Why are the ingredients listed in English?

The list of ingredients gives people with allergies the opportunity to check if the product contains substances that they do not tolerate before they buy. This is made possible by the use of uniform designations across Europe.

For this reason, a nomenclature has been prepared by an International Committee (INCI: International Nomenclature Cosmetic Ingredients) that all manufacturers of cosmetic products are obliged to use. If you have any questions on individual ingredients, please contact us directly. We would be happy to provide further information.

How is the tolerance of NIVEA MEN products tested?

 

The skin tolerance of our products is carefully tested before the products are released for distribution. These tests are carried out in our research department and additionally by independent research institutes. However, it is not possible to fully exclude the occurrence of an intolerance reaction which can be caused by individual over-sensitivity to one of the ingredients. 

Alcohol-free products: Is a product really alcohol-free even if cetyl alcohol, for example, is listed as an ingredient?

In chemistry there is a group of substances with the collective name 'alcohols'. Their physical states range from liquid to solid, with different properties. When 'no alcohol' is stated on a product, this refers to ethyl alcohol, which is also a component of alcoholic drinks.

In cosmetic products, ethyl alcohol has a refreshing and invigorating effect. In the full declaration of the ingredients on the packaging, ethyl alcohol is listed as 'alcohol' or 'alcohol, denat.'.  The aliphatic alcohols (e.g. cetearyl alcohol or lanolin alcohol) are solid substances. They are used, for example, as emulsifying agents with a nourishing effect, which give the product the required consistency.

How high is the water content in creams/lotions?

The water content of all emulsions on the market (independent of manufacturer) is between ca. 70 and 90 %. The latest scientific studies have shown that the moisturising effect reduces the susceptibility of sensitive skins.

The water content of NIVEA Creme is ca. 70 %. It is a water-in-oil emulsion. NIVEA Creme has been popular for decades thanks to its excellent skin tolerance and excellent nourishing properties.

Which is better: wet or dry?

It depends on the condition of your skin and what you're used to (e.g. a dry shave is recommended for sufferers of chronic acne). The advantage of a wet shave is thoroughness, and the advantages of a dry shave are speed and convenience. In both cases you should help your skin to regenerate quickly after shaving by using the right aftershave care: e.g. aftershave enriched with moisturisers and vitamins.

For a wet and dry shave in one use the Philips Moisturising Shaving System - an electric shaver with NIVEA MEN skincare expertise.

And what if I cut myself?

Cold water is often enough to stop small cuts from bleeding. An anti-bacterial and styptic pencil will help to stop heavier bleeding (available at the chemist's). 

My skin is nearly always irritable with red spots after shaving. Why is that?

This can be caused by many things:
Do you shave against the direction of hair growth?
Do you press down too hard on the blade?
Do you use strong-smelling shaving products containing alcohol?
Do you rub your skin dry with a towel after shaving instead of patting it?
Or do you use an electric shaver and rip the stubble out of your skin?

This often happens on a lower setting too... Consult a dermatologist should the problem continue.

I often have in-growing facial hair. How does this occur and how can I avoid it?

In-growing facial hairs are often caused by incorrect shaving.

Rule number 1 when having a wet shave: never shave against the direction of hair growth! If you shave in all directions, this quickly pulls the facial hair out, causing unnecessary stress for the skin and possibly inflammation. Very horny skin can make it even more difficult for facial hair to grow out – the hairs remain underneath the surface and grow inwards.

Tip: Regular exfoliation removes dead skin cells. Last but not least, if your skin is particularly bad, this can distort the hair follicles and sometimes the direction of hair growth, which can lead to hair growing along under the skin. In-growing facial hair can often be removed using tweezers (carefully!) – but only when a red circle has not yet formed around the hair. If this is the case, consult a dermatologist.

What is the difference between shaving gels, foams and creams?

Selecting a shaving product really is a matter of personal taste.

The advantage of a shaving foam is that it can be used quickly and directly after spraying from the can.

Shaving gel, on the other hand, is sprayed into your hand without having to shake the container. By moving it through your fingers in a circular motion, a large amount of shaving foam is created from a small amount of shaving gel.

Shaving with the help of a shaving cream is the classic approach. But it requires a shaving brush. Move the dampened brush in a circular motion until a creamy foam develops.

Does NIVEA MEN also offer alcohol-free aftershaves?

Yes! There is the NIVEA MEN Sensitive range especially for sensitive skin (white packaging). 

Can I do without aftershave?

If necessary – but aftershave rounds off a good shave. Shaving every day exerts additional stress on the face, but if you use the right aftershave care, this can be counterbalanced.

The caring aftershaves from NIVEA MEN replenish the skin with lipids to care for the skin and make it smoother after shaving, and Vitamins and provitamins protect the skin and support the regeneration process.

My skin is very sensitive – if I use aftershave after shaving, my skin burns. Is there anything else I can use?

Yes. The burning you're experiencing is most definitely caused by the high amount of alcohol and perfume contained in your aftershave. Try using a product which is odourless and free of alcohol – and thus kind to the skin. 

I use aftershave. Is it supposed to burn after every shave?

No, of course not. The burning sensation is caused by the alcohol contained in most aftershaves. As the important thing about aftershave is the aftershave care, it's quite all right to use products containing less or no alcohol. They don't burn your skin and ensure optimum skincare. 

Why do I need to use special skincare products for men?

A man's facial skin is different to a woman's in many different ways: it is up to 30% thicker and contains a tighter network of fatty tissue called the subcutis. It also has higher water-binding properties which often make it appear firmer and tauter than women's skin. It tends not to dry out so much and is thus less likely to form wrinkles.

Men's skin has a higher fat content – younger men are thus more likely to get blackheads and other skin impurities. The 4-step care system developed by the NIVEA MEN research team – from cleansing, shaving and aftershave to skincare – is specifically designed to meet these special needs.

What is Q10?

Q10 is your skin's own coenzyme and provides the cells with energy. The hectic pace of modern-day living, stress, and other adverse environmental effects increase the skin's need for Q10. The NIVEA MEN Revitalising Cream Q10 provides the skin with this essential coenzyme, allowing it to regenerate from within. 

Do I need different facial products in winter/with low temperatures than in summer?

Low temperatures and the air in heated rooms dry out your skin faster. Since the moisture requirements of your skin are increased, richer creams that not only moisturise your skin but also help to retain the moisture for longer are advisable in winter.  In addition a lower sun protection factor is normally required. The use of a rich night care product is also recommended in the winter season. 

Why do dark circles and puffiness form under the eyes and can an eye cream help?

Dark circles under the eyes and puffiness can be caused by a lack of sleep or an unhealthy lifestyle. Micro circulation in the area around the eyes is very weak which can easily cause the drainage of metabolic waste to slow down. Lack of sleep and alcohol consumption can cause such disturbances to occur, and becoming visible as puffiness. In order to dispose of the substances that cannot be broken down, your arteries expand. Since the skin under eye is very thin (about 0.5 mm in comparison to 2 mm in other skin areas), the arteries in this area are visible as dark colouring.

Massaging a cooling eye creme into the area under the eyes can visibly reduce the dark circles under the eye and puffiness.