Last Updated on September 22, 2026 by Giorgia Guazzarotti
If Nivea Creme were a tech gadget, it’d be the first mobile phone. It was so bulky, weighted a little more than a kilo and could only make calls. Yet, it was revolutionary. For the first time ever, you could make and receive calls from everywhere. And yet… Fast forward a few years and it was already history. Would you ever ditch your smartphone and go back to that first mobile phone? Thought so. That’s how I feel about Nivea Creme. It was groundbreaking for its time. Terribly outdated now. And rumour has it, it may even cause pimples. Is it true? Here’s having you need to know if you’re considering using this as a face moisturizer…
The Verdict
My rating: 3/5
Best for: Very dry skin that needs a rich, no-frills moisturiser to keep it soft and comfortable for hours.
Skip it if: Your face is oily, acne-prone or easily irritated by fragrance.
What I like: It’s ridiculously moisturising, keeps dry skin soft all day, and costs next to nothing.
What I don’t: It’s very basic, contains fragrance, and the rich texture can feel like way too much on oilier areas of the face.
Bottom line: Nivea Creme still does what it was created to do more than 100 years ago: moisturise the hell out of dry skin. And it does that very well. But skincare has moved on. If all you want is a cheap, rich moisturiser for very dry skin or your body, it gets the job done. If you want antioxidants, peptides, anti-ageing actives or something lighter for your face, there are much better options now.
Ingredients In Nivea Creme: What Does ?The Science Say?
PARAFFINUM LIQUIDUM & PARAFFIN TO MOISTURISE SKIN
Paraffinum liquid (a.k.a. mineral oil) and paraffin are both derived from petroleum. But they’re NOT petroleum. Before they’re put into the cream, they undergo a strict purifying process to remove all toxins. So, no, they won’t give you cancer.
They won’t clog your pores either. At least not when used alone. These ingredients work by creating a protective barrier on the skin that slows down water loss. If you use any products with comedogenic ingredients underneath, then yes, Nivea Cream will trap them into the skin, increasing your chances of getting pimples. Avoid those and your skin will be fine. The real “problem” with mineral oil and paraffin is that they only moisturise skin. They don’t do anything else.
Related: Is Mineral Oil Bad For Skin?
GLYCERIN TO HYDRATE SKIN
It’s all well and good to trap moisture into the skin. But you need to have that moisture in the first place, don’t you? Enter glycerin. It’s a humectant (i.e. moisture magnet) that attracts moisture from the air into the skin. Now that this extra moisture gets trapped into the skin, your skin is plumper, softer and brighter.
Related: Why The Heck Is Glycerin In All My Skincare Products?
Does Nivea Creme Cause Acne?
Short answer: it can, but not for the reason TikTok would have you believe. Nivea Creme gets a lot of side-eye because it’s thick, rich, and packed with mineral oil. And somewhere along the way, mineral oil got branded as a pore-clogging villain. Except… cosmetic-grade mineral oil isn’t considered comedogenic. So no, the mineral oil in Nivea Creme isn’t automatically marching into your pores and setting up camp there.
The problem is that Nivea Creme is still a very rich, occlusive moisturiser. That’s exactly why dry skin loves it: it forms a barrier that slows down water loss and keeps skin softer for longer. That’s the power of hydration.
But if your skin is oily, congested, or already prone to pimples? That richness can be too much. Not because “thick cream = acne” (skincare is never that simple!) but because what feels protective and comforting on dry skin can feel heavy and suffocating on oilier skin.
And there’s another annoying truth: you can’t look at an ingredient list and predict with 100% certainty whether a finished product will break you out. Two people can use the exact same cream and get completely different results.
So, does Nivea Creme cause acne? Not automatically. Plenty of people can use it without a single pimple. But if your skin is already oily or acne-prone, I wouldn’t make this my first choice for a facial moisturiser. There are lighter options that do the same moisturising job without the risk of a breakout.
If you’re determined to try it anyway, watch your skin. If new clogged pores or pimples start showing up after you add Nivea Creme to your routine, your face has already given you the answer better than any blog ever could.
Texture
I use the German version. It’s thick but dries quickly to a satiny, non-greasy finish. The American version is thicker and feels greasy on the skin.
Fragrance
It’s clean and not too strong. If a product must contain fragrance, this isn’t too bad. Keep in mind, though, that fragrance can easily irritate sensitive skin. Hence why it should not be here. Sensitive skin needs basic creams like this, but not with added fragrance! It kinda defeats the purpose.
How To Use It
You can use it all over your body after a shower or on your face as the last step of your skincare routine at night. It’s quite rich, so I don’t recommend using it in the morning.
Packaging
Nivea Creme comes in a big blue and white jar. It’s practical, especially for a rich cream like this. Is it hygienic? The preservative system is not the best, so wash your hands before dipping your fingers in it. But you don’t have to worry about the packaging spoiling the formula. There are no antioxidants or other ingredients in here that’ll go if exposed to light and air. Told you, it’s a very basic formula.
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Performance & Personal Opinion
I totally get it why so many of you love Nivea Cream. Whenever I slather this thick cream on my Sahara-like body skin after a shower, everything feels immediately softer and smoother.
There aren’t many creams that keep my skin moisturised for the entire day. This does the trick. But, I still prefer to use rich body butters from House Of Gloi and The Body Shop. They use natural oils and butters, like pumpkin and shea, that are just as moisturising and have antioxidant properties to boot.
Plus, they’re easy to apply. The German version I use isn’t as thick as the American version, but still, I struggle to spread it evenly all over my skin. You can use Nivea Creme on your face too. I don’t because my skin isn’t as dry there. On the contrary, my t-zone is a little oiler than the rest of my face and the cream takes way longer to absorb there.
If you want to use it on the face as well, don’t forget to apply an antioxidant serum first. The cream will make your wrinkles LOOK smaller, but it won’t make them smaller or prevent new ones from forming. And in case you’re wondering if the rumours true and Nivea Creme is really a dupe for Creme De La Mer, you can read my comparison here.
How Does idea Creme Compare to Nivea Soft?
Nivea Soft is similar to Nivea Creme. They’re both basic drugstore moisturisers that strengthen the skin’s protective barrier and make even the driest of skin types softer and smoother. Nivea Soft has, thanks to the addition of thinning alcohol, a thinner texture. And instead of paraffin, it contains synthetic emollients, like Myristyl Myristate, that make skin softer and smoother, but clog pores. This is definitely something I wouldn’t be using on my face – and it’s not acne-friendly, either.
Who Should Use This?
Nivea Creme is best for very dry skin, rough patches, hands, elbows, knees, and anywhere else that needs serious moisturising. It can also work as a facial moisturiser if your skin is very dry and loves rich creams. If your face is oily, acne-prone, or easily irritated by fragrance, I’d look elsewhere.Does Nivea Creme Live Up To Its Claims?
| CLAIM | TRUE? |
|---|---|
| Intensive protective care. | Kinda vague, isn’t it? But it can strengthen the skin’s barrier, protecting skin from environmental aggressors. |
| Moisturising creme for soft and supple skin. | True. |
| Skin compatibility dermatologically approved. | Another claim that means nothing. Dermatologically approved means it’s been tested on skin, but it won’t tell you on whose skin, in what amounts, or even what the results were. |
Price & Availability
£1 at Boots
Ingredients
Aqua, Paraffinum Liquidum, Cera Microcristallina, Glycerin, Lanolin Alcohol, Paraffin, Panthenol, Magnesium Sulfate, Decyl Oleate, Octyldodecanol, Aluminum Stearates, Citric Acid, Magnesium Stearate, Limonene, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Linalool, Citronellol, Benzyl Benzoate, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Parfum
You know, I don’t think I’ve ever tried Nivea Creme, and I’m a little surprised at myself. If I have, it was a LONG time ago. But you’re right, this stuff is a staple.
I need to get my act together…
Trisha, this stuff is amazing for dry skin, and so cheap! But I hope they’ll add some antioxidants to the formula soon to make it even more beneficial.
Hmm, I might have to try Nivea Creme! I found CeraVe Moisturising Cream online and it was just amaaazing as a body lotion, but it was too expensive to keep ordering. I’m currently using Palmers Cocoa Butter, but I find it’s a little greasy.
Lexie, I heard the US version of Nivea Cream is a little greasy too, but the German one isn’t. At least not on dry skin. And it’s very moisturizing.
Hmm, I’m in New Zealand so I don’t know which version we get here! I’ll have to check when I find a tub of it 🙂
Hope it’s the German one. It’s more pleasant to use. 🙂
I wish Nivea would update this classic. I remember buying it in Paris when I was in college and loving it. Dermatologists used to say that was all that was necessary, a barrier to keep hydration in. But you are right, times have changed. I’d love to buy this product but I’ve moved on. I didn’t even like the Nivea body lotion for extremely dry skin that I bought last year.
Allison, I sometimes use it as a body cream in winter cos it’s very moisturizing, but it is such a shame that’s all it does. There are so many products out there that do that and a lot more. An update is long overdue indeed.
It’s been years since I last bought it, but yes it’s a classic! I’m sure many people would stop buying it if Nivea changed it! x
Stavroula, sadly, I think you are right.And it’s a shame because if it were updated, it would be a lot more beneficial. *sighs*
It is silly, but I love the smell of nivea cream. Maybe because it smells like childhood, maybe just because it has no added scent, but even if someday they create new scents, I hope the blue minimalistic tin always keep that scent ^^
Roberta, it is not silly at all. Scents are very personal and powerful. They can evoke different memories ans emotions for everyone. 🙂
I just started using Nivea Creme here in Poland (same as the German formula) about 2 weeks ago. I (very luckily) normally have flawless skin, hardly ever any pimples on my body or face, but since starting to use this cream on my body I’ve noticed small pimples and bumps on my arms, legs, stomach, and chest. I really like how well it moisturizes and how minimal the residue is, but I hate the new problem of having pimples all over my body. I’ll finish the jar and see if my skin gets used to it, but if nothing changes, I’ll have to get back to endlessly searching for a body cream that will actually keep my skin moisturized with only one application per day.
Rebekha, sorry you are having problems with this cream. If your skin doesn’t get used to it, you can always try The Body Shop Body Butter. They are very moisturizing! Dove also makes a cream for very dry skin that works really well and is a lot cheaper that TBS butters.
Hai Gio. I’m Nadia from Malaysia. Can i apply Nivea Cream on my hair as a serum? Cause my hair is a bit dry , frizzy and little bit curly. Thank you?
Nadia, it’s way too rich to use as a serum. I wouldn’t.