🇮🇪Ireland

NIVEA vs ISDIN

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

NIVEA and ISDIN are well-regarded European skincare brands that offer a variety of moisturizing, sun protection, and targeted treatments. Founded in Germany in 1911, the first brand relies on glycerin to create nourishing moisturizers, reliable sunscreens, and targeted serums that suit mature and sensitive skin. Established in Spain in 1975, the second brand provides elegant moisturizers, advanced sunscreens, restorative serums, and targeted eye products that suit dry and sensitive skin. While both companies craft gentle formulas with standout solutions for acne-prone skin, dark spots, and aging concerns, they differ in their heritage and specific ingredient focuses.

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

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ISDIN is a Spanish skincare brand founded in 1975 and owned by Puig.

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

Popular NIVEA vs ISDIN products

People Say

NIVEAISDIN
  • 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”
    • “Improved moisture and texture — ISDIN Hyaluronic Moisture”
  • Texture and Application 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”
    • “absorbs instantly — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
    • “ultra-light fluid product, which makes it super easy to apply — ISDIN Fusion Water”
  • Blemish Reduction and Skin Texture Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “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”
    • “skin was much smoother — ISDIN Retinal Intense Serum”
  • Sensitive Skin Friendly Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “Sensitive/reactive skin tolerates — ISDIN Hyaluronic Moisture”
    • “no excessive exfoliation — ISDIN Retinal Intense Serum”
    • “doesn't sting eyes — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
  • Fragrance and Scent Often MentionedRarely 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”
    • “Smells absolutely amazing — ISDIN Hyaluronic Concentrate”
  • Value and Price 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”
  • Strong Scent and Irritation Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Scent is too overpowering for sensitive noses — NIVEA Creme”
    • “Has a heavy, baby powder smell. — NIVEA Soft”
    • “smells like men's hairspray — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
    • “smell is overpowering — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
  • High Price Point Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “very expensive — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”

NIVEA vs ISDIN routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

NIVEA vs ISDIN routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

NIVEA vs ISDIN routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

NIVEA or ISDIN: which is better?

ISDIN offers Superior routine fits across all skin types on this page, whereas NIVEA products are frequently noted for greasy residue and breakouts. Glycerin helps provide deep hydration for both brands, which is supported by research.

What is the difference between NIVEA and ISDIN?

NIVEA and ISDIN differ in their founding origins, with NIVEA established in Germany in 1911 and ISDIN founded in Spain in 1975. Reviewers highlight NIVEA for intensive hydration and affordable value, while noting ISDIN for its ultralight, highly skin-friendly sunscreens.

NIVEA or ISDIN for dry skin?

Both brands are great choices for dry skin, with Lovi rating NIVEA High and ISDIN Superior for this skin type. Glycerin helps provide intense deep hydration across the products on this page.

NIVEA or ISDIN: which moisturizer is better?

ISDIN offers a Superior Lovi fit for dry skin with its Hyaluronic Concentrate and Hyaluronic Moisture, whereas NIVEA provides a High Lovi fit with products like Creme and Soft. Shoppers find NIVEA better for value and deep hydration, while ISDIN is noted for lightweight moisturizers.

Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2012

Which is more affordable, NIVEA or ISDIN?

NIVEA is more affordable, as reviewers often note ISDIN for its high price point while NIVEA scores better for value and price.

Which brand has been around longer, NIVEA or ISDIN?

NIVEA has been around longer than ISDIN, having been founded in Germany in 1911 compared to ISDIN, which was founded in Spain in 1975.

Do NIVEA and ISDIN products contain fragrance?

Yes, both NIVEA and ISDIN products on this page contain fragrance, as some items from each brand list no fragrance while others include it.

What are the best skin types for ISDIN according to its brand-focused routines?

According to its brand-focused routines, ISDIN fits best for dry skin, sensitive skin, and mature skin.

NIVEA or ISDIN for oily skin?

For oily skin, both NIVEA and ISDIN are good options because Lovi rates the routine fit for both brands as High. Glycerin helps provide moisture and is found across the products on this page.

NIVEA or ISDIN: which sunscreen is better?

ISDIN is better because Lovi gives its sunscreens, like Eryfotona Actinica, a Superior fit for sensitive and mature skin compared to NIVEA. Glycerin helps provide moisture across formulations.

NIVEA or ISDIN for sensitive skin?

Both NIVEA and ISDIN are suitable choices, as Lovi rates NIVEA High and ISDIN Superior for sensitive skin. Reviewers highlight ISDIN for being sensitive skin friendly, while NIVEA offers options like Glycerin to help provide hydration.

NIVEA or ISDIN for acne-prone skin?

Both NIVEA and ISDIN offer products that help with acne-prone skin, with Lovi giving ISDIN a Superior routine fit compared to NIVEA's High fit. Glycerin is a key ingredient included across the products on this page to help support skin hydration.

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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