Nivea vs Jergens 2024 (The Definitive Guide)

Nivea and Jergens are two brands you’re very likely to see in the beauty section of your local supermarket or drugstore. They are best known for their skin-nourishing lotions for all skin types, but which brand is better?

We’ll be comparing them for their firming, in-shower, and moisturizing lotions so you can see which would suit you and your skin the best. Enjoy!

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Nivea vs Jergens Skin Firming Lotion

Especially during the summer, when more skin is on-show, the idea of a lotion that “firms” things up is pretty appealing! A lack of firmness can be attributed to the natural depletion of collagen in our bodies as we age. Firming lotions enhance the production of collagen and elastin in the skin to tone and tighten.

Two of the most popular firming lotions are the Nivea Q10 Skin Firming Body Lotion and the Jergens Skin Firming Body Lotion.

As briefly mentioned in the intro, in order to restore elasticity and make skin appear noticeably firmer, both of these lotions aim to boost your skin's collagen and elastin levels. However, it's how these lotions achieve this that sets them apart. Let's dive straight in.

At the heart of Nivea's Q10 Firming Body Lotion is a duo of powerful antioxidants, Vitamin C and Coenzyme Q10. Coenzyme Q10 is naturally found in our skin and directly supports the production of collagen, however, as we age the body's natural levels of Q10 diminish, resulting in the skin losing its elasticity and shape. By replenishing your skin's Q10 levels—as well as Vitamin C, which collagen production also relies upon—you restore your skin's ability to naturally produce collagen, thus improving your skin's elasticity.

The Jergens Skin Firming Lotion instead contains Seaweed Extract and Centella Asiatica Extract; natural, botanical elixirs high in collagen and elastin. HOWEVER, pure collagen molecules are massive, meaning that there's no way they can ever penetrate the epidermis (outermost layer of your skin) let alone get down to the dermis to actually be of any use. Just to top it off, the Jergens Skin Firming Lotion also contains Caffeine, which has been shown to *reduce* collagen synthesis.

The Jergens Firming Body Lotion may very well feel nice and moisturizing, but its firming qualities are very limited. Meanwhile, Nivea's Q10 Firming Body Lotion helps to boost collagen production while also being extra-rich, soothing, and moisturizing. This one's a no brainer: the Nivea Q10 Firming Body Lotion is the way to go if you're looking to firm things up this summer.

Nivea vs Jergens Shower Lotion

Typically used as the last step in a shower routine, shower body lotion locks in hydration to provide your skin with lasting moisture. Instead of having to layer skin with your go-to body cream or lotion post-shower, in-shower body lotion helps you streamline your routine without having to sacrifice moisture.

Two of the most popular shower body lotions are the Nivea In-Shower Body Lotion and the Jergens Wet Skin Moisturizer.

Both brands maintain several variants of their lotions, with Nivea offering "Nourishing", "Hydrating", "Indulgent", and "Firming" options, and Jergens offering theirs with varying oils: "Enriching Shea Oil", "Hydrating Coconut Oil", "Restoring Argan Oil", and "Cherry Almond Essence".

By far the most popular Jergens Wet Skin Moisturizer is with Hydrating Coconut Oil, which blends with water on wet skin to instantly lock in hydration, refresh, and soften. They claim that skin looks twice as luminous straight out of the shower, and judging by the stellar reviews, their loyal customers tend to agree. It's important to note, though, that it is meant to be applied after showering, but before drying off.

It's difficult to say which is the more popular in-shower body lotion by Nivea, although it seems to be a toss up between the Nourishing In-Shower Body Lotion and the Indulgent In-Shower Body Lotion. The main distinction between these relative to Jergens' is the fact that Nivea's are meant to be applied while showering and are intended to be rinsed off. It does feel a little bit greasier, though.

Truth be told, neither are quite as moisturizing as a regular body lotion, although they are definitely a welcome quality-of-life boost allowing you to skip a step in the morning to get ready for the day faster.

Nivea's In-Shower Body Lotion is definitely more of a true in-shower lotion, enabling you to slather it on while the water's still running, whereas with the Jergens Wet Skin Moisturizer you apply it after you've finished showering (but before drying off). We prefer the ever-so-slightly more luxurious Jergens shower lotions and their divine scents, but we can definitely appreciate the time-saving bonus that Nivea offers if that's what you're looking for.

Nivea vs Jergens Lotion

If your skin is dehydrated or damaged, you need something richer that will replenish your skin’s moisture and help seal it in. Both brands offer rich, restorative lotions that provide extra moisture to parched skin. We will be comparing the Nivea Essentially Enriched Body Lotion vs Jergens Ultra Healing Moisturizer.

2024 update: It might be worth noting that Jergens' packaging has a bit of an identity crisis, and varies from retailer to retailer (but the formula remains the same).

With both lotions aiming to repair, heal, and deeply nourish dry skin back to health—and both boasting thousands of thankful reviews, indicating that they must be pretty good—we're going to have to dig a little deeper into their formulas to find any real differences.

The Jergens Ultra Healing Lotion contains a unique illuminating HYDRALUCENCE blend, as well as Vitamins C, E, and B5. They're not quite clear what the "HYDRALUCENCE blend" is, although inspection of the ingredients list reveals that it might be a combination of Glycerin, Tocopherol, and other moisturizing agents. We know for sure what the powerful antioxidant Vitamins C, E, and B5 are, though: Vitamin C hydrates and brightens, Vitamin E protects, and Vitamin B5 moisturizes while enhancing the skin's healing process.

The Jergens lotion absorbs quickly, makes skin feel nice and smooth without a sticky consistency, and it locks in moisture for up to 48 hours.

Nivea's lotion also absorbs quickly, and also leaves you with noticeably smoother, moisturized skin for up to 48 hours. Almond Oil, Vitamin E, and a Deep Moisture Serum make for the starring ingredients. Again, Nivea aren't quite clear what the "Deep Moisture Serum" is specifically, but Almond Oil is an ingredient with immense benefits for treating dry skin, and as previously mentioned, Vitamin E has excellent protective qualities.

Both lotions seem to do the trick, despite being suspiciously vague about some of their selected ingredients. When dealing with compromised, damaged skin, it is incredibly important to patch test products before slathering it on, especially the cheaper brands that occasionally cut corners. We love both, but as always, your mileage may vary.

This article was originally published on May 18th 2022, but it has been reviewed and updated with the latest available information on February 7th 2024 by Sara Mckay, MA.