Personal Care Product: Nivea Lotion

It is no doubt that lotion is an essential personal care product that I use every day. It is primarily
used for moisturizing and hydrating the skin. It is applied topically to the body, typically on areas
such as hands, arms, legs, and face, to relieve dryness and maintain the skin's softness and
smoothness. It helps to replenish moisture, soothe irritation, and improve the overall texture and
appearance of the skin. Given that lotion has many components such as water and emollients
like oil in it, it makes my skin softer and moisturized especially on a hot day. Lotions may also
have fragrances for pleasant scents, antioxidants for skin protection, and soothing ingredients
like shea butter and panthenol. Aside from these components, features of Nivea lotion that
make me want to buy it are its long-lasting effect, where it keeps me moisturized from morning
up until evening; its brand reputation given that it is one of the trusted lotion brands in the
market; and its absorption and non-greasiness where it absorbs in my skin quickly without the
feeling of greasy.

In Module 2, we discussed different kinds of elements that sum up various compounds which
can be found almost everywhere around us. The hydration and moisturization of the products
are due to the presence of the combination of the elements in the periodic table like oxygen,
carbon, and hydrogen. It also includes trace elements such as zinc, copper, and manganese,
which can function as antioxidants, preservatives, or cofactors in enzymatic reactions. These
trace elements contribute to the stability, shelf life, and overall efficacy of the lotion.

Every product that we use in our daily lives possesses important elements that came from our
environment. I have found in this activity that in order to form a product, necessary
precautionary measures are needed such as to make sure that every ingredient to be utilized is
safe and effective. From a personal view, I believe that knowing the components that make up
the products can be useful in knowing the safety of the products and becoming aware if we
could share these products with other people. From an environmental point of view,
understanding the components of personal care products is crucial to identify potential
pollutants, choosing eco-friendly options, and advocating for stricter regulations to minimize
environmental harm.

Shah, S. a. A., Hussain, T., Khan, I. U., Asghar, S., & Shahzad, Y. (2013). Formulation study of
topically applied lotion: in vitro and in vivo evaluation. DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access
Journals). https://doi.org/10.5681/bi.2013.006