After an early launch in the US in December 2010, Nivea has launched worldwide mid-February 2011 three new moisturizing formulas.

Nivea extends its body lotion range with two textures under the Express Hydration franchise : a lotion and a gel. Firstly launched in the US, these two formulas are currently launched worldwide. These two body moisturizers are accompanied with an new hand cream.

Nivea Express Hydration Body Lotion

Formula Structure

O/W emulsion, emulsified with Glyceryl Stearate SE / Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate, helped with Cetearyl Alcohol, thickened and stabilized with Sodium Carbomer.

The oil phase is made of Isopropyl Palmitate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate and Dimethicone.

The aqueous phase contains Glycerin and Alcohol as solvants.

Preservative System

The formula is protected against microbiological growth with Methylisothiazolinone and Phenoxyethanol, helped with Alcohol.

Active Ingredients

– Hydra IQ (Glyceryl Glucoside)

– “Sea minerals”, i.e. Sea Salt (Maris Sal)

Nivea Express Hydration Body Gel

Formula Structure

Described as a “gel-cream”, this formula is technically an O/W emulsion, emulsified with Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, stabilized and thickened with Hydroxyethylcellulose / Sodium Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer / Xanthan Gum.

The oil phase is made of C13-16 Isoparaffin and Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides.

The aqueous phase contains Glycerin.

The color of the formula is modified with a dye (CI 42090).

One can name in a “gel-cream” depending on its aspect and its richness/freshness on skin. The level of oil in the Express Hydration Body Gel is certainly low (below 10%, according to the position of the oils in the ingredient list, below glycerin), resulting in a “light” texture. The gelified aspect is reinforced by the use of several thickening polymers. Among them, Pemulen (Sodium Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer) has a natural emulsifying power, classically used to stabilize emulsions, or to formulate emulsified gels.

Preservative System

The formula is protected against microbiological growth with Phenoxyethanol, Benzethonium Chloride and Methylisothiazolinone.

Active Ingredients

– Hydra IQ (Glyceryl Glucoside)

– Mint extract (Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract)

Nivea Express Hydration Hand Lotion

Formula Structure

O/W emulsion, emulsified with Glyceryl Stearate / PEG-40 Stearate, helped with Cetyl Alcohol, thickened and stabilized with Sodium Carbomer.

The oil phase is made of C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dimethicone, Isopropyl Stearate and Myristyl Myristate.

The aqueous phase contains Glycerin.

The formula contains a powder to improve penetration and skin feel : Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate.

Preservative System

The formula is protected against microbiological growth by Phenoxyethanol and Methylparaben.

Active Ingredients

– Hydra IQ (Glyceryl Glucoside)

– “Sea minerals”, i.e. Sea Salt (Maris Sal)

Active Ingredients / Claims

All three formulas are designed according to Nivea to provide long lasting hydration, with ultra fast absorption (“express”).

The body lotion is targeting normal to dry skins, while the gel targets all skin types.

Hydra IQ (Glyceryl Glucoside) is the star ingredient of this new Express Hydration range. After being introduced by Nivea for the renovation of Aqua Sensation franchise, it is now launched on body. It allows Nivea to have a scientific speech on its formula, claiming on pack a “stimulation of hydration chanels” and an improved “water circulation down to the deepest layers of epiderm”. An article will be available soon on Beiersdorf’s Glyceryl Glucoside, trademarked “Hydra IQ” for Nivea, but also “Gluco-Glycerol” for Eucerin.

Apart from this star ingredient, the body lotion and the hand lotion contain “sea minerals”, corresponding to the sea salt added to the formula (Maris Sal), without any interesting aspect except its marketing interest. The gel contains an mint extract, also interesting only for its evocation power of freshness.

Conclusion

Until now, Nivea had addressed every need of consumers in terms of body lotions, with a huge range of moisturizers, from formulas dedicated to very dry skins, to “Happy Time” formulas with energizing fragrance. There was finally another target to capture : consumer in need of fast absorbing while long-lasting moisturizing formulas. Nivea’s answer is Express Hydration range.

In terms of galenic technologies, Express Hydration formulas are simple and built for fast absorption :

– the body lotion contains alcohol at the forth position in the ingredient list. This ingredient increases freshness, and absorption speed due to its volatility. The first oil in the ingredient list is Isopropyl Palmitate, a light fatty ester favoring rapid penetration yet smooth afterfeel.
– the body gel must contain a low level of oil, since the first oil is positionned below glycerin in the ingredient list. And glycerin would not exceed 7 to 10% in the formula.
– the hand lotion contains a powder to improve penetration and absorption

As usual for Nivea, ingredient lists are short  and active ingredients are reduced to the bare necessities : two active ingredients per formula. One is the exclusive Hydra IQ, allowing Nivea to scientifically talk about moisturization. The other is there for marketing needs.

Ingredients

Nivea Express Hydration Body Lotion

Nivea Express Hydration Body Gel

Nivea Express Hydration Hand Lotion