NIVEA Creme for acne-prone skin
Glycerin
Lanolin Alcohol
Mineral Oil
Panthenol
Microcrystalline Wax
Caution
- AverageCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- RiskySafety
A poor match for acne-prone skin; the moisturizers alongside fit it better.
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
- American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Offers moderate moisturizing for your combination skin due to glycerin and lanolin alcohol, which hydrate and enhance barrier resilience, but it does not sufficiently address your acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
- While Panthenol provides soothing benefits, the formula lacks targeted ingredients for optimal oil control on your oily areas.
How to apply
- Use your moisturizer twice a day in your AM and PM routines. Apply it daily to help keep breakouts under control.
- Apply after your cleanser and toner, and make sure to use your SPF right after in the morning.
- Gently spread a small amount of moisturizer over your face using soft motions. Let it absorb into the skin for a minute before getting dressed or applying makeup.
- Apply on slightly damp skin to help lock in extra moisture. This keeps your combination skin balanced without feeling heavy.
- Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use. Stop using if you feel any irritation.
People Say
★4.7Overall rating based on 12.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users consistently describe this product as a heavy-duty moisturizer that excels at healing extremely dry, flaky, and rough skin, particularly during harsh winter months. While widely praised for its ability to soften tough areas like elbows, knees, and hands, results on the face are mixed; many love the glow it provides, but those with acne-prone or oily skin frequently report clogged pores and breakouts.
Highlights
Intense deep hydration Mostly Mentioned
- “Smoothed out dry flaky scales on my cheeks overnight”
- “Relieves tightness and discomfort caused by dry skin”
- “Keeps me moisturized all winter long”
- “Heals cracked hands and rough elbows instantly”
Versatile multi-purpose use Often Mentioned
- “Use it on face, body, hands, and feet”
- “Great as a night cream and makeup primer”
- “A staple for the whole family”
- “Perfect for dry spots anywhere on the body”
Greasy/oily residue Often Mentioned
- “Leaves a shiny grease layer that doesn't go away”
- “Takes forever to absorb into the skin”
- “Too oily to use during the day”
- “Leaves fingerprints on everything I touch”
Classic nostalgic scent Sometimes Noted
- “Smell brings me back to childhood”
- “Clean, fresh, and comforting scent”
- “Loves the signature Nivea fragrance”
- “Smells like clean laundry and comfort”
Unbeatable value Sometimes Noted
- “Works better than expensive luxury creams”
- “Affordable price for such high quality”
- “A little goes a long way, lasts months”
- “Best budget moisturizer on the market”
Causes breakouts (face) Sometimes Noted
- “Clogged my pores and caused bad acne”
- “Too heavy for my face, caused whiteheads”
- “Woke up with new pimples after one use”
- “Not safe for acne-prone skin types”
Thick/hard to spread Sometimes Noted
- “Consistency is like a thick paste or sunblock”
- “Have to drag it across skin to apply”
- “Needs to be warmed up in hands first”
- “Difficult to rub in completely”
Strong fragrance Rarely Noted
- “Scent is too overpowering for sensitive noses”
- “Wish they had an unscented version”
- “Fragrance irritated my sensitive skin”
- “Smell lingers too long”
Sources: lovi.care, influencer.com, walmart.com, hometesterclub.com, shespeaks.com, target.com, and more
Questions and answers
Why does Lovi advise caution with NIVEA Creme for acne-prone skin?
Lovi advises caution because this moisturizer does not sufficiently address breakouts or control oil on acne-prone skin. A product for this skin needs effective ingredients for blemishes and oil control, along with soothing agents and no risk of irritation.
Which ingredients make this cream a poor fit for acne-prone skin?
Mineral oil and petrolatum-based waxes make this rich cream a poor fit because they tend to clog pores and trap oil on acne-prone skin. A moisturizer for this skin type needs oil-controlling ingredients, soothing agents, and targeted elements for blemishes while avoiding heavy, pore-clogging bases.
What does Glycerin do for acne-prone skin?
Glycerin helps keep acne-prone skin hydrated and calm without clogging pores or feeling heavy. It supports the skin barrier so it stays soft and smooth while handling everyday treatments.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008International Journal of Toxicology, 2019
What does Lanolin Alcohol do for acne-prone skin?
Lanolin alcohol can be heavy for acne-prone skin and may clog pores, making breakouts more likely. If you have acne-prone skin, this type of product works best when it is oil-free and non-clogging to keep your face clear and smooth.
Where does it go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This moisturizer goes toward the end of your morning and evening routines, right before sunscreen in the day. Because it does not sufficiently address breakouts and lacks oil-controlling ingredients, acne-prone skin needs a moisturizer with ingredients like niacinamide and lightweight hydrators that balance oil while keeping skin smooth.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020
Can I use this cream with retinol, and in what order?
You should use caution when using this cream alongside retinol on acne-prone skin because the heavy texture lacks oil control and may clog pores. To help support this skin type while managing breakouts, a product of this type needs lightweight hydrators and oil-clearing ingredients.
How often should I use it?
You can use this moisturizer daily in your morning and evening routines. Daily application helps maintain skin moisture and supports the skin barrier.
Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This cream is a poor match for acne-prone skin and may cause breakouts because its heavy, oil-rich formula leaves a greasy residue and lacks oil control. A product for this skin needs lightweight hydrators and ingredients that help clear blemishes without clogging pores.
Can I use it around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this moisturizer around the eyes and on your body because its rich formula provides good hydration for thin eye skin and drier areas like the body. Panthenol and glycerin help soothe and soften these areas while supporting skin moisture.
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (limonene, geraniol, linalool, and citronellol).
What the research says
A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002A panthenol-enriched mask significantly decreased erythema and hyperpigmentation, increased sebum and stratum corneum moisture, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to a saline dressing in 60 subjects undergoing facial laser treatment.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001Niacinamide/glycerin body moisturizers provided better rapid and prolonged improvement of cosmetic xerosis through functional improvement of stratum corneum barrier function compared to no treatment and conventional moisturizers in female subjects.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012Repeated application of concentrated water-in-oil emulsions over four weeks caused no skin irritation, positively affected skin properties, and delivered almost 50% of the applied fluorescein sodium, with isopropyl myristate showing superior penetration performance compared to liquid paraffin in healthy volunteers.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2019Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Topical dexpanthenol formulated in lipophilic vehicles improved stratum corneum hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in humans.
Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2000Hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol, and isotonic saline nasal sprays all significantly improved dry nose symptoms over four weeks in 240 patients, with hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol providing superior nasal moisturisation compared to the other two.
Auris, Nasus, Larynx, 2020
Ingredients
Water, Paraffinum Liquidum, Microcristallina Cera, Glycerin, Lanolin Alcohol Eucerit, Paraffin, Panthenol, Magnesium Sulfate, Decyl Oleate, Octyldodecanol, Aluminum Stearates, Citric Acid, Magnesium Stearate, Limonene, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Linalool, Citronellol, Benzyl Benzoate, Cinnamyl Alcohol
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score 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
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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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
How does it fit your skin?
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