Nivea Gentle Exfoliating Face Scrub For Normal & Combination Skin

Why it's rated this way

2 ingredients on this label are flagged. A cosmetic's rating is set by its most serious finding — here, Retinyl Palmitate.

1. Retinyl PalmitateHigh concernVitamin A (retinol and its esters). Cosmetics add to the vitamin A people already get from food, so the EU capped it at 0.05 % retinol equivalent in body lotion and 0.3 % in other products — products over the cap may still be on sale until May 2027, and a label does not show the strength.

   What it is

   Its recorded role: skin conditioning and antioxidant. About Retinyl Palmitate

   Why it's flagged

   Vitamin A (retinol and its esters). Cosmetics add to the vitamin A people already get from food, so the EU capped it at 0.05 % retinol equivalent in body lotion and 0.3 % in other products — products over the cap may still be on sale until May 2027, and a label does not show the strength.

   Regulatory basis

   EU Cosmetics Regulation, Annex III — allowed only within set limits and conditions; Greenveil's curated cosmetic-ingredient concern list.

   How sure we are

   High confidence. The label names this substance exactly.

2. Sodium HydroxideMinor concernAlkali (lye). It is used up in the product: as a pH adjuster it neutralises an acid in the formula, and in soap it turns the oils into soap. The EU caps the alkalinity it may leave (pH 11 for pH-adjuster use); the higher limits, with warnings, are only for hair straighteners, cuticle removers and depilatories.

   What it is

   Its recorded role: buffering and denaturant. About Sodium Hydroxide

   Why it's flagged

   Alkali (lye). It is used up in the product: as a pH adjuster it neutralises an acid in the formula, and in soap it turns the oils into soap. The EU caps the alkalinity it may leave (pH 11 for pH-adjuster use); the higher limits, with warnings, are only for hair straighteners, cuticle removers and depilatories.

   Regulatory basis

   EU Cosmetics Regulation, Annex III — allowed only within set limits and conditions; Greenveil's curated cosmetic-ingredient concern list.

   How sure we are

   High confidence. The label names this substance exactly.

Assessed against the label as captured: all 18 ingredients recognised.