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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 care, with the former founded in Germany in 1911 and the latter originating in Japan in 1980. The German brand is known for dependable sunscreens, targeted serums, and nourishing moisturizers formulated with hydrating glycerin, suiting sensitive skin and skin with dark spots best. Conversely, the Japanese brand is adored for its moisturizers, serums, rejuvenating masks, and refreshing toners anchored by its signature ingredient, pitera, which suit acne-prone skin and dry skin best. Ultimately, both brands differ through their specific formulations and core ingredients, providing tailored options that improve barrier function, texture, and overall radiance.

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 · 95% fit

NIVEA vs SK-II routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 94% fit

Questions and answers

NIVEA or SK-II: which is better?

Both NIVEA and SK-II are great choices, with NIVEA offering better value for money and hydration while SK-II excels in radiance and glow. Lovi gives both brands high routine fits across most skin types.

What is the difference between NIVEA and SK-II?

NIVEA and SK-II differ in their company origins, key ingredients, and review highlights, with NIVEA featuring Glycerin and SK-II featuring Pitera across the products on this page.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

NIVEA or SK-II for dry skin?

For dry skin, both NIVEA and SK-II are great choices, as Lovi rates NIVEA High and SK-II Superior for this skin type. NIVEA uses glycerin to help provide intense deep hydration, while SK-II features Pitera across the products on this page.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

NIVEA or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

For moisturizers, both NIVEA and SK-II are great choices, with NIVEA offering versatile multi-use options like Creme and Soft, while SK-II features popular formulas like the Facial Treatment Essence. Lovi rates NIVEA Creme as having a High fit for dry and dry sensitive skin, and an Average fit for mature skin, whereas SK-II Facial Treatment Essence achieves a High fit across dry, mature, and sensitive skin types.

Which is more affordable, NIVEA or SK-II?

NIVEA is more affordable, as value for money is an area where the products on this page do better.

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 reviewer feedback. Glycerin helps provide intense deep hydration across the products on this page.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

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 since 1991.

Which brand has more fragrance-free products, NIVEA or SK-II?

SK-II has more fragrance-free products than NIVEA, as every product on the SK-II page lists no fragrance, whereas only 3 of the 9 NIVEA products on the page list no fragrance.

NIVEA or SK-II for oily skin?

For oily skin, both NIVEA and SK-II achieve a High Lovi fit level across their product ranges. Glycerin helps provide hydration for the products on this page.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

NIVEA or SK-II for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, NIVEA offers a High routine fit on this page. Lovi rates the sensitive skin fit for the products on this page as High for NIVEA and High for SK-II.

NIVEA or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, both brands offer products on this page with strong results, with Lovi giving SK-II a Superior fit and NIVEA a High fit.

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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