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NIVEA vs Hada Labo

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

NIVEA and Hada Labo are heritage skincare lines known, respectively, for German manufacturing since 1911 and advanced Japanese formulations since 2004. The German brand is widely celebrated for reliable sunscreens, targeted serums, and nourishing moisturizers driven by skin-smoothing glycerin, while the Japanese counterpart is dearly loved for hydrating toners, gentle makeup removers, and nourishing moisturizers. Both brands suit acne-prone skin best, though the first line excels with oily types through lightweight textures that balance hydration without heaviness, and the second line specializes in dry skin through expertly crafted solutions that restore moisture and soothe irritation without clogging pores. They ultimately differ in their foundational approaches, as the former relies on glycerin to improve stratum corneum hydration and barrier function, whereas the latter utilizes science-driven ingredients to deliver essential hydration and support a healthy skin barrier.

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

beiersdorf.comen.wikipedia.org

Hada Labo is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 2004 and owned by Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd..

en.wikipedia.orghadalabosa.co.zahadalabotokyo.pl

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

Popular NIVEA vs Hada Labo products

People Say

NIVEAHada Labo
  • 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”
    • “skin drinks it up — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “Plumps fine lines — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
  • Scent and Fragrance Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like holiday — NIVEA Protect & Moisture Sun Lotion SPF50+”
    • “Smell brings me back to childhood — NIVEA Creme”
    • “never stings my sensitive skin — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “no scent or smell — Hada Labo Gokujyun Cleansing Oil”
  • Value and Price Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Works better than expensive luxury creams — NIVEA Creme”
    • “Best affordable vegan moisturizer. — NIVEA Soft”
    • “absolute steal for the price — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
    • “bottle lasts forever — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
  • Skin Smoothing and Blemish Reduction Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “cleared my complexion in 7 days — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
    • “skin feels squeaky clean and soft — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
    • “unclogs pores — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
    • “faded considerably — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
  • Versatility and Multi-Use Often MentionedOften 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”
    • “mixes well with oils — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “Mixes with oils — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
  • Texture and Absorption Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “Thick serum-like — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
    • “absorbs super quickly — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
  • Texture and Consistency Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Leaves a shiny grease layer that doesn't go away — NIVEA Creme”
    • “Consistency is like a thick paste or sunblock — NIVEA Creme”
    • “Tacky residue — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
    • “Texture Sticky, sticky, sticky! If you have sensory issues, beware. — Hada Labo Gokujyun Perfect Gel”
  • Breakouts and Acne Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “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”
    • “gave me tiny bumps — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “Closed comedones — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
  • Formula Changes and Consistency Issues Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “dried me out in winter — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “balls up under sunscreen — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “Prefer old version — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
    • “not super gritty — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”

NIVEA vs Hada Labo routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

NIVEA vs Hada Labo routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

NIVEA vs Hada Labo routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

NIVEA or Hada Labo: which is better?

When comparing NIVEA and Hada Labo, both brands fit dry skin, oily skin, combination skin, acne-prone skin, mature skin, skin with dark spots, and oily acne-prone skin at a Superior level according to Lovi fit ratings.

What is the difference between NIVEA and Hada Labo?

NIVEA focuses on glycerin and offers strong blemish-clearing and value options, while Hada Labo highlights hyaluronic acid and fragrance-free formulations. Lovi rates Hada Labo as having a Superior routine fit for dry, oily, and acne-prone skin.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

NIVEA or Hada Labo for dry skin?

For dry skin, Lovi rates Hada Labo as Superior and NIVEA as High.

NIVEA or Hada Labo: which moisturizer is better?

For dry skin, Lovi rates Hada Labo's Gokujyun Perfect Gel as High, while NIVEA's Creme is rated High and Soft is rated Average. Glycerin in NIVEA and hyaluronic acid in Hada Labo help provide deep hydration, with hyaluronic acid also supporting skin quality.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, NIVEA or Hada Labo?

NIVEA is more affordable, as it wins on value and price.

Between NIVEA and Hada Labo, which brand has fragrance-free products?

Hada Labo provides fragrance-free options because every product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas NIVEA includes fragrance in some of its products.

How do the founding years and countries of origin compare between NIVEA and Hada Labo?

NIVEA was founded in Germany in 1911, whereas Hada Labo was founded later in Japan in 2004.

Which brand performs better for value and price according to reviewers?

NIVEA performs better for value and price according to reviewers.

NIVEA or Hada Labo for oily skin?

For oily skin, Lovi finds that both NIVEA and Hada Labo achieve a High fit level with their respective routines. Glycerin, a key ingredient in NIVEA products, helps support skin barrier function and hydration.

NIVEA or Hada Labo for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, Lovi rates both NIVEA and Hada Labo as having a High routine fit. Glycerin in NIVEA helps provide hydration, while hyaluronic acid in Hada Labo may assist with skin quality.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

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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