🇦🇺Australia

NIVEA vs Elemis

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

NIVEA and Elemis are established European skincare lines recognized for distinctly different formulations and heritages. NIVEA, the German brand founded in 1911, offers versatile sunscreens, targeted serums, and nourishing moisturizers with glycerin, suiting sensitive and oily skin best through lightweight hydration. Conversely, Elemis, the British line founded in 1989, is celebrated for cleansers, toners, serums, and rich moisturizers blending glycerin and shea, which suit dry and mature skin through deeply restorative qualities. Both brands utilize key ingredients to improve barrier function, yet they differ in their heritage, ownership, specific standout products, and ideal skin types.

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

beiersdorf.comen.wikipedia.org

Elemis is a British skincare brand founded in 1989 and owned by L'Occitane Group since 2019.

elemis.comau.elemis.comen.wikipedia.org

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

Popular NIVEA vs Elemis products

People Say

NIVEAElemis
  • Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “It's lightweight on the skin and leaves a bit of subtle sheen. — NIVEA Soft”
    • “Makes my face feel smooth and soft. — NIVEA Soft”
    • “Absorbs almost immediately, and my skin feels well hydrated all day. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
  • Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “The cream really hydrates and my face looks amazing. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
    • “Quenches thirsty skin... immediate improvement. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “Smoothed out dry flaky scales on my cheeks overnight — NIVEA Creme”
  • Fragrance and Scent Praise Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like holiday — NIVEA Protect & Moisture Sun Lotion SPF50+”
    • “Smell brings me back to childhood — NIVEA Creme”
    • “smells like a spa — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “smells like a holiday — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
  • Exfoliation and Blemish Reduction Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “cleared my complexion in 7 days — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
    • “unclogs pores — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
    • “reduces blackheads — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
    • “non-stripping formula — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
  • Gentle Care Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “doesn't dry out skin — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
    • “doesn't leave skin dry or stretched — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
    • “no stinging or redness — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “Feels incredibly gentle and instantly rebalances my skin's pH. — Elemis Balancing Lavender Toner”
  • Value and Affordability Often MentionedNot noted
    • “Works better than expensive luxury creams — NIVEA Creme”
    • “Best affordable vegan moisturizer. — NIVEA Soft”
    • “absolute steal for the price — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
  • Product Ineffectiveness or Minor Issues Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “didn't see a difference — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “tends to flake off — Elemis Pro-Collagen Eye Revive Mask”
    • “It peels horribly no matter how I apply it. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “not super gritty — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
  • Value and Pricing Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “Complete waste of money for me. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Fragrance and Scent Complaints Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Scent is too overpowering for sensitive noses — NIVEA Creme”
    • “Has a heavy, baby powder smell. — NIVEA Soft”
    • “smell is too strong — NIVEA Protect & Moisture Sun Lotion SPF50+”
    • “The smell is very strong... could not handle for long. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”

NIVEA vs Elemis routines for dry skin

Buy Elemis routine · A$549.28 · 91% fitBuy NIVEA routine · A$176.64 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

NIVEA vs Elemis routines for oily skin

Buy NIVEA routine · A$394.61 · 87% fitBuy Elemis routine · A$653.08 · 80% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

NIVEA vs Elemis routines for combination skin

Buy NIVEA routine · A$366.08 · 86% fitBuy Elemis routine · A$720.04 · 82% fitSee multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

NIVEA or Elemis: which is better?

Elemis is better for dry and mature skin with a Superior routine fit, while NIVEA offers better value and exfoliation and blemish-clearing products on this page.

What is the difference between NIVEA and Elemis?

Elemis is a UK-founded brand owned by L'Occitane Group that focuses best on dry and mature skin, while NIVEA is a German-founded brand owned by maxingvest GmbH & Co. KGaA that fits best for sensitive, oily, and acne-prone skin. Lovi finds that Elemis has a Superior routine fit for dry and mature skin, whereas NIVEA offers better value and affordability with strong blemish-clearing serums.

NIVEA or Elemis for dry skin?

For dry skin, both brands work well, but Elemis has a Superior routine fit compared to NIVEA's High fit level. Elemis features highly rated hydrating moisturizers like the Pro-Collagen Marine Cream, while NIVEA offers versatile options like Creme.

NIVEA or Elemis: which moisturizer is better?

Elemis is better for hydration and moisture, featuring products like Pro-Collagen Marine Cream which achieves a superior fit level for mature skin. NIVEA offers versatile multi-use moisturizers with a high fit for various skin types at a more affordable price point.

Which is more affordable, NIVEA or Elemis?

NIVEA is more affordable than Elemis, as reviewers frequently note Elemis for its high price point. Lovi notes NIVEA as doing better for value and affordability compared to Elemis.

Between NIVEA and Elemis, which brand is better suited for mature skin?

Both NIVEA and Elemis have a High fit for mature skin, but Elemis reaches a Superior level for this skin type because its products on this page include specialized options like the Pro-Collagen Marine Cream.

Which brand offers better exfoliation and blemish reduction according to review themes?

NIVEA does better with exfoliation and blemish reduction according to review themes. Reviewers mention blemish-clearing serums and smoother skin texture serums as mostly mentioned benefits for the brand.

How do the founding years and corporate ownership of NIVEA and Elemis compare?

NIVEA was founded in 1911 in Germany and has been owned by maxingvest GmbH & Co. KGaA since 2004, whereas Elemis was founded in 1989 in the United Kingdom and is owned by the L'Occitane Group since 2019.

NIVEA or Elemis for oily skin?

Both NIVEA and Elemis fit oily skin well, with Lovi giving each brand a High fit level for this skin type. NIVEA features blemish-clearing serums and sunscreens like UV Deep Protect & Care Gel that help manage oily skin, while Elemis offers products like Balancing Lavender Toner and Pro-Collagen Eye Revive Mask.

NIVEA or Elemis for sensitive skin?

Both NIVEA and Elemis have a High routine fit for sensitive skin. NIVEA offers fragrance-free options as 3 of 9 products on this page list no fragrance, whereas Elemis has 4 of 22 products without fragrance.

NIVEA or Elemis for acne-prone skin?

Both NIVEA and Elemis help with acne-prone skin, as the products on this page achieve a High fit level for this skin type. NIVEA features blemish-clearing serums and a routine fit that is well suited for acne-prone care.

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?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play