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NIVEA vs SK-II

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

NIVEA and SK-II are established skincare brands offering distinct approaches to daily nourishment. The German brand, founded in 1911 and owned by Maxingvest GmbH & Co. KGaA since 2004, is known for its reliable sunscreens, targeted serums, and nourishing moisturizers formulated with glycerin, suiting dry and sensitive skin best through gentle, lasting comfort. Meanwhile, the Japanese brand, founded in 1980 and owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991, is adored for its luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, soothing masks, and refreshing toners anchored by pitera, suiting dry and combination skin best. While both brands feature standout solutions for acne-prone skin, dark spots, and mature skin, they differ in their signature ingredients, ownership, and origins.

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

beiersdorf.comen.wikipedia.org

SK-II is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.

en.wikipedia.orgdiscoversk-ii.wixsite.comglossy.co

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

Popular NIVEA vs SK-II products

People Say

NIVEASK-II
  • 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”
    • “Makes my face feel smooth and soft. — NIVEA Soft”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedMostly 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”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Radiance and Glow Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “gives a glass skin look — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “leaves me with a red carpet glow — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Skin looks brighter — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
  • Additional Skincare Benefits Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “packet is absolutely drenched — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “reducing the appearance of fine lines — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “Pump dispenser is convenient. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
    • “didn't burn once — NIVEA Protect & Moisture Sun Lotion SPF50+”
  • Cleansing and Blemish Control Often MentionedRarely 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”
    • “Dissolves waterproof mascara, melts stubborn makeup, removes sunscreen easily. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
  • Value for Money 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”
  • Value and Pricing Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Formula Changes and Weak Results Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “not super gritty — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
    • “HATE NEW FORUMULA... Leaves my skin dryer and does not provide with the same amount of moisture. — NIVEA Soft”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “No visible difference — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Scents and Fragrance Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Scent is too overpowering for sensitive noses — NIVEA Creme”
    • “Has a heavy, baby powder smell. — NIVEA Soft”
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “smells slightly like saliva — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Breakouts and Skin Reactions Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “caused tiny red bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Small bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “did break out some while adjusting — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “Clogged my pores and caused bad acne — NIVEA Creme”

NIVEA vs SK-II routines for dry skin

Buy SK-II routine · CA$783.50 · 93% fitBuy NIVEA routine · CA$163.12 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

NIVEA vs SK-II routines for oily skin

Buy SK-II routine · CA$1,101.33 · 91% fitBuy NIVEA routine · CA$298.37 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

NIVEA vs SK-II routines for combination skin

Buy SK-II routine · CA$1,065.33 · 93% fitBuy NIVEA routine · CA$265.46 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

NIVEA or SK-II: which is better?

Between NIVEA and SK-II, NIVEA does better for value for money and cleansing and blemish control, while SK-II does better for radiance and glow and additional skincare benefits. For the products on this page, NIVEA relies on glycerin, whereas SK-II features Pitera as its key ingredient.

What is the difference between NIVEA and SK-II?

NIVEA, founded in Germany in 1911, and SK-II, founded in Japan in 1980, are two distinct skincare brands featured in the products on this page. NIVEA excels in value for money and blemish-clearing serums, while SK-II features fragrance-free formulations and key ingredients like Pitera. Glycerin is a key ingredient across NIVEA products, helping to provide intense deep hydration.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

NIVEA or SK-II for dry skin?

For dry skin, both NIVEA and SK-II are great choices, with NIVEA offering High Lovi fit and SK-II offering Superior Lovi fit. Glycerin is a key ingredient across the NIVEA products on this page.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

NIVEA or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

SK-II offers Facial Treatment Essence and Skinpower Advanced Cream, while NIVEA offers Creme and Soft as moisturizers on the products on this page. Lovi rates the routine fit for dry skin as High for NIVEA and Superior for SK-II.

Which is more affordable, NIVEA or SK-II?

NIVEA is more affordable than SK-II, as reviewers on the products on this page frequently mention its better value for money.

Between NIVEA and SK-II, which brand offers fragrance-free products?

SK-II offers fragrance-free products on the products on this page, as every product lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas NIVEA has 3 of 9 products on this page listing no fragrance.

How do the founding years and corporate owners of NIVEA and SK-II compare?

NIVEA was founded in 1911 in Germany and has been owned by maxingvest GmbH & Co. KGaA since 2004, whereas SK-II was founded in 1980 in Japan and has been owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.

Which brand performs better for hydration and moisture according to review themes?

According to the review themes on this page, NIVEA performs better for hydration and moisture.

NIVEA or SK-II for oily skin?

For oily skin, SK-II achieves a Superior routine fit while NIVEA reaches a High fit level on this page. Reviewers note that SK-II delivers better radiance and glow as well as additional skincare benefits, whereas NIVEA offers better value for money and cleansing and blemish control.

NIVEA or SK-II for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, both NIVEA and SK-II achieve a high routine fit level on this page. Reviewers note that NIVEA offers intense deep hydration alongside a strong fragrance in some products, whereas SK-II lists no fragrance across its items.

NIVEA or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, SK-II achieves a Superior routine fit while NIVEA reaches a High fit on the products on this page.

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

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