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Last Updated on July 28, 2026 by Giorgia Guazzarotti

review Nivea Soft Moisturizing Cream

Nivea Creme was the first moisturiser I ever used. I wish I could tell you it was love at first swipe. All it did was give me a bad breakout after another. Would its lighter sibling, Nivea Soft Moisturizing Cream, do the same? This younger sibling promises to be lighter, vegan, and overall a gentler version for oilier skin types. Does it deliver? I’ve put it to the test to find out:

What’s In Nivea Soft Moisturizing Cream?

GLYCERIN

When your skin needs hydration, turn to glycerin. It’s a moisture magnet that attracts and binds moisture to the skin. Your skin then uses the extra moisture to thrive. It plumps up so fine lines and wrinkles look smaller. It gets softer to the touch. And it glows as if it lit from within. There’s a reason why it’s the base of every cream. No matter what skin type you have, this just works.

Related: Why Is Glycerin In ALL My Skincare Products?

ALCOHOL DENAT

Alcohol Denat is one of the most misunderstood ingredients in skincare. Critics say it’s terribly drying and irritating. They’re right… to an extent. Alcohol Denat can be problematic when used alone. But pair it with moisturising ingredients (like glycerin and mineral oil) and you can easily counteract its drying effects.

Having said that, if you have very dry or sensitive skin that can’t tolerate Alcohol Denat (some skin types just don’t like it), then Nivea Soft Moisturizing Cream isn’t for you. So why is Alcohol Denat here anyway? It thins the texture so it’s not too heavy.

Related: What Does Alcohol Free In Skincare Really Mean?

Texture

It’s lighter than Nivea Cream. The soft, not too thick texture feels refreshing on the skin and glides on easily. A little goes a loooong way. Be careful not to apply too much – this stuff takes a few minutes to sink in and leaves a slight greasy residue behind.

Fragrance

It has a forgettable, clean scent that’s not too strong. I’m not a huge fan of fragrance – or citrus oils (they’re in here too). Sure, they make the cream smell good, but if this cream were to irritate your skin, they’d likely be the culprit.

Packaging

If you decide to give it a go, the cream will last you for ages. Look at how huge that jar is. But jars ain’t the most hygienic… Wash your hands well before dipping your fingers in.

How To Use It

It’s a multitasker you can use on your face, body, and hands. When used as a face moisturzer, it’s the last step of your skincare routine at night. In the morning, you can use it after serums but before sunscreen.

Performance & Personal Opinion

I have combination skin and Nivea Soft Moisturizing Cream didn’t exactly make every area happy… It hydrated my dry cheeks enough to make them soft and smooth for hours, I’ll give you that. My oilier t-zone? There, the cream went totally overboard. It was sooooo moisturising, my oily patches were shinier than ever. If you’re looking for a mattifying cream, this so ain’t it. Another con? It has no antioxidants to fight premature wrinkles. That’s cool if you’re a teenager, but if you’re approaching your mid 20s, this cream may be too basic for you.

What I Like About Nivea Soft Moisturising Cream

  • Lightweight, soft texture that glides on easily and feels refreshing, not heavy
  • A little goes a long way, so the jar lasts
  • Clean, forgettable scent that’s not overpowering
  • Genuinely multitasking – works on face, body, and hands
  • Hydrates dry skin well enough to keep cheeks soft and smooth for hours

What I DON’T Like About Nivea Soft Moisturising Cream

  • Takes a few minutes to sink in and leaves a slight greasy residue
  • Contains citrus oils – fine for fragrance, but a likely irritant if this cream doesn’t agree with your skin
  • Too rich for combination/oily skin – it left my t-zone shinier, not mattified
  • No antioxidants, so it won’t do much to fight premature wrinkles

Who Should Use This?

I’d recommend this cream only to teenagers with combination, oily or even dry skin that are not prone to pimples. For everyone else, there are better creams around.

Does Nivea Soft Moisturizing Cream Live Up To Its Claims?

CLAIM TRUE?
The light formula with Vitamin E and Jojoba Oil is quickly absorbed and refreshes the skin. Yes!
Provides refreshing body and face care in one handy pot. Yes, it’s a multitasker.
A highly effective, revitalising and moisturising cream that leaves your skin soft and supple. It’s very moisturizing, I’ll give you that (even too much, for most skin types).

Price & Availability

$8.12 at Boots, Superdrug, and Walmart

Do You Need It?

Nope. If you want to use it, it’s not going to do any damage. It’ll even moisturise skin, which is what it’s designed to do. It’s just that there are better options around. This is a moisturiser I’d personally leave on the shelf.

Ingredients

Aqua, Glycerin, Myristyl Alcohol, Alcohol Denat, Myristyl Myristate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glyceryl Stearate, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Vegetable Oil, Cetyl Ricinoleate, Triisostearin, Sorbitan Stearate, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Sodium Hydroxide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Gellan Gum, Xanthan Gum, Myristic Acid, Arachidic Acid, Oleic Acid, Lauric Acid, Disodium Cetearyl Sulfosuccinate, Phenoxyethanol, Linalool, Citronellol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Acetyl Cedrene, Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil, Limonene, Terpineol, Lavandula Oil/Extract, Linalyl Acetate, Parfum