If Nivea Creme had been a tech gadget, it’d be the primary cell phone. Do not forget that? It was so cumbersome, weighted a little bit greater than a kilo and will solely make calls. But, it was revolutionary. For the primary time ever, you could possibly make and obtain calls from in all places.

No extra struggling to search 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 dad and mom to arrange a line in your bed room so you could possibly 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 images 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 Terribly outdated now.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, exhausting luck. So when Nivea Creme got here alongside, it was an enormous deal.

Nivea Creme was the primary water in oil emulsion you could possibly purchase in a store. This kind of formulation 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 however 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 standard 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 downside.

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 elements, loads of antioxidants and a military of peptides that may moisturise pores and skin, struggle wrinkles and agency pores and skin – why not use them?

Key Elements In Nivea Creme: What Makes It Work?

PARAFFINUM LIQUIDUM & PARAFFIN TO MOISTURISE SKIN

Paraffinum liquid (a.okay.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 gained’t provide you with most cancers.

They gained’t clog your pores both. Not less than not when used alone. These elements work by making a protecting barrier on the pores and skin that slows down water loss.

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

The actual “downside” with mineral oil and paraffin is that they solely moisturise pores and skin. They don’t do the rest.

Associated: Is Mineral Oil Unhealthy For Pores and skin?

GLYCERIN TO HYDRATE SKIN

It’s all properly and good to entice moisture into the pores and skin. However it’s essential 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 additional 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 Components & Elements

• Aqua: The principle solvent within the product, it helps to dissolve different elements.
• 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 scent good, however it’s a typical allergen and irritant.
• Limonene: A aromatic part present in citrus fruits. It smells wonderful, however it have to be listed individually as a result of it’s a typical allergen.
• Geraniol: It smells like rose, however 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, however it’s a typical allergen.
• Citronellol: It has a grassy, citrus-like scent. 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 comprise perfume, this isn’t too dangerous. 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 fundamental 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 night time. It’s fairly wealthy, so I don’t advocate utilizing it within the morning.

Packaging

Nivea Creme is available in an enormous blue and white jar. It’s sensible, particularly for a wealthy cream like this. Is it hygienic? The preservative system isn’t the most effective, so wash your palms earlier than dipping your fingers in it. However you don’t have to fret concerning the packaging spoiling the formulation. There are not any antioxidants or different elements in right here that’ll go if uncovered to mild and air. Advised you, it’s a really fundamental formulation.

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

Efficiency & Private Opinion

I completely get it why so a lot of you’re keen on Nivea Cream. At any time when I slather this thick cream on my Sahara-like physique pores and skin after a bathe, every part feels instantly softer and smoother.

There aren’t many lotions that maintain my pores and skin moisturised for the whole day. This does the trick.  However, I nonetheless desire 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 can be simply as moisturising and have antioxidant properties besides.

Plus, they’re simple 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 little bit oiler than the remainder of my face and the cream takes approach longer to soak up there.

If you wish to apply it to the face as properly, don’t neglect to use an antioxidant serum first. The cream will make your wrinkles LOOK smaller, however it gained’t make them smaller or forestall new ones from forming.

How Does concept Creme Evaluate to Nivea Smooth?

Nivea Smooth is just like Nivea Creme. They’re each fundamental moisturisers that strengthen the pores and skin’s protecting barrier and make even the driest of pores and skin sorts softer and smoother. Nivea Smooth has, due to the addition of thinning alcohol, a thinner texture. And as a substitute of paraffin, it accommodates artificial emollients, like Myristyl Myristate, that make pores and skin softer and smoother, however clog pores. That is positively 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 palms

What I DON’T Like About Nivea Creme

• Very fundamental, solely moisturises pores and skin and nothing else
• Comprises 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 in search of a fundamental, moisturising formulation they’ll use throughout.

Does Nivea Creme Dwell Up To Its Claims?

Worth & 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 in search of one thing very fundamental on the least expensive doable value, Nivea Creme will do the deed.

Dupes & Alternate options

• Clinique Dramatically Completely different Moisturizing Cream ($28.00): A wealthy, fundamental 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 Unbelievable, and Sephora.
• Paula’s Selection Moisture Increase Hydrating Therapy Cream ($29.00): A deeply nourishing cream enriched with hyaluronic acid to hydrate and antioxidants to struggle untimely growing old. Obtainable at Paula’s Selection.

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 will help you obtain your finest pores and skin day ever – daily. I bust skincare myths and debunk advertising and marketing jargon that will help you determine what’s definitely worth the splurge and what’s finest left on the shelf – utilizing science, not hype. I additionally supply skincare consultations that will help you create the most effective skincare routine in your distinctive wants.