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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 skincare brands offering distinct approaches to daily hydration and barrier care. The German brand, founded in 1911 and owned by Maxingvest GmbH & Co. KGaA since 2004, is deeply loved for its reliable sunscreens, targeted serums, and nourishing moisturizers formulated with glycerin, suiting mature skin and sensitive skin best. Conversely, the Japanese brand, founded in 1980 and owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991, is cherished for its luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, clarifying toners, and restorative masks anchored by pitera, suiting dry skin and acne-prone skin best. While both brands address specific concerns like dark spots and uneven texture, they differ fundamentally through their heritage, signature ingredients, and primary skin-type affinities.

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 · 96% fit

NIVEA vs SK-II routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

NIVEA or SK-II: which is better?

When it comes to value for money, NIVEA performs better, whereas SK-II stands out for radiance, glow, and additional skincare benefits. Reviewers find that the products on this page from NIVEA offer intense deep hydration, while every SK-II product lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

What is the difference between NIVEA and SK-II?

NIVEA and SK-II differ mainly in their formulation focus, with NIVEA using glycerin across the products on this page while SK-II relies on Pitera, and they also have different fragrance profiles since SK-II lists no fragrance for its products unlike NIVEA.

NIVEA or SK-II for dry skin?

For dry skin, both NIVEA and SK-II are great choices, with Lovi giving NIVEA a High fit and SK-II a Superior fit. NIVEA offers intense deep hydration with glycerin, while SK-II features a fragrance-free routine.

NIVEA or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

For moisturizers, both NIVEA and SK-II achieve a High fit on Lovi for dry skin, though NIVEA offers intense deep hydration while SK-II features fragrance-free formulas.

Which is more affordable, NIVEA or SK-II?

NIVEA is more affordable than SK-II, as NIVEA does better for value for money according to reviewer themes.

How do the founding years and corporate ownership of NIVEA and SK-II compare?

NIVEA was founded in 1911 in Germany and has been owned by maxingvest GmbH & Co. KGaA since 2004, whereas SK-II was founded in 1980 in Japan and has been owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.

Which brand performs better for hydration and moisture according to reviewers?

NIVEA performs better for hydration and moisture according to reviewers, offering intense deep hydration alongside versatile multi-use moisturizers.

What is the key ingredient across SK-II products compared to NIVEA?

The key ingredient across SK-II products on this page is Pitera, whereas the key ingredient across NIVEA products is glycerin.

NIVEA or SK-II for oily skin?

For oily skin, both NIVEA and SK-II achieve a High routine fit on Lovi, though NIVEA offers better value for money while SK-II leans on fragrance-free formulas with key ingredient Pitera. Glycerin is found across the products on this page to help maintain moisture levels without heavy oils.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

NIVEA or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Both NIVEA and SK-II achieve a High Lovi fit level for sensitive skin based on the products on this page. Reviewers note that SK-II formulas contain no fragrance, whereas 3 of 9 NIVEA products on this page list no fragrance.

NIVEA or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

Both brands are great choices for acne-prone skin, with Lovi rating NIVEA High and SK-II High for this skin type. NIVEA offers blemish-clearing serums among the products on this page, while SK-II features fragrance-free formulas.

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

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