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Kiehl's vs NIVEA

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

Kiehl's and NIVEA are enduring skincare brands founded in America and Germany respectively, with the former known for dependable moisturizers, serums, toners, and eye products incorporating glycerin and squalane, while the latter is deeply loved for reliable sunscreens, targeted serums, and nourishing moisturizers formulated with glycerin. Kiehl's suits mature skin and skin with dark spots best, whereas the German brand suits oily skin and sensitive skin best through gentle care. These brands differ in their formulations and primary benefits, as glycerin significantly increases hydration and restores epidermal barrier function for both, while squalane uniquely counteracts oxidative stress and stimulates fibroblast migration in the American products.

Kiehl's is an American skincare brand founded in 1851 and owned by L'Oréal S.A. since 2000.

loreal.comen.wikipedia.org

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 Kiehl's and NIVEA products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Kiehl's vs NIVEA products

People Say

Kiehl'sNIVEA
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Keeps skin moisturized for 24+ hours — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
    • “Feels like a drink of water — Kiehl's Hydro-Plumping Serum Concentrate”
    • “Smoothed out dry flaky scales on my cheeks overnight — NIVEA Creme”
    • “skin feels moisturized — NIVEA Protect & Moisture Sun Lotion SPF50+”
  • Skin Barrier and Texture Improvement Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Makes my face feel smooth and soft. — NIVEA Soft”
    • “skin feels squeaky clean and soft — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
    • “skin feels smooth — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
    • “leaves skin feeling silky — Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate”
  • Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “feels like nothing — Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum”
    • “absorbs instantly without residue — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream”
    • “Absorbs quickly — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
    • “It's lightweight on the skin and leaves a bit of subtle sheen. — NIVEA Soft”
  • Relaxing and Classic Scents Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “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”
    • “calming lavender smell — Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate”
  • Gentleness and Sensitivity Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “experienced zero irritation — Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum”
    • “fragrance-free — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
    • “doesn't irritate sensitive eyes — Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado”
    • “doesn't dry out skin — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
  • Value for Money 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”
  • High Price Point Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “pricy daily staple — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
  • Greasiness and Heavy Residue Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “oil slick in summer — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
    • “too radiant for oily skin — Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum”
    • “didn't absorb well — Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate”
    • “Leaves a shiny grease layer that doesn't go away — NIVEA Creme”
  • Breakouts and Acne Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “caused cystic acne — Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate”
    • “cystic acne for some — Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream”
    • “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”

Kiehl's vs NIVEA routines for dry skin

Buy Kiehl's routine · $382.00 · 82% fitBuy NIVEA routine · $119.46 · 82% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Kiehl's vs NIVEA routines for oily skin

Buy NIVEA routine · $297.86 · 88% fitBuy Kiehl's routine · $343.42 · 80% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Kiehl's vs NIVEA routines for combination skin

Buy NIVEA routine · $289.45 · 87% fitBuy Kiehl's routine · $339.90 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

Kiehl's or NIVEA: which is better?

Both Kiehl's and NIVEA offer high routine fit levels across most skin types on this page, with Kiehl's favored for gentleness and sensitivity, while NIVEA provides better value for money and skin barrier improvement. Reviewers frequently mention Kiehl's for lightweight moisturizers and NIVEA for blemish-clearing serums.

What is the difference between Kiehl's and NIVEA?

Kiehl's and NIVEA are both established skincare brands, but Kiehl's is known for having nearly all fragrance-free products on this page while NIVEA includes fragrance in most of its items. Reviewers note that Kiehl's excels in gentleness and sensitivity, whereas NIVEA offers better value for money and skin barrier improvement.

Kiehl's or NIVEA for dry skin?

Both Kiehl's and NIVEA offer a High routine fit for dry skin, with the products on this page providing effective hydration. Kiehl's is often preferred for lightweight moisture and gentleness, while NIVEA is noted for intense hydration and value for money.

Kiehl's or NIVEA: which moisturizer is better?

Both Kiehl's and NIVEA offer moisturizers with a High routine fit for dry skin, so the better option depends on your preference for fragrance and texture. Kiehl's features mostly fragrance-free moisturizers that reviewers often note for providing lightweight, non-greasy hydration, whereas NIVEA provides versatile multi-use options that may leave a heavier residue.

Which is more affordable, Kiehl's or NIVEA?

NIVEA is more affordable, as the products on this page frequently offer better value for money compared to Kiehl's, which often has a high price point.

Which brand has more products without fragrance, Kiehl's or NIVEA?

Kiehl's has more products without fragrance, as 26 of its 28 products on this page list no fragrance compared to only 3 of the 9 products for NIVEA.

Which brand performs better for skin barrier and texture improvement?

NIVEA performs better for skin barrier and texture improvement, whereas Kiehl's is noted for gentleness and sensitivity. Lovi rates the routine fit for dry skin as High for both brands.

Kiehl's or NIVEA for oily skin?

Both Kiehl's and NIVEA offer a High routine fit for oily skin based on the products on this page. Kiehl's is noted for lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers, while NIVEA provides blemish-clearing serums.

Kiehl's or NIVEA: which sunscreen is better?

Both Kiehl's and NIVEA offer sunscreens on this page with High Lovi fit levels for several skin types. For instance, the Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum has a High fit for combination and sensitive skin, while NIVEA's Protect & Moisture Sun Lotion SPF50+ achieves a High fit for oily and sensitive skin.

Kiehl's or NIVEA for sensitive skin?

Both Kiehl's and NIVEA offer a High routine fit for sensitive skin. Kiehl's may be preferred by shoppers seeking fragrance-free choices, as 26 of 28 products on this page list no fragrance.

Kiehl's or NIVEA for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, NIVEA offers a High routine fit level, whereas Kiehl's is rated as Average. The products on this page from NIVEA feature blemish-clearing serums that may help improve skin clarity.

Kiehl's or NIVEA for mature skin?

Both Kiehl's and NIVEA are great options for mature skin, as Lovi rates the routine fit for both brands as High. Kiehl's is mostly known for lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers and gentle serums, whereas NIVEA offers versatile multi-use moisturizers and blemish-clearing serums.

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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