🇩🇪Germany

COSRX vs NIVEA

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

COSRX and NIVEA are established skincare brands offering distinct approaches to daily care. COSRX is a Korean brand known for serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and masks featuring hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide, while the German brand NIVEA is celebrated for versatile sunscreens, targeted serums, and nourishing moisturizers formulated with glycerin. Both lines suit oily and sensitive or acne-prone skin best, yet they differ in their specific botanical focus and targeted outcomes. The former uses clarifying components to reduce cell damage and hyperpigmentation, whereas the latter balances gentle care with lightweight hydration to keep the complexion healthy and calm.

COSRX is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2013 and owned by Amorepacific Group since 2024.

koreajoongangdaily.combeautymatter.comprnewswire.com

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

Popular COSRX vs NIVEA products

People Say

COSRXNIVEA
  • Skin Texture and Smoothing Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “gives me that glass skin look — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “skin feels softer immediately — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “Makes my face feel smooth and soft. — NIVEA Soft”
    • “skin feels squeaky clean and soft — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “woke up with soft, supple skin — COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”
    • “gives a healthy glow — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “Smoothed out dry flaky scales on my cheeks overnight — NIVEA Creme”
  • Soothing and Gentle Formulas Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “No stinging or irritation — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “extremely gentle — COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner”
    • “perfect for first-time retinol users — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “doesn't dry out skin — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
  • Other Positive Highlights Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “smells like holiday — NIVEA Protect & Moisture Sun Lotion SPF50+”
    • “unclogs pores — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
    • “Smell brings me back to childhood — NIVEA Creme”
    • “doesn't clog the pores — COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)”
  • Lightweight and Fast Absorption Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “absorbs instantly like water — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “sinks in immediately — COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
    • “absorbs practically immediately — COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)”
    • “It's lightweight on the skin and leaves a bit of subtle sheen. — NIVEA Soft”
  • Acne and Blemish Control Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “helped to improve my acne after only 2 weeks — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
    • “cleared up my spots — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “cleared my complexion in 7 days — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
    • “reduces blackheads — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
  • Unpleasant Texture and Finish Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “texture is gooey and stringy — COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”
    • “too slimy and sticky — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “Leaves a sticky film — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “Leaves a shiny grease layer that doesn't go away — NIVEA Creme”
  • Other Minor Complaints Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “expensive for me — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
    • “The purging is real — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “pH is 9 — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
    • “not super gritty — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
  • Breakouts and Skin Irritation Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “stings really bad if it accidentally gets in the eyes — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
    • “burns eyes when sweating — COSRX Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen”
    • “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”

COSRX vs NIVEA routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

COSRX vs NIVEA routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

COSRX vs NIVEA routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or NIVEA: which is better?

COSRX is generally better than NIVEA for hydration, soothing formulas, and lightweight absorption, and Lovi rates its routines as having a Superior fit for sensitive, acne-prone, oily, and oily acne-prone skin types.

What is the difference between COSRX and NIVEA?

COSRX and NIVEA both offer products that fit various skin types well, but COSRX is owned by Amorepacific Group and founded in South Korea, whereas NIVEA is owned by maxingvest GmbH and Co. KGaA and founded in Germany. Additionally, COSRX achieves a Superior fit level for sensitive, oily, and acne-prone skin types, while NIVEA achieves a High fit level for those same categories. Most COSRX products on this page list no fragrance, whereas a significant portion of NIVEA products contain added fragrance.

COSRX or NIVEA for dry skin?

Both COSRX and NIVEA offer a High routine fit for dry skin, making them equally suitable options. COSRX features products like Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence with a Superior fit, while NIVEA includes moisturizing options such as Creme with a High fit.

COSRX or NIVEA: which moisturizer is better?

COSRX offers moisturizers that generally achieve a Superior or High Lovi fit across multiple skin types, featuring key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin. NIVEA moisturizers also provide good options, though some products show lower fit levels or carry a warning for oily skin.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Drug Delivery, 2017

Which is more affordable, COSRX or NIVEA?

The provided page facts do not mention the prices of COSRX or NIVEA products, so it is not possible to determine which brand is more affordable.

How do COSRX and NIVEA compare in terms of fragrance inclusion across their product lines?

COSRX includes no fragrance in 37 of its 38 products on this page, whereas NIVEA includes fragrance in 6 of its 9 products.

Which brand has more products that are fragrance-free, COSRX or NIVEA?

COSRX has more products that are fragrance-free, with 37 out of 38 products on this page listing no fragrance. In comparison, NIVEA has only 3 out of 9 products on the page without fragrance.

What are the main key ingredients found across COSRX versus NIVEA products?

COSRX products feature key ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, niacinamide, allantoin, panthenol, snail mucin, butylene glycol, and centella asiatica, whereas NIVEA relies primarily on glycerin across the products on this page. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

COSRX or NIVEA for oily skin?

For oily skin, COSRX offers a Superior routine fit while NIVEA provides a High fit. COSRX features targeted formulations with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, which help regulate oil and maintain skin clarity.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

COSRX or NIVEA: which sunscreen is better?

COSRX is better for sun protection because the products on this page for COSRX achieve High fit levels across almost all skin types, whereas NIVEA sunscreens have lower fit levels for dry and dry sensitive skin.

COSRX or NIVEA for sensitive skin?

COSRX is a better fit for sensitive skin, achieving a Superior routine fit level compared to NIVEA's High level. Furthermore, 37 of the 38 COSRX products on this page list no fragrance, helping to minimize potential irritation.

COSRX or NIVEA for acne-prone skin?

COSRX has a Superior routine fit for acne-prone skin, whereas NIVEA has a High fit. The products on this page help control and clear acne effectively while offering lightweight absorption.

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?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play