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CeraVe vs NIVEA

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

CeraVe and NIVEA are established skincare brands offering dependable moisturizers, cleansers, serums, and sunscreens. The American brand is known for utilizing hydrating hyaluronic acid and glycerin, making it best suited for acne-prone skin and dry skin. Conversely, the German brand is celebrated for formulations featuring hydrating glycerin, suiting sensitive skin and skin with dark spots best. Ultimately, both differ primarily in their exact ingredient combinations and their targeted solutions for specific skin concerns.

CeraVe is an American skincare brand founded in 2005 and owned by L'Oréal since 2017.

en.wikipedia.orghappi.comloreal-finance.comcerave.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 CeraVe and NIVEA products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular CeraVe vs NIVEA products

People Say

CeraVeNIVEA
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry winter skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “woke up with plump skin — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “Smoothed out dry flaky scales on my cheeks overnight — NIVEA Creme”
    • “skin feels moisturized — NIVEA Protect & Moisture Sun Lotion SPF50+”
  • Gentle Care for Sensitive Skin Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “doesn't leave face tight — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “no redness after washing — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “doesn't dry out skin — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
  • Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Absorbs into skin without residue — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Sinks right into your skin — CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Sinks in immediately — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “It's lightweight on the skin and leaves a bit of subtle sheen. — NIVEA Soft”
  • Value and Affordability Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Works better than expensive luxury creams — NIVEA Creme”
    • “Best affordable vegan moisturizer. — NIVEA Soft”
    • “absolute steal for the price — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
    • “reasonably priced — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
  • Skin Texture and Blemish Improvement Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “difference in my skin's texture is noticeable — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
    • “lightened dark spots — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “skin feels squeaky clean and soft — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
    • “skin feels smooth — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
  • Fragrance and Scent Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “No scent, no irritation — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “Great for sensitive skin — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “smells like holiday — NIVEA Protect & Moisture Sun Lotion SPF50+”
    • “Smell brings me back to childhood — NIVEA Creme”
  • Breakouts and Acne Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Gave me cystic acne — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “gave me closed comedones — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “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”
  • Texture and Consistency Problems Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “feels like washing with conditioner — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “hard to spread — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “Pills under my makeup — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “Consistency is like a thick paste or sunblock — NIVEA Creme”
  • Greasy or Oily Residue Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “too sticky — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “Leaves a shiny grease layer that doesn't go away — NIVEA Creme”

CeraVe vs NIVEA routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

CeraVe vs NIVEA routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

CeraVe vs NIVEA routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 94% fit

Questions and answers

CeraVe or NIVEA: which is better?

CeraVe fits acne-prone skin better than NIVEA, achieving a Superior level on this page. For other skin types, both brands offer equal routine fit levels, but CeraVe has no fragranced products on this page while NIVEA includes fragrance in several items.

What is the difference between CeraVe and NIVEA?

CeraVe has a Superior fit level for acne-prone skin on the products on this page, whereas NIVEA has a High fit level. CeraVe features ceramide-dominant barrier repair lipids, which help repair the skin barrier. NIVEA relies primarily on glycerin for hydration.

CeraVe or NIVEA for dry skin?

Both CeraVe and NIVEA offer a High routine fit for dry skin on this page. CeraVe features fragrance-free products across the range, while NIVEA includes options with fragrance.

CeraVe or NIVEA: which moisturizer is better?

CeraVe and NIVEA both offer moisturizers with a High routine fit for dry skin on this page, but CeraVe stands out for its fragrance-free formulas and ceramides that help repair the skin barrier. CeraVe moisturizers also feature key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, which help provide deep hydration.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or NIVEA?

NIVEA is more affordable, as the products on this page offer better value and affordability.

Between CeraVe and NIVEA, which brand offers fragrance-free products?

CeraVe offers fragrance-free products, as every product on its page lists no fragrance in its ingredients. In contrast, NIVEA has a strong fragrance in several products, with only 3 of its 9 products on the page listing no fragrance.

How do CeraVe and NIVEA compare regarding gentle care for sensitive skin?

CeraVe does better than NIVEA for gentle care for sensitive skin, as Lovi rates CeraVe as High for sensitive skin compared to NIVEA. CeraVe offers fragrance-free products on this page, while NIVEA includes some fragranced items.

Which brand has a better routine fit for acne-prone skin?

CeraVe has a better routine fit for acne-prone skin, achieving a Superior fit level compared to NIVEA's High fit level. The products on this page help provide targeted care for acne-prone skin using key ingredients like salicylic acid and niacinamide.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

CeraVe or NIVEA for oily skin?

Both CeraVe and NIVEA achieve a High routine fit for oily skin. CeraVe offers fragrance-free products on this page, whereas several NIVEA products contain fragrance.

CeraVe or NIVEA: which sunscreen is better?

CeraVe has a superior routine fit for acne-prone skin on this page, while NIVEA offers alternatives with varying ingredient profiles. Reviewers note that CeraVe products feature fragrance-free formulations, whereas certain NIVEA sunscreens contain added fragrance.

CeraVe or NIVEA for sensitive skin?

Both CeraVe and NIVEA are good for sensitive skin, with Lovi rating the routine fit for both brands as High. Reviewers note that CeraVe does better for gentle care for sensitive skin, and every product on the CeraVe page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas 6 of 9 NIVEA products on this page list fragrance.

CeraVe or NIVEA for acne-prone skin?

CeraVe fits acne-prone skin better than NIVEA, because Lovi rates its routine as Superior for this skin type while NIVEA reaches a High level.

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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