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The Ordinary vs NIVEA

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

The Ordinary and NIVEA are established skincare brands offering distinct approaches to daily care through serums, moisturizers, cleansers, toners, and sunscreens. The Canadian brand specializes in science-led formulas utilizing hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane to suit sensitive and combination skin, while the German brand is known for reliable sunscreens and nourishing moisturizers built around hydrating glycerin to benefit oily and sensitive skin. These ranges differ primarily because the first targets specific concerns like acne, dark spots, and aging with active molecules, whereas the second focuses on gentle, barrier-respecting hydration and sun protection.

The Ordinary is a Canadian skincare brand founded in 2016 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 2021.

glossy.coen.wikipedia.org

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

beiersdorf.comen.wikipedia.org

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

Popular The Ordinary vs NIVEA products

People Say

The OrdinaryNIVEA
  • Great value and price Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “lasts forever — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
    • “can't beat the price — The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”
    • “extremely affordable — The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%”
    • “Works better than expensive luxury creams — NIVEA Creme”
  • Smooths skin texture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “glass skin effect — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
    • “skin feels baby butt smooth — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
    • “Makes my face feel smooth and soft. — NIVEA Soft”
    • “skin feels squeaky clean and soft — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
  • Clears acne and blemishes Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “pimples disappear within a day — The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”
    • “scars and hormonal acne faded — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
    • “cleared my complexion in 7 days — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
    • “doesn't leave skin dry or stretched — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
  • Hydration and plumping Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Smoothed out dry flaky scales on my cheeks overnight — NIVEA Creme”
    • “skin feels moisturized — NIVEA Protect & Moisture Sun Lotion SPF50+”
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Versatile body and multi-use application Rarely NotedOften 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”
    • “eliminated armpit odor — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
  • Lightweight absorption Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Sinks in immediately — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
    • “Absorbs quickly — The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA”
    • “It's lightweight on the skin and leaves a bit of subtle sheen. — NIVEA Soft”
  • Oily residue Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “sits on top of the skin and does not absorb — The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA”
    • “Leaves a shiny grease layer that doesn't go away — NIVEA Creme”
  • Unpleasant scent Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Smells like vinegar — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
    • “smell is unbearable — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
    • “has a slight chemical smell — The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA”
    • “Scent is too overpowering for sensitive noses — NIVEA Creme”
  • Causes breakouts Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “broke me out in cysts — The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%”
    • “broke me out in cysts — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
    • “gave me cystic acne — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
    • “Clogged my pores and caused bad acne — NIVEA Creme”

The Ordinary vs NIVEA routines for dry skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · AED 542.90 · 89% fitBuy NIVEA routine · AED 322.59 · 82% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

The Ordinary vs NIVEA routines for oily skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · AED 833.82 · 91% fitBuy NIVEA routine · AED 817.21 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

The Ordinary vs NIVEA routines for combination skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · AED 712.46 · 92% fitBuy NIVEA routine · AED 798.85 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or NIVEA: which is better?

The products on this page from The Ordinary provide better overall value and options for targeted concerns, while NIVEA offers richer hydration and versatile multi-use formulas.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and NIVEA?

The products on this page from The Ordinary fit sensitive, combination, and dark-spot skin best, while NIVEA fits oily, sensitive, and acne-prone skin best. Hyaluronic acid helps provide deep hydration in both brands' formulas.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or NIVEA for dry skin?

Both The Ordinary and NIVEA offer products on this page that have a high Lovi fit level for dry skin. Reviewers note that NIVEA provides intense deep hydration, while The Ordinary features fragrance-free formulas.

The Ordinary or NIVEA: which moisturizer is better?

When comparing moisturizers, the products on this page show that The Ordinary fits dry skin with a Superior level, while NIVEA fits dry skin with a High level.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or NIVEA?

The products on this page show that The Ordinary offers better value and price compared to NIVEA.

Which brand has a higher routine fit for mature skin, The Ordinary or NIVEA?

The Ordinary has a Superior routine fit for mature skin, whereas NIVEA has a High routine fit for mature skin.

Do any products from The Ordinary contain fragrance?

Every product on this page from The Ordinary lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Which brand performs better for hydration and plumping according to review themes?

According to the review themes on this page, NIVEA performs better for hydration and plumping.

The Ordinary or NIVEA for oily skin?

For oily skin, Lovi rates The Ordinary as Superior and NIVEA as High. The Ordinary features fragrance-free formulas with key ingredients like niacinamide and salicylic acid.

The Ordinary or NIVEA for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, both brands work well, but Lovi fit levels show that The Ordinary is Superior while NIVEA is High. The products on this page from The Ordinary list no fragrance, which helps avoid irritation.

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

How does it fit your skin?

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