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The Ordinary vs NIVEA

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

The Ordinary and NIVEA are established skincare brands offering distinct approaches to daily routines, with the former known for serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners built around hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, while the latter is deeply loved for reliable sunscreens, targeted serums, and nourishing moisturizers thoughtfully formulated with glycerin. Both brands cater to varied needs, as the Canadian line fits dry skin and oily acne-prone skin best, whereas the German line suits combination skin and sensitive skin best through formulas that respect natural balance. Ultimately, they differ in their core philosophies, offering either targeted active ingredients for specific concerns or gentle nourishment for everyday care.

The Ordinary is a Canadian skincare brand founded in 2016 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 2021.

glossy.coen.wikipedia.org

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 The Ordinary and NIVEA products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular The Ordinary vs NIVEA products

People Say

The OrdinaryNIVEA
  • Great value and price Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “lasts forever — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
    • “can't beat the price — The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”
    • “extremely affordable — The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%”
    • “Works better than expensive luxury creams — NIVEA Creme”
  • Smooths skin texture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “glass skin effect — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
    • “skin feels baby butt smooth — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
    • “Makes my face feel smooth and soft. — NIVEA Soft”
    • “skin feels squeaky clean and soft — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
  • Clears acne and blemishes Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “pimples disappear within a day — The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”
    • “scars and hormonal acne faded — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
    • “cleared my complexion in 7 days — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
    • “doesn't leave skin dry or stretched — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
  • Hydration and plumping Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Smoothed out dry flaky scales on my cheeks overnight — NIVEA Creme”
    • “skin feels moisturized — NIVEA Protect & Moisture Sun Lotion SPF50+”
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Versatile body and multi-use application Rarely NotedOften 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”
    • “eliminated armpit odor — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
  • Lightweight absorption Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Sinks in immediately — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
    • “Absorbs quickly — The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA”
    • “It's lightweight on the skin and leaves a bit of subtle sheen. — NIVEA Soft”
  • Oily residue Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “sits on top of the skin and does not absorb — The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA”
    • “Leaves a shiny grease layer that doesn't go away — NIVEA Creme”
  • Unpleasant scent Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Smells like vinegar — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
    • “smell is unbearable — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
    • “has a slight chemical smell — The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA”
    • “Scent is too overpowering for sensitive noses — NIVEA Creme”
  • Causes breakouts Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “broke me out in cysts — The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%”
    • “broke me out in cysts — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
    • “gave me cystic acne — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
    • “Clogged my pores and caused bad acne — NIVEA Creme”

The Ordinary vs NIVEA routines for dry skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · S$164.78 · 92% fitBuy NIVEA routine · S$227.16 · 80% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

The Ordinary vs NIVEA routines for oily skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · S$393.06 · 89% fitBuy NIVEA routine · S$458.64 · 84% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

The Ordinary vs NIVEA routines for combination skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · S$289.36 · 88% fitBuy NIVEA routine · S$354.54 · 86% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or NIVEA: which is better?

The Ordinary offers a superior routine fit for dry, mature, and oily acne-prone skin, while both brands provide a high fit level for combination, sensitive, and acne-prone skin.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and NIVEA?

The Ordinary offers better value with fragrance-free serums, whereas NIVEA provides versatile multi-use moisturizers that frequently include fragrance. For dry skin routines, Lovi rates The Ordinary as Superior and NIVEA as High.

The Ordinary or NIVEA for dry skin?

For dry skin, Lovi rates The Ordinary as Superior and NIVEA as High. The products on this page help deliver intense hydration and moisture.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or NIVEA: which moisturizer is better?

For moisturizers, The Ordinary provides superior fit levels for dry skin with products like Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA, whereas NIVEA offers a high fit level for dry skin with its classic Creme. Additionally, every product on The Ordinary page lists no fragrance, while several NIVEA products contain added fragrance.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or NIVEA?

The Ordinary offers better value and price among the products on this page, while NIVEA provides versatile multi-use moisturizers.

Which brand has a stronger fragrance in its products, The Ordinary or NIVEA?

NIVEA has a stronger fragrance in its products, as 6 of its 9 products on this page list fragrance in their ingredients, whereas every product on this page from The Ordinary lists no fragrance.

The Ordinary or NIVEA for hydration and plumping?

NIVEA is better for hydration and plumping, offering intense deep hydration. Lovi rates the routine fit for dry skin as Superior for The Ordinary and High for NIVEA.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or NIVEA for oily skin?

For oily skin, both The Ordinary and NIVEA achieve a High Lovi fit level. Reviewers note that both brands offer lightweight absorption for oily skin.

The Ordinary or NIVEA for sensitive skin?

Both The Ordinary and NIVEA achieve a High routine fit level for sensitive skin. The Ordinary offers fragrance-free products on this page, while NIVEA includes fragrance in 6 of its 9 featured products.

The Ordinary or NIVEA for acne-prone skin?

Both The Ordinary and NIVEA achieve a High routine fit level for acne-prone skin. The Ordinary offers specialized blemish-clearing serums on this page, while NIVEA provides targeted options like its Derma Skin Clear line.

The Ordinary or NIVEA for mature skin?

For mature skin, The Ordinary has a Superior routine fit, whereas NIVEA has a High routine fit. Additionally, ingredients like retinol help stimulate collagen accumulation and improve naturally aged skin.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007

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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