Nivea
Nivea Creme
250 mlCosmeticBarcode 4005808801053
- Morocco
- Portugal
- Spain
Nivea Creme is safe for most skin, but its fragrance mix carries real allergy risk for sensitised users.
The base of this cream is mostly inert mineral oil, wax and glycerin - all well-tolerated on skin. However, it contains seven EU-recognised fragrance allergens (including geraniol, limonene and cinnamyl alcohol) plus lanolin alcohol, both known causes of contact dermatitis in a minority of users.
Analysed Sep 26, 2026Confidence 78%
On the label
4 additives
- E330Citric acid
- E422Glycerol
- E572Magnesium stearate
- E573Aluminium stearate
What matters
- Caution
Contains 7 labelled fragrance allergens (limonene, geraniol, linalool, etc.) that can trigger skin allergy
- Caution
Lanolin alcohol — Lanolin alcohol is a well-known contact allergen, especially for eczema-prone skin
- Fine
Paraffinum liquidum — Main ingredients are refined mineral oil and wax - safe emollients for normal skin
Why it matters
Nivea Creme is a classic rinse-off... actually leave-on topical moisturiser applied to skin, not swallowed. Most of its formula (water, mineral oil, wax, glycerin, panthenol) has no meaningful toxicity at any realistic exposure. The concern isn't poisoning risk but skin allergy: the cream contains a blend of fragrance chemicals and lanolin alcohol, both established causes of allergic contact dermatitis in a minority of people. For the average user with no fragrance sensitivity, this product is essentially harmless.
Full ingredient list (22 ingredients)
- Aqua52.4%Good
- Paraffinum liquidum23.8%Fine
- Cera microcristallina11.9%Fine
- Glycerin6%Good
- Lanolin alcohol3%Caution
- Eucerit3%Fine
- Paraffin1.5%Fine
- Panthenol0.7%Good
- Magnesium sulfate0.4%Fine
- Decyl oleate0.2%Fine
- Octyldodecanol0.1%Fine
- Aluminum stearate0%Caution
- Citric acid0%Good
- Magnesium stearate0%Fine
- Limonene0%Caution
- Geraniol0%Caution
- Hydroxycitronellal0%Caution
- Linalool0%Caution
- Citronellol0%Caution
- Benzyl benzoate0%Caution
- Cinnamyl alcohol0%Caution
- Parfum0%Caution
As printed on the label: Aqua, Paraffinum Liquidum, Cera Microcristallina, Glycerin, Lanolin Alcohol (Eucerit®), Paraffin, Panthenol, Magnesium Sulfate, Decyl Oleate, Octyldodecanol, Aluminum Stearates, Citric Acid, Magnesium Stearate, Limonene, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Linalool, Citronellol, Benzyl Benzoate, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Parfum
Sources (3)
- 1.EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009 - Annex III (restricted substances) and fragrance allergen labelling rules
- 2.SCCS Opinion on fragrance allergens in cosmetic products
- 3.CosIng database - European Commission cosmetic ingredient database