🇬🇧United Kingdom

Cetaphil vs NIVEA

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

Cetaphil and NIVEA are well-regarded skincare brands that offer reliable cleansers, moisturizers, serums, and sunscreens formulated with ingredients like glycerin, niacinamide, and panthenol. While the American brand suits combination skin and sensitive skin best through gentle formulations, the German brand suits sensitive skin and skin with dark spots best using soothing and balancing elements. Both brands differ in their founding history, ownership, and specific ingredient profiles, yet each provides targeted solutions for various skin concerns.

Cetaphil is an American skincare brand founded in 1947 and owned by Galderma Group AG.

en.wikipedia.orgcetaphil.co.uk

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

Popular Cetaphil vs NIVEA products

People Say

CetaphilNIVEA
  • Hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “cleared up flaky skin — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “healed my dry patches — Cetaphil Moisturising Cream”
    • “Smoothed out dry flaky scales on my cheeks overnight — NIVEA Creme”
    • “skin feels moisturized — NIVEA Protect & Moisture Sun Lotion SPF50+”
  • Gentleness and sensitivity Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “The only thing my reactive skin tolerates. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “No breakouts since switching to this. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “cleans without stripping — Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser”
    • “doesn't dry out skin — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
  • Smoother skin and texture Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Makes my face feel smooth and soft. — NIVEA Soft”
    • “skin feels squeaky clean and soft — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
    • “skin feels smooth — NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub”
    • “Skin felt softer after one use — Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser”
  • Non-greasy absorption Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “absorbs instantly — Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Absorbs quickly into skin without residue — Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion”
    • “absorbs quickly — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “It's lightweight on the skin and leaves a bit of subtle sheen. — NIVEA Soft”
  • Good value and longevity Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Works better than expensive luxury creams — NIVEA Creme”
    • “Best affordable vegan moisturizer. — NIVEA Soft”
    • “absolute steal for the price — NIVEA DERMA SKIN CLEAR”
    • “Bar lasts a long time — Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar”
  • Versatile multi-purpose use Sometimes 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”
    • “great for face and body — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
  • Scent and fragrance complaints Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Overpowering masking fragrance — Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar”
    • “Scent is overwhelmingly artificial. — Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser”
    • “Scent is too overpowering for sensitive noses — NIVEA Creme”
    • “Has a heavy, baby powder smell. — NIVEA Soft”
  • Sticky residue and finish Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “leaves a tacky finish — Cetaphil Vitamin C Serum”
    • “feels tacky — Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Felt covered in gunk — Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser”
    • “Leaves a shiny grease layer that doesn't go away — NIVEA Creme”
  • Formula changes and irritation Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “HATE NEW FORUMULA... Leaves my skin dryer and does not provide with the same amount of moisture. — NIVEA Soft”
    • “New version burns my face. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”

Cetaphil vs NIVEA routines for dry skin

Buy Cetaphil routine · £92.66 · 83% fitBuy NIVEA routine · £65.81 · 82% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Cetaphil vs NIVEA routines for oily skin

Buy NIVEA routine · £161.96 · 87% fitBuy Cetaphil routine · £191.77 · 84% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Cetaphil vs NIVEA routines for combination skin

Buy Cetaphil routine · £172.93 · 88% fitBuy NIVEA routine · £150.97 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Cetaphil or NIVEA: which is better?

Both Cetaphil and NIVEA offer equally high routine fit levels across all skin types on this page. Cetaphil does better for gentleness and non-greasy absorption, while NIVEA provides better value, multi-use versatility, and smoother skin texture.

What is the difference between Cetaphil and NIVEA?

Cetaphil focuses on gentleness and non-greasy hydration with mostly fragrance-free products, whereas NIVEA often features versatile multi-use formulas and blemish-clearing serums.

Cetaphil or NIVEA for dry skin?

Both Cetaphil and NIVEA offer a high routine fit for dry skin. Cetaphil is particularly notable for its fragrance-free formulas, while NIVEA provides versatile multi-use moisturizers.

Cetaphil or NIVEA: which moisturizer is better?

Cetaphil is better for non-greasy absorption, while NIVEA offers better versatile multi-use options for moisturizers. Both brands achieve an equal High Lovi routine fit for dry skin, though Cetaphil features key hydrating ingredients like glycerin, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid across nearly all the products on this page.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Which is more affordable, Cetaphil or NIVEA?

NIVEA is more affordable, as the products on this page offer better value and longevity. Cetaphil focuses instead on gentleness and non-greasy absorption.

Cetaphil or NIVEA: which brand has more products without fragrance?

Cetaphil has more products without fragrance, with twenty-six of its twenty-seven products on this page listing no fragrance compared to only three of nine NIVEA products.

Cetaphil or NIVEA: which brand performs better for gentleness and sensitivity?

Cetaphil performs better for gentleness and sensitivity. The products on this page list no fragrance in 26 out of 27 options.

Cetaphil or NIVEA: which brand is older and where was it founded?

NIVEA is the older brand, having been founded in Germany in 1911, whereas Cetaphil was founded in the United States in 1947.

Cetaphil or NIVEA for oily skin?

Both Cetaphil and NIVEA achieve a High routine fit level for oily skin. The products on this page from Cetaphil generally help with non-greasy absorption, while NIVEA reviewers often mention intense deep hydration.

Cetaphil or NIVEA: which sunscreen is better?

Both brands offer solid sunscreen options for the products on this page, but Cetaphil stands out for having a fragrance-free formula that is well suited for sensitive skin. NIVEA also provides reliable sun protection, although some users may experience a stronger scent.

Cetaphil or NIVEA for sensitive skin?

Both brands offer an equal routine fit for sensitive skin. Reviewers state that Cetaphil does better for gentleness and sensitivity.

Cetaphil or NIVEA for acne-prone skin?

Both Cetaphil and NIVEA offer high routine fit for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. Reviewers frequently note that Cetaphil provides gentle, non-stripping cleansers, while NIVEA features blemish-clearing serums.

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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