🇩🇪Germany

NIVEA vs Hada Labo

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

NIVEA and Hada Labo are heritage skincare brands, with the former founded in 1911 and the latter established in 2004 by Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.. Both are deeply loved for their nourishing moisturizers, with the German brand utilizing glycerin for versatile sunscreens and targeted serums, and the Japanese brand relying on advanced science for hydrating toners and gentle makeup removers. While the first brand suits sensitive skin and oily skin best, the second brand suits dry skin and acne-prone skin best. They differ because the former balances gentle care with lightweight hydration using key ingredients that improve stratum corneum hydration and barrier function, whereas the latter restores moisture and soothes irritation without clogging pores through formulas that work harmoniously to deliver essential hydration and support a healthy skin barrier.

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

beiersdorf.comen.wikipedia.org

Hada Labo is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 2004 and owned by Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd..

en.wikipedia.orghadalabosa.co.zahadalabotokyo.pl

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

Popular NIVEA vs Hada Labo products

People Say

NIVEAHada Labo
  • 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”
    • “skin drinks it up — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “Plumps fine lines — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
  • Scent and Fragrance Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like holiday — NIVEA Protect & Moisture Sun Lotion SPF50+”
    • “Smell brings me back to childhood — NIVEA Creme”
    • “never stings my sensitive skin — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “no scent or smell — Hada Labo Gokujyun Cleansing Oil”
  • Value and Price Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Works better than expensive luxury creams — NIVEA Creme”
    • “Best affordable vegan moisturizer. — NIVEA Soft”
    • “absolute steal for the price — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
    • “bottle lasts forever — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
  • Skin Smoothing and Blemish Reduction Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “cleared my complexion in 7 days — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
    • “skin feels squeaky clean and soft — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
    • “unclogs pores — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
    • “faded considerably — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
  • Versatility and Multi-Use Often MentionedOften 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”
    • “mixes well with oils — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “Mixes with oils — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
  • Texture and Absorption Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “Thick serum-like — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
    • “absorbs super quickly — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
  • Texture and Consistency Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Leaves a shiny grease layer that doesn't go away — NIVEA Creme”
    • “Consistency is like a thick paste or sunblock — NIVEA Creme”
    • “Tacky residue — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
    • “Texture Sticky, sticky, sticky! If you have sensory issues, beware. — Hada Labo Gokujyun Perfect Gel”
  • Breakouts and Acne Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “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”
    • “gave me tiny bumps — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “Closed comedones — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
  • Formula Changes and Consistency Issues Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “dried me out in winter — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “balls up under sunscreen — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “Prefer old version — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
    • “not super gritty — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”

NIVEA vs Hada Labo routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

NIVEA vs Hada Labo routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

NIVEA vs Hada Labo routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

NIVEA or Hada Labo: which is better?

Both brands offer products on this page that perform well, with Lovi rating Hada Labo as Superior and NIVEA as High across most routine fits. Glycerin in NIVEA helps with moisture retention, while hyaluronic acid in Hada Labo helps hydrate the skin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between NIVEA and Hada Labo?

NIVEA is owned by maxingvest GmbH & Co. KGaA and features glycerin across the products on this page, whereas Hada Labo is owned by Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and features hyaluronic acid across the products on this page. Lovi rates Hada Labo as having a Superior fit for dry skin, while NIVEA offers a High fit.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

NIVEA or Hada Labo for dry skin?

For dry skin, Lovi rates Hada Labo as Superior and NIVEA as High. Glycerin helps moisturize dry skin, and hyaluronic acid helps improve skin hydration and anti-aging signs.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

NIVEA or Hada Labo: which moisturizer is better?

Lovi rates Hada Labo as having a Superior routine fit for dry skin with its Gokujyun Perfect Gel, whereas NIVEA achieves a High fit with its Creme moisturizer. Glycerin helps provide deep hydration across NIVEA products, while hyaluronic acid helps deliver moisture in Hada Labo formulations.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, NIVEA or Hada Labo?

NIVEA is more affordable, offering better value and price according to reviewers on this page.

Between NIVEA and Hada Labo, which brand has better texture and absorption?

Between NIVEA and Hada Labo, Hada Labo does better for texture and absorption. The products on this page feature hyaluronic acid, which helps hydrate the skin.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

How do the founding years and corporate ownership of NIVEA and Hada Labo compare?

NIVEA was founded in 1911 in Germany and has been owned by maxingvest GmbH & Co. KGaA since 2004, whereas Hada Labo was founded in 2004 in Japan and is owned by Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

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

Hada Labo has more fragrance-free products than NIVEA, as every product on its page lists no fragrance, whereas only 3 of 9 NIVEA products on this page list no fragrance.

NIVEA or Hada Labo for oily skin?

For oily skin, both NIVEA and Hada Labo fit the products on this page with a Lovi fit level of High. Glycerin helps provide moisture across NIVEA formulations, and hyaluronic acid helps hydrate the skin in Hada Labo products.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

NIVEA or Hada Labo for acne-prone skin?

Both NIVEA and Hada Labo fit acne-prone skin with a Superior Lovi fit level. NIVEA features blemish-clearing serums on this page, while Hada Labo uses gentle, fragrance-free formulations.

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

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