Sunscreen Ranker Independent ranker
Nivea Japan UV Kids Water Gel SPF 38 PA+++
Nivea Japan

UV Kids Water Gel SPF 38 PA+++

SPF 38 · PA+++
Our score 81.0 / 100

No fragrance or ethanol; prominent propylene glycol and eucalyptus extract add modest tolerance concerns. Humectants, light esters and gel polymers suggest easy spread; feel is untested.

Invisible No white cast — chemical/hybrid filters that straight-up disappear on skin. Sensitive & baby fragrance-free, low-irritant, baby-safe gentle formulas. Unknown
03 The facts, at a glance
Protection
Filter type Mineral filters (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) sit on skin and reflect UV. Chemical filters absorb UV. Hybrid runs both.
Chemical
Broad spectrum Covers both UVA and UVB. UVA drives aging and deeper damage; UVB gives you burns.
Yes
Formulation & feel
Texture How it feels going on — milk, gel, cream, spray, stick, essence, lotion, powder, or cushion.
Gel
Finish How it looks 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' is different — it can hide masking fragrance. Botanical oils still scent.
Yes
Alcohol-free No drying short-chain alcohols (alcohol denat., SD alcohol, ethanol). Doesn't mean fatty alcohols like cetyl or stearyl — those are emollients.
Yes
Where to buy it
YesStyle US In stock
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81.0
Composite score · independent
Ranks #1310 of 1759 in the current catalogue. No fragrance or ethanol; prominent propylene glycol and eucalyptus extract add modest tolerance concerns. Humectants, light esters and gel polymers suggest easy spread; feel is untested.
Composite is a weighted blend: UV 25% · Modernity 10% · Sensitivity 15% · Environment 10% · Elegance 15% · Health 25%. That's the recipe.
The score breakdown
UV protection How hard it blocks UVA + UVB across the spectrum at the stated SPF/PA. 78
Filter modernity Dings legacy filters (octinoxate, oxybenzone); rewards photostable next-gen ones. 75
Sensitivity safety Risk for reactive skin — fragrance, alcohol, and known sensitisers. 83
Reef / env. safety Reef toxicity plus how biodegradable the UV filters and surfactants are. 65
Cosmetic elegance Spread, finish, white-cast, and how it actually feels on skin. 84
Health safety Endocrine concerns and systemic absorption signals across the whole formula. 90
02 Composition · key UV filters 2 filters resolved
UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — covered UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — covered
Octinoxate Legacy Older organic filter. Photostable in combination; some literature concerns.
Uvinul A Plus Modern Next-gen photostable filter; low irritation profile.
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
Water·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 2026. Show in detail
01 Water 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