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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-inspired skincare labels known for delivering gentle, lasting comfort across diverse complexions. The German creator relies on glycerin to nourish dry and sensitive skin through trusted moisturizers, sunscreens, and targeted serums, while the Japanese house features thoughtfully crafted toners, makeup removers, and hydrating moisturizers suited for dry, sensitive, oily, and combination skin types. While both brands center their philosophy on deeply soothing formulations, they diverge in their regional origins, corporate ownership histories, and core ingredient approaches.

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”

Questions and answers

NIVEA or Hada Labo: which is better?

NIVEA and Hada Labo both offer great options depending on your skincare goals, with NIVEA performing better for value, skin smoothing, and blemish reduction while Hada Labo excels in texture and absorption. Glycerin is a key ingredient in NIVEA products that helps hydrate the skin, and hyaluronic acid is a key ingredient in Hada Labo products that helps improve skin quality.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between NIVEA and Hada Labo?

NIVEA and Hada Labo differ in their key ingredients, with NIVEA featuring Glycerin and Hada Labo focusing on Hyaluronic acid. Additionally, the products on this page show that Hada Labo provides entirely fragrance-free formulations, whereas NIVEA includes fragrance in several of its items.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

NIVEA or Hada Labo: which moisturizer is better?

When comparing moisturizers, both NIVEA and Hada Labo offer options with solid ratings depending on your skin type. For instance, NIVEA Creme has a High Lovi fit for dry and dry sensitive skin, while Hada Labo Gokujyun Perfect Gel achieves a High fit for dry and dry sensitive skin.

Which is more affordable, NIVEA or Hada Labo?

NIVEA is more affordable, as reviewers on the page find its products offer better value and price compared to Hada Labo.

Which causes fewer breakouts, NIVEA or Hada Labo?

Both NIVEA and Hada Labo perform equally regarding breakouts and acne according to reviewers on this page.

How do the founding years and countries of origin compare between NIVEA and Hada Labo?

NIVEA was founded earlier in 1911 in Germany, whereas Hada Labo was founded later in 2004 in Japan.

Which brand has more fragrance-free options among their listed products, NIVEA or Hada Labo?

Hada Labo has more fragrance-free options among their listed products, as every product on their page lists no fragrance, whereas NIVEA has 3 of 9 products on this page listing no fragrance.

What are the main key ingredients featured across products for NIVEA versus Hada Labo?

NIVEA features Glycerin as a key ingredient across its products, helping provide moisture, while Hada Labo features Hyaluronic acid, which helps hydrate the skin.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

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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