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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 skin care labels from South Korea and Germany, respectively. The first brand is known for targeted serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and masks featuring hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide, while the second is beloved for reliable sunscreens, targeted serums, and nourishing moisturizers highlighting skin-softening glycerin. The former suits acne-prone and oily acne-prone skin best, whereas the latter suits sensitive and mature skin best. Ultimately, they differ in their foundational formulations and ideal skin types, offering tailored approaches to complexion care.

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 · 99% fit

COSRX vs NIVEA routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

COSRX vs NIVEA routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or NIVEA: which is better?

COSRX is better for acne-prone skin with a Superior Lovi fit level, whereas NIVEA has a High Lovi fit level for this skin type. COSRX also excels over NIVEA in hydration and lightweight absorption on the products on this page.

What is the difference between COSRX and NIVEA?

COSRX is founded in South Korea in 2013 and NIVEA is founded in Germany in 1911. COSRX products on this page have a Superior fit level for acne-prone and oily acne-prone skin types, while NIVEA has a High fit level for those types. The products on this page from COSRX feature key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, which helps with skin hydration and reducing pigmentation, whereas NIVEA mainly highlights glycerin.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

COSRX or NIVEA for dry skin?

Both COSRX and NIVEA achieve a High routine fit for dry skin on this page. Reviewers report that COSRX provides deep hydration and moisturization with lightweight absorption.

COSRX or NIVEA: which moisturizer is better?

COSRX is better for moisturizers on this page, offering products like Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence that have a Superior fit for dry skin, whereas NIVEA moisturizers like Creme have a High fit for dry skin. COSRX also has a much wider selection of moisturizers with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which helps improve skin hydration.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Drug Delivery, 2017

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: which brand has more fragrance-free products?

COSRX has more fragrance-free products, as 37 of the 38 products on this page list no fragrance. In contrast, NIVEA has fragrance listed in 6 of its 9 products on this page.

COSRX or NIVEA for oily skin?

Both COSRX and NIVEA offer a High routine fit for oily skin. Reviewers note that COSRX excels in lightweight absorption, whereas NIVEA provides intense deep hydration.

COSRX or NIVEA: which sunscreen is better?

Both COSRX and NIVEA offer sunscreens that rate High for most skin types on this page, but COSRX is founded on gentler formulas that list no fragrance in nearly all its products. NIVEA sunscreens often include added fragrance, which may cause sensitivity for some users.

COSRX or NIVEA for sensitive skin?

Both COSRX and NIVEA are a High fit for sensitive skin on this page, but COSRX outperforms NIVEA in soothing and gentle formulas. NIVEA lists fragrance in six of its nine products on the page, while COSRX includes no fragrance in 37 of its 38 products.

COSRX or NIVEA for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, COSRX is the better choice because Lovi rates its routine as Superior, whereas NIVEA fits at a High level.

COSRX or NIVEA for mature skin?

Both COSRX and NIVEA are good for mature skin, as Lovi rates the routine fit for both brands as High. COSRX helps with its lightweight, gentle formulas and key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and retinol, while NIVEA offers versatile moisturizers and blemish-clearing serums.

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

COSRX or NIVEA for skin with dark spots?

Both COSRX and NIVEA offer effective options for skin with dark spots, with Lovi giving both brands a High routine fit. COSRX features key ingredients like niacinamide, which helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppress melanosome transfer, and is found in 37 fragrance-free products on the page.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

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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