NIVEA vs Simple
NIVEA and Simple are two heritage drugstore lines recognized for comforting everyday care. NIVEA delivers reliable sunscreens, targeted serums, and nourishing moisturizers powered by glycerin, suiting dry and sensitive skin with gentle, lasting moisture. Meanwhile, Simple offers soothing makeup removers, dependable cleansers, refreshing toners, and gentle moisturizers formulated with niacinamide and glycerin to suit oily and mature skin. Both brands differ in their founding origins and primary ingredient combinations, yet each remains devoted to strengthening barrier function and skin hydration.
NIVEA is a German skincare brand founded in 1911 and owned by maxingvest GmbH & Co. KGaA since 2004.
beiersdorf.comen.wikipedia.org
Simple is a British skincare brand founded in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.
en.wikipedia.orgsec.govprnewswire.comsimple.co.uk
This page compares some of the most popular NIVEA and Simple products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular NIVEA vs Simple products
People Say
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”
- “Doesn't burn my eyes — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
- “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
Value and Affordability Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “Works better than expensive luxury creams — NIVEA Creme”
- “Best affordable vegan moisturizer. — NIVEA Soft”
- “great value for money — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
- “super affordable — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
Sensitivity and Gentle Formula Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “Does not cause any form of irritation on the skin which I love. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
- “The only cleanser that doesn't turn my face red. — Simple Micellar Water”
- “no artificial perfume — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
Fragrance and Scent Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “smells like holiday — NIVEA Protect & Moisture Sun Lotion SPF50+”
- “Smell brings me back to childhood — NIVEA Creme”
- “smells really nice — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
- “Love that it has absolutely no scent. — Simple Micellar Water”
Cleansing and Makeup Removal Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “Takes off any makeup residue and makes my face feel refreshed. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
- “Best morning cleanser — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
- “removes last traces of makeup — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
- “unclogs pores — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
Greasy or Sticky Residue Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “Feels slimy on skin — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
- “Still feeling a little bit of a film on my skin. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
- “leaves a tacky film — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
- “Leaves a shiny grease layer that doesn't go away — NIVEA Creme”
NIVEA vs Simple routines for dry skin
-
Cleanser
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$20.19
-
Hydrating Toner
Dear, Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner
Morning
CA$27.99
-
Moisturizer
Creme
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$15.98
-
SPF
d'Alba Piedmont Waterfull Mild Sunscreen
Morning
CA$38.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
CA$17.99
-
Serum or Treatment
Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub
Evening · Once a week
CA$12.98
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
CA$29.99
-
Cleanser
Refreshing Facial Wash
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$12.79
-
Hydrating Toner
Dear, Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner
Morning
CA$27.99
-
Moisturizer
Replenishing Rich Moisturiser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$13.40
-
SPF
d'Alba Piedmont Waterfull Mild Sunscreen
Morning
CA$38.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Micellar Cleansing Water
Evening · Once a week
CA$11.99
-
Serum or Treatment
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Poremizing Fresh Ampoule
Evening · Once a week
CA$22.09
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
CA$29.99
Buy NIVEA routine · CA$163.12 · 89% fit
Buy Simple routine · CA$156.25 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit
NIVEA vs Simple routines for oily skin
-
Cleanser
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$20.96
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
CA$37.60
-
Moisturizer
Soft
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$13.49
-
SPF
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 60
Morning
CA$35.95
-
Pre-Cleanser
Pyunkang Yul Deep Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
CA$23.99
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
CA$28.90
-
Serum or Treatment
Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub
Evening · Once a week
CA$12.98
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
CA$29.50
-
Cleansing Mask
Tatcha The Clarifying Clay Mask
Once a week
CA$95.00
-
Cleanser
Refreshing Facial Wash
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$12.79
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
CA$37.60
-
Moisturizer
Replenishing Rich Moisturiser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$13.40
-
SPF
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 60
Morning
CA$35.95
-
Pre-Cleanser
Micellar Cleansing Water
Evening · Once a week
CA$11.99
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
CA$28.90
-
Serum or Treatment
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Evening · Once a week
CA$6.60
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
CA$29.50
-
Cleansing Mask
Tatcha The Clarifying Clay Mask
Once a week
CA$95.00
Buy NIVEA routine · CA$298.37 · 88% fit
Buy Simple routine · CA$271.73 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
NIVEA vs Simple routines for combination skin
-
Cleanser
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$44.95
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
CA$37.60
-
Moisturizer
Soft
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$13.49
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
CA$20.96
-
Pre-Cleanser
Pyunkang Yul Deep Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
CA$23.99
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
CA$31.99
-
Serum or Treatment
Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub
Evening · Once a week
CA$12.98
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
CA$29.50
-
Cleansing Mask
Origins Original Skin Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay
Once a week
CA$50.00
-
Cleanser
Refreshing Facial Wash
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$12.79
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
CA$37.60
-
Moisturizer
Replenishing Rich Moisturiser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$13.40
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
CA$20.96
-
Pre-Cleanser
Micellar Cleansing Water
Evening · Once a week
CA$11.99
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
CA$31.99
-
Serum or Treatment
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Evening · Once a week
CA$6.60
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
CA$29.50
-
Cleansing Mask
Origins Original Skin Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay
Once a week
CA$50.00
Buy NIVEA routine · CA$265.46 · 88% fit
Buy Simple routine · CA$214.83 · 86% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Questions and answers
NIVEA or Simple: which is better?
What is the difference between NIVEA and Simple?
Simple offers fragrance-free products featuring niacinamide and glycerin, whereas NIVEA includes fragrance in most of its items and features glycerin as a key ingredient.
NIVEA or Simple for dry skin?
Both NIVEA and Simple achieve a High Lovi routine fit for dry skin. Reviewers note that the products on this page for NIVEA help provide intense deep hydration, while Simple offers lightweight, value-friendly moisturizers.
NIVEA or Simple: which moisturizer is better?
Both NIVEA and Simple offer moisturizers with a High routine fit for dry skin, though Simple products on this page list no fragrance while several NIVEA products do. NIVEA moisturizers provide intense deep hydration alongside occasional greasy residue, whereas Simple moisturizers are lightweight and value-friendly.
Which is more affordable, NIVEA or Simple?
Both NIVEA and Simple are equally affordable, as value and affordability are rated equal between the two brands.
Between NIVEA and Simple, which brand offers better fragrance options?
NIVEA does better for fragrance and scent on this page. Reviewers note that NIVEA offers a strong fragrance sometimes, while Simple lists no fragrance in every product on this page.
How do the founding years and corporate ownerships of NIVEA and Simple compare?
NIVEA was founded in Germany in 1911 and is owned by maxingvest GmbH & Co. KGaA, while Simple was founded in the United Kingdom in 1960 and is owned by Unilever PLC.
Which brand performs better for cleansing and makeup removal according to review themes?
Simple performs better for cleansing and makeup removal according to review themes.
NIVEA or Simple for oily skin?
Both NIVEA and Simple achieve a High routine fit level for oily skin according to Lovi. Simple offers fragrance-free products on this page, while NIVEA includes fragrance in most of its items here.
NIVEA or Simple for sensitive skin?
Both NIVEA and Simple achieve a High Lovi fit for sensitive skin, with Simple doing better for sensitivity and gentle formulas while NIVEA offers fragrance-free options in only some of its products on this page.
NIVEA or Simple for acne-prone skin?
Both NIVEA and Simple achieve a High routine fit for acne-prone skin on this page. The products on this page help deliver blemish-clearing and soothing benefits.
Research behind their key ingredients
Apigenin inhibits UVA-induced cytotoxicity in vitro and prevents signs of skin aging in vivo
Effects of glyceryl glucoside on AQP3 expression, barrier function and hydration of human skin
Exotic Vegetable Oils for Cosmetic O/W Nanoemulsions: In Vivo Evaluation
In vivo and in vitro evaluation of octyl methoxycinnamate liposomes
Borage Oil Treated with Immobilized Lipase Inhibits Melanogenesis
Comparison of methods for assessing photoprotection against ultraviolet A in vivo
Retrospective Review of Dermal Safety Studies of Organic Sunscreens
Saccharide isomerate ameliorates cosmetic scalp conditions in a Chinese study population
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.
-

Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-

Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-

Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-

Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-

Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-

Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-

Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-

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.

















































