Review: Nivea UV Super Water Gel EX – SPF50+ PA++++ – Best Sunblock for Oily skins?

Where to purchase: Yesstyle: LINK / Stylevana: LINK

Price: £12.25

Volume: 80g

Made in: Japan

What is it?: A lightweight liquid-gel sunblock for the face and body, offering high sun protection (SPF50+ PA++++).

This is meant to:

Have a Sweat and Water-resistant formula
Moisturise the skin without leaving a sticky residue or white cast
Be an excellent makeup base

Supposedly Good for: All Skin Types.

What I think: I think Oilier and Combination Skin Types (And those in hot and humid weather) may prefer this over more dehydration-prone skins.

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Fungal-acne suitable?: No.

EU-Allergen-Free?: Yes.

Vegan?: No.

Cruelty Free?: Still sells in China.

How long does it last after opening?: 12 Months.

Packaging: Solid and sturdy Plastic tube with a screw-top lid that ”clicks” into place once secured. The tip of the dispenser isn’t messy. This is easy to apply.

Youtube Video: Best high-protection Sunblocks for Oily and Combination Skins

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Directions: ”Shake well and apply the appropriate amount onto the skin (insufficient application will lead to less sun protection). Re-apply frequently for best results. Put on clothes after the product absorbs/dries into the skin.” – From HERE.

How I use it: I apply this in the AM either before makeup OR alone. This is hydrating and moisturising enough for my oily-combination skin in the summer so I don’t need to apply anything underneath prior to my workout.

Does this sting the eyes?: No.

Does this turn milky when sweating?: No.

SPF Filters: Octinoxate (UVB), Uvinul A Plus (UVA), Uvinul T 150 (UVB), Tinosorb S (UVA + UVB).

Key Ingredients: Trehalose, Mannitol, Hydrolysed Hyaluronic Acid + Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine (Hydrating + Moisturising).

Full Ingredients: Water, ethanol, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, PG, diethylaminohydroxybenzoylhexyl benzoate, caprylyl methicone, diisopropyl sebacate, isopropyl palmitate, ethylhexyl triazone, trehalose, mannitol, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, rose centifolia flower water, BG , polyglyceryl-3 methylglucose distearate, sodium dilauramide glutamide lysine, bisethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, (acrylates/alkyl acrylate (C10-30)) crosspolymer, carbomer, phenoxyethanol, sodium hydroxide, BHT, fragrance

NOTE: The Incidecoder have a full ingredient breakdown HERE

Texture: You can see that this initially comes out as an opaque cream-liquid. When rubbing this into the skin though (it has a slight cooling effect but also slightly hydrating), it turns more and more transparent. It is easy to rub along the skin and absorbs quite fast. It settles into the skin and doesn’t seem to move after that. It feels very lightweight and comfortable on my oily-combination skin (This doesn’t feel really drying to me).

Sticky?: No.

Greasy?: The finish is not greasy (this forms a very very light, almost clinging-layer on top of the skin that isn’t greasy).

Balls up?: This did not ball up for me (even under a mask).

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As you can see, spreading this out more and more, you can see that this grows more lightweight and more transparent.

No Product (Left) VS Product (Right):

This doesn’t have a very matte finish, but once fully absorbed, this doesn’t make me look too shiny or greasy (I have oily-combination skin). This doesn’t feel greasy on top of the skin either.

Does this Sting if the Skin has been Irritated / Sensitised by Shaving/Heavy Retinol Use?: Yes.

Summer or Winter?: Oily skins – both seasons. Dry skins – Summer. Combination Skins – Summer moreso, but winter is still fine (might need a moisturiser underneath if you’re wearing this all day).

Layerable?: Yes.

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Video Swatch:

As you can see, this has a lightweight cream texture that quickly absorbs/blends into the skin, leaving no white cast. There is some hydration left on the skin as a thin layer forms on top of the skin (which is very lightweight and breathable). This doesn’t have a hugely mattifying finish, but the finish does not make me look shiny or greasy.

Fragrance?: No, this contains Fragrance. The brand states this has a subtle floral aroma. I do think this smells like ”chemicals” and like the ethanol included in this sunblock, but there is also a subtle scented aroma on top. The whole scent of this disappears once the sunblock has absorbed into the skin however (I don’t smell it throughout the day).

Good Under Makeup?: The brand states this is a great makeup base and I would agree. It doesn’t ball up my foundation on top.

How long have I been using this?: 2-3 months.

Will I use until Completion?: Yes.

How Long will that take?: Another ~2 months (This is liquid so I’m getting through it quite quickly, and I use it on the face and neck).

The Effect?: Sun-protected skin that initially feels relatively moisturised. Throughout the day, this doesn’t feel uncomfortable on the skin and also doesn’t ball up.

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What I like:

Lightweight
Not greasy
Not sticky
No white cast
Didn’t ball up
Initially feels quite hydrating on the skin (didn’t dry my combination-skin out). But dehydration-prone skins should apply something hydrating/moisturising underneath

What I don’t like:

Contains Ethanol (potentially drying for very dry skins)
Contains Fragrance
Not an entirely matte finish (but I don’t look greasy)

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Overall Rating and Conclusion: 4/5 – This has been a nice, lightweight and comfortable sunblock to use with no white cast. Yes, it contains ethanol, but it does mean the texture of this sunblock is lightweight and fast-absorbing and doesn’t ball up. That being said, those with dry skins may find this not that moisturising (although I think it’s enough for oilier skins). This isn’t mattifying throughout the day, but at least it doesn’t make me look greasy.

Would I repurchase?: Yes I would (comfortable).

Dupe?: The Biore – Watery Essence SPF50+ PA++++ is also very similar in texture, is very fast absorbing and lightweight (No white cast, and great for oilier skins. Doesn’t make me look greasy).