🇮🇹Italy

Clinique vs NIVEA

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

Clinique and NIVEA are respected skincare brands originating from America and Germany, respectively. Clinique offers thoughtful moisturizers, serums, makeup removers, and eye products with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and caffeine, while the brand is dearly loved for its reliable sunscreens, targeted serums, and nourishing moisturizers formulated with skin-softening glycerin. While the American brand suits dry sensitive skin and oily skin best, the German brand suits sensitive skin and mature skin best. Ultimately, they differ through their distinct heritage, proprietary ingredient blends, and targeted solutions for specific skin concerns.

Clinique is an American skincare brand founded in 1968 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc..

en.wikipedia.orgelcompanies.combusinesswire.comglossy.co

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 Clinique and NIVEA products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Clinique vs NIVEA products

People Say

CliniqueNIVEA
  • Sensitive Skin and Gentle Formulas Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “never irritated my eyes — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “No strong scent — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “No stinging eyes — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “doesn't dry out skin — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
  • Effective Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Keeps my dry patches at bay all day — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “skin feels soft and smooth — Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask”
    • “Smoothed out dry flaky scales on my cheeks overnight — NIVEA Creme”
    • “skin feels moisturized — NIVEA Protect & Moisture Sun Lotion SPF50+”
  • Lightweight and Fast Absorbing Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “sinks in immediately — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “sinks in instantly — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
    • “Absorbs quickly without feeling sticky — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “It's lightweight on the skin and leaves a bit of subtle sheen. — NIVEA Soft”
  • Skin Exfoliation and Texture Smoothing Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “skin feels silky smooth — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
    • “gentle enough for everyday — Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula”
    • “skin feels squeaky clean and soft — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
    • “skin feels smooth — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
  • Great Value and Affordability Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “Works better than expensive luxury creams — NIVEA Creme”
    • “Best affordable vegan moisturizer. — NIVEA Soft”
    • “absolute steal for the price — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
  • Makeup Compatibility and Base Often MentionedNot noted
    • “Melts waterproof mascara — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “foundation glides on — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “holds concealer in place — Clinique All About Eyes”
  • Sticky and Greasy Finish Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “hard to rinse off — Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula”
    • “feels sticky to the touch — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “Left an oily film on my T-zone — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “Leaves a shiny grease layer that doesn't go away — NIVEA Creme”
  • Causes Breakouts and Acne Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Woke up with whiteheads on my chin — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “gave me tiny bumps — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “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”
  • High Price and Value Complaints Often MentionedNot noted
    • “jar is too small for the cost — Clinique moisture surge”
  • Unpleasant or Strong Scent Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Smells like nail polish remover — Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2”
    • “Smells like old oil — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “Scent is too overpowering for sensitive noses — NIVEA Creme”
    • “Has a heavy, baby powder smell. — NIVEA Soft”

Clinique vs NIVEA routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Clinique vs NIVEA routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Clinique vs NIVEA routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Clinique or NIVEA: which is better?

Clinique is better for lightweight formulas and fragrance-free options across the products on this page, while NIVEA offers greater affordability and higher routine fit levels for sensitive, combination, and acne-prone skin types. Hyaluronic acid helps improve skin hydration and moisture retention.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between Clinique and NIVEA?

Clinique products on this page list no fragrance, whereas 6 of 9 NIVEA products contain fragrance. Reviewers note that Clinique offers better lightweight, fast-absorbing moisturizers, while NIVEA provides greater value and affordability.

Clinique or NIVEA for dry skin?

NIVEA offers a High routine fit for dry skin, whereas Clinique provides an Average fit. NIVEA features versatile multi-use moisturizers like Creme that help deliver intense deep hydration to dry skin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Clinique or NIVEA: which moisturizer is better?

Both Clinique and NIVEA offer great moisturizers, with Clinique known for fragrance-free, lightweight formulas and NIVEA praised for deep hydration and value. The products on this page show that Lovi fit levels vary by skin type, so the better choice depends on individual needs.

Which is more affordable, Clinique or NIVEA?

NIVEA is more affordable, whereas reviewers often mention a high price point for Clinique.

Which brand has products with no fragrance, Clinique or NIVEA?

Clinique has products with no fragrance, as every product on its page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas only 3 of 9 NIVEA products on this page list no fragrance.

Clinique or NIVEA for oily skin?

Both Clinique and NIVEA are a High Lovi fit for oily skin. The products on this page help provide oil-controlling and smoothing moisturizers, while reviewers note that NIVEA also offers intense deep hydration.

Clinique or NIVEA for sensitive skin?

NIVEA is a better fit for sensitive skin, offering a High Lovi fit level compared to Clinique's Average fit. While Clinique formulas on this page list no fragrance, NIVEA provides versatile multi-use moisturizers and intense deep hydration that reviewers frequently mention.

Clinique or NIVEA for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, NIVEA has a High routine fit level on Lovi, while Clinique has an Average fit level. NIVEA offers blemish-clearing serums that reviewers mostly mention, whereas Clinique reviewers sometimes note breakouts.

Clinique or NIVEA for mature skin?

Both Clinique and NIVEA achieve High Lovi fit levels for mature skin. Clinique features fragrance-free formulas with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, while NIVEA offers versatile moisturizers and serums that help deliver deep hydration.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Clinique or NIVEA for dry sensitive skin?

Both Clinique and NIVEA are good options for dry sensitive skin, as Lovi rates their routines as High fit for this skin type. Clinique offers fragrance-free products on the products on this page and hydrating moisturizers, while NIVEA provides versatile multi-use moisturizers and intense deep 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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