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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 German brand founded in 1911 and the British brand established in 1960. NIVEA is known for reliable sunscreens, targeted serums, and nourishing moisturizers featuring glycerin, which suits combination and sensitive skin best. Conversely, Simple is celebrated for gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners incorporating niacinamide and glycerin to suit oily and acne-prone skin. While both prioritize barrier hydration, they differ in their heritage, key ingredients, and targeted skin types.

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 · 97% fit

NIVEA vs Simple routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% 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 provide products on this page that achieve equal Lovi fit levels across all skin types. Simple stands out for sensitivity and gentle formulas, while NIVEA offers better options for fragrance-free preferences.

What is the difference between NIVEA and Simple?

Simple stands out for its completely fragrance-free lineup and gentle makeup removers, whereas NIVEA offers a wider variety of specialized serums and sunscreens. Reviewers note that Simple tends to be better for sensitive skin and cleansing, while NIVEA provides intense deep hydration despite some products leaving a greasy residue.

NIVEA or Simple for dry skin?

For dry skin, Lovi rates both NIVEA and Simple at a High fit level. The products on this page for both brands offer equal levels of hydration and moisture.

NIVEA or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

Simple offers the Hydrating Light Moisturiser, Replenishing Rich Moisturiser, and Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream, while NIVEA offers Creme and Soft moisturizers on this page. Lovi rates the routine fit for both brands as High across dry, oily, combination, sensitive, acne-prone, mature, and dark-spot skin types.

Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2012

Which is more affordable, NIVEA or Simple?

NIVEA and Simple are equal in terms of value and affordability according to the products on this page.

Between NIVEA and Simple, which brand is better for fragrance-free skincare products?

Simple is better for fragrance-free skincare products because every product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas several NIVEA products contain fragrance. Lovi rates Simple as doing better for fragrance and scent.

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

NIVEA was founded in Germany in 1911 and has been owned by maxingvest GmbH & Co. KGaA since 2004, whereas Simple was founded in the United Kingdom in 1960 and has been owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.

Which brand performs better for sensitivity and gentle formulas according to reviewer themes?

Simple performs better for sensitivity and gentle formulas according to reviewer themes, while NIVEA does better for fragrance and scent.

NIVEA or Simple for oily skin?

Both NIVEA and Simple achieve a High routine fit level for oily skin. Reviewers note that Simple offers gentle makeup removers, while NIVEA provides blemish-clearing serums.

NIVEA or Simple for sensitive skin?

Both NIVEA and Simple are good options for sensitive skin, as Lovi rates both brands with an equal level of routine fit for sensitive skin. Simple is notable for having every product on this page list no fragrance in its ingredients.

NIVEA or Simple for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, both brands offer good options, as Lovi rates the routine fit for acne-prone skin as High for NIVEA and High for Simple.

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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