🇩🇪Germany

NIVEA vs Elemis

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

NIVEA and Elemis are established European skincare lines recognized for distinctly different formulations and heritages. NIVEA, the German brand founded in 1911, offers versatile sunscreens, targeted serums, and nourishing moisturizers with glycerin, suiting sensitive and oily skin best through lightweight hydration. Conversely, Elemis, the British line founded in 1989, is celebrated for cleansers, toners, serums, and rich moisturizers blending glycerin and shea, which suit dry and mature skin through deeply restorative qualities. Both brands utilize key ingredients to improve barrier function, yet they differ in their heritage, ownership, specific standout products, and ideal skin types.

NIVEA is a German skincare brand founded in 1911 and owned by maxingvest GmbH & Co. KGaA since 2004.

beiersdorf.comen.wikipedia.org

Elemis is a British skincare brand founded in 1989 and owned by L'Occitane Group since 2019.

elemis.comau.elemis.comen.wikipedia.org

This page compares some of the most popular NIVEA and Elemis products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular NIVEA vs Elemis products

People Say

NIVEAElemis
  • Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “It's lightweight on the skin and leaves a bit of subtle sheen. — NIVEA Soft”
    • “Makes my face feel smooth and soft. — NIVEA Soft”
    • “Absorbs almost immediately, and my skin feels well hydrated all day. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
  • Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “The cream really hydrates and my face looks amazing. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
    • “Quenches thirsty skin... immediate improvement. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “Smoothed out dry flaky scales on my cheeks overnight — NIVEA Creme”
  • Fragrance and Scent Praise Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like holiday — NIVEA Protect & Moisture Sun Lotion SPF50+”
    • “Smell brings me back to childhood — NIVEA Creme”
    • “smells like a spa — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “smells like a holiday — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
  • Exfoliation and Blemish Reduction Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “cleared my complexion in 7 days — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
    • “unclogs pores — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
    • “reduces blackheads — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
    • “non-stripping formula — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
  • Gentle Care Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “doesn't dry out skin — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
    • “doesn't leave skin dry or stretched — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
    • “no stinging or redness — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “Feels incredibly gentle and instantly rebalances my skin's pH. — Elemis Balancing Lavender Toner”
  • Value and Affordability Often MentionedNot noted
    • “Works better than expensive luxury creams — NIVEA Creme”
    • “Best affordable vegan moisturizer. — NIVEA Soft”
    • “absolute steal for the price — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
  • Product Ineffectiveness or Minor Issues Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “didn't see a difference — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “tends to flake off — Elemis Pro-Collagen Eye Revive Mask”
    • “It peels horribly no matter how I apply it. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “not super gritty — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
  • Value and Pricing Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “Complete waste of money for me. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Fragrance and Scent Complaints Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Scent is too overpowering for sensitive noses — NIVEA Creme”
    • “Has a heavy, baby powder smell. — NIVEA Soft”
    • “smell is too strong — NIVEA Protect & Moisture Sun Lotion SPF50+”
    • “The smell is very strong... could not handle for long. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”

NIVEA vs Elemis routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

NIVEA vs Elemis routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

NIVEA vs Elemis routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

NIVEA or Elemis: which is better?

Both NIVEA and Elemis perform equally well across all skin types on this page, with NIVEA offering better value and blemish care while Elemis provides superior hydration and luxury. Glycerin is a key ingredient featured across the products on this page for both brands.

What is the difference between NIVEA and Elemis?

NIVEA is founded in Germany and owned by maxingvest GmbH & Co. KGaA, while Elemis is founded in the United Kingdom and owned by L'Occitane Group.

NIVEA or Elemis for dry skin?

Both NIVEA and Elemis have a High routine fit for dry skin, with NIVEA featuring versatile multi-use moisturizers and Elemis providing hydrating moisturizers.

NIVEA or Elemis: which moisturizer is better?

Both NIVEA and Elemis offer high fit levels for moisturizers across various skin types on this page, with NIVEA featuring versatile multi-use options and Elemis providing luxurious hydrating formulas.

Which is more affordable, NIVEA or Elemis?

NIVEA is more affordable, as the products on this page provide better value and pricing compared to Elemis.

Which brand has a wider selection of serums and sunscreens, NIVEA or Elemis?

Elemis features a wider selection of serums and sunscreens on the products on this page.

How do the founding years and corporate ownerships of NIVEA and Elemis compare?

NIVEA was founded in Germany in 1911 and has been owned by maxingvest GmbH & Co. KGaA since 2004, whereas Elemis was founded in the United Kingdom in 1989 and has been owned by the L'Occitane Group since 2019.

Between NIVEA and Elemis, which brand's products are more frequently noted by reviewers for having a strong fragrance?

NIVEA is more frequently noted by reviewers for having a strong fragrance, as its reviews mention strong fragrance as a negative theme while Elemis has fewer complaints in this area.

NIVEA or Elemis for oily skin?

Both NIVEA and Elemis have routines with a High fit level for oily skin. The products on this page help provide good options for this skin type, with NIVEA noted for exfoliation and blemish reduction while Elemis is praised for hydration.

NIVEA or Elemis for sensitive skin?

Both NIVEA and Elemis have a High routine fit for sensitive skin on this page. Reviewers note that NIVEA offers fragrance-free options and blemish-clearing serums, while Elemis provides hydrating moisturizers and lightweight eye products.

NIVEA or Elemis for acne-prone skin?

Both NIVEA and Elemis achieve a High routine fit level for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. NIVEA does better for exfoliation and blemish reduction, while Elemis helps provide hydrating moisturizers.

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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