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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 established global skincare labels originating from Germany and Japan, respectively. The former German enterprise is cherished for its reliable sunscreens, targeted serums, and nourishing moisturizers featuring glycerin, while the latter Japanese house is treasured for its luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, clarifying toners, and restorative masks anchored by pitera. Both brands accommodate diverse complexions, with the European line suiting oily and oily acne-prone skin best and the Asian line favoring dry and acne-prone skin. Ultimately, they differ in their foundational ingredients and regional heritage, offering distinct paths to balanced hydration and improved skin texture.

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”

NIVEA vs SK-II routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

NIVEA vs SK-II routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

NIVEA vs SK-II routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

NIVEA or SK-II: which is better?

NIVEA and SK-II are both great choices, with NIVEA winning on value and blemish control while SK-II shines for radiance and extra skincare benefits. Lovi rates the routine fit for dry skin as High for NIVEA and Superior for SK-II.

What is the difference between NIVEA and SK-II?

NIVEA and SK-II differ mainly in their formulation focus, with NIVEA featuring value-focused moisturizing and blemish-clearing products containing glycerin, while SK-II uses fragrance-free formulas centered on Pitera for radiance and glow. Lovi finds NIVEA to have a high routine fit for dry skin and SK-II to have a superior fit.

NIVEA or SK-II for dry skin?

For dry skin, both brands work well, but SK-II has a superior routine fit compared to NIVEA on this page. SK-II features products like the Facial Treatment Essence and Genoptics Ultraura Essence that help provide deep hydration and radiance.

NIVEA or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

For moisturizers, SK-II has a Superior routine fit for dry skin, while NIVEA provides a High routine fit on the products on this page. SK-II's Facial Treatment Essence is fragrance-free, whereas NIVEA's Creme and Soft may carry a strong fragrance.

Which is more affordable, NIVEA or SK-II?

NIVEA is more affordable, as it offers better value for money among the products on this page. Reviewers note that NIVEA excels in value for money compared to SK-II.

Between NIVEA and SK-II, which brand offers better radiance and glow?

SK-II does better than NIVEA for radiance and glow. Lovi rates SK-II as having fragrance-free formulas that help improve skin radiance.

How do the founding countries and parent companies of NIVEA and SK-II compare?

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

Which brand has fragrance-free products, NIVEA or SK-II?

SK-II offers fragrance-free products on this page, as every product lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas NIVEA includes fragrance in some of its products.

NIVEA or SK-II for oily skin?

For oily skin, both NIVEA and SK-II achieve a High routine fit level on this page. NIVEA excels with cleansing and blemish control, whereas SK-II offers fragrance-free formulas.

NIVEA or SK-II for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, both NIVEA and SK-II achieve a High routine fit level on this page. Reviewers report that NIVEA offers fragrance-free options among its products on this page, while SK-II lists no fragrance across every product on this page.

NIVEA or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

SK-II has a Superior fit for acne-prone skin, while NIVEA has a High fit for acne-prone 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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