A question as old as the internet: is Nivea Crème the same formula as La Mer? A recent lab test conducted by Regimen Lab sought to unravel the mystery that’s seen many a Reddit post. The internet has long speculated that these two creams, despite vast price differences, might be essentially the same. To test the theory, Regimen Lab out of Toronto performed an analysis of Crème de La Mer ($380) and Nivea Crème ($11) in their skin-care laboratory, revealing some surprising findings.
Is Nivea a La Mer Dupe: Ingredient Test
The lab compared the ingredients of Crème de La Mer and Nivea Crème. As shown in their now viral TikTok, the creams share a common base. The primary distinction lies in Crème de La Mer’s inclusion of fermented algae broth, along with additional botanical oils, seed powders and vitamins.
With this information in hand, Regimen Lab also measured the hydrating and water-loss reduction abilities of both creams using gold standard devices for measuring cosmetics and skin care—the corneometer for hydration and the Tewameter for Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL).
A Splurge or Steal Hydration Boost
The results did not surprise us! In terms of hydration, both creams exhibited almost identical results. The average percentage change in hydration for Crème de La Mer was 11, while Nivea Crème showed a comparable 12. Moreover, the TEWL reduction values mirrored each other precisely, with an average percentage change of -16. This implies that both products effectively reduce water loss from the skin at an equivalent rate.
While their test focused on hydration, Regimen Lab clarified that they could not comment on potential benefits from other active ingredients in the creams. However, confirming we can achieve a La Mer–style hydration boost for under $15 helps put the argument to rest.
