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NIVEA vs Hada Labo

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes · How the Fit score works

NIVEA and Hada Labo are heritage and contemporary skincare lines celebrated for distinct approaches to daily hydration. The German brand is known for reliable sunscreens, targeted serums, and nourishing moisturizers formulated with glycerin, suiting oily and sensitive skin best. Meanwhile, the Japanese brand is beloved for nurturing toners, gentle makeup removers, and deeply nourishing moisturizers crafted from advanced formulas that suit dry and dry sensitive skin best. While both offer gentle care that respects delicate skin barriers, they differ primarily in their core moisture-binding properties and regional traditions.

NIVEA is a German skincare brand founded in 1911 and owned by maxingvest GmbH & Co. KGaA since 2004.

beiersdorf.comen.wikipedia.org

Hada Labo is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 2004 and owned by Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd..

en.wikipedia.orghadalabosa.co.zahadalabotokyo.pl

This page compares some of the most popular NIVEA and Hada Labo products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular NIVEA vs Hada Labo products

People Say

NIVEAHada Labo
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Smoothed out dry flaky scales on my cheeks overnight — NIVEA Creme”
    • “It's lightweight on the skin and leaves a bit of subtle sheen. — NIVEA Soft”
    • “skin drinks it up — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “Plumps fine lines — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
  • Scent and Fragrance Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like holiday — NIVEA Protect & Moisture Sun Lotion SPF50+”
    • “Smell brings me back to childhood — NIVEA Creme”
    • “never stings my sensitive skin — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “no scent or smell — Hada Labo Gokujyun Cleansing Oil”
  • Value and Price Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Works better than expensive luxury creams — NIVEA Creme”
    • “Best affordable vegan moisturizer. — NIVEA Soft”
    • “absolute steal for the price — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
    • “bottle lasts forever — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
  • Skin Smoothing and Blemish Reduction Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “cleared my complexion in 7 days — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
    • “skin feels squeaky clean and soft — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
    • “unclogs pores — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
    • “faded considerably — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
  • Versatility and Multi-Use Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Use it on face, body, hands, and feet — NIVEA Creme”
    • “Applying is easy, you can use on your face, hands, and body. — NIVEA Soft”
    • “mixes well with oils — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “Mixes with oils — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
  • Texture and Absorption Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “Thick serum-like — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
    • “absorbs super quickly — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
  • Texture and Consistency Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Leaves a shiny grease layer that doesn't go away — NIVEA Creme”
    • “Consistency is like a thick paste or sunblock — NIVEA Creme”
    • “Tacky residue — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
    • “Texture Sticky, sticky, sticky! If you have sensory issues, beware. — Hada Labo Gokujyun Perfect Gel”
  • Breakouts and Acne Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Clogged my pores and caused bad acne — NIVEA Creme”
    • “I noticed some acne breakouts on my chin after using this crème for a while. — NIVEA Soft”
    • “gave me tiny bumps — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “Closed comedones — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
  • Formula Changes and Consistency Issues Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “dried me out in winter — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “balls up under sunscreen — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “Prefer old version — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
    • “not super gritty — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”

NIVEA vs Hada Labo routines for dry skin

Buy Hada Labo routine · AED 682.62 · 96% fitBuy NIVEA routine · AED 322.59 · 82% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

NIVEA vs Hada Labo routines for oily skin

Buy Hada Labo routine · AED 996.78 · 92% fitBuy NIVEA routine · AED 817.21 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

NIVEA vs Hada Labo routines for combination skin

Buy Hada Labo routine · AED 790.71 · 91% fitBuy NIVEA routine · AED 798.85 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

NIVEA or Hada Labo: which is better?

Both brands offer strong options depending on your preference, with NIVEA featuring glycerin across its products and Hada Labo focusing on hyaluronic acid. Hada Labo provides entirely fragrance-free formulations, whereas some NIVEA products contain added fragrance.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

What is the difference between NIVEA and Hada Labo?

NIVEA, founded in Germany in 1911, and Hada Labo, founded in Japan in 2004, differ in their key ingredients, with NIVEA featuring glycerin and Hada Labo focusing on hyaluronic acid. Reviewers note that Hada Labo offers gentle and fragrance-free formulations, whereas NIVEA's products on this page frequently include fragrance.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

NIVEA or Hada Labo for dry skin?

For dry skin, Hada Labo achieves a Superior Lovi fit level across its key products on this page, while NIVEA offers a High Lovi fit level. Glycerin helps moisturize dry skin, and hyaluronic acid helps improve skin hydration and barrier function.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

NIVEA or Hada Labo: which moisturizer is better?

Hada Labo is a great choice for moisturization, as its Gokujyun Perfect Gel helps provide dry skin with a High Lovi fit level. NIVEA Creme also provides a High Lovi fit level for dry skin, though some reviewers note that NIVEA products may sometimes leave a greasy residue.

Which is more affordable, NIVEA or Hada Labo?

NIVEA is more affordable, as it wins on value and price according to the reviewers on this page.

How do the founding years and parent companies of NIVEA and Hada Labo compare?

NIVEA was founded in 1911 in Germany and is owned by maxingvest GmbH & Co. KGaA, whereas Hada Labo was founded in 2004 in Japan and is owned by Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Which brand performs better for texture and absorption according to reviewer themes?

Hada Labo performs better for texture and absorption according to reviewer themes.

How do the fragrance profiles differ between NIVEA and Hada Labo products on this page?

Hada Labo products on this page list no fragrance in their ingredients, whereas 3 of 9 NIVEA products list no fragrance and the rest contain it.

NIVEA or Hada Labo for oily skin?

For oily skin, Lovi rates both NIVEA and Hada Labo as having a Superior routine fit. NIVEA features blemish-clearing serums on this page, while every Hada Labo product on this page lists no fragrance.

NIVEA or Hada Labo for sensitive skin?

Both NIVEA and Hada Labo fit sensitive skin well. Lovi rates the routine fit for sensitive skin as High for NIVEA and Superior for Hada Labo.

NIVEA or Hada Labo for acne-prone skin?

Both brands fit acne-prone skin well, with NIVEA achieving a High Lovi fit level for specific blemish-clearing products like its DERMA SKIN CLEAR serum and Hada Labo reaching a High Lovi fit level for toners such as the Gokujyun Lotion. NIVEA features blemish-clearing serums, while Hada Labo offers gentle, fragrance-free formulations.

Research behind their key ingredients

Behind this comparison

Lovi compares products by their fit scores, calculated from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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