Product review: Nivea Body Smooth Replenishing Lotion

Read the ingredients to get to know why you should avoid Nivea Body Smooth Replenishing Lotion.

Mineral Oil:

Petroleum derivatives. It clogs the pores, so the skin can't breath. It causes dryness. When you use a cream with Mineral Oil, the skin senses the oil with the help of Merkel cells and they get the sign that the skin is protected. Because of that, it will automatically reduce the natural sebum's production. And when you wash it off, you will get a dry skin feeling, because the skin itslef will forget how to restore the lipid layer. So with Mineral Oil we seal the surface of the skin and don't let it breath. It leads to an addiction, forcing us to use the product more and more. It doesn't hydrate, but dryes and may cause inflammation. The skin can't process Mineral Oil. Other petroleum derivates: Petrolatum, Vaseline, Paraffinum liquidum, Cera microcristallina, Ceresin, Petrol wax, Ozokerit, Paraffin Wax, Liquidum Paraffinum, Microcristallina Wax.

Cetyl Alcohol:

(Other name is: Cetearyl Alcohol)it's either produced from the end products of the petroleum industry, or derived from plants (palm oil-palmityl alcohol). In this Nive lotion, we don't know where it comes from, but the chance that it came from plant is very low, because if it's came from plant it would be very expensive. It's an emollient, emulsifier and thickener. It works as a "glue": doesn't let the water and the oil to separate from each other. Many dermatologists suggest that people with sensitive/irritated skin avoid it. It can cause allergy and it may include traces of nickel.

Cyclomethicone:

A synthetic silicone oil. Its molecules are too big and because of that it can't absorb to the skin, so it actually doesn't have any moisturizing effect, but because until it's on the skin, it feels like the skin is smooth. After a while it evaporates into the air. It has a harmful effect to the enviroment (i.e. marine life) too. You can find it in almost every cosmetic product: facial moisturizer/lotion, foundation, shampoo/conditioner, body spray, sunscreen, anti-aging treatment, antiperspirant/deodorant, concealer, hair dye and eye cream.

Dimethicone:

A silicone derived emolients. (Dimethicone is one of the various polymers that are based on silicone.)The Dimethicone molecules are too large to penetrate deeply into the skin. This is why you can feel your skin so smooth, but not because it does any good with it. When you wash your face it will dissapear and your skin will be again as it was before you used the cream with Dimethicone. Some people say because it sits on the surface of the skin, Dimethicone is a skin barrier. I don't agree with that. It coats the skin and traps anything beneath it (ie. dirt, sebum). The skin can't breath either. Pimples and black heads can occur when a pore in your skin becomes blocked. The sebaceous gland continues to secrete sebum into the blocked pore until the pore erupts into the characteristic pustule known as a pimple. In addition, it has a negative enviromental impact as well.

PEG 40 Stearate:

(Polyethylen Glycol) The EWG issues warnings regarding: cancer, developmental and reproductive toxicity, contamination concerns, irritation, and organ system toxicity. Avoid it if you have a sensitive skin. PEGs are used in detergents as well. As you see PEG always has a number. It represents the approximate molecular weight of that compound. Cosmetic maufacturers use PEGs with smaller molecular weights, because it's easier to penetrate into the skin. PEG-40 is a low molecular weight. PEGs make easier to absorb other ingredients into the skin.

Tocopheryl Acetate:

is a form of Vitamin E. If it's synthetic then it is a skin sensitizer and accordint to CIR, Tocopherly Acetate is a human skin toxicant. Because companies usually doesn't say if it's sythetic or vegetable, it's better if you avoid it.

Phenoxyethanol:

is a preservative. It is harmful if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed through the skin. It causes skin, eye irritation and allergies as well. There are several animal studies that demonstrate that it is toxic - with effects on the brain and the nervous system - at moderate concentrations. In Europe, the European Union classifies it as an irritant and there are various studies (on rabbit skin, for example) that demonstrate reactions at low doses. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) data sheets show chromosomal changes and genetic mutation effects in testing as well as testicular atrophy and interference with reproductivity in mice. A report written by a medical professional who contracted allergies after coming into contact with phenoxyethanol in a detergent used for cleaning lab equipment. It seems he wasn't a fluke. There are over 3,000 known allergans and they were studied, along with the data from 9,948 patients, by a research team in Germany. Phenoxyethanol was in the top 10. Phenoxyethanol breaks down to phenol and acetaldehyde, acetaldehyde converts to acetate. Phenol can disable the immune system's primary response mechanism. Acetaldehyde occurs during the breakdown of ethanol, (alchohol and 2-phenoxyETHANOL), it is a suspected carcinogen. Inhalation studies have shown irritation of the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. (Truth of Aging)

Sodium Hydroxide:

it controls the Ph leves in creams. It could be irritant. According to the National Institute for Occupation Safety and Health, it irritates the eyes and skin. It is classified as "expected to be toxic or harmful" and one or more animal studies show brain and nervous system, metabolic, and sense organ effects at very low doses and there are warnings regarding using this ingredient around the eyes or mouth.It has been linked to cancer, specifically of the esophagus. (Info: Truth in aging)

Methylparaben:

is a preservative. Methylparaben is quickly absorbed through the skin. Many studies have found a link between parabens and breast cancer. After being exposed to the sun, studies show that 19% of the skin cells treated with Methylparaben had died. Researchers at the Department of Opthamology at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York report that eye drops containing methylparaben, even in small amounts, can cause a degree of eye tissue damage. Parabens, including methylparaben, have estrogenic affects on the body, which means they can affect the reproductive glands.

Propylparaben:is a preservative. Reserchers have found higher amount of parabens in every single breast cancer sample studied. It causes skin irritation, contact dermatitis ( ekczema) and allergies as well. Parabens mimic the effects of estrogen. Too much esttrogen could cause breast cancer, oviran cancer and testicular cancer.

Caprylic Triglycerides:

is extracted from the kernel or meat of matured coconut. It is an oily liquid. Mainly works as an emollient, dispersing agent and solvent. It has a very long shelf life. It acts as carriers for fat-soluble vitamins and actives. It's safe for use.

Glyceril Stearate:

is an esterification products of glycerine and stearic acid. It makes the product freeze-resistant and gives greasy feeling to the product. It is neutral for the skin.

Carbomer:

It's a thickener. Synthetic. It can have benzol residues. It's safe to use in cosmetic products.

Trisodium EDTA:

is a salt of ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid. EDTA=Ethyl-Diamino-Tetra-Acetate. It is not considered an irritant, sensitizer or carcinogen.

Summary:

Every ingredient (expect She butter and Gingko Biloba leaf which appears in a very low concetrate in this product, so they barely have any effect) is synthetic or toxic and non of them has real moisturizing effects. The ephasis is on the word: feels "LIKE", which means, while it's on your skin you feel it's smooth, but as you wash it off, or absorbs - if it can- or evaporates, your skin will be the same state as it was before. Companies defend themselves saying the harmful ingredients are in a very low concentrate in their prodict and because of that we don't have to worry. But there are 2 main problems:

1. If we like a product we use it for a long time. Those low concentrate ingredients will added and added through the years, which means it will be harmful at the end
2. We don't use just one product. Ask yourself: How many products do you use a day? So just do the math. According to EWG women use 12 different cosmetic products with 168 ingredients and their effects can cumulative or strengthen each other.

FDA doesn't do systematic reviews of safety. Nearly 80 percent of the 12,500 ingredients FDA has determined are used in personal care products have not been evaluated for safety by the CIR, the FDA, or any other publicly accountable institution. (Source: EWG)

And one more important thing: The rules are more strict in Europe, Japan and Canada than in the USA. Many ingredients are allowed in the USA what it's already banned in other countries as I mentioned above. Don't believe when you read such a thing like "Dermatologically Tested". The best what you can do for your health is always check the ingredients and avoid those product what contain harmful, synthetic and chemical ingredients.

I am not affiliated with this company. I purchased this product myself for personal use unless otherwise noted. My opinion is completely honest and based on my own experience.