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The Ordinary vs NIVEA

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

The Ordinary and NIVEA are established skincare brands offering distinct approaches to daily care. The Ordinary features targeted serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners built around hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, suiting dry and dry sensitive skin best. Conversely, NIVEA is deeply loved for reliable sunscreens, targeted serums, and nourishing moisturizers formulated with hydrating glycerin, suiting oily and sensitive skin best. While both enhance barrier function and hydration through key ingredients, they differ in their foundational formulations and ideal skin types.

The Ordinary is a Canadian skincare brand founded in 2016 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 2021.

glossy.coen.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 The Ordinary and NIVEA products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular The Ordinary vs NIVEA products

People Say

The OrdinaryNIVEA
  • Great value and price Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “lasts forever — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
    • “can't beat the price — The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”
    • “extremely affordable — The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%”
    • “Works better than expensive luxury creams — NIVEA Creme”
  • Smooths skin texture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “glass skin effect — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
    • “skin feels baby butt smooth — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
    • “Makes my face feel smooth and soft. — NIVEA Soft”
    • “skin feels squeaky clean and soft — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
  • Clears acne and blemishes Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “pimples disappear within a day — The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”
    • “scars and hormonal acne faded — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
    • “cleared my complexion in 7 days — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
    • “doesn't leave skin dry or stretched — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
  • Hydration and plumping Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Smoothed out dry flaky scales on my cheeks overnight — NIVEA Creme”
    • “skin feels moisturized — NIVEA Protect & Moisture Sun Lotion SPF50+”
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Versatile body and multi-use application Rarely NotedOften 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”
    • “eliminated armpit odor — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
  • Lightweight absorption Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Sinks in immediately — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
    • “Absorbs quickly — The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA”
    • “It's lightweight on the skin and leaves a bit of subtle sheen. — NIVEA Soft”
  • Oily residue Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “sits on top of the skin and does not absorb — The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA”
    • “Leaves a shiny grease layer that doesn't go away — NIVEA Creme”
  • Unpleasant scent Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Smells like vinegar — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
    • “smell is unbearable — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
    • “has a slight chemical smell — The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA”
    • “Scent is too overpowering for sensitive noses — NIVEA Creme”
  • Causes breakouts Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “broke me out in cysts — The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%”
    • “broke me out in cysts — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
    • “gave me cystic acne — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
    • “Clogged my pores and caused bad acne — NIVEA Creme”

The Ordinary vs NIVEA routines for dry skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · $109.78 · 97% fitBuy NIVEA routine · $119.46 · 82% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

The Ordinary vs NIVEA routines for oily skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · $207.87 · 93% fitBuy NIVEA routine · $297.86 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit

The Ordinary vs NIVEA routines for combination skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · $219.97 · 93% fitBuy NIVEA routine · $289.45 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or NIVEA: which is better?

The Ordinary is a better fit for overall routine care, offering Superior fit levels across most skin types compared to NIVEA's High fit levels. The products on this page from The Ordinary provide great value and affordable serums, while NIVEA focuses on versatile multi-use moisturizers and intense hydration.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and NIVEA?

The Ordinary provides better value and has fragrance-free products on the products on this page, whereas NIVEA offers richer hydration and versatile multi-use options. Lovi finds The Ordinary has a Superior routine fit across most skin types compared to NIVEA's High fit level.

The Ordinary or NIVEA for dry skin?

The Ordinary is a Superior fit for dry skin, whereas NIVEA has a High fit for dry skin on this page. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or NIVEA: which moisturizer is better?

Both The Ordinary and NIVEA offer moisturizers, with Lovi fit levels varying by skin type and range. The Ordinary features fragrance-free options like Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA, whereas NIVEA provides versatile choices like Creme which may carry strong fragrances for some users.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or NIVEA?

The Ordinary offers better value and price across the products on this page compared to NIVEA.

Which brand has a stronger reputation for hydration and plumping according to reviewer themes?

NIVEA has a stronger reputation for hydration and plumping according to reviewer themes.

How many NIVEA products on the comparison page contain fragrance compared to The Ordinary?

On the comparison page, 6 of 9 NIVEA products list fragrance in their ingredients, while every product from The Ordinary lists no fragrance.

What key ingredients are found across The Ordinary products?

The products on this page from The Ordinary commonly feature hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane as their key ingredients.

The Ordinary or NIVEA for oily skin?

For oily skin, both brands offer good choices, but Lovi rates The Ordinary as having a Superior routine fit compared to a High fit for NIVEA. The products on this page from The Ordinary provide fragrance-free options like niacinamide and salicylic acid serums, which help control excess oil without added scents.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

The Ordinary or NIVEA for sensitive skin?

The Ordinary fits sensitive skin with a Superior routine level, whereas NIVEA has a High routine level. The products on this page from The Ordinary list no fragrance.

The Ordinary or NIVEA for acne-prone skin?

The Ordinary is a Superior fit for acne-prone skin, while NIVEA offers a High fit on this page. Reviewers report that both brands help clear acne and blemishes.

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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