🇸🇦Saudi Arabia

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 nourishing moisturizers, targeted serums, and various specialized formulations. The German brand, founded in 1911 and owned by Maxingvest GmbH & Co. KGaA since 2004, utilizes hydrating glycerin to suit sensitive and acne-prone skin best, featuring options such as the Protect & Moisture Sun Lotion SPF50+, UV Deep Protect & Care Gel, and LUMINOUS630 ANTI-DARK SPOT SERUM. Conversely, the Japanese brand, founded in 1980 and owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991, harnesses pitera across its clarifying toners, restorative masks, and other products to best suit dry sensitive and combination skin, with highlights including the Genoptics Ultraura Essence, Facial Treatment Essence, and Facial Treatment Clear Lotion. While both maintain skin health and barrier function, they differ through their distinct ingredients and regional heritage.

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

Buy SK-II routine · SAR 2,157.75 · 83% fitBuy NIVEA routine · SAR 974.09 · 82% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

NIVEA vs SK-II routines for oily skin

Buy SK-II routine · SAR 1,935.93 · 89% fitBuy NIVEA routine · SAR 1,178.96 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

NIVEA vs SK-II routines for combination skin

Buy SK-II routine · SAR 2,044.94 · 90% fitBuy NIVEA routine · SAR 1,165.77 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

NIVEA or SK-II: which is better?

Both brands are great choices depending on your budget and skin goals, with NIVEA offering better value for money and cleansing benefits, while SK-II delivers superior radiance and glow. Glycerin in NIVEA products helps provide intense deep hydration, and Pitera in SK-II helps improve overall skin texture.

What is the difference between NIVEA and SK-II?

NIVEA and SK-II are both major skincare brands, with NIVEA offering strong value for money and blemish-clearing serums, while SK-II delivers superior radiance and glow using Pitera as a key ingredient. Reviewers note that the products on this page for NIVEA often provide intense deep hydration, whereas SK-II features fragrance-free formulations across its entire range.

NIVEA or SK-II for dry skin?

Both NIVEA and SK-II achieve a High routine fit level for dry skin. Glycerin helps provide intense deep hydration across the products on this page for NIVEA, while SK-II features key ingredients like Pitera.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

NIVEA or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

When comparing moisturizers, both NIVEA and SK-II offer effective options, with NIVEA featuring versatile multi-use moisturizers and SK-II utilizing the key ingredient Pitera. Review themes indicate that NIVEA excels in hydration and moisture, while SK-II delivers strong radiance and glow benefits.

Which is more affordable, NIVEA or SK-II?

NIVEA is more affordable than SK-II, as NIVEA does better for value for money according to the reviewer themes on this page.

Between NIVEA and SK-II, which brand is better for combination skin?

SK-II is better for combination skin because the products on this page achieve a Superior fit level for this skin type, whereas NIVEA reaches a High fit level.

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

SK-II has fragrance-free products since every product on its page lists no fragrance, whereas NIVEA includes fragrance in six of its nine products.

How do the founding years and corporate owners 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.

NIVEA or SK-II for oily skin?

Both NIVEA and SK-II achieve a High routine fit for oily skin. The products on this page for both brands help provide oil and blemish care.

NIVEA or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Both NIVEA and SK-II achieve a High routine fit for sensitive skin. However, reviewers note that NIVEA has a strong fragrance in some products on this page, whereas every SK-II product on this page lists no fragrance.

NIVEA or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

Both brands are a strong choice for acne-prone skin, with NIVEA achieving a High fit and SK-II reaching a Superior fit. NIVEA offers blemish-clearing serums and intense hydration, while SK-II features fragrance-free formulations.

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?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play