Even though the Indian market is flooded with a variety of moisturizing creams, not many of them help dry skin retain its natural moisture to look hydrated all through the day. Here comes the importance of Nivea Moisturizer. When I came across this one, I could not help but pick it instantly. Read the full Nivea Soft Light Moisturizer review below to get a detailed idea about the product. Also, know about choosing the right kind of moisturizer for dry skin and the types of ingredients to avoid.
Choosing Moisturizer for Dry Skin
Just like an oily skin is prone to breakouts and pigmentation, dry skin also comes with its own set of issues. Forget special winter care, dry skin needs to be pampered with a high dose of moisture even during the rest of the time of the year. But when it comes to finding the right product that can infuse lots of moisture into dry skin as well as lock it in, most people feel helpless! So, here are a few tips for you to start with:
- Opt for cream-based moisturizers that are heavy in consistency and thick in texture.
- Look for ingredients like water, emollients, humectants, vitamins (A, C, and E), antioxidants, etc. (1)
- Skip products that include irritating substances as it may cause stinging or burning sensations. Rather, look for soothing components.
- Try to find moisturizers that come with SPF 30 or more for adequate sun protection.
- If you have specific dry skin conditions, consult a dermatologist for a complete evaluation of your skin and expert recommendations based on that.
What to Avoid in a Moisturizer?
As already mentioned, you should avoid certain ingredients in your moisturizer to prevent your dry skin from getting worse. Some popular ‘extras’ in facial moisturizers that actually cause more harm to dry skin than good are (2):
- Synthetic colors, perfumes that are potentially irritating for skin
- Acidic substances, which may aggravate several dry skin conditions
- Antibacterial agents that rip the skin of its natural essential oils
- Alcohol and steroidal ingredients, which turns dry skin even drier
- Body-friendly elements (waxes, shea butter, mineral oil) that may clog skin pores
So, if you are looking for a great facial moisturizer that will pamper your dry skin and keep it healthy without the use of any harmful ingredient, Nivea Soft Light Moisturizer is the right choice. We tell you why.
About the Brand ‘Nivea’
Nivea is a 100+ years old German personal care brand, which started its journey in the skincare industry long ago in the year 1911. According to its own words,
“Over 100 years ago, we invented modern skincare with NIVEA Creme. Today, millions of people all over the world, all with different types of skin, rely on the NIVEA brand. That is why our researchers work extensively with different skin types and the different care requirements brought about by culture, gender, and age. Thanks to this approach, we have developed numerous innovative skincare products over the past few decades – from deodorants to sunscreen products. We work with over 50 institutions around the world to ensure that our products are suitable for your skin. At our headquarters in Hamburg, we have even set up our own laboratory for Asia and Latin America, where we conduct research specifically aimed at skin types and climate conditions found in these regions. We do this so that one day everybody in the world can place their trust in NIVEA products (3).“
About Nivea Soft Light Moisturizer
Nivea Soft Light Moisturizer is a dermatologically-tested moisturizing cream that suits all skin types. The brand follows a really unique formulation for this product in which a water-in-oil (W/O) emulsion is created instead of an oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion. It is enriched with vitamin E and jojoba oil, which go deep into the skin and turn it into a fresh, soft, smooth, and healthy-looking one. The light texture and fast-absorbing formula of the product make it highly effective and invigorating. It comes in 5 different sizes to suit everyone’s needs.
Although a W/O emulsion takes time to get stabilized, it offers long-lasting hydration to the skin by improving its natural barrier properties to a large extent.
Ingredients
Aqua, Glycerin, Paraffinum Liquidum, Myristyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat. 3.6% v/v, Stearic Acid, Myristyl Myristate, Cera Microcristallina, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lanolin Alcohol (Eucerit), Polyglyceryl-2 Caprate, Dimethicone, Sodium Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum.
Shelf Life
30 months
Application
Apply to the face and hands twice daily after cleansing the skin thoroughly with a mild cleanser.
Price
- 50 ml. – Rs. 85
- 100 ml. – Rs. 160
- 200 ml. – Rs. 270
- 300 ml. – Rs. 299
- 500 ml. – Rs. 549
Availability
Easily available online and offline beauty stores
Read Also – Pond’s Silk Cream Review
Packaging
The packaging of Nivea Soft Light Moisturizer may appear very classy and feminine, but it is actually the biggest drawback of the product. The cream comes in a white plastic tub with light blue designs on it instead of the typical ancient blue tin container of Nivea. The side and the bottom of the tub have the necessary information mentioned on it. Once you open the cap of the tub, you can see a silver foil covering the cream.
Now the issue is, I need to dip my fingers into the cream each time I use it, which is absolutely unhygienic. It increases the chances of developing infections a hundred times. I really don’t understand why a big brand like Nivea can’t still get out of the tub concept! It is really disappointing. Moreover, I can’t carry the tub with me. No, I’m not talking about the size as it is already available in two smaller sizes. The absence of the silver foil and the consistency of the cream turn it into a complete mess if the tub ever gets flipped during traveling. I really didn’t expect this!
If the tub or jar is not airless, the components of the moisturizer breaks down easily. Also, if it is transparent or translucent, the exposure to daylight decreases the efficacy of the ingredients to a large extent. Hence, always choose tube packaging over jar packaging as it reduces the chances of contamination as well as ingredient breakdown.
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My Take on Nivea Soft Light Moisturizer
The product is pure white in color and very soft as well as buttery. It has a signature Nivea smell, which is to some extent strong for sensitive noses. As said by the company, the texture of the product is extremely light. It can be spread throughout the skin without tugging and does not make it greasy or sticky. Well, you may see a shiny cast on your face for the next 15 to 20 minutes of application, but it goes away gradually.
I usually apply it to my cleansed face and neck before going to bed. Even though my skin is very much dry, I need only a small amount of it. It gets absorbed into the skin within a couple of minutes and does not need to be massaged thoroughly. In the morning, my skin becomes perfectly soft, supple, and smooth. The moisturizing quality of this product is excellent. I’ve used it even during the daytime, and my skin remained hydrated almost throughout the day without making me reapplying it. I’ve also used it for my dry hands and chapped feet during the chilled winter days and needless to say, the result was great! For me, it is a wonderful night cream that is affordable enough and lives up to its claims.
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Pros
- Amazing buttery texture
- Feels really light on the skin
- Gets absorbed in the skin fast
- Doesn’t make the skin sticky
- Requires a tiny amount for each application
- Moisturize very well
- Makes skin soft and supple instantly
- Results last almost the entire day
- Suits all skin types
- Perfect for moisturizing the rest of the body, especially hands and legs
- Reasonably priced
- Very easily available
- Multiple sizes available
Cons
- Unhygienic tub packaging
- Container not travel-friendly
- Contains denatured alcohol, which may make super dry skin even drier
- Strong smell
- Makes the face a little shiny, which remains for 15-20 minutes
Rating
4/5
Recommendation
Sure. It can turn out to be a true rescuer for dry-skinned beauties in winter. If Nivea comes with better packaging, I’ll even make it a staple in my stash.
Tricks to Make the Most of Your Moisturizer
Finally, learn a few surefire tricks to make the moisturizer work perfectly for your dry and dehydrated skin:
- Do not apply the same moisturizer for both your face and body.
- Dampen your face slightly before applying the moisturizer for better absorption.
- Pick a tinted moisturizer to reduce dry patches and get an even skin tone.
Do You Really Require A Moisturizer?
Hold on! A few dermatologists believe in the fact that overuse of moisturizer for a prolonged time can have negative effects on your skin. Moisturizer can interfere with the natural hydration process of the skin thus making your skin more dependent on it. Skin stops supplying its own moisturizer and this may lead to dry, dull and sensitive skin over a period of time. There is no harm in applying a moisturizer although overuse may be detrimental to your skin. (4)
Read Also – Lotus Sweat And Waterproof Sun Block Cream With SPF 30 Review
Summary:
Nivea Soft Light Moisturizer is a dermatologically-tested moisturizing cream that suits all skin types. It is a fast-absorbing, water-in-oil (W/O) emulsion enriched with vitamin E and jojoba oil that makes the skin look fresh, soft, smooth, and healthy through deep penetration. The white-colored product has a light, buttery texture and a signature smell. It provides deep penetration sans greasiness or stickiness. The jar packaging of the product may increase the chance of contamination and ingredient breakdown. But the moisturizer suits all skin types and gives invigorating results immediately. If you have dry and dull skin, the Nivea Soft Light Moisturizer can be a perfect choice under budget.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Should I Use It on Face?
Nivea Soft Light Moisturizer can be used on any part of the body including the face. Its unique formula takes great care of the soft and delicate facial skin so that it looks healthy and beautiful all through the year.
Does the Product Clog Pores?
All products by Nivea are non-comedogenic, which means that they do not contain any pore-clogging ingredient at all.
Is It Suitable for Oily and Acne-Prone Skin?
This product is suitable for all types of skin regardless of its type and texture. As it is non-comedogenic, you can certainly use it on oily and acne-prone skin without any worry.
What are the Natural Alternatives to It?
If you are not much into commercial moisturizing products, you can replace your Nivea Soft Light Moisturizer with a number of natural moisturizing agents easily available in your kitchen. These include honey, buttermilk, olive oil, coconut oil, castor oil, shea butter, avocado, aloe vera, cucumber, and many more.
References:
- “Choosing a Good Moisturizer for Your Skin“, Health.Harvard.edu
- “Choosing the Right Moisturizer for Your Skin“, WebMD.com
- “Nivea History – 100 Years in the Making“, NiveaUSA.com
- “This Dermatologist Thinks You Should Give Up Moisturizer Forever” – refinery29.com
