation in place either.

Would I repurchase?: Yes I would – as an at-home SPF, I’m fine with wearing this. And I would and have repurchased because I can’t find the Nivea Shine Control Sunscream which I do prefer REVIEW HERE.

K-Beauty dupe?: Krave Beauty Beet the Sun Sunblock – Review HERE

My Skin Type: I am acne prone and have combo skin. My skin is usually tight where the cheeks and eye area is and the outer parts of my face. My T zone is oily. My skin isn’t a fan of thick/heavy formulas so I opt for lightweight formulas to prevent it from clogging up. My skin doesn’t like essential oils either and I try to avoid fragrance when I can.

Disclaimer: I am a skincare enthusiast and not a skin expert. I am not qualified to give out dermatological advice. This type of advice should only be given by a medical practitioner. Upon trying / using any of the reviewed products on the blog, please follow the manufacturer’s instructions and warnings and please seek medical advice if needed.