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NIVEA vs Galderma

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

NIVEA and Galderma are established skincare brands offering distinct approaches to daily care. The German brand, founded in 1911 and owned by Maxingvest GmbH & Co. KGaA since 2004, is deeply loved for its reliable sunscreens, targeted serums, and nourishing moisturizers formulated with glycerin, suiting combination skin and sensitive skin best. Meanwhile, the Swiss brand, founded in 1981 and owned by Galderma Group AG, focuses its selection here on specialized serums. These choices differ as the former relies on glycerin to improve stratum corneum hydration and barrier function, while the latter centers its offerings on targeted acne treatments.

NIVEA is a German skincare brand founded in 1911 and owned by maxingvest GmbH & Co. KGaA since 2004.

beiersdorf.comen.wikipedia.org

Galderma is a Swiss skincare brand founded in 1981 and owned by Galderma Group AG.

en.wikipedia.org

This page compares some of the most popular NIVEA and Galderma products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular NIVEA vs Galderma products

People Say

NIVEAGalderma
  • Acne and breakout prevention Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “cleared up my skin — Galderma Benzac AC Mild Strength 2.5% Acne Gel”
    • “cystic acne gone — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
    • “stops new pimples — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “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”
  • Blemish clearance and texture Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “cleared my complexion in 7 days — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
    • “skin feels squeaky clean and soft — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
    • “skin feels smooth — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
    • “skin feels smooth — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Value and affordability 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”
  • Versatility and multi-purpose use Often MentionedNot noted
    • “Use it on face, body, hands, and feet — NIVEA Creme”
    • “Applying is easy, you can use on your face, hands, and body. — NIVEA Soft”
  • Classic scent and fragrance Often MentionedNot noted
    • “smells like holiday — NIVEA Protect & Moisture Sun Lotion SPF50+”
    • “Smell brings me back to childhood — NIVEA Creme”
  • Eye and skin irritation Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “stings my eyes — NIVEA Protect & Moisture Sun Lotion SPF50+”
    • “face on fire — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Severe dryness and peeling Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin flaking off — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Staining and bleaching fabrics Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “ruined my white t-shirt — NIVEA Protect & Moisture Sun Lotion SPF50+”
    • “bleached my towel — Galderma Benzac AC 5”
  • Skin purging Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “caused a breakout at first — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
    • “got worse first — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Mild dryness Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “slightly drying — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
    • “skin peeling off — Galderma Benzac AC 5”
  • Greasy or oily residue Often MentionedNot noted
    • “Leaves a shiny grease layer that doesn't go away — NIVEA Creme”

Questions and answers

NIVEA or Galderma: which is better?

NIVEA and Galderma serve different skincare goals, with NIVEA achieving High to Average Lovi fit levels for intense hydration and blemish clearance, while Galderma provides High Lovi fit levels for acne-prone and oily skin using fragrance-free formulas. Glycerin helps maintain skin barrier function and hydration across the products on this page.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

What is the difference between NIVEA and Galderma?

NIVEA focuses on hydration and soothing multi-use moisturizers containing glycerin, whereas Galderma specializes in potent acne-clearing serums that may cause severe dryness and peeling. Reviewers note that NIVEA offers better value and versatile moisture, while Galderma excels at acne and breakout prevention.

Which is more affordable, NIVEA or Galderma?

NIVEA is more affordable, offering better value across the products on this page.

Which causes fewer breakouts, NIVEA or Galderma?

Galderma does better for acne and breakout prevention, making it the choice that helps cause fewer breakouts. Reviewers note that Galderma provides effective acne-clearing serums.

How do the founding years and home countries of NIVEA and Galderma compare?

NIVEA was founded earlier in 1911 in Germany, while Galderma was founded later in 1981 in Switzerland.

Which brand has more fragrance-free products listed on the page, NIVEA or Galderma?

Galderma has more fragrance-free products on the page, as every single Galderma product lists no fragrance. In contrast, NIVEA has fragrance in six of its nine products listed on this page.

What are the main review sentiments and drawbacks mentioned for Galderma compared to NIVEA?

Galderma's main review sentiments highlight effective acne-clearing serums and body-effective, gentle serums, while its drawbacks include severe dryness and peeling as well as severe irritation and discomfort compared to NIVEA.

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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