Close
Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.
EWG Home EWG’s Skin Deep EWG'S GUIDE TO HEALTHY CLEANING Healthy Living App Open menu

EWG's Guide to Sunscreens®
EWG Research FAQ Info
DONATE








EWG's Top-rated Sunscreens




EWG's Sunscreen Report




EWG Verified®

EWG Verified® SPF products
meet EWG's strict, scientific standards for
transparency and health.


SEE THEM ALL



Advanced Search

Close
Find your sunscreen
Filter your search

Limit Results

Sort results






HAZARD SCORE RANGE
Scoring legend
HOW WE DETERMINE SCORES LEARN MORE ABOUT EWG VERIFIED®

HOME / recreational sunscreens / beach & sport sunscreen


Score

Nivea Sun, Protect & Moisture, Sun Spray, SPF 50

WHERE TO BUY

When you make a purchase through retailer links on our site, we may earn commission through affiliate programs. All affiliate fees EWG receives support our nonprofit mission. Learn more here

CATEGORY

recreational sunscreens

BRAND

Nivea

DATA LAST UPDATED

August 14, 2024

Health Concerns

  • LOW
    Cancer
  • HIGH
    Allergies & Immunotoxicity
  • LOW
    Developmental and Reproductive Toxicity
  • HIGH
    Use Restrictions

Efficacy Concerns

  • Caution We have flagged this product with 3 concerns
    Expand content Collapse content

    Find better scoring products

    Based on EWG's modeling, the UV protection is significantly lower than the SPF value would indicate.

    Sprays pose an inhalation risk and may not cover the skin completely. Read more

    Sunscreens can break down while still in the bottle. To be safe dispose of products when the mixture clumps or separates.
  • high
    UVA/UVB Balance

Ingredient Scores

Ingredients are scored based on their formulation and concentration in this product. Click on an ingredient for more information.

WATER
Data Availability: Robust
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
HOMOSALATE
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS Enhanced skin absorption, Use restrictions (moderate), Endocrine disruption (low), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate), Ecotoxicology (low), Contamination concerns (SALICYLIC ACID and TRIMETHYLCYCLOHEXANOL)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
GLYCERIN
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS Use restrictions (moderate)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
ALCOHOL DENATURED
Data Availability: Good
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS Enhanced skin absorption, Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate), Multiple, additive exposure sources (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
AVOBENZONE
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS Cancer (low), Developmental/reproductive toxicity (low), Allergies/immunotoxicity (low), Use restrictions (moderate), Endocrine disruption (low), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low), Contamination concerns (BENZOIC ACID, 4-T-BUTYLBENZOIC ACID, BENZALDEHYDE, P-ANISIC ACID, ACETOPHENONE, and DIBENZOYLMETHANE)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
BIS-ETHYLHEXYLOXYPHENOL METHOXYPHENYL TRIAZINE
Data Availability: None
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
OCTISALATE
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS Allergies/immunotoxicity (low), Enhanced skin absorption, Use restrictions (moderate), Endocrine disruption (low), Biochemical or cellular level changes (high)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
DIBUTYL ADIPATE
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
ETHYLHEXYL TRIAZONE
Data Availability: None
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
COPERNICIA CERIFERA (CARNAUBA) WAX
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS Allergies/immunotoxicity (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
PANTHENOL
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS Multiple, additive exposure sources (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
VP/ HEXADECENE COPOLYMER
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
ENSULIZOLE
Data Availability: Good
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS Cancer (low), Developmental/reproductive toxicity (low), Use restrictions (moderate), Biochemical or cellular level changes (high)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
TOCOPHERYL ACETATE
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS Cancer (low), Developmental/reproductive toxicity (low), Allergies/immunotoxicity (moderate), Contamination concerns (HYDROQUINONE)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
TETRASODIUM IMINODISUCCINATE
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
CELLULOSE GUM
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
ACRYLATES/C10-30 ALKYL ACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS Use restrictions (low), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low), Contamination concerns (METHACRYLIC ACID, ACRYLIC ACID, and BENZENE)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
MICROCRYSTALLINE CELLULOSE
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS Allergies/immunotoxicity (moderate)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
XANTHAN GUM
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
BUTYLENE GLYCOL DICAPRYLATE/DICAPRATE
Data Availability: None
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
POLYGLYCERYL-4 DIISOSTEARATE/POLYHYDROXYSTEARATE/SEBACATE
Data Availability: None
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
SUCROSE POLYSTEARATE
Data Availability: None
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
SODIUM STEAROYL GLUTAMATE
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS Use restrictions (low), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
HYDROGENATED POLYISOBUTENE
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
TRISODIUM EDTA
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS Enhanced skin absorption
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
SODIUM HYDROXIDE
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS Use restrictions (high), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
SODIUM CHLORIDE
Data Availability: Robust
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS Allergies/immunotoxicity (low), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate), Ecotoxicology (low), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (high)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
PHENOXYETHANOL
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS Allergies/immunotoxicity (low), Use restrictions (moderate), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate), Ecotoxicology (low), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (high), Occupational hazards (high)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
LINALOOL
Data Availability: Good
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS Allergies/immunotoxicity (high), Contamination concerns (FORMALDEHYDE)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
LIMONENE
Data Availability: Good
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS Allergies/immunotoxicity (high), Persistence and bioaccumulation (moderate), Ecotoxicology (low), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (high), Contamination concerns (FORMALDEHYDE)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
BENZYL ALCOHOL
Data Availability: Good
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS Allergies/immunotoxicity (high), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate), Ecotoxicology (low), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low), Occupational hazards (high)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
ALPHA-ISOMETHYL IONONE
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS Allergies/immunotoxicity (high)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
CITRONELLOL
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS Allergies/immunotoxicity (high), Contamination concerns (FORMALDEHYDE)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
GERANIOL
Data Availability: Good
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS Allergies/immunotoxicity (high)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
FRAGRANCE
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
CONCERNS Allergies/immunotoxicity (high), Endocrine disruption (moderate), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate), Ecotoxicology (low), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (moderate)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT

Ingredients from label

AQUA, HOMOSALATE, GLYCERIN, ALCOHOL DENAT., BUTYL METHOXYDIBENZOYLMETHANE, BIS-ETHYLHEXYLOXYPHENOL METHOXYPHENYL TRIAZINE, ETHYLHEXYL SALICYLATE, DIBUTYL ADIPATE, ETHYLHEXYL TRIAZONE, COPERNICIA CERIFERA CERA, PANTHENOL, VP/HEXADECENE COPOLYMER, PHENYLBENZIMIDAZOLE SULFONIC ACID, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, TETRASODIUM IMINODISUCCINATE, CELLULOSE GUM, ACRYLATES/C10-30 ALKYL ACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER, MICROCRYSTALLINE CELLULOSE, XANTHAN GUM, BUTYLENE GLYCOL DICAPRYLATE/DICAPRATE, POLYGLYCERYL-4 DIISOSTEARATE/POLYHYDROXYSTEARATE/SEBACATE, SUCROSE POLYSTEARATE, SODIUM STEAROYL GLUTAMATE, HYDROGENATED POLYISOBUTENE, TRISODIUM EDTA, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, SODIUM CHLORIDE, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, PHENOXYETHANOL, LINALOOL, LIMONENE, BENZYL ALCOHOL, ALPHA-ISOMETHYL IONONE, CITRONELLOL, GERANIOL, PARFUM



Understanding scores

Not all sunscreen products are the same when it comes to sun protection and ingredient health hazards. The scoring system for EWG’s Guide to Sunscreens is designed to help the public find products that are safer, avoid ingredients of concern, and are more effective in reducing potential health harms from ultraviolet A and B exposure.

Every product in the guide gets a hazard and efficacy rating. The top scoring products have both a low hazard rating and an excellent UVA/UVB balance rating.

HOW WE DETERMINE SCORES

Hazard score

The hazard score, from 1 to 10, reflects known and suspected hazards linked to the ingredients. Beyond this 1 to 10 ranking, the EWG VERIFIED® mark on a sunscreen means a product meets EWG’s strictest criteria for transparency and health.

Scoring legend
WEIGHT-OF-EVIDENCE APPROACH

A product’s hazard score is not an average of the ingredients’ hazard scores. It is calculated using a weight-of-evidence approach that factors in all of the hazards or health impacts associated with the ingredients.

EWG Verified Process

EWG Verified logo
EWG VERIFIED

Beyond the hazard score, the EWG VERIFIED® mark on a sunscreen indicates that a sunscreen company’s ingredient disclosures show the product has met our full criteria to ensure it adheres to our strictest standards for efficacy, ingredient safety and transparency.

A SUNSCREEN CAN BECOME EWG VERIFIED IF IT:
  • Meets EWG's criteria for overall product hazard score
  • Is formulated to provide balanced UVA/ UVB protection
  • Does not contain any ingredients on EWG's "Unacceptable" list
  • Discloses all ingredients, including those in fragrance.

You can review EWG’s full criteria for the EWG VERIFIED mark here.


TIPS

Sunscreen alone
is not enough

VIEW THE LIST

Wear clothes

Shirts, hats, shorts and pants shield your skin from the sun’s UV rays, reducing burn risk.

Plan around the sun

Go outdoors in early morning or late afternoon when the sun is lower in the sky.

Find shade - or make it

Picnic under a tree or take a canopy to the beach. Keep infants in the shade, reducing the risk of multiple burns by 30%.


Don’t get burned

Red, sore, blistered skin means you’ve gotten far too much sun.

Sunglasses are essential

Not just a fashion accessory, sunglasses protect your eyes from UV radiation.

Check UV index

The UV Index provides important information to help you plan your outdoor activities in ways that prevent sun overexposure.







EWG Research
on the Go

Find personal care, cleaning, and food products on the EWG Healthy Living app.

DOWNLOAD THE APP