Nivea · Skincare

Is Nivea Nivea Fungal Acne (Malassezia) Safe?

Q: Is Nivea Nivea Fungal Acne (Malassezia) safe?

Nivea Nivea received a verdict of "Fails safety standards" with a score of 2.5/10. 3 of 16 flagged (2 high-risk, 1 watchlist) — Score 2.5/10.

Q: Which ingredients were flagged in Nivea for Fungal Acne (Malassezia)?

The following ingredients were flagged: Isopropyl Palmitate (HIGH concern: C16 branched ester readily cleaved by extracellular fungal lipases.); Glyceryl Stearate (HIGH concern: Monoglyceride ester yielding free stearic acid upon lipase exposure, sustaining yeast colonies.); Cetearyl Alcohol (MODERATE concern: Fatty alcohol blend; not a direct lipid nutrient for yeasts, but placed on watchlist due to potential occlusive co-factor effects in severe folliculitis.).

High concern Standard: Fungal Acne (Malassezia)

Fails safety standards

3 of 16 flagged (2 high-risk, 1 watchlist) — Score 2.5/10

Cosmetiqly Score 2.5/10

Flagged ingredients & clinical citations (3)

The following ingredients in this formulation conflict with Fungal Acne (Malassezia) standards:

Isopropyl Palmitate HIGH Concern

C16 branched ester readily cleaved by extracellular fungal lipases.

Citation: Kligman AM, Mills OH Jr. "Acne cosmetica." Arch Dermatol. 1972;106(6):843-850.

Glyceryl Stearate HIGH Concern

Monoglyceride ester yielding free stearic acid upon lipase exposure, sustaining yeast colonies.

Citation: Mayser P, Grimmig D, Krämer HJ. Different utilization of neutral lipids by Malassezia furfur and Malassezia sympodialis. Med Mycol. 1998;36(6):395-402.

Cetearyl Alcohol MODERATE Concern

Fatty alcohol blend; not a direct lipid nutrient for yeasts, but placed on watchlist due to potential occlusive co-factor effects in severe folliculitis.

Citation: Rubenstein RM, Malerich SA. Malassezia (pityrosporum) folliculitis. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2014;7(3):37-41.

Complete INCI formulation (16 ingredients)

Deduplicated

#	Ingredient	Status for Fungal Acne (Malassezia)
1	Water	Pass
2	Glycerin	Pass
3	Cetearyl Alcohol	Flagged (MODERATE)
4	C15-19 Alkane	Pass
5	Isopropyl Palmitate	Flagged (HIGH)
6	Glyceryl Stearate SE	Pass
7	Glyceryl Stearate	Flagged (HIGH)
8	Petrolatum	Pass
9	Dimethicone	Pass
10	Panthenol	Pass
11	Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides	Pass
12	Fragrance	Pass
13	Carbomer	Pass
14	Sodium Hydroxide	Pass
15	Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate	Pass
16	Phenoxyethanol	Pass

Evaluated alternative Skincare options (10/10 Score)

The following formulations in this category have been individually evaluated and contain zero Fungal Acne (Malassezia) flags:

The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA Score: 10/10 · 0 Flags The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Score: 10/10 · 0 Flags The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane Score: 10/10 · 0 Flags

Other safety checks for Nivea

Pregnancy & Lactation 10.0/10 Non-Comedogenic 5.5/10 Silicone-Free 7.0/10 Fragrance-Free 7.0/10 Paraben-Free 10.0/10 Alcohol-Free 10.0/10 Vegan & Cruelty-Free 10.0/10 Rosacea & Eczema-Safe 7.0/10 Malassezia Yeast Free 7.0/10 Nut-Allergy Safe 10.0/10 Gluten-Free 10.0/10 Phthalate-Free 10.0/10

Data Provenance & Reviewer Information

Data Source: Open Beauty Facts · Barcode: 0072140002428 (Verify on Source)
Last Data Verification: 2026-11-13
Editorial Supervisor: Cosmetiqly Research Team, Editorial Team
Report an Error: If an ingredient list is inaccurate, submit a correction with product packaging proof (72-hour SLA).

Important Disclaimer: This review is an automated toxicological and dermatological screening for educational purposes. It is not medical or dermatological advice. Chemical safety depends on user skin condition and exact concentration. Always patch-test new products.