Sun Hub

UV radiation from sunlight is always all around us. It comes from both direct and indirect sunlight. UV is made up of three types of wavelengths: UVA, UVB and UVC.  Luckily, not all UV radiation makes it to earth, most of it is absorbed by the atmosphere.  However, two kinds of UV rays break through, these are UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays do not cause any painful symptoms on the skin but do penetrate very deep into the cells of the dermis.  They create free radicals which can result in long term damage to the cells. UVB rays only penetrate the epidermis, they are responsible for not only your bronzed complexion, but also sun-induced skin damage (sunburn). Broad-spectrum sunscreen filters both UVA and UVB radiation.

Young babies should avoid sun exposure whenever possible. It is best to ensure they are covered in appropriate clothing and keep them shaded when outdoors.  Parents should consult a doctor before applying sunscreen to babies under 6 months.

Sunscreen places a protective barrier between your skin and UV radiation from the sun. Sunscreens can contain both or either mineral filters which reflect UV light and/or chemical filters which absorb UV light so that your skin doesn’t burn.

Sunscreen should be applied 20 minutes before sun exposure. Apply liberally and evenly to exposed skin. Reapply regularly, every 2 hours or more often when sweating, after swimming or towelling.  To ensure you are receiving the full SPF rating it is important to apply the appropriate amount of sunscreen per application, which is approximately 7 teaspoons or 35-40ml per adult application.

When using a spray sunscreen remember to shake well before use, do not spray onto the face, apply generously & evenly on skin 20 minutes before sun exposure, and reapply regularly as required; 2 hours or more often.  To ensure you are receiving the full SPF rating it is important to apply the appropriate amount of sunscreen per application, which is approximately 7 teaspoons or 35-40ml (15-20 sprays) per adult application.

Sunscreen is only one part of sun protection. To ensure you are staying protected from the sun remember to regularly reapply sunscreen, wear a wide brimmed hat, sunglasses, avoid intensive midday sun and prolonged exposure to the sun.

Sunscreens are regulated by the TGA in Australia. The TGA ranks SPF from 4 to 50+. All sunscreens need to comply with AS/NZS 2604:2012. All our NIVEA sunscreens undergo testing to ensure they comply with TGA regulations.

If you have sensitive skin, we recommend performing a patch test on a small area of skin before applying it to a large area. We would also suggest using our NIVEA Sun Sensitive range that has been specially developed to help protect sensitive skin from UV damage.

Like the rest of the skin on your body, your facial skin is exposed to damaging environment influences such as the sun’s rays, the cold and air pollution. However, it is considerably thinner and more sensitive than the skin on the rest of your body. Therefore, it needs a lot of protection and care to ensure sun protection, so we always suggest using a sunscreen which has been specifically formulated with sensitive facial skin in mind.

We guarantee the product quality for all our NIVEA sunscreen products for12 months after opening as long as it is before the expiry date printed on the bottle. When the product has been stored under normal conditions at room temperature and does not look or smell strange, it can be used in the next season.

This is possible when you apply the NIVEA sunscreen first and wait for 15 to 30 minutes before applying the NIVEA body or NIVEA face care product. This way, the effectiveness of the sun protection system of UVA/UVB-filters in the sunscreen is maintained.

Sun allergies are caused by oxidative stress as a result of UV-induced free radicals in the skin cells. This leads to the immune system overreacting and causing inflammatory processes and numerous allergic symptoms. For the most part, it‘s individuals with sensitive skin that are affected (around 20% of the population) and it can be very unpleasant for affected people. We can try to avoid sun allergies with a balanced UVA/UVB protection system, particularly high UVA protection. In addition, certain ingredients in the product such as vitamin E can help to strengthen your skin barrier. If you feel that you have sensitive skin, we recommend the NIVEA Sun Sensitive products.

All our NIVEA Sun products contain different UV filters which protect the skin against UVA and UVB radiation. The UVA filters, in particular, can result in yellow staining. This stain formation is more likely to occur if the clothes come into contact with skin before the product is completely absorbed. In such cases, the clothes should be prewashed without any detergent at 30°C followed by a normal wash cycle with liquid detergent at 30°C. If stains are stubborn and still visible after washing, we recommend letting the fabric soak in a citric acid solution (50g citric acid in 1L water) for 1h then rinse thoroughly. Be careful with delicate fabrics, e.g. mother-of-pearl buttons. Please test any cleaning product on the product prior to the actual use on an unobtrusive spot. Alternatively, treat stains with a commercial laundry rust stain remover for fabrics, according to the product directions. Then, wash with liquid detergent at 30°C. Generally speaking, avoid bleaches, oxi-action products, powder detergents and washing at high temperatures. Warning: Be aware that citric acid is slightly hazardous in the case of skin contact (irritant, sensitizer), of eye contact (irritant), of ingestion and of inhalation (irritant). Skin contact can produce inflammation and blistering. Tissue damage is dependent on length of contact. For this reason, we highly recommend wearing protective gloves when handling citric acid and to not breathe in citric acid dust.

All sunscreens listed on the ARTG are deemed safe to use provided you:

• Always read the label
• Follow the directions for use and understand that sunscreens are only one part of sun protection
• Avoid prolonged high-risk sun exposure
• Reapply frequently

Yes, kids sunscreen is formulated to the same SPF standards but particularly for sensitive skin. Adults can use it.

Even when you are pregnant, it is important to continue to practice safe sun protection.  Sunscreen is safe to use during pregnancy, though you may find you need to tailor your option to a more sensitive option.  If in doubt, always consult with your health professional. Remember to always wear a wide brimmed hat, sunglasses, protective clothing, avoid intensive midday sun and prolonged exposure to the sun.

Yes, the entire NIVEA Sun range is gluten free

NIVEA Sun products do not contain any parabens

NIVEA sunscreens are not classified as dangerous goods, however inhalation and ingestion should be avoided. Seek advice from the poisons helpline if ingestion occurs.