Sunscreen Ranker Independent ranker
NI
NIVEA

NIVEA UV Water Gel for Kids SPF38 / SPF38 / PA+++ / 120g

ニベアUV ウォータージェルこども用 SPF38 / SPF38 / PA+++ / 120g
SPF 38 · PA+++ Invisible No white cast — chemical/hybrid filters that disappear on skin. Sensitive & baby Fragrance-free, low-irritant, baby-safe gentle formulas. JP Japan jp-domestic Formulation variant: jp-domestic. Region-specific reformulations are tracked as separate products.

Alcohol- and fragrance-free children's gel with minimalist octinoxate + DHHB system and mild humectants; lower SPF38 but gentle profile.

CHEM Chemical filters Chemical filters — Organic filters absorb UV. Cosmetically elegant; filter selection matters. ((· BS Broad spectrum Broad spectrum — Blocks UVA + UVB across the full sun-damage spectrum. F F-FREE Fragrance-free Fragrance-free — No added fragrance or perfume — lower irritation risk for reactive skin. A A-FREE Alcohol-free Alcohol-free — No drying short-chain alcohols (denatured / SD alcohol).
71.4
Composite
Composite score · independent
Ranks #770 of 1558 in the current catalogue. Alcohol- and fragrance-free children's gel with minimalist octinoxate + DHHB system and mild humectants; lower SPF38 but gentle profile.
Composite is a weighted blend: UV 25% · Modernity 10% · Sensitivity 15% · Environment 10% · Elegance 15% · Health 25%.
Verdict Should you buy it?

Alcohol-free, fragrance-free kids' gel built on octinoxate with Uvinul A Plus for UVA support. Cleaner sensitivity profile than the adult NIVEA line, but octinoxate is still the lead filter — a notable trade-off for pediatric use.

Pros
  • Alcohol-free and fragrance-free
  • PA+++ UVA support from Uvinul A Plus
  • Lightweight gel format for daily kids' wear
  • Includes trehalose and eucalyptus extract
Cons
  • Octinoxate as primary filter raises endocrine concerns
  • SPF38 is lower than the adult NIVEA SPF50+ options
  • Disodium EDTA and phenoxyethanol included

Who it's for: Parents wanting a fragrance-free, alcohol-free gel SPF for everyday kids' wear who accept octinoxate as the lead filter.

01 Score breakdown
UV protection How well the product blocks UVA + UVB across the spectrum at the stated SPF/PA. 78
Filter modernity Penalises legacy filters (octinoxate, oxybenzone); rewards photostable next-gen filters. 75
Sensitivity safety Risk for reactive skin — fragrance, alcohol, known sensitisers. 70
Reef / env. safety Reef toxicity, biodegradability of UV filters and surfactants. 65
Cosmetic elegance Spread, finish, white-cast, comfort on skin. 75
Health safety Endocrine concerns, systemic absorption signals across the formula. 65
02 Composition · key UV filters 2 filters resolved
UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — covered UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — covered
Octinoxate Legacy Older organic filter. Photostable in combination; some literature concerns.
Uvinul A Plus Modern Next-gen photostable filter; low irritation profile.
03 At-a-glance facts
Protection
Filter type Mineral filters (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) sit on skin and reflect UV. Chemical filters absorb UV. Hybrid blends both.
Chemical
Broad spectrum Protects across both UVA and UVB ranges. UVA causes aging and deeper damage; UVB causes burns.
Yes
Formulation & feel
Texture How the formula feels at application — milk, gel, cream, spray, stick, essence, lotion, powder, or cushion.
Gel
Finish How the formula looks on skin once dry: matte, natural, dewy, or glowy.
Natural
Tinted Adds sheer pigment (iron oxides) that masks the white cast common to mineral filters and gives a skin-tone finish.
No
Fragrance-free No synthetic perfume added. Not FDA-defined in the US; the EU requires 'Parfum' + the 26 named allergens on the label. 'Unscented' differs — may contain masking fragrance. Botanical oils still scent.
Yes
Alcohol-free No drying short-chain alcohols (alcohol denat., SD alcohol, ethanol). Does not refer to fatty alcohols like cetyl or stearyl alcohol, which are emollients.
Yes
04 Full ingredient list (INCI) 17 ingredients
MODERN FILTER 1 LEGACY FILTER 1 MINERAL FILTER 0 ADDED FRAGRANCE 0 NATURAL FRAGRANCE 1 ALCOHOL 0 WATCH 0
Aqua·Propylene Glycol· Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate Octinoxate — endocrine-disruption literature. ·Isopentyldiol·Isopropyl Myristate·Diisopropyl Sebacate·Pentylene Glycol·Trehalose· Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract Essential / botanical oil — releases scent compounds (terpenes, aldehydes) naturally. Marketed as "natural" but still a recognised source of contact sensitivity. ·Butylene Glycol· Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate Uvinul A Plus — modern photostable UVA filter. ·Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer·Carbomer·Ceteth-10·Phenoxyethanol·Sodium Hydroxide·Disodium Edta
Source: brand-published INCI. Last verified 19 Jun 2026. Show in detail
01 Aqua Water
02 Propylene Glycol Propylene Glycol
03 Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate LEGACY FILTER Octinoxate — endocrine-disruption literature.
04 Isopentyldiol Isopentyldiol
05 Isopropyl Myristate Isopropyl Myristate
06 Diisopropyl Sebacate Diisopropyl Sebacate
07 Pentylene Glycol Pentylene Glycol
08 Trehalose Trehalose
09 Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract NATURAL FRAGRANCE Essential / botanical oil — releases scent compounds (terpenes, aldehydes) naturally. Marketed as "natural" but still a recognised source of contact sensitivity.
10 Butylene Glycol Butylene Glycol
11 Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate MODERN FILTER Uvinul A Plus — modern photostable UVA filter.
12 Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
13 Carbomer Carbomer
14 Ceteth-10 Ceteth-10
15 Phenoxyethanol Phenoxyethanol
16 Sodium Hydroxide Sodium Hydroxide
17 Disodium Edta Disodium EDTA