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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 nourishment and renewal. The German line, founded in 1911, is dearly loved for reliable sunscreens, targeted serums, and nourishing moisturizers formulated with skin-softening glycerin to suit sensitive and mature skin best. Meanwhile, the Japanese brand, founded in 1980, is cherished globally for luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, clarifying toners, and restorative masks anchored by signature pitera to suit dry and acne-prone skin best. While both enhance the complexion through specialized products like the LUMINOUS630 ANTI-DARK SPOT SERUM and the Facial Treatment Essence, they differ in their heritage, core ingredients, and ideal skin types.

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 · 99% fit

NIVEA vs SK-II routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% 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 comparing NIVEA and SK-II on this page, NIVEA offers better value for money and cleansing benefits, while SK-II delivers better results for radiance and additional skincare benefits. For overall routine fit, Lovi rates both brands as High for all skin types.

What is the difference between NIVEA and SK-II?

NIVEA and SK-II differ in their key ingredients, pricing value, and formulation fragrances as shown by the products on this page. NIVEA relies on glycerin and offers better value for money with higher blemish control, while SK-II features Pitera and scores better for radiance and glow without added fragrance.

NIVEA or SK-II for dry skin?

For dry skin, both NIVEA and SK-II offer effective options, with Lovi fit levels ranging from Low to High for NIVEA products and High for key SK-II moisturizers like the Facial Treatment Essence. NIVEA provides versatile multi-use moisturizers with glycerin, whereas SK-II relies on Pitera and achieves a Superior routine fit for dry skin.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

NIVEA or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

When comparing moisturizers, SK-II achieves a Superior Lovi fit level for dry skin on this page, while NIVEA offers a High Lovi fit level. Glycerin helps provide intense deep hydration for NIVEA moisturizers, whereas SK-II products feature Pitera and list no fragrance.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Which is more affordable, NIVEA or SK-II?

NIVEA is more affordable, as it does better for value for money among the products on this page.

Between NIVEA and SK-II, which brand performs better for hydration and moisture?

Between NIVEA and SK-II, NIVEA does better for hydration and moisture based on the review themes on this page. Reviewers often mention intense deep hydration from the products on this page.

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 is owned by The Procter & Gamble Company.

Which brand has fragrance-free products across its entire page lineup, NIVEA or SK-II?

SK-II has fragrance-free products across its entire page lineup, whereas NIVEA lists fragrance in several of its products on this page.

NIVEA or SK-II for oily skin?

For oily skin, Lovi finds that both NIVEA and SK-II products on this page have a Superior routine fit. NIVEA delivers strong cleansing and blemish control, while every SK-II product lists no fragrance.

NIVEA or SK-II for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, Lovi rates both NIVEA and SK-II as High. Reviewers note that NIVEA offers intense deep hydration and versatile multi-use moisturizers, while every SK-II product on this page lists no fragrance.

NIVEA or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

Both brands offer products with a High fit or better for acne-prone skin on this page, but SK-II has a Superior routine fit compared to NIVEA's High fit. Glycerin in NIVEA products helps provide hydration, while SK-II products feature Pitera and are fragrance-free.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

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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