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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 heritage skincare brands, with the former known for sunscreens, targeted serums, and nourishing moisturizers containing skin-smoothing glycerin, while the latter is beloved for gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners crafted with niacinamide and glycerin. The German brand suits oily acne-prone skin and oily skin best because lightweight textures balance hydration without heaviness, whereas the British brand suits acne-prone skin and skin with dark spots owing to gentle formulations. Through daily use, both brands rely on glycerin to improve stratum corneum hydration and barrier function, while NIVEA offers standout solutions like the Protect & Moisture Sun Lotion SPF50+, UV Deep Protect & Care Gel, and LUMINOUS630 ANTI-DARK SPOT SERUM, and Simple features the Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner, Micellar Cleansing Water, and Micellar Water.

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 · 98% fit

NIVEA vs Simple routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

NIVEA vs Simple routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

NIVEA or Simple: which is better?

Simple does better for sensitivity and gentle formulas because every product on this page lists no fragrance, whereas NIVEA has fragrance in six of its nine products. Simple is also preferred for cleansing and makeup removal.

What is the difference between NIVEA and Simple?

Simple stands out for its fragrance-free formulas and gentle makeup removers, while NIVEA offers a wider variety of scented creams and sunscreens. Both brands provide effective daily hydration, but Simple is generally preferred for sensitivity and cleansing.

NIVEA or Simple for dry skin?

Both NIVEA and Simple are great choices for dry skin because Lovi finds them to have a High routine fit for this skin type. Glycerin helps provide moisture across the products on this page.

NIVEA or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

Simple moisturizers are better for sensitive skin because every product on this page lists no fragrance, whereas NIVEA includes fragrance in most of its formulas. Glycerin helps provide hydration across both brands, but reviewers note that NIVEA moisturizers may leave a greasy or oily residue.

Which is more affordable, NIVEA or Simple?

NIVEA and Simple are equal for value and affordability on the products on this page.

Between NIVEA and Simple, which brand offers better fragrance options based on reviewer sentiment?

NIVEA does better for fragrance and scent according to reviewer sentiment, even though it includes fragrance in more products on this page than Simple. Simple features no fragrance across all its products, but reviewers specifically rate NIVEA higher in the fragrance and scent category.

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

NIVEA was founded earlier in 1911 in Germany and is owned by maxingvest GmbH & Co. KGaA, whereas Simple was founded later in 1960 in the United Kingdom and is owned by Unilever PLC.

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

Simple does better for sensitivity and gentle formulas according to review themes. Every product on its page lists no fragrance, which helps support sensitive skin.

NIVEA or Simple for oily skin?

Both NIVEA and Simple achieve a High routine fit level for oily skin. Reviewers note that NIVEA offers blemish-clearing serums and intense deep hydration, while Simple provides lightweight, value-friendly moisturizers and every product on this page lists no fragrance.

NIVEA or Simple for sensitive skin?

Simple does better for sensitive skin because its products on this page list no fragrance. Lovi rates the routine fit for both brands as High.

NIVEA or Simple for acne-prone skin?

Both NIVEA and Simple achieve a High routine fit level for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. Reviewers note that NIVEA offers blemish-clearing serums, while Simple provides fragrance-free formulations.

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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