Nivea Cream Lotion: Chemical Content, Environmental Effects and Health Hazards

Local and Global Health 1
LOCAL AND GLOBAL HEALTH
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Local and Global Health 2
Introduction
The global chemical industry plays a significant part in the world economy by increasing
the comprehensive income with more than 9% and reduces the level of poverty. However, lack
of proper chemical control poses a challenge to the environment. Some chemicals may last for
many years when exposed to the setting for an extended period which later causes health
disorders such as chronic diseases. They cause global warming once they accumulate in the
atmosphere. Personal care products such as shampoo, lotions, and cosmetics have adverse effects
on the environment and other ecosystems (Calafat, Valentin-Blasini and Ye, 2015 p. 348).
Personal care chemicals are associated with health risks such as skin cancer, autism, and ADHD.
Nivea Cream Lotion
Nivea is a German brand that specializes in personal care and cosmetic products. The
company was founded in 1882 by Homburg Company as water-oil emulsifier cream. The oil
cream is used by millions of people worldwide being able to meet customer’s requirement in
skincare protection. Nivea has a moisturizing effect to the skin, adding protection against dryness
which provides a long-lasting shine to one’s skin. Nivea varieties are, Nivea-In – shower body
lotion, Nivea Lip Balm, Nivea body wash, and Nivea Cellulite Cream (Maple Holistics, 2019).
Nivea In-shower body lotion is applied in the showers or after a shower, leaving the body soft in
soft moisturized with a greasy feeling. Nivea Lip balm is used to treat damaged lips to soften the
lips. Nivea body wash is detergent like –soap that is used for showers. Nivea Cellulite cream is
used to deflate dimples that may be available on the skin.
Chemical Content

Local and Global Health 3
Nivea is made up of various chemical ingredients that hasten its efficiency. Nivea consists of
Anti-Wrinkle moisturizer with Nano titanium dioxide particles of 100nm, which is added to the
cosmetic to prevent wrinkles to the skin. It also protects the skin against ultraviolet light (UV
light). It has elementary properties that allow it to be thicker and brighter, hence used for sun
screening in cosmetic industries (Pulvin, 2015 p. 3). Methylparaben is an ingredient of Nivea
cosmetics, used as a preservative to prevent microbial alteration, consequently protecting the
final consumer against fungal infections.
Additionally, Methylparaben has efficiency absorption to the skin, therefore regarded as non-
irritating compound (Mincea et al., 2009 p. 669). Methylparaben is non-toxic; hence, it used to
preserve food. Fragrance chemical, also known as perfume, is added in Nivea products to give
good redolence. The wonderful smell contributes to consumer's self-esteem and individuality.
Environmental Effects
Nivea may cause adverse effects to one's health and environment at large. The titanium
dioxide chemical used to make Nivea has adverse effects when absorbed by the plants. Nano
titanium particles affect soil microbes which are associated with the rhizosphere that supports root
development (Burke et al., 2015 p. 23630) When titanium is absorbed directly by plants; they
have a negative effect in that it inhabits root plant germination, photosynthetic usage and
inducing general toxicity to plants. Titanium dioxide produces reactive oxygen species when
exposed to the environment damages cell structures and DNA (Cox et al., 2016 p. 147). The
reason because the titanium dioxide is highly carcinogenic and genotoxic.
Methylparaben chemical used in cosmetics causes less environmental hazards. The
methylparaben is 100% biodegradable and can be removed from the environment through