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Clinique vs NIVEA

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

Clinique and NIVEA are distinguished skincare labels that offer targeted daily care for diverse complexions. The American brand is loved for its moisturizers, serums, makeup removers, and eye products utilizing hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and caffeine, making it suit sensitive and dry skin best. Conversely, the German brand is deeply loved for its versatile sunscreens, targeted serums, and nourishing moisturizers thoughtfully formulated with glycerin, suiting sensitive and oily skin best. While both cater well to sensitive skin, they differ through distinct formulations and regional heritages.

Clinique is an American skincare brand founded in 1968 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc..

en.wikipedia.orgelcompanies.combusinesswire.comglossy.co

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 Clinique and NIVEA products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Clinique vs NIVEA products

People Say

CliniqueNIVEA
  • Sensitive Skin and Gentle Formulas Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “never irritated my eyes — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “No strong scent — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “No stinging eyes — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “doesn't dry out skin — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
  • Effective Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Keeps my dry patches at bay all day — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “skin feels soft and smooth — Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask”
    • “Smoothed out dry flaky scales on my cheeks overnight — NIVEA Creme”
    • “skin feels moisturized — NIVEA Protect & Moisture Sun Lotion SPF50+”
  • Lightweight and Fast Absorbing Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “sinks in immediately — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “sinks in instantly — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
    • “Absorbs quickly without feeling sticky — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “It's lightweight on the skin and leaves a bit of subtle sheen. — NIVEA Soft”
  • Skin Exfoliation and Texture Smoothing Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “skin feels silky smooth — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
    • “gentle enough for everyday — Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula”
    • “skin feels squeaky clean and soft — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
    • “skin feels smooth — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
  • Great Value and Affordability Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “Works better than expensive luxury creams — NIVEA Creme”
    • “Best affordable vegan moisturizer. — NIVEA Soft”
    • “absolute steal for the price — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
  • Makeup Compatibility and Base Often MentionedNot noted
    • “Melts waterproof mascara — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “foundation glides on — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “holds concealer in place — Clinique All About Eyes”
  • Sticky and Greasy Finish Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “hard to rinse off — Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula”
    • “feels sticky to the touch — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “Left an oily film on my T-zone — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “Leaves a shiny grease layer that doesn't go away — NIVEA Creme”
  • Causes Breakouts and Acne Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Woke up with whiteheads on my chin — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “gave me tiny bumps — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “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”
  • High Price and Value Complaints Often MentionedNot noted
    • “jar is too small for the cost — Clinique moisture surge”
  • Unpleasant or Strong Scent Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Smells like nail polish remover — Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2”
    • “Smells like old oil — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “Scent is too overpowering for sensitive noses — NIVEA Creme”
    • “Has a heavy, baby powder smell. — NIVEA Soft”

Clinique vs NIVEA routines for dry skin

Buy NIVEA routine · A$176.64 · 83% fitBuy Clinique routine · A$365.39 · 75% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Clinique vs NIVEA routines for oily skin

Buy NIVEA routine · A$394.61 · 87% fitBuy Clinique routine · A$490.43 · 75% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Clinique vs NIVEA routines for combination skin

Buy NIVEA routine · A$366.08 · 86% fitBuy Clinique routine · A$469.78 · 72% fitSee multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Clinique or NIVEA: which is better?

Clinique is better for sensitive skin and lightweight hydration because every product on this page lists no fragrance, whereas NIVEA offers better value and affordability.

What is the difference between Clinique and NIVEA?

Clinique and NIVEA offer equally high routine fits for dry, oily, sensitive, and dry sensitive skin, but NIVEA provides a higher routine fit for combination and acne-prone skin on these pages. Reviewers note that Clinique offers lightweight moisturizers and fragrance-free formulas, whereas NIVEA offers greater affordability and blemish-clearing serums.

Clinique or NIVEA for dry skin?

Both Clinique and NIVEA offer a High routine fit for dry skin with their products on this page. Hyaluronic acid helps improve skin hydration and moisture.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Drug Delivery, 2017

Clinique or NIVEA: which moisturizer is better?

Both Clinique and NIVEA offer moisturizers with a High routine fit for dry and oily skin types on these pages, but Clinique provides fragrance-free options across all its products. NIVEA delivers great value and affordability, whereas Clinique is often noted for higher price points.

Which is more affordable, Clinique or NIVEA?

NIVEA is more affordable, offering great value compared to Clinique, which reviewers often note has a high price point among the products on this page.

Clinique or NIVEA for oily skin?

Both Clinique and NIVEA offer high routine fit levels for oily skin, but they differ in formulation. The products on this page for Clinique are fragrance-free and feature key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, whereas NIVEA provides a wider variety of specialized oil-controlling and blemish-clearing options.

Clinique or NIVEA for sensitive skin?

Both Clinique and NIVEA offer a High fit for sensitive skin on this page. Clinique stands out for having no fragrance in any of its products.

Clinique or NIVEA for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, NIVEA offers a High routine fit level, while Clinique provides an Average fit level. Reviewers on this page mention blemish-clearing serums as a strong point for NIVEA.

Clinique or NIVEA for combination skin?

NIVEA is a better fit for combination skin, offering a High routine fit level compared to Clinique's Average level on this page. NIVEA products on this page also help provide intense deep hydration, though some may leave a greasy and oily residue.

Clinique or NIVEA for mature skin?

Both Clinique and NIVEA offer good options, with NIVEA achieving a High fit level for mature skin across the products on this page compared to Clinique's Average fit. NIVEA provides versatile multi-use moisturizers and blemish-clearing serums, while Clinique features fragrance-free formulas.

Clinique or NIVEA for skin with dark spots?

Both Clinique and NIVEA provide a High fit for skin with dark spots among the products on this page. Reviewers note that Clinique offers hydrating moisturizers without fragrance, while NIVEA provides effective blemish-clearing serums.

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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