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NIVEA vs Simple

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

NIVEA and Simple are established drugstore brands known for dependable daily staples, with the German line offering sunscreens, targeted serums, and nourishing moisturizers enriched with glycerin, while the British range provides gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners featuring niacinamide and glycerin. Both brands suit oily skin and sensitive skin best, with the German collection providing careful barrier support and the UK collection focusing on balanced, skin-loving formulations. While the former brand addresses specific concerns through items like the Protect & Moisture Sun Lotion SPF50+, the latter brand features standout products such as the Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner.

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

NIVEASimple
  • 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

Buy Simple routine · $128.28 · 83% fitBuy NIVEA routine · $119.46 · 82% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

NIVEA vs Simple routines for oily skin

Buy NIVEA routine · $297.86 · 88% fitBuy Simple routine · $280.29 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit

NIVEA vs Simple routines for combination skin

Buy NIVEA routine · $289.45 · 87% fitBuy Simple routine · $259.77 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

NIVEA or Simple: which is better?

Both brands offer equal routine fit levels across all skin types on this page. Simple does better for sensitivity, gentle formulas, cleansing, and makeup removal, while NIVEA does better for fragrance.

What is the difference between NIVEA and Simple?

Simple stands out for its completely fragrance-free formulations and gentle makeup removers, whereas NIVEA includes fragrance in most of its products on this page while offering popular blemish-clearing serums. Both brands achieve equal fit levels across all skin types.

NIVEA or Simple for dry skin?

Both NIVEA and Simple are a High fit for dry skin on this page, offering equal routine performance. Glycerin acts as a key ingredient across the products on this page to help provide moisture.

NIVEA or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

Both NIVEA and Simple offer moisturizers with a High routine fit for dry skin on this page, so neither brand is universally better. Glycerin is a key ingredient featured across both brands, helping to provide hydration to the skin.

Which is more affordable, NIVEA or Simple?

NIVEA and Simple are equal in terms of value and affordability according to the review themes on this page.

Which brand has more fragrance-free products, NIVEA or Simple?

Simple has more fragrance-free products than NIVEA, as every product on Simple's page lists no fragrance in its ingredients compared to only 3 of 9 NIVEA products.

How do NIVEA and Simple compare regarding sensitivity and gentle formulas?

Simple does better than NIVEA regarding sensitivity and gentle formulas, as every Simple product on this page lists no fragrance while NIVEA includes fragrance in some of its products.

What key ingredients are found across Simple products compared to NIVEA?

Simple products feature niacinamide and glycerin as key ingredients across the range, whereas NIVEA products feature glycerin.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

NIVEA or Simple for oily skin?

Both NIVEA and Simple achieve a High Lovi fit level for oily skin based on the products on this page. NIVEA features blemish-clearing serums and a key ingredient of glycerin, while Simple includes key ingredients like niacinamide and glycerin to help hydrate the skin.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

NIVEA or Simple for sensitive skin?

Both NIVEA and Simple achieve a High Lovi fit for sensitive skin. Simple is often noted for gentle, sensitive-skin-friendly makeup removers, while NIVEA offers fragrance-free options among its products on this page.

NIVEA or Simple for acne-prone skin?

Both NIVEA and Simple provide a high Lovi routine fit for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. Simple offers fragrance-free options, while NIVEA includes glycerin and features 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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