🇩🇪Germany

NIVEA vs ISDIN

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

NIVEA and ISDIN are well-regarded skincare brands that offer a wide array of moisturizers, sunscreens, and targeted serums. The German brand, founded in 1911 and owned by Maxingvest GmbH & Co. KGaA since 2004, is deeply loved for its versatile sunscreens and nourishing moisturizers formulated with glycerin, while the Spanish brand, founded in 1975 and owned by Puig, is beloved for its sophisticated moisturizers and advanced sunscreens driven by meticulously crafted formulas. The former suits sensitive skin and oily skin best because it balances gentle care with lightweight hydration, whereas the latter suits dry skin and combination skin best. Through these expert formulations, both differ primarily in their specific target skin types and key ingredients, with standout options addressing acne-prone skin, dark spots, and mature skin.

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

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ISDIN is a Spanish skincare brand founded in 1975 and owned by Puig.

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

Popular NIVEA vs ISDIN products

People Say

NIVEAISDIN
  • 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”
    • “Makes my face feel smooth and soft. — NIVEA Soft”
    • “Improved moisture and texture — ISDIN Hyaluronic Moisture”
  • Texture and Application Mostly MentionedMostly 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”
    • “absorbs instantly — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
    • “ultra-light fluid product, which makes it super easy to apply — ISDIN Fusion Water”
  • Blemish Reduction and Skin Texture Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “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”
    • “skin was much smoother — ISDIN Retinal Intense Serum”
  • Sensitive Skin Friendly Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “Sensitive/reactive skin tolerates — ISDIN Hyaluronic Moisture”
    • “no excessive exfoliation — ISDIN Retinal Intense Serum”
    • “doesn't sting eyes — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
  • Fragrance and Scent Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “smells like holiday — NIVEA Protect & Moisture Sun Lotion SPF50+”
    • “Smell brings me back to childhood — NIVEA Creme”
    • “smells really nice — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
    • “Smells absolutely amazing — ISDIN Hyaluronic Concentrate”
  • Value and Price 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”
  • Strong Scent and Irritation Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Scent is too overpowering for sensitive noses — NIVEA Creme”
    • “Has a heavy, baby powder smell. — NIVEA Soft”
    • “smells like men's hairspray — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
    • “smell is overpowering — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
  • High Price Point Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “very expensive — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”

NIVEA vs ISDIN routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

NIVEA vs ISDIN routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

NIVEA vs ISDIN routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

NIVEA or ISDIN: which is better?

ISDIN is better for sensitive skin, while NIVEA offers better value and prices. Glycerin helps provide intense deep hydration across the products on this page.

What is the difference between NIVEA and ISDIN?

NIVEA is a German brand founded in 1911 that features blemish-clearing serums and versatile moisturizers with glycerin, while ISDIN is a Spanish brand founded in 1975 known for ultralight sunscreens and lightweight moisturizers. Lovi rates ISDIN as having a Superior routine fit for dry, oily, and sensitive skin types, whereas NIVEA products on this page offer a High fit for those same skin types.

NIVEA or ISDIN for dry skin?

For dry skin, ISDIN reaches a Superior routine fit while NIVEA reaches a High routine fit, making ISDIN the better option. Glycerin helps provide moisture across the products on this page.

NIVEA or ISDIN: which moisturizer is better?

When it comes to moisturizers, NIVEA offers versatile multi-use options with intense deep hydration, while ISDIN features lightweight formulas that help maintain moisture. Both brands feature glycerin across their products to help support skin hydration.

Which is more affordable, NIVEA or ISDIN?

NIVEA is more affordable, as reviewers often mention ISDIN for its high price point while NIVEA wins on value and price on this page.

Which brand was founded earlier, NIVEA or ISDIN?

NIVEA was founded earlier than ISDIN, having started in Germany in 1911 compared to ISDIN's founding in Spain in 1975.

How many products on the page list no fragrance for NIVEA versus ISDIN?

NIVEA and ISDIN each have 3 out of their respective products on this page that list no fragrance. Both brands offer an equal number of fragrance-free options among the products on this page.

What are the morning routine steps for dry skin using NIVEA products?

For dry skin using NIVEA products on this page, Lovi shows that the morning routine starts with a cleanser like Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser, followed by a hydrating toner and the Creme moisturizer. It is completed by applying Protect & Moisture Sun Lotion SPF50+.

NIVEA or ISDIN for oily skin?

For oily skin, both NIVEA and ISDIN are great options, as Lovi rates their routines as High and Superior respectively. Glycerin helps provide hydration across their products.

NIVEA or ISDIN: which sunscreen is better?

When it comes to sunscreens, ISDIN is the better choice because Lovi rates its products like Eryfotona Actinica and Fusion Water with Superior fits for mature and sensitive skin. Reviewers often mention that ISDIN sunscreens have an ultralight and makeup-friendly texture.

NIVEA or ISDIN for sensitive skin?

ISDIN is a better fit for sensitive skin, as Lovi rates its sunscreens like Eryfotona Actinica as Superior for this skin type. NIVEA products on this page frequently use added fragrance, which may cause irritation.

NIVEA or ISDIN for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, both brands offer products on this page with High Lovi fit levels, such as NIVEA UV Deep Protect & Care Gel and ISDIN Fusion Water. Glycerin helps provide moisture across NIVEA 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

How does it fit your skin?

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