🇩🇪Germany

NIVEA vs Simple

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

NIVEA and Simple are two heritage skincare lines, with the former being a German brand founded in 1911 and the latter a British brand established in 1960. The German brand is known for versatile sunscreens, targeted serums, and nourishing moisturizers featuring glycerin, while the British brand is recognized for gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners containing niacinamide and glycerin. Both brands suit sensitive, oily, and acne-prone skin types by balancing gentle care with lightweight hydration. They differ in their specific formulations and targeted concerns, as the first brand emphasizes barrier function and hydration through standout items like the LUMINOUS630 ANTI-DARK SPOT SERUM, whereas the second brand focuses on reducing hyperpigmentation and aging signs through harmonious ingredients like niacinamide.

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

beiersdorf.comen.wikipedia.org

Simple is a British skincare brand founded in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.

en.wikipedia.orgsec.govprnewswire.comsimple.co.uk

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

Popular NIVEA vs Simple products

People Say

NIVEASimple
  • 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”
    • “Doesn't burn my eyes — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
    • “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
  • Value and Affordability Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Works better than expensive luxury creams — NIVEA Creme”
    • “Best affordable vegan moisturizer. — NIVEA Soft”
    • “great value for money — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
    • “super affordable — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
  • Sensitivity and Gentle Formula Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “Does not cause any form of irritation on the skin which I love. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The only cleanser that doesn't turn my face red. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “no artificial perfume — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
  • Fragrance and Scent Often MentionedSometimes 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”
    • “Love that it has absolutely no scent. — Simple Micellar Water”
  • Cleansing and Makeup Removal Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Takes off any makeup residue and makes my face feel refreshed. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “Best morning cleanser — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
    • “removes last traces of makeup — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
    • “unclogs pores — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
  • Greasy or Sticky Residue Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Feels slimy on skin — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
    • “Still feeling a little bit of a film on my skin. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “leaves a tacky film — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
    • “Leaves a shiny grease layer that doesn't go away — NIVEA Creme”

NIVEA vs Simple routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

NIVEA vs Simple routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

NIVEA vs Simple routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

NIVEA or Simple: which is better?

Both NIVEA and Simple are great choices, as Lovi rates their routines as having equal fit levels across all skin types. Simple may do better for sensitive-skin-friendly makeup removers and cleansing, whereas NIVEA may be preferred for fragrance and scent options.

What is the difference between NIVEA and Simple?

Simple stands out for its fragrance-free formulas and effective, gentle makeup removers, while NIVEA offers a wider variety of blemish-clearing and texture-smoothing serums. Both brands achieve equal Lovi fit levels across all evaluated skin types.

NIVEA or Simple for dry skin?

Both NIVEA and Simple are an equal High fit for dry skin. Glycerin helps provide moisture across the products on this page.

NIVEA or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

Both NIVEA and Simple offer reliable daily moisturizers on this page that help keep skin hydrated. NIVEA delivers versatile multi-use options like Creme, while Simple provides lightweight, value-friendly choices such as the Hydrating Light Moisturiser.

Which is more affordable, NIVEA or Simple?

Both NIVEA and Simple are equal in value and affordability based on the products on this page.

Between NIVEA and Simple, which brand is better for skin with dark spots?

Both NIVEA and Simple achieve an equal High level of routine fit for skin with dark spots. Simple features key ingredients like niacinamide, which may help reduce cutaneous pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Which brand has more products containing fragrance, NIVEA or Simple?

NIVEA has more products containing fragrance, with six out of nine products on this page listing fragrance, whereas every product from Simple on this page lists no fragrance.

How do the founding years and current parent companies of NIVEA and Simple compare?

NIVEA was founded in 1911 in Germany and is owned by maxingvest GmbH & Co. KGaA, while Simple was founded in 1960 in the United Kingdom and is owned by Unilever PLC.

NIVEA or Simple for oily skin?

For oily skin, Lovi gives NIVEA and Simple an equal High routine fit level, though reviewers note that NIVEA offers blemish-clearing serums while Simple stands out for gentle makeup removers.

NIVEA or Simple for sensitive skin?

Lovi rates NIVEA and Simple as both having a High routine fit for sensitive skin. Simple is noted by reviewers for a gentle, sensitive-skin-friendly formula and features products on this page that list no fragrance.

NIVEA or Simple for acne-prone skin?

Both NIVEA and Simple achieve a High routine fit level for acne-prone skin on this page. NIVEA features blemish-clearing serums and a High Lovi fit for products like UV Deep Protect & Care Gel, while Simple includes no fragrance across the products on this page and features gentle makeup removers.

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