You probably know Nivea as this classic German skincare brand that makes cream and nice lipsticks, but would you expect that Nivea can create a series focused on Vitamin C? Meet three new products in Nivea's portfolio Nivea Q10 Energy Glow Boosting Face Ampoule Serum, Nivea Q10 Energy Healthy Glow Day Cream and Nivea Q10 Energy Recharging Night Cream. Can a drugstore Vitamin C series be as powerful as expensive Vitamin C treatments?
About Nivea
Is there anyone who doesn't know Nivea? But still, let's go back straight to 1882 when Paul Carl Beiersdorf on March 28 patents the medical coated plaster (called Guttaperchapflastermulle), but eight years later Oskar Troplowitz takes over the company. With help from Dr Isaac Lifschütz - a chemist, and Prof. Paul Gerson Unna - a dermatologist, Dr Oskar Troplowitz invents Eucerit - an emulsifier typical for Nivea products. Eucerin brand name came from the name of this emulsifier. In 1911 Nivea releases the most popular moisturizer you can ever hear of - Nivea Cream. My grandma to this day keeps all meaningful things to her in a huge Nivea metal box. The blue-white aesthetic is not a new thing, but it's not the first design of Nivea, this design got to use in 1925. During the IIWW the brand got through many challenges, but in 1950 Nivea and Beiersdorf started to regain popularity and work hard on new products like Nivea Ultra-Oil to protect the skin from the sun, Nivea Milk - a body lotion. Since then brand created lines such as Nivea Baby, Nivea Men and many innovative products. The brand had a great marketing strategy to focus on regular people in the older days, but in 2019 the brand got through some controversies related to marketing. It's nothing unusual, I feel like controversies around marketing are a normal thing because we live in times when an advertisement has to be focus on different elements and different groups of society. Let's change the topic for a while, do you know what does Nivea mean? Word 'Nix' means snow, but 'Niveus' means white like snow and it's not a racist slogan, but the texture of the cream is white like snow.
Why Vitamin C?
Vitamin C has many good properties like reducing pigmentations, strengthening blood vessels in your skin or boosting collagen and elastin synthesis. We have to remember that Vitamin C comes in many forms and its power depends on many things like formula, bioavailability and et cetera.
Nivea Q10 Energy Vitamin C + Vitamin E series
I was able to try three new products from Nivea: Nivea Q10 Energy Glow Boosting Face Ampoule Serum, Nivea Q10 Energy Healthy Glow Day Cream and Nivea Q10 Energy Recharging Night Cream. I tested ampoule serum fully, but with Day & Night Cream I will share my first impression. I have to admit that I was more interested in another Nivea series which I plan to introduce to your next month - it's a series that in my opinion will be a great choice for summer, that's why I've decided to spend less time testing these products to focus on another line from the same brand.
Nivea Q10 Energy Glow Boosting Face Ampoule Serum - Packaging
A box with seven ampoules. The glass used in these ampoules is brown to prevent the product from oxidation, even if Nivea decided to use Ascorbyl Glucoside, which is a fancier version of Vitamin C, it's also a more stable version. I love what Nivea did with the opening, you get a small plastic piece which you have to put on an ampoule to open. You won't cut your hand while opening the serum. Then you can easily put this plastic piece with the glass part of the previous ampoule on the top of the new ampoule and the old part will go away. Isn't this clever?
Nivea Q10 Energy Glow Boosting Face Ampoule Serum - Scent & Texture
This ampoule has a strong scent, it doesn't remind me of vitamin C or lemon, but flowers. The colour of this product reminds me of carrot seed oil, but maybe that's because Nivea uses pigment and scent ingredients in this formula. The product itself has an oily texture, it's quite easy to apply the serum - you need to apply it onto the palm of your hand, rub your hands and tap it into your skin.
Nivea Q10 Energy Glow Boosting Face Ampoule Serum - Ingredients
Aqua, Glycerin, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Lauryl Glucoside, Tocopherol, Ubiquinone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Phenethyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Sulfate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Linalool, Limonene, Parfum, CI 15985
Aqua is an ingredient that you can find in almost every product. Its purpose in products is easy - it's a solvent. Glycerin is one of the most popular humectants in skincare. There's a large number of myths around glycerin like it can clog your skin. It doesn't clog your pores, but too much glycerin can make a sticky layer on the epidermis and even make your skin dryer than before due to TEWL (Transepidermal Water Loss). Still, it's an ingredient that we want to see in formulas. Ascorbyl Glucoside is synthetic, but a more stable cousin of Ascorbyl Acid - Vitamin C. Brands like Vichy calls it Vitamin CG, some people call it "AG". So what's so good about this form of Vitamin C? It's an antioxidant so it fights with free radicals, makes your blood vessels stronger, boosts collagen production and it fights with pigmentation issues. Usually, you can find it in up to 20% concentration in a product. Propanediol is a solvent with moisturizing properties. Similar to Cyclohexasiloxane, Propylene Glycol is an ingredient that some people try to avoid. You're most likely to see Propanediol instead of Propylene Glycol in an organic skincare product, and the reason for this change is simple. Ecocert recommends it. Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate is a water-soluble emulsifier. Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate is another emulsifier on our list. Lauryl Glucoside is a delicate surfactant and emulsifier. It's a biodegradable surfactant, usually made out of natural substances like coconut oil.
Tocopherol or Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant. It's a water-soluble ingredient. Some people think it's a natural preservative, but Tocopherol itself in formulas is not the best to preserve the product. It boosts UVB protection, and if you add Vitamin C - you'll get better effects of both vitamins. Ubiquinone might sound mystical, but under this name hides Coenzyme Q10. You probably know this name from Nivea products. It's an antioxidant, it naturally exists in plant cells, but also we naturally got it in our body. The main reason behind Ubiquinone's fame in skincare is its power to reduce wrinkles. Sodium Hyaluronate is a salt form of a popular Natural Moisturizing Factor - Hyaluronic Acid. Alteromonas Ferment Extract is an exopolysaccharide - to make it easy to understand, exopolysaccharides are natural polymers, they have high molecular weight and they are "created" by microorganisms. Alteromonas is a gram-negative proteobacteria that lives in seawater. This ingredient is supposed to have outstanding water-binding properties. Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil is an oil that you know from your kitchen. It's an emollient and a source of Vitamin E, linoleic acid and oleic acid. Even acne-prone skin can use it. C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is a synthetic emollient with antimicrobial properties. It's a liquid oil with no smell, that helps with the application of the product.
Phenethyl Alcohol is an ingredient that hides unpleasant scent. Xanthan Gum is a thickener and stabilizer which you can find in food and skincare. Disodium EDTA is a synthetic stabilizer and preservative. It helps with the viscosity of the product. Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) - a chemical exfoliant. It's derived from fruits like lemon. It's a weak acid and usually weaker AHA acids act like moisturizers. In this case, Citric Acid helps with the pH level of the formula. Sodium Hydroxide is nothing else than caustic soda or lye. But why ingredient like this ended up in skincare products? The reason is simple - it has some good properties like making sure that the pH of the product is right. You can find the next ingredient in your kitchen since Sodium Chloride stands for salt. In cosmetics, we usually use Sodium Chloride as a thickener, but some brands use it also as an exfoliator. Sodium Sulfate or sulfate of soda is a water-soluble thickener. Ethylhexylglycerin is a preservative. It keeps products fresh. Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that we shouldn't be afraid of. There are strict norms for this substance in our beauty products. Linalool is a terpene alcohol, it naturally occurs in many flowers, and we use it as a perfuming ingredient. The main problem with Linalool in skincare products is the fact that this ingredient is a potential allergen. Limonene is a monoterpene that naturally occurs in fruits. The name reminds of lemon and you are not mistaken since this scent usually is associated with lemon. It has one problem - it can cause allergic reactions. Parfum is a scent combination. CI 15985 or Yellow 6 is a synthetic pigment ingredient.
How does Nivea Q10 Energy Glow Boosting Face Ampoule Serum work?
This set is ideal for a short, one-week long treatment since we got here seven ampoules in total. I had to do a tiny break from my retinol treatment and what I can tell you is that I don't really see any change in my skin. I'm a fan of the opening of this product, but to be honest, 7-days is not enough to see a real change. I think it's a good set if you plan to go on holidays and not take all your serums with you, but if Nivea would mix Vitamin C with Glycolic Acid, Niacinamide or maybe change Vitamin C amount, it could give better results. Still, if your skin is sensitive to high Vitamin C, then it might be a good choice for you, since for me, as a person after retinoid treatment, my skin is ultra-sensitive to ingredients and even thinking about Vitamin C is painful for me sometimes, but with this serum - it works fine, but remember, I took a break and I don't use retinoids and vitamin C in the same routine.
Nivea Q10 Energy Healthy Glow Day Cream - Packaging
The plastic jar of Nivea Q10 Energy Healthy Glow Day Cream comes in paper packaging. The line has 3 main colours - white, blue and orange/yellow. White and blue are classic for Nivea, orange/yellow is a typical element of Coenzyme Q10 in Nivea.
Nivea Q10 Energy Healthy Glow Day Cream - scent & texture
Nivea Q10 Energy Healthy Glow Day Cream has a delicate scent, but I can't determine it. The texture is rich, but it's lighter than the night cream.
Nivea Q10 Energy Healthy Glow Day Cream
Aqua, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Alcohol Denat., Cetearyl Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Methylpropanediol, Octocrylene, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Ubiquinone, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Creatine, 1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Trisodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Linalool, Limonene, Geraniol, Parfum, CI 16035
Aqua is an ingredient that you can find in almost every product. Its purpose in products is easy - it's a solvent. Glycerin is one of the most popular humectants in skincare. There's a large number of myths around glycerin like it can clog your skin. It doesn't clog your pores, but too much glycerin can make a sticky layer on the epidermis and even make your skin dryer than before due to TEWL (Transepidermal Water Loss). Still, it's an ingredient that we want to see in formulas. Ethylhexyl Salicylate or Octisalate protects your skin from UVB radiation. This sunscreen usually comes with other sun protecting ingredients to solubilize them. Usually, when people see Alcohol in skincare, they treat it as the worst thing that exists. The fact is that Alcohol has a positive and negative meaning for our skin. It all depends on the amount of Alcohol. One of the main reasons why companies use this ingredient in their products is better penetration of the skin, thanks to the Alcohol substance gets deeper than when it's used on its own. We can't deny that Alcohol kills microorganism and bacteria. It's a long topic, but if you ever search for alcohol to sanitize your hands or makeup brushes - search for Isopropyl Alcohol in 40-70% solutions, they are more effective than 90% versions. What does Alcohol Denat in this formula mean? It means that this ingredient has some additional substances to stop people from drinking it. Cetearyl Alcohol even if sounds a bit scary, it's good alcohol. It's oil-soluble fatty alcohol. It's a superb emollient and emulsifier.
Ethylhexyl Stearate is an emollient. Glyceryl Stearate Citrate is an emulsifier, but also it's an emollient. Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane or Avobenzone it's one of the most commonly used sunscreen agents in skincare. It provides UVA1 and UVA2 protection. Avobenzone usually goes along with Octocrylene because the stability of this substance is poor. C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is a synthetic emollient with antimicrobial properties. It's a liquid oil with no smell, that helps with the application of the product. Methylpropanediol is a solvent with antimicrobial properties. It's a synthetic ingredient that works even with the most stubborn substances. Octocrylene is a sun-protecting agent, it works with UVB and lower values of UVA rays (so-called UVA-II). It's a weak filter, but it has an important role for other sun-protecting ingredients - it can make them more stable. Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides is an emollient, it's origin is in a coconut. Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid or Ensulizole. It's a sun-protecting agent, it works on the UVB spectrum. Ubiquinone might sound mystical, but under this name hides Coenzyme Q10. You probably know this name from Nivea products. It's an antioxidant, it naturally exists in plant cells, but also we naturally got it in our body. The main reason behind Ubiquinone's fame in skincare is its power to reduce wrinkles. Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate aka SAP is a stable form of Vitamin C which I love, it doesn't need low pH, it works with higher values than pH 3. This antioxidant helps me a lot with pigmentation - especially if you add niacinamide and use them both at the same time, even if this mix is not the best for sensitive skin. This form might also help with acne in small concentration. Tocopheryl Acetate is a form of Vitamin E. It's an antioxidant with some moisturizing properties. It protects your skin from free radical damage. It supports UVB protection, but Vitamin E in the form of Tocopheryl Acetate is not as helpful as Tocopherol.
Creatine is an organic compound made out of three amino acids: glycine, L-arginine and L-methionine. It naturally occurs in our skin and body. According to Nivea, Creatine helps with inflammation, it can reduce and repair cell damage, it stimulates collagen production by giving cells enough power to work. It might be helpful with increasing water amount in your skin. 1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide or Creatinine is an organic compound that naturally occurs in your body. It's a tyrosinase inhibitor, which means that it slows down melanogenesis. That's why this ingredient can be helpful to everyone who has problems with pigmentation or even age spots and wants to brighten their skin. It feels like 1,2-Hexanediol is everywhere, and it's not a surprise. Even if it's a solvent, it's also a moisturizer. Chondrus Crispus Extract (Carrageenan) or Red Edible Seaweed is a natural ingredient. It's a vegan-friendly alternative to gelatin. Brands are using Carrageenan as a thickener. Carbomer is a thickener and stabilizer. You can often see it in gel formulas. Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a carbomer's distant family. It works as a stabilizer and thickener. Trisodium EDTA neutralizes metal ions in the formula to keep products safe for your skin. Sodium Hydroxide is nothing else than caustic soda or lye. But why ingredient like this ended up in skincare products? The reason is simple - it has some good properties like making sure that the pH of the product is right. Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that we shouldn't be afraid of. There are strict norms for this substance in our beauty products. Linalool is a terpene alcohol, it naturally occurs in many flowers, and we use it as a perfuming ingredient. The main problem with Linalool in skincare products is the fact that this ingredient is a potential allergen. Limonene is a monoterpene that naturally occurs in fruits. The name reminds of lemon and you are not mistaken since this scent usually is associated with lemon. It has one problem - it can cause allergic reactions. Geraniol is a terpene alcohol, it can be found in rose oil and it can be sensitizing. Parfum is a scent combination. CI 16035 or Red 40 is a synthetic pigment ingredient.
Nivea Q10 Energy Healthy Glow Day Cream - first impression
Nivea is well-known for the use of Eucerit and Coenzyme Q10 in their products. I'm aware that lots of people hate huge cosmetic brands and go for "natural beauty", but believe me, without Nivea and many other brands we wouldn't have research on many ingredients, not to mention patented solutions for the skin. Nivea used Coenzyme Q10 for the first time in 1998, and it's been over 20 years since they use this powerful antioxidant. Even this year Nivea shared new insight on Coenzyme Q10. Anyway, let's go back to Nivea Q10 Energy Healthy Glow Day Cream. I feel like this cream might be a good choice if you want to strengthen your blood vessels in the skin and improve skin since the formula is quite light. Nivea added Vitamin E to Vitamin C which is a clever move! According to the brand, this cream gives your skin sun protection (SPF15), but still, I would recommend you to use sunscreen after this moisturizer. SPF15 is a very small amount of protection. I gave this cream to my mom to try and so far she didn't say that it made her skin red and she has huge problems with redness, that's why so far I have positive feelings about it since usually after 3 days all creams are giving her lots of redness.
Nivea Q10 Energy Recharging Night Cream - packaging
Nivea Q10 Energy Recharging Night Cream has similar packaging to Nivea Q10 Energy Healthy Glow Day Cream. I forgot to add - don't expect a spatula, it might not be the most hygienic solution, but at least they didn't make another plastic spatula.
Nivea Q10 Energy Recharging Night Cream - scent & texture
This formula has a delicate scent, but the cream itself feels rich and thick, or I should even say oily.
Nivea Q10 Energy Recharging Night Cream - Ingredients
Aqua, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Cocoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Butylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Octyldodecanol, Ubiquinone, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Creatine, 1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Linalool, Limonene, Geraniol, Parfum, CI 16035
Aqua is an ingredient that you can find in almost every product. Its purpose in products is easy - it's a solvent. Glycerin is one of the most popular humectants in skincare. There's a large number of myths around glycerin like it can clog your skin. It doesn't clog your pores, but too much glycerin can make a sticky layer on the epidermis and even make your skin dryer than before due to TEWL (Transepidermal Water Loss). Still, it's an ingredient that we want to see in formulas. Cetearyl Alcohol even if sounds a bit scary, it's good alcohol. It's oil-soluble fatty alcohol. It's a superb emollient and emulsifier. Ethylhexyl Cocoate is an oily emollient, it leaves an oily film on the surface of the skin to protect your epidermis from water loss. It's derived from coconut oil. Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is an emollient. It's a combination of coconut oil and glycerin which makes mild, gentle and delicate emollient. It thickens the formula, but it also makes skin feel smooth in touch. Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides is an emollient, it's origin is in a coconut. Butylene Glycol is a moisturizer and solvent, but it's also alcohol. You see, not every alcohol in skincare is terrible. Some of them have positive effects on your skin - just like Butylene Glycol, which is a popular substance even in eco/green cosmetic products. Butyrospermum Parkii Butter has a wide range of use - people use it to prepare dishes, in medicine, but also in cosmetics. It's an emollient that all skin types should love, but oily skin might have a tiny problem with it. It has mild UV protection (around SPF 3) so it shouldn't be used as sunscreen. It's great for dry skin and during the winter to protect the skin since it leaves a film on the surface of the skin. It's also a source of vitamins such as Vitamin E and Vitamin A. Vitellaria Paradoxa trees aka shea butter trees can be found in Africa that's why it is so important to use shea butter from brands with Fairtrade certification. Glyceryl Stearate Citrate is an emulsifier, but also it's an emollient. Octyldodecanol is an emollient, it leaves an oily film on the skin to protect your skin from dehydration.
Ubiquinone might sound mystical, but under this name hides Coenzyme Q10. You probably know this name from Nivea products. It's an antioxidant, it naturally exists in plant cells, but also we naturally got it in our body. The main reason behind Ubiquinone's fame in skincare is its power to reduce wrinkles. Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate aka SAP is a stable form of Vitamin C which I love, it doesn't need low pH, it works with higher values than pH 3. This antioxidant helps me a lot with pigmentation - especially if you add niacinamide and use them both at the same time, even if this mix is not the best for sensitive skin. This form might also help with acne in small concentration.
Tocopheryl Acetate is a form of Vitamin E. It's an antioxidant with some moisturizing properties. It protects your skin from free radical damage. It supports UVB protection, but Vitamin E in the form of Tocopheryl Acetate is not as helpful as Tocopherol. Creatine is an organic compound made out of three amino acids: glycine, L-arginine and L-methionine. It naturally occurs in our skin and body. According to Nivea, Creatine helps with inflammation, it can reduce and repair cell damage, it stimulates collagen production by giving cells enough power to work. It might be helpful with increasing water amount in your skin. 1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide or Creatinine is an organic compound that naturally occurs in your body. It's a tyrosinase inhibitor, which means that it slows down melanogenesis. That's why this ingredient can be helpful to everyone who has problems with pigmentation or even age spots and wants to brighten their skin. Ethylhexylglycerin is a preservative. It keeps products fresh. It feels like 1,2-Hexanediol is everywhere, and it's not a surprise. Even if it's a solvent, it's also a moisturizer.
Carbomer is a thickener and stabilizer. You can often see it in gel formulas. Sodium Hydroxide is nothing else than caustic soda or lye. But why ingredient like this ended up in skincare products? The reason is simple - it has some good properties like making sure that the pH of the product is right. Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that we shouldn't be afraid of. There are strict norms for this substance in our beauty products. Linalool is a terpene alcohol, it naturally occurs in many flowers, and we use it as a perfuming ingredient. The main problem with Linalool in skincare products is the fact that this ingredient is a potential allergen. Limonene is a monoterpene that naturally occurs in fruits. The name reminds of lemon and you are not mistaken since this scent usually is associated with lemon. It has one problem - it can cause allergic reactions. Geraniol is a terpene alcohol, it can be found in rose oil and it can be sensitizing. Parfum is a scent combination. CI 16035 or Red 40 is a synthetic pigment ingredient.
Nivea Q10 Energy Recharging Night Cream - first impression
This time, I'll give you a short first impression. This formula is free from sun protecting ingredients, but still, Nivea went for Vitamin C + Vitamin E solution. Coenzyme Q10 has an important place in this product. My skin wouldn't be a fan of it, since the formula is thick and I don't recommend using it instead of day cream, but mature skin might enjoy it. If you got skin with redness problems, this might help a bit, since it makes your blood vessels stronger due to the amount of Vitamin C.
Where to buy the Nivea Q10 Energy series?
Nivea is available in many countries. I've checked the price of Nivea Q10 Energy Glow Boosting Face Ampoule Serum, Nivea Q10 Energy Healthy Glow Day Cream and Nivea Q10 Energy Recharging Night Cream in few countries and here is what I found.
Nivea Q10 Energy Glow Boosting Face Ampoule Serum costs for 7x1ml: 103,90 kn (Croatia), 11,99 € (Germany), 299Kč (Czech Republic), 59,99 zł (Poland) and 11,95 € (Spain).
Nivea Q10 Energy Healthy Glow Day Cream costs for 50ml: 99,90 kn (Croatia), 9,99 € (Germany), 249Kč (Czech Republic), 45,99 zł (Poland), 7,49 € (Spain), 10,20 € (France), €8.59 (Italy), 5 299 Ft (Hungary) and £12.49 (UK).
Nivea Q10 Energy Recharging Night Cream costs for 50ml: 109,90 kn (Croatia), 10,99 € (Germany), 45,99 zł (Poland), 10,20 € (France), € 15,35 (Netherlands) and £12.49 (UK).
In some countries like Hungary, Nivea Q10 Energy Recharging Night Cream and Nivea Q10 Energy Healthy Glow Day Cream are sold together in sets.
Let me know what do you think about this series from Nivea
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