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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 established skincare brands offering distinct approaches to daily care. Clinique features moisturizers, serums, makeup removers, and eye products with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and caffeine, while the German brand provides reliable sunscreens, targeted serums, and nourishing moisturizers formulated with glycerin. The American brand suits dry sensitive skin and oily skin best, whereas both suit dry skin, and the latter brand suits sensitive skin best. The two differ as the American line incorporates multiple active ingredients for various specific concerns, while the other relies on glycerin for gentle, lasting comfort.

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 · CA$163.12 · 89% fitBuy Clinique routine · CA$469.99 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Clinique vs NIVEA routines for oily skin

Buy NIVEA routine · CA$298.37 · 88% fitBuy Clinique routine · CA$386.05 · 78% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Clinique vs NIVEA routines for combination skin

Buy NIVEA routine · CA$265.46 · 88% fitBuy Clinique routine · CA$322.06 · 75% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Clinique or NIVEA: which is better?

Clinique is better for fragrance-free formulas, sensitive skin, and lightweight hydration, while NIVEA offers greater affordability and blemish-clearing options for dry skin. Reviewers note that Clinique excels in gentle cleansers and makeup bases, whereas NIVEA provides versatile multi-use moisturizers.

What is the difference between Clinique and NIVEA?

Clinique is known for fragrance-free products with high fit levels for dry sensitive, oily, and sensitive skin, while NIVEA offers affordable options with high fit levels for dry, sensitive, and mature skin. Reviewers note that Clinique excels in lightweight moisturizers and gentle cleansers, whereas NIVEA is praised for blemish-clearing serums and deep hydration.

Clinique or NIVEA for dry skin?

For dry skin, NIVEA offers a High routine fit compared to Clinique's Average fit. Reviewers note that NIVEA provides intense deep hydration, while every Clinique product on this page lists no fragrance.

Clinique or NIVEA: which moisturizer is better?

Clinique is better for lightweight, fragrance-free hydration, whereas NIVEA offers greater value and deep moisture. Reviewers note that Clinique provides hydrating and fast-absorbing moisturizers, while NIVEA is recognized for versatile multi-use moisturizers and intense deep hydration.

Which is more affordable, Clinique or NIVEA?

NIVEA is more affordable than Clinique, as reviewers note Clinique has a high price point while NIVEA offers great value and affordability.

Which brand has products with no fragrance, Clinique or NIVEA?

Clinique is the brand where every product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas NIVEA only features no fragrance in 3 of its 9 products.

Clinique or NIVEA for oily skin?

Both Clinique and NIVEA are a High fit for oily skin. Reviewers often mention NIVEA for intense deep hydration, while Clinique is noted for oil-controlling and smoothing moisturizers.

Clinique or NIVEA for sensitive skin?

Clinique features no fragrance across the products on this page and is noted for gentle formulas, while NIVEA offers greater affordability and intense hydration. Lovi rates the routine fit for sensitive skin as High for both brands.

Clinique or NIVEA for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, NIVEA offers a High routine fit on the products on this page, whereas Clinique is rated Average. NIVEA features blemish-clearing serums that reviewers often note, while every Clinique product on this page lists no fragrance.

Clinique or NIVEA for mature skin?

Both Clinique and NIVEA offer great options for mature skin, achieving an equal High routine fit level on the products on this page. Clinique features fragrance-free formulas with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and caffeine, whereas NIVEA provides versatile moisturizers and serums that reviewers praise for deep hydration and smoother skin texture.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2013

Clinique or NIVEA for skin with dark spots?

For skin with dark spots, NIVEA offers a High routine fit on this page, while Clinique reaches an Average fit level. Both brands provide specialized serums and treatments, but NIVEA is rated better overall for this concern.

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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