🇩🇪Germany

Clinique vs NIVEA

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

Clinique and NIVEA are enduring skincare brands offering thoughtful ranges of moisturizers, serums, and sunscreens that incorporate hydrating hyaluronic acid, nourishing glycerin, and caffeine. While the American brand is widely loved for its versatile products that suit dry sensitive skin and oily skin best, the German brand is deeply appreciated for balancing gentle care with lightweight hydration for similar skin types. Through expert formulations featuring these comforting ingredients, both brands work harmoniously to increase hydration and restore barrier function, yet they differ in their specific standout solutions for acne-prone, mature, or uneven complexions.

Clinique is an American skincare brand founded in 1968 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc..

en.wikipedia.orgelcompanies.combusinesswire.comglossy.co

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

Popular Clinique vs NIVEA products

People Say

CliniqueNIVEA
  • Sensitive Skin and Gentle Formulas Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “never irritated my eyes — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “No strong scent — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “No stinging eyes — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “doesn't dry out skin — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
  • Effective Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Keeps my dry patches at bay all day — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “skin feels soft and smooth — Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask”
    • “Smoothed out dry flaky scales on my cheeks overnight — NIVEA Creme”
    • “skin feels moisturized — NIVEA Protect & Moisture Sun Lotion SPF50+”
  • Lightweight and Fast Absorbing Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “sinks in immediately — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “sinks in instantly — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
    • “Absorbs quickly without feeling sticky — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “It's lightweight on the skin and leaves a bit of subtle sheen. — NIVEA Soft”
  • Skin Exfoliation and Texture Smoothing Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “skin feels silky smooth — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
    • “gentle enough for everyday — Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula”
    • “skin feels squeaky clean and soft — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
    • “skin feels smooth — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
  • Great Value and Affordability 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”
  • Makeup Compatibility and Base Often MentionedNot noted
    • “Melts waterproof mascara — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “foundation glides on — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “holds concealer in place — Clinique All About Eyes”
  • Sticky and Greasy Finish Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “hard to rinse off — Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula”
    • “feels sticky to the touch — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “Left an oily film on my T-zone — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “Leaves a shiny grease layer that doesn't go away — NIVEA Creme”
  • Causes Breakouts and Acne Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Woke up with whiteheads on my chin — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “gave me tiny bumps — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “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”
  • High Price and Value Complaints Often MentionedNot noted
    • “jar is too small for the cost — Clinique moisture surge”
  • Unpleasant or Strong Scent Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Smells like nail polish remover — Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2”
    • “Smells like old oil — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “Scent is too overpowering for sensitive noses — NIVEA Creme”
    • “Has a heavy, baby powder smell. — NIVEA Soft”

Clinique vs NIVEA routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Clinique vs NIVEA routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Clinique vs NIVEA routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Clinique or NIVEA: which is better?

Clinique is better for fragrance-free options and lightweight hydration, whereas NIVEA offers greater value and a high fit for dry skin routines. Both brands feature effective hydration and texture smoothing, but NIVEA provides more versatile multi-use moisturizers.

What is the difference between Clinique and NIVEA?

Clinique is known for fragrance-free formulas that focus on sensitive and dry skin, while NIVEA offers versatile, affordable options that often feature added fragrance. Reviewers note that Clinique provides lightweight, fast-absorbing hydration, whereas NIVEA is frequently praised for its blemish-clearing serums and deep moisture.

Clinique or NIVEA for dry skin?

For dry skin, NIVEA offers a High routine fit while Clinique has an Average fit, making NIVEA the better choice for this skin type.

Clinique or NIVEA: which moisturizer is better?

When it comes to moisturizers, NIVEA generally offers better value and deep hydration, while Clinique provides lighter, fragrance-free options that are great for sensitive skin. NIVEA achieves a High routine fit for dry skin, whereas Clinique's moisturizers span various fit levels depending on the specific product.

Which is more affordable, Clinique or NIVEA?

NIVEA is more affordable, as reviewers often mention great value and affordability for NIVEA while frequently noting a high price point for Clinique.

Between Clinique and NIVEA, which brand has a higher price point according to reviewers?

According to reviewers, Clinique has a high price point while NIVEA offers great value and affordability.

Which brand has more fragrance-free products listed on the page?

Clinique has more fragrance-free products listed on the page, as every product on its page lists no fragrance in its ingredients compared to only three of the nine products on the NIVEA page.

How do Clinique and NIVEA compare when it comes to routine fit for mature skin?

When it comes to routine fit for mature skin, both Clinique and NIVEA provide a High fit level. Clinique features fragrance-free products with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid to help address skin aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Drug Delivery, 2017

Clinique or NIVEA for oily skin?

Both Clinique and NIVEA offer a high Lovi fit for oily skin. The products on this page for oily skin feature lightweight hydration and oil-controlling formulas.

Clinique or NIVEA for sensitive skin?

Both Clinique and NIVEA offer great options for sensitive skin, as the products on this page for both brands feature gentle formulas. Lovi rates the routine fit for sensitive skin as High for both Clinique and NIVEA.

Clinique or NIVEA for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, NIVEA achieves a High routine fit level on the products on this page, whereas Clinique reaches an Average level. Reviewers often mention NIVEA for blemish-clearing serums, while noting that Clinique sometimes causes breakouts.

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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