NIVEA vs ISDIN
NIVEA and ISDIN are established skincare houses that offer nourishing moisturizers, targeted serums, and versatile sunscreens for daily care. The German brand NIVEA, founded in 1911, uses hydrating glycerin to support sensitive and acne-prone skin, while the Spanish brand ISDIN, founded in 1975, crafts advanced formulas that respect delicate moisture barriers. Both names provide standout solutions like specialized sunscreens and targeted serums, though they differ in their heritage and precise active ingredients.
NIVEA is a German skincare brand founded in 1911 and owned by maxingvest GmbH & Co. KGaA since 2004.
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ISDIN is a Spanish skincare brand founded in 1975 and owned by Puig.
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This page compares some of the most popular NIVEA and ISDIN products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular NIVEA vs ISDIN products
People Say
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”
- “Improved moisture and texture — ISDIN Hyaluronic Moisture”
Texture and Application 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”
- “absorbs instantly — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
- “ultra-light fluid product, which makes it super easy to apply — ISDIN Fusion Water”
Blemish Reduction and Skin Texture Often MentionedRarely Noted
- “cleared my complexion in 7 days — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
- “skin feels squeaky clean and soft — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
- “unclogs pores — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
- “skin was much smoother — ISDIN Retinal Intense Serum”
Sensitive Skin Friendly Not notedOften Mentioned
- “Sensitive/reactive skin tolerates — ISDIN Hyaluronic Moisture”
- “no excessive exfoliation — ISDIN Retinal Intense Serum”
- “doesn't sting eyes — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
Fragrance and Scent Often MentionedRarely Noted
- “smells like holiday — NIVEA Protect & Moisture Sun Lotion SPF50+”
- “Smell brings me back to childhood — NIVEA Creme”
- “smells really nice — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
- “Smells absolutely amazing — ISDIN Hyaluronic Concentrate”
Value and Price 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”
Strong Scent and Irritation Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “Scent is too overpowering for sensitive noses — NIVEA Creme”
- “Has a heavy, baby powder smell. — NIVEA Soft”
- “smells like men's hairspray — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
- “smell is overpowering — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
High Price Point Not notedOften Mentioned
- “very expensive — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
NIVEA vs ISDIN routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 297.00
-
Moisturizer
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Enrich Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 48.00
-
SPF
Fusion Water
Morning
SAR 75.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
SAR 65.11
-
Cleansing Toner
ROUND LAB 1025 Dokdo Cleansing Water
Evening
SAR 72.64
-
Serum or Treatment
Flavo-C Serum
Evening · Once a week
SAR 848.48
-
Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
SAR 130.30
-
Nourishing Mask
Mediheal Watermide Essential Mask
Once a week
SAR 234.73
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Cleanser
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 297.00
-
Moisturizer
Creme
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 17.86
-
SPF
Protect & Moisture Sun Lotion SPF50+
Morning
SAR 75.20
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
SAR 65.11
-
Cleansing Toner
ROUND LAB 1025 Dokdo Cleansing Water
Evening
SAR 72.64
-
Serum or Treatment
Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub
Evening · Once a week
SAR 81.25
-
Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
SAR 130.30
-
Nourishing Mask
Mediheal Watermide Essential Mask
Once a week
SAR 234.73
Buy ISDIN routine · SAR 1,771.26 · 92% fit
Buy NIVEA routine · SAR 974.09 · 82% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
NIVEA vs ISDIN routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 36.33
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
SAR 53.04
-
Moisturizer
COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 39.70
-
SPF
Eryfotona Actinica
Morning
SAR 429.81
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
SAR 245.95
-
Cleansing Toner
Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Toner
Evening
SAR 187.00
-
Serum or Treatment
Flavo-C Serum
Evening · Once a week
SAR 848.48
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
SAR 157.51
-
Cleansing Mask
Goldfaden MD Facial Detox Mask
Once a week
SAR 328.29
-
Cleanser
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 36.33
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
SAR 53.04
-
Moisturizer
Soft
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 14.39
-
SPF
Protect & Moisture Sun Lotion SPF50+
Morning
SAR 75.20
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
SAR 245.95
-
Cleansing Toner
Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Toner
Evening
SAR 187.00
-
Serum or Treatment
Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub
Evening · Once a week
SAR 81.25
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
SAR 157.51
-
Cleansing Mask
Goldfaden MD Facial Detox Mask
Once a week
SAR 328.29
Buy ISDIN routine · SAR 2,326.11 · 93% fit
Buy NIVEA routine · SAR 1,178.96 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
NIVEA vs ISDIN routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 191.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
SAR 166.90
-
Moisturizer
COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 39.70
-
SPF
Eryfotona Actinica
Morning
SAR 429.81
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
SAR 245.95
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
SAR 64.80
-
Serum or Treatment
Flavo-C Serum
Evening · Once a week
SAR 848.48
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
SAR 157.51
-
Cleansing Mask
KORA Organics Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating Mask
Once a week
SAR 168.77
-
Cleanser
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 191.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
SAR 166.90
-
Moisturizer
Soft
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 14.39
-
SPF
Protect & Moisture Sun Lotion SPF50+
Morning
SAR 75.20
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
SAR 245.95
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
SAR 64.80
-
Serum or Treatment
Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub
Evening · Once a week
SAR 81.25
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
SAR 157.51
-
Cleansing Mask
KORA Organics Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating Mask
Once a week
SAR 168.77
Buy ISDIN routine · SAR 2,312.92 · 93% fit
Buy NIVEA routine · SAR 1,165.77 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Questions and answers
NIVEA or ISDIN: which is better?
ISDIN is better than NIVEA for overall routine fit, as Lovi rates ISDIN as Superior across all skin types compared to High for NIVEA. Reviewers also note that ISDIN offers ultralight, skin-friendly sunscreens, while NIVEA reviewers frequently mention greasy residues.
What is the difference between NIVEA and ISDIN?
NIVEA, founded in Germany in 1911, offers budget-friendly products with strong scores in hydration and blemish reduction, whereas ISDIN, founded in Spain in 1975, focuses on ultralight, skin-friendly sunscreens with a higher price point. Glycerin is a key ingredient across NIVEA products on this page.
NIVEA or ISDIN for dry skin?
When it comes to dry skin, ISDIN reaches a Superior routine fit while NIVEA reaches a High routine fit. Glycerin acts as a key ingredient across NIVEA products on this page and helps provide hydration.
NIVEA or ISDIN: which moisturizer is better?
When comparing moisturizers, ISDIN achieves a Superior routine fit for dry skin and dry sensitive skin on this page, while NIVEA achieves a High fit. Glycerin is a key ingredient across NIVEA products, which helps provide hydration.
Which is more affordable, NIVEA or ISDIN?
NIVEA is more affordable, as reviewers often mention ISDIN for its high price point while NIVEA scores better for value and price.
Between NIVEA and ISDIN, which brand is owned by Puig and founded in Spain?
ISDIN is owned by Puig and was founded in Spain in 1975.
How do the review themes compare for Sensitive Skin Friendly between NIVEA and ISDIN?
When comparing review themes for sensitive skin friendly, ISDIN does better than NIVEA. Reviewers frequently mention ISDIN for having skin-friendly sunscreens.
What are the specific morning routine steps recommended for dry skin using NIVEA products?
For dry skin using NIVEA products, the recommended morning routine includes a cleanser like Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser, the NIVEA Creme moisturizer, and the Protect & Moisture Sun Lotion SPF50+ sunscreen.
NIVEA or ISDIN for oily skin?
For oily skin, ISDIN reaches a Superior Lovi fit while NIVEA reaches High. Glycerin helps provide hydration for skin types on this page.
NIVEA or ISDIN: which sunscreen is better?
ISDIN sunscreens are better because they offer a Superior Lovi fit for mature, sensitive, and dry sensitive skin types, whereas NIVEA sunscreens generally have a lower fit for those specific concerns. Reviewers also mostly mention ISDIN for ultralight, skin-friendly, and makeup-friendly sunscreens.
NIVEA or ISDIN for sensitive skin?
Both NIVEA and ISDIN are suitable options for sensitive skin, with ISDIN achieving a Superior routine fit and NIVEA achieving a High routine fit. ISDIN is widely praised by reviewers for its skin-friendly sunscreens, while NIVEA offers versatile multi-use moisturizers.
NIVEA or ISDIN for acne-prone skin?
Both brands fit acne-prone skin well, with Lovi rating NIVEA High and ISDIN Superior for this skin type. Reviewers mostly mention NIVEA for blemish-clearing serums and ISDIN for ultralight sunscreens.
Research behind their key ingredients
Effects of glyceryl glucoside on AQP3 expression, barrier function and hydration of human skin
Exotic Vegetable Oils for Cosmetic O/W Nanoemulsions: In Vivo Evaluation
In vivo and in vitro evaluation of octyl methoxycinnamate liposomes
Comparison of methods for assessing photoprotection against ultraviolet A in vivo
Nanocomplex of quaternized cyclodextrin grafted chitosan and hyaluronic acid for a skin delivery
The clinical efficacy of a new emulsion for acne and conspicuous facial pore amelioration
Retrospective Review of Dermal Safety Studies of Organic Sunscreens
Targeting Circadian Rhythm for the Regulation of Skin Collagen Metabolism
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.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-

Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-

Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-

Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-

Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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