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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 European skincare houses that offer targeted options for diverse complexions. NIVEA, the German brand founded in 1911, provides dependable sunscreens, targeted serums, and nourishing moisturizers formulated with hydrating glycerin, while Galderma, the Swiss brand founded in 1981, features specialized serums. Both brands suit sensitive skin and skin with dark spots best, yet they differ in their core formulations and specific product ranges.

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 offering high hydration and versatile moisturizers while Galderma focuses on effective acne-clearing serums.

What is the difference between NIVEA and Galderma?

NIVEA focuses on hydration, versatility, and blemish clearance with products like Creme, while Galderma specializes in effective acne-clearing serums that may cause severe dryness and peeling. Glycerin helps provide intense deep hydration across the products on this page.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

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 provides better acne and breakout prevention across the products on this page. Reviewers report that NIVEA sometimes causes breakouts and acne, while Galderma offers effective acne-clearing serums.

Which brand has been around longer, NIVEA or Galderma?

NIVEA has been around longer than Galderma, having been founded in Germany in 1911, whereas Galderma was founded in Switzerland in 1981.

How do the Lovi fit levels for acne-prone skin compare between NIVEA's Creme and Galderma's Epiduo Gel?

For acne-prone skin, NIVEA's Creme has a Caution Lovi fit level, whereas Galderma's Epiduo Gel has a High Lovi fit level.

Which brand offers products containing fragrance, NIVEA or Galderma?

NIVEA offers products containing fragrance, whereas every product from Galderma on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

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.

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