🇮🇪Ireland

NIVEA vs Elemis

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

NIVEA and Elemis are established skincare brands offering targeted serums, nourishing moisturizers, and protective formulations crafted to support various complexions. The German brand, founded in 1911, utilizes glycerin to best suit sensitive and mature skin, whereas the British brand, established in 1989, blends glycerin and shea butter to primarily care for dry and mature skin. Through these distinct ingredient profiles, the former specializes in reliable sunscreens, while the latter curates a broader range of rich moisturizers, gentle cleansers, and refining toners. Ultimately, both labels address specific concerns like dark spots and aging through dedicated products, differing primarily in their founding heritage, ownership, and signature botanical combinations.

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

beiersdorf.comen.wikipedia.org

Elemis is a British skincare brand founded in 1989 and owned by L'Occitane Group since 2019.

elemis.comau.elemis.comen.wikipedia.org

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

Popular NIVEA vs Elemis products

People Say

NIVEAElemis
  • Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “It's lightweight on the skin and leaves a bit of subtle sheen. — NIVEA Soft”
    • “Makes my face feel smooth and soft. — NIVEA Soft”
    • “Absorbs almost immediately, and my skin feels well hydrated all day. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
  • Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “The cream really hydrates and my face looks amazing. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
    • “Quenches thirsty skin... immediate improvement. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “Smoothed out dry flaky scales on my cheeks overnight — NIVEA Creme”
  • Fragrance and Scent Praise Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like holiday — NIVEA Protect & Moisture Sun Lotion SPF50+”
    • “Smell brings me back to childhood — NIVEA Creme”
    • “smells like a spa — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “smells like a holiday — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
  • Exfoliation and Blemish Reduction Often MentionedSometimes 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”
    • “non-stripping formula — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
  • Gentle Care Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “doesn't dry out skin — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
    • “doesn't leave skin dry or stretched — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
    • “no stinging or redness — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “Feels incredibly gentle and instantly rebalances my skin's pH. — Elemis Balancing Lavender Toner”
  • Value and Affordability 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”
  • Product Ineffectiveness or Minor Issues Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “didn't see a difference — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “tends to flake off — Elemis Pro-Collagen Eye Revive Mask”
    • “It peels horribly no matter how I apply it. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “not super gritty — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
  • Value and Pricing Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “Complete waste of money for me. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Fragrance and Scent Complaints Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Scent is too overpowering for sensitive noses — NIVEA Creme”
    • “Has a heavy, baby powder smell. — NIVEA Soft”
    • “smell is too strong — NIVEA Protect & Moisture Sun Lotion SPF50+”
    • “The smell is very strong... could not handle for long. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”

NIVEA vs Elemis routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

NIVEA vs Elemis routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

NIVEA vs Elemis routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

NIVEA or Elemis: which is better?

Both brands offer solid options depending on your budget and skincare goals, with NIVEA standing out for affordability and blemish care while Elemis excels in hydration and luxurious textures. Reviewers note that NIVEA delivers great value for money and effective serums, whereas Elemis provides richer moisturizers and a radiant glow despite its higher price point.

What is the difference between NIVEA and Elemis?

NIVEA is more affordable with better blemish-clearing options on this page, while Elemis offers more hydrating moisturizers and luxurious textures. Both brands share an equal routine fit across all skin types.

NIVEA or Elemis for dry skin?

Both NIVEA and Elemis work well for dry skin, as Lovi rates the routine fit for this skin type as High for each brand. NIVEA offers versatile multi-use moisturizers, while Elemis is known for hydrating moisturizers.

NIVEA or Elemis: which moisturizer is better?

When it comes to moisturizers, Elemis is often favored for rich hydration, while NIVEA offers versatile, affordable options for everyday care. Both brands feature high routine fit levels for moisturizers on this page.

Which is more affordable, NIVEA or Elemis?

NIVEA is more affordable, as the products on this page offer better value and pricing compared to Elemis.

Between NIVEA and Elemis, which brand is better for exfoliation and blemish reduction?

NIVEA is better for exfoliation and blemish reduction, as the products on this page excel specifically in blemish-clearing serums and exfoliation.

Which brand has more fragrance-free products, NIVEA or Elemis?

NIVEA has more fragrance-free products on this page than Elemis, offering 3 fragrance-free options compared to Elemis's 4. This means NIVEA may be a more suitable choice for shoppers looking to avoid added scents in their skincare routine.

How do the founding years and corporate ownership of NIVEA and Elemis compare?

NIVEA was founded in Germany in 1911 and is owned by maxingvest GmbH & Co. KGaA, whereas Elemis was founded in the United Kingdom in 1989 and is owned by L'Occitane Group.

NIVEA or Elemis for oily skin?

Both NIVEA and Elemis have products on this page that are a High fit for oily skin. Lovi shows that NIVEA offers specialized blemish-clearing serums, while Elemis provides lightweight moisturizing options.

NIVEA or Elemis for sensitive skin?

Both NIVEA and Elemis have routines that Lovi rates as High for sensitive skin. NIVEA fits best for mature skin, sensitive skin, and oily skin, while Elemis fits best for dry skin, mature skin, and dry sensitive skin.

NIVEA or Elemis for acne-prone skin?

Both NIVEA and Elemis match acne-prone skin with a High routine fit level on the products on this page. NIVEA stands out for exfoliation and blemish reduction, while Elemis offers hydrating moisturizers.

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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