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COSRX vs NIVEA

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

COSRX and NIVEA are distinguished skincare brands that offer reliable solutions for diverse routines. The Korean brand, founded in 2013, provides thoughtful serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and masks featuring hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide to suit oily and sensitive skin. Meanwhile, the German brand, established in 1911, offers trusted sunscreens, targeted serums, and nourishing moisturizers formulated with glycerin for mature and sensitive skin. While both companies excel at supporting the skin barrier and hydration, COSRX utilizes a broader array of active ingredients to address blemishes and signs of aging, whereas NIVEA relies on steady glycerin formulations to protect and respect delicate barriers.

COSRX is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2013 and owned by Amorepacific Group since 2024.

koreajoongangdaily.combeautymatter.comprnewswire.com

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

beiersdorf.comen.wikipedia.org

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

Popular COSRX vs NIVEA products

People Say

COSRXNIVEA
  • Skin Texture and Smoothing Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “gives me that glass skin look — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “skin feels softer immediately — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “Makes my face feel smooth and soft. — NIVEA Soft”
    • “skin feels squeaky clean and soft — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “woke up with soft, supple skin — COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”
    • “gives a healthy glow — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “Smoothed out dry flaky scales on my cheeks overnight — NIVEA Creme”
  • Soothing and Gentle Formulas Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “No stinging or irritation — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “extremely gentle — COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner”
    • “perfect for first-time retinol users — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “doesn't dry out skin — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
  • Other Positive Highlights Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “smells like holiday — NIVEA Protect & Moisture Sun Lotion SPF50+”
    • “unclogs pores — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
    • “Smell brings me back to childhood — NIVEA Creme”
    • “doesn't clog the pores — COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)”
  • Lightweight and Fast Absorption Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “absorbs instantly like water — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “sinks in immediately — COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
    • “absorbs practically immediately — COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)”
    • “It's lightweight on the skin and leaves a bit of subtle sheen. — NIVEA Soft”
  • Acne and Blemish Control Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “helped to improve my acne after only 2 weeks — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
    • “cleared up my spots — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “cleared my complexion in 7 days — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
    • “reduces blackheads — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
  • Unpleasant Texture and Finish Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “texture is gooey and stringy — COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”
    • “too slimy and sticky — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “Leaves a sticky film — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “Leaves a shiny grease layer that doesn't go away — NIVEA Creme”
  • Other Minor Complaints Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “expensive for me — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
    • “The purging is real — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “pH is 9 — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
    • “not super gritty — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
  • Breakouts and Skin Irritation Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “stings really bad if it accidentally gets in the eyes — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
    • “burns eyes when sweating — COSRX Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen”
    • “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”

COSRX vs NIVEA routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

COSRX vs NIVEA routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

COSRX vs NIVEA routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or NIVEA: which is better?

COSRX outperforms NIVEA on this page, offering Superior fit levels for sensitive, oily, and acne-prone skin alongside broader hydration and soothing benefits. NIVEA products on this page frequently rely on heavier textures that can leave a greasy finish and occasionally cause breakouts.

What is the difference between COSRX and NIVEA?

COSRX is founded in South Korea in 2013 and owned by Amorepacific, whereas NIVEA is founded in Germany in 1911 and owned by maxingvest. For routine fit, COSRX achieves Superior ratings for oily skin, sensitive skin, acne-prone skin, and oily acne-prone skin, while NIVEA achieves High ratings for those same skin types.

COSRX or NIVEA for dry skin?

Both brands achieve a High routine fit for dry skin on this page. COSRX features key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which helps with skin hydration.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

COSRX or NIVEA: which moisturizer is better?

COSRX offers better moisturizer options for most skin types, featuring products like the Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream which has a Superior fit for sensitive and dry sensitive skin on the Lovi scale. NIVEA moisturizers such as Creme provide a High fit for dry skin, but many NIVEA moisturizers may cause breakouts or leave a greasy residue.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or NIVEA?

The products on this page do not provide pricing information, so it is not possible to determine whether COSRX or NIVEA is more affordable.

COSRX or NIVEA for oily skin?

For oily skin, COSRX offers a Superior fit while NIVEA provides a High fit, making COSRX the better match for this skin type.

COSRX or NIVEA: which sunscreen is better?

COSRX is better for sensitive and acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates its Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen as Superior for acne-prone skin and High for sensitive skin, while NIVEA's MEN sunscreen may cause breakouts.

COSRX or NIVEA for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, COSRX fits better with a Superior level on Lovi, whereas NIVEA reaches a High level. COSRX also does better than NIVEA for soothing and gentle formulas.

COSRX or NIVEA for acne-prone skin?

COSRX is the better choice for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates its overall routine fit as Superior compared to High for NIVEA. COSRX features targeted treatments with key ingredients like niacinamide and salicylic acid that help manage breakouts and improve skin texture while remaining gentle.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

COSRX or NIVEA for mature skin?

Both COSRX and NIVEA are good for mature skin, with Lovi fit levels of High. COSRX features a broader range of key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and panthenol that help support aging skin.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

COSRX or NIVEA for combination skin?

Both COSRX and NIVEA are good options for combination skin, as Lovi rates their routines as High for this skin type.

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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