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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 esteemed skincare brands rooted in distinct botanical and scientific traditions. The German brand, founded in 1911 and owned by Maxingvest GmbH & Co. KGaA, is celebrated for reliable sunscreens, targeted serums, and nourishing moisturizers formulated with glycerin, while the Japanese brand, founded in 1980 and owned by The Procter & Gamble Company, is cherished for luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, rejuvenating masks, and clarifying toners powered by pitera. The former suits combination and sensitive skin best through formulas like the Protect & Moisture Sun Lotion SPF50+, the UV Deep Protect & Care Gel, and the Luminous630 Anti-Dark Spot Serum, whereas the latter adapts seamlessly to combination, oily, normal, and dry complexions with standouts like the Genoptics Ultraura Essence, the Facial Treatment Essence, and the Facial Treatment Clear Lotion. Ultimately, both differ as their key ingredients target unique concerns, with glycerin improving stratum corneum hydration and barrier function, and pitera refining pore area, roughness, and redness.

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”

Questions and answers

NIVEA or SK-II: which is better?

When comparing NIVEA and SK-II, NIVEA offers better value for money and cleansing results, whereas SK-II performs better for radiance and additional skincare benefits.

What is the difference between NIVEA and SK-II?

NIVEA and SK-II differ across several review themes, with NIVEA offering better hydration, cleansing and blemish control, and value for money, while SK-II delivers better radiance, glow, and additional skincare benefits. Furthermore, SK-II's products on this page list no fragrance, whereas several NIVEA products contain added fragrance.

NIVEA or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

When comparing moisturizers, SK-II offers options like the Facial Treatment Essence and Skinpower Advanced Cream that have a High Lovi fit for dry skin, while NIVEA Creme provides a High Lovi fit for dry and dry sensitive skin.

Which is more affordable, NIVEA or SK-II?

NIVEA is more affordable, as review themes note it does better for value for money.

Which causes fewer breakouts, NIVEA or SK-II?

SK-II causes fewer breakouts according to shopper reviews, which note that NIVEA sometimes causes breakouts and acne.

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

NIVEA was founded in Germany in 1911 and has been owned by maxingvest GmbH & Co. KGaA since 2004, whereas SK-II was founded in Japan in 1980 and is owned by The Procter & Gamble Company.

Which brand offers more fragrance-free options among their listed products, NIVEA or SK-II?

SK-II offers more fragrance-free options because every product on its page lists no fragrance, whereas NIVEA has 3 out of 9 products with no fragrance.

How do the Lovi fit levels for dry skin compare between NIVEA Creme and SK-II Facial Treatment Essence?

NIVEA Creme has a High Lovi fit level for dry skin, while SK-II Facial Treatment Essence also has a High Lovi fit level for dry skin.

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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