Having worked in some form of the cosmetics industry for over 450 years, first as a mortal, and then a youth seeking vampire, I’ve become an expert about the various ingredients of moisturizers and skincare through beauty school and continuing education for licensure, product seminars and classes, and my own finely honed research skills.
I’ve used and tested a myriad of products, not just on my own skin, but on an innumerable amount of people of different ages and skin types. I’ve seen brands come and go, the trends in ingredients change, the popularity of luxury skincare rise, and the entire industry turn into a cosmetic and skincare machine that is both good and evil.
One of the comments, or myths, that I hear often is that Creme de la Mer Moisturizing Creme and NIVEA Creme are “the exact same thing.”
So, let’s talk about that. First of all, sadly, no, NIVEA Creme, is not the same thing as Creme de la Mer. It would be lovely to buy a twin of this luxury cream that retails for $190.00 per ounce for the dream price of $1.50 per ounce. But alas, it will not happen.
It is important to say that all three are very good moisturizing creams with very similar base ingredients. I write three, because there is a coveted German version of NIVEA Creme and also a US version. I’ll explain the differences between the NIVEA Cremes below (and possibly later in a dissertation called A Tale of Two NIVEAs.) If added moisture or protection is what you are looking for, any of the three would be a good choice. They all have a pleasant, mild fragrance and a thicker, whipped feel that can be warmed with your fingers and pressed into the skin. You will see and feel a protective layer that lasts throughout the day. I would most likely not use any of these on very oily skin, unless we were working in a dry or very cold climate, but normal or dry skin would immediately benefit from the humectancy of these products, especially for the immediate plumping of dry lines.
I’ve been talking about and researching Clean and Green Beauty and products since the 90’s–well before its’ commodification into a trend, so I do want to say, that while neither of these products fall under the cosmetic industry heading of clean beauty, neither contain ingredients that I (or even the European Union) consider to be harmful. Additionally, NIVEA Creme comes in a recyclable or reusable tin with no exterior packaging. Creme de la Mer is packaged in a glass jar with a recyclable cardboard box. All things considered, these products are closer to Clean and Green than many, and I feel confident using them on myself and others.
The main difference in the ingredients is that Creme de la Mer contains an exclusive fermented sea kelp and also a lime tea extract which makes this product mildly active without the harsh effects of retinols. Because of these ingredients, you will see some gradual skin renewal, as well as slightly more aggressive age prevention with repeated use of Creme de la Mer Moisturizing Cream. This cream has a bit less of a sheen than NIVEA, and absorbs a bit more quickly into the skin.The formula has undergone some slight changes since it was bought by Estee Lauder in 1995, but since I’ve been working with this product since the acquisition, I can safely say that the formula hasn’t changed as much as urban legends claim. It’s simple, good, and it works without making the outer layer of skin fragile.
As far as NIVEA Creme versus NIVEA Creme goes, they aren’t THAT different. Both the German and US version are a reasonable priced, coming in at about one or two dollars per ounce. Both are good quality creams, favored by Europeans, and many mid and late career makeup artists. The ingredients are slightly varied, with differing amounts, and a few more oils or esters in the German version. However, do I like them both? Yes. Do I have them both? Yes. Do I prefer one over the other? Yes. I prefer the German version because I find the fragrance to be slightly more appealing, and the absorption to more rapid. That said, I like to have enough NIVEA Creme to fill a bathtub at all times, so i would happy to be well stocked in either formula. I use either formula of NIVEA Creme as a body moisturizer for on-camera talent and myself. I also use it as a cuticle moisturizer and hand cream daily, so for anyone that washes or disinfects their hands a lot, which right now, should include the entire world population, this is a must have!
Even though these products are not twins (or triplets, if you will,) my opinion is that Creme de la Mer Moisturizing Cream is a luxury beauty moisturizer that is worth the money only if it’s in your budget. The NIVEA Creme is a definite go-to for a budget moisturizer, for face and especially body and hands Definitely buy the NIVEA Creme and try it immediately. If you have the budget for Creme de la Mer, go for it–I consider it to be THE fancy moisturizer to buy if you insist upon luxury!
Ps. I think it’s helpful to read and understand the the ingredients, so I’ve listed them below to help you compare. I’ve also listed a simple explanation of some of the ingredients of which you might not be familiar:
Creme De La Mer Ingredients: (Key Ingredients: Miracle Broth™, Lime Tea) Seaweed (Algae) Extract, Mineral Oil\Paraffinum Liquidum\Huile Minerale, Petrolatum, Glycerin, Isohexadecane, Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Extract, Microcrystalline Wax \Cera Microcristallina\Cire Microcristalline, Lanolin Alcohol, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus (Ecalyptus) Leaf Oil, Magnesium Sulfate, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed, Medicago Sativa (Alfalfa) Seed Powder, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seedcake, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Seed Meal, Sodium Gluconate, Potassium Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Calcium Gluconate, Magnesium Gluconate, Zinc Gluconate, Paraffin, Tocopheryl Succinate, Niacin, Beta-Carotene, Decyl Oleate, Aluminum Distearate, Octyldodecanol, Citric Acid, Cyanocobalamin, Magnesium Stearate, Panthenol, Limonene, Geraniol, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal, Citronellol, Benzyl Salicylate, Citral, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Alcohol Denat., Fragrance (Parfum)
German NIVEA Ingredients: Aqua, Paraffinum Liquidum, Cera Microcristallina, Glycerin, Lanolin Alcohol (Eucerit), Paraffin, Panthenol, Decyl Oleate, Octyldodecanol, Aluminum Stearates, Citric Acid, Magnesium Sulfate, Magnesium Stearate, Parfum, Limonene, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Linalool, Citronellol, Benzyl Benzoate, Cinnamyl Alcohol.
US Formula NIVEA Ingredients: (Special Ingredient: Provitamin B5) Water, Mineral Oil, Petrolatum, Glycerin, Microcrystalline Wax, Lanolin Alcohol, Paraffin, Magnesium Sulfate, Decyl Oleate, Octyldodecanol, Aluminum Stearates, Fragrance, Panthenol, Citric Acid, Magnesium Stearate, Sodium Anisate
Provitamin B5 is a name for panthenol. Provitamins, or previtamins are substances that the body may or may not convert to a vitimin.
Paraffinum Liquidum, or Russian mineral oil is Liquid Paraffin.
Cera Microcristallina, or Microcrystalline waxes are waxes derived from petrolatum.
Decyl oleate is a wax ester.
Linalool refers to an alcohols found in many flowers or plants.
Limonene is present in the oil of citrus fruit peels.
Geraniol is an alcohol found in rose oil, palmarosa oil, and citronella oil.
Hydroxycitronellal is used for fragrance.