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COSRX vs NIVEA

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

COSRX and NIVEA are established skincare brands offering distinct approaches to daily care. COSRX is a Korean brand known for serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and masks featuring hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide, suiting acne-prone and sensitive skin best with targeted formulations. Conversely, the German brand NIVEA is celebrated for reliable sunscreens, targeted serums, and nourishing moisturizers formulated with glycerin, favoring combination and sensitive skin by respecting natural balance. While both brands support hydration and barrier function, they differ in their specific ingredient blends and regional heritage.

COSRX is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2013 and owned by Amorepacific Group since 2024.

koreajoongangdaily.combeautymatter.comprnewswire.com

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

beiersdorf.comen.wikipedia.org

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

Popular COSRX vs NIVEA products

People Say

COSRXNIVEA
  • Skin Texture and Smoothing Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “gives me that glass skin look — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “skin feels softer immediately — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “Makes my face feel smooth and soft. — NIVEA Soft”
    • “skin feels squeaky clean and soft — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “woke up with soft, supple skin — COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”
    • “gives a healthy glow — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “Smoothed out dry flaky scales on my cheeks overnight — NIVEA Creme”
  • Soothing and Gentle Formulas Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “No stinging or irritation — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “extremely gentle — COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner”
    • “perfect for first-time retinol users — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “doesn't dry out skin — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
  • Other Positive Highlights Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “smells like holiday — NIVEA Protect & Moisture Sun Lotion SPF50+”
    • “unclogs pores — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
    • “Smell brings me back to childhood — NIVEA Creme”
    • “doesn't clog the pores — COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)”
  • Lightweight and Fast Absorption Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “absorbs instantly like water — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “sinks in immediately — COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
    • “absorbs practically immediately — COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)”
    • “It's lightweight on the skin and leaves a bit of subtle sheen. — NIVEA Soft”
  • Acne and Blemish Control Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “helped to improve my acne after only 2 weeks — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
    • “cleared up my spots — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “cleared my complexion in 7 days — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
    • “reduces blackheads — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
  • Unpleasant Texture and Finish Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “texture is gooey and stringy — COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”
    • “too slimy and sticky — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “Leaves a sticky film — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “Leaves a shiny grease layer that doesn't go away — NIVEA Creme”
  • Other Minor Complaints Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “expensive for me — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
    • “The purging is real — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “pH is 9 — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
    • “not super gritty — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
  • Breakouts and Skin Irritation Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “stings really bad if it accidentally gets in the eyes — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
    • “burns eyes when sweating — COSRX Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen”
    • “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”

COSRX vs NIVEA routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

COSRX vs NIVEA routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

COSRX vs NIVEA routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or NIVEA: which is better?

COSRX is generally better than NIVEA for sensitive and acne-prone skin, where Lovi rates its routine fit as Superior compared to NIVEA's High. Reviewers note that COSRX products offer superior hydration, soothing formulas, and lightweight absorption, whereas NIVEA often leaves a greasy residue.

What is the difference between COSRX and NIVEA?

COSRX and NIVEA offer different strengths, with COSRX achieving a Superior fit for sensitive and acne-prone skin while NIVEA reaches a High fit for those skin types. Lovi rates COSRX as having a Superior fit and NIVEA as having a High fit for oily acne-prone skin.

COSRX or NIVEA for dry skin?

Both COSRX and NIVEA offer a High routine fit for dry skin. COSRX features key ingredients like hyaluronic acid to help maintain moisture.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

COSRX or NIVEA: which moisturizer is better?

COSRX is better for moisturizers because the products on this page offer superior or high fit levels across a wide range of skin types, whereas NIVEA moisturizers carry more warning and caution ratings for sensitive and acne-prone skin.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or NIVEA?

The products on this page do not provide pricing information, so it is not possible to determine whether COSRX or NIVEA is more affordable.

COSRX or NIVEA for oily skin?

Both COSRX and NIVEA are good for oily skin, as the products on this page achieve a High routine fit level for this skin type. COSRX also features several options that provide superior or high fit levels specifically for oily acne-prone skin.

COSRX or NIVEA: which sunscreen is better?

COSRX offers more sunscreens on this page with High fits across multiple skin types compared to NIVEA. The products on this page help provide broad-spectrum protection while supporting different skin concerns.

COSRX or NIVEA for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, COSRX offers superior Lovi fit compared to NIVEA, which reaches a High fit on this page. Reviewers frequently mention COSRX products for being gentle and non-irritating.

COSRX or NIVEA for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, Lovi rates COSRX as Superior and NIVEA as High. The products on this page help control and clear acne.

COSRX or NIVEA for mature skin?

Both COSRX and NIVEA are good for mature skin, as Lovi rates the routine fit for both brands as High. COSRX features key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, which help support skin quality and may help reduce signs of skin aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

COSRX or NIVEA for skin with dark spots?

Both COSRX and NIVEA are well-suited for skin with dark spots, as Lovi rates the routine fit for this skin type as High for both brands. Niacinamide, a key ingredient across the products on this page, helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

COSRX or NIVEA for oily acne-prone skin?

For oily acne-prone skin, COSRX fits better with a Superior routine fit compared to NIVEA at High. The products on this page for COSRX help control acne and clear blemishes while offering lightweight absorption.

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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