🇩🇪Germany

NIVEA vs SK-II

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

NIVEA and SK-II are skincare brands that offer distinct approaches to daily care, with NIVEA being a German brand founded in 1911 and SK-II originating as a Japanese brand founded in 1980. The German brand is deeply loved for versatile sunscreens, targeted serums, and nourishing moisturizers formulated with glycerin, while the Japanese brand is cherished for luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, clarifying toners, and restorative masks anchored by pitera. The former suits sensitive skin and oily skin best because it balances gentle care with lightweight hydration, whereas the latter suits dry skin and acne-prone skin best through formulations designed to address imbalances. Ultimately, they differ in their heritage, signature ingredients, and specific formulations used to improve complexion health.

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

beiersdorf.comen.wikipedia.org

SK-II is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.

en.wikipedia.orgdiscoversk-ii.wixsite.comglossy.co

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

Popular NIVEA vs SK-II products

People Say

NIVEASK-II
  • 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”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Texture and Absorption 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”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Radiance and Glow Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “gives a glass skin look — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “leaves me with a red carpet glow — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Skin looks brighter — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
  • Additional Skincare Benefits Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “packet is absolutely drenched — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “reducing the appearance of fine lines — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “Pump dispenser is convenient. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
    • “didn't burn once — NIVEA Protect & Moisture Sun Lotion SPF50+”
  • Cleansing and Blemish Control Often MentionedRarely 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”
    • “Dissolves waterproof mascara, melts stubborn makeup, removes sunscreen easily. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
  • Value for Money 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”
  • Value and Pricing Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Formula Changes and Weak Results Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “not super gritty — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
    • “HATE NEW FORUMULA... Leaves my skin dryer and does not provide with the same amount of moisture. — NIVEA Soft”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “No visible difference — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Scents and Fragrance Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Scent is too overpowering for sensitive noses — NIVEA Creme”
    • “Has a heavy, baby powder smell. — NIVEA Soft”
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “smells slightly like saliva — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Breakouts and Skin Reactions Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “caused tiny red bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Small bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “did break out some while adjusting — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “Clogged my pores and caused bad acne — NIVEA Creme”

NIVEA vs SK-II routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

NIVEA vs SK-II routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

NIVEA vs SK-II routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

NIVEA or SK-II: which is better?

Both brands perform well, but SK-II has the advantage for radiance, while NIVEA offers better value for money. Glycerin helps moisturize the skin for NIVEA, and Pitera delivers distinct skincare benefits for SK-II.

What is the difference between NIVEA and SK-II?

NIVEA is a German brand owned by maxingvest GmbH & Co. KGaA since 2004, whereas SK-II is a Japanese brand owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991. Reviewers state that NIVEA does better for hydration and moisture, cleansing and blemish control, and value for money, while SK-II does better for radiance and glow, additional skincare benefits, and fewer breakouts and skin reactions.

NIVEA or SK-II for dry skin?

For dry skin, both brands offer good options, but SK-II has a superior routine fit on Lovi. Glycerin is a key ingredient across the products on this page for NIVEA, while SK-II relies on Pitera and lists no fragrance in its products.

NIVEA or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

For moisturizers, SK-II has a Superior routine fit for dry skin compared to NIVEA's High fit, making SK-II the better choice for intense moisture. Glycerin helps provide hydration in NIVEA products, while Pitera is the key ingredient across SK-II moisturizers.

Which is more affordable, NIVEA or SK-II?

NIVEA is more affordable than SK-II, as NIVEA does better for value for money according to the products on this page.

Between NIVEA and SK-II, which brand performs better for hydration and moisture?

Between NIVEA and SK-II, NIVEA performs better for hydration and moisture. Glycerin helps the products on this page provide intense deep hydration, though reviewers note that this can sometimes leave a greasy and oily residue.

Which brand has more fragrance-free products, NIVEA or SK-II?

SK-II has more fragrance-free products, as every product on its page lists no fragrance. In contrast, only 3 of 9 NIVEA products on this page list no fragrance.

How do the founding years and corporate ownership of NIVEA and SK-II compare?

NIVEA was founded in 1911 in Germany and is owned by maxingvest GmbH & Co. KGaA, whereas SK-II was founded in 1980 in Japan and is owned by The Procter & Gamble Company.

NIVEA or SK-II for oily skin?

For oily skin, SK-II has a Superior routine fit on Lovi, while NIVEA has a High routine fit. Glycerin, which is used across NIVEA products on this page, helps provide hydration.

NIVEA or SK-II for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, both NIVEA and SK-II are good options, as Lovi rates both brands with a High fit level for this skin type. NIVEA offers versatile moisturizers and blemish-clearing serums, while SK-II features fragrance-free formulas.

NIVEA or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, SK-II is the better choice because Lovi rates its routine fit as Superior, compared to High for NIVEA. SK-II products on this page help deliver strong hydration without fragrance.

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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