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When it comes to skincare, celebrities tend to use and promote products with jaw-dropping price tags. $430 moisturizers and $300 serums are the norm, but stars often get beauty products free and when they have to, have no problem paying when they promise red carpet-ready results. According to Allure, actress and comedian Mindy Kaling uses La Mer Crème de la Mer, a cult-favorite cream beloved for its rich texture and radiant finish. But what if you could get similar skin-plumping hydration for 79¢ an ounce? It turns out that’s Nivea Creme, the German-made gem that’s quietly earning praise as a high-quality La Mer alternative.
Head to head, it’s hard to see the difference
Because of the price disparity between Nivea Crème and La Mer Crème de la Mer, it’s easy to be skeptical. However, Nivea Crème is nearly identical to La Mer when you warm it in your hands. Both products also lock in hydration and leave skin plump and soft. While La Mer touts its “Miracle Broth” kelp formula, Nivea uses tried-and-true ingredients that deliver similar visible results.
How Nivea Crème and La Mer Crème de la Mer compare head-to-head
| Feature | Crème de la Mer | Nivea Creme |
| Price | $430 (3.4 oz jar) | $7 (5 oz tin, 7 sizes available) |
| Texture | Rich, velvety, luxurious | Thick, dense, rich |
| Skin benefits | Intense hydration, smoother texture, improved elasticity | Deep moisture, soothes dryness, softens rough patches |
| Key ingredients | Miracle Broth (fermented sea kelp), lime tea concentrate | Mineral oil, petrolatum, glycerin, lanolin alcohol |
| Fragrance | Light, clean, luxurious scent | Classic Nivea scent |
| Best for | Dry, mature, sensitive skin | Dry to very dry skin; face and body |
| Use case | Night cream, anti-aging treatment, luxe routine | Everyday moisturizer, dry skin salve, multipurpose balm |
| Packaging | Glass jar with silver-accented lid | Blue metal tin |
| Application | Warm between fingers before applying | Warm between hands, rub in until absorbed |
People who use Nivea Crème say it’s just like Crème de la Mer
Beyond the similarities between the two products, actual users say Nivea Creme is an excellent alternative to La Mer:
“Nivea is a great dupe. La Mer has more amino acidic and a couple other things but other than that, LaMer is Nivea in a fancy jar.”
“I looked up dupes a few years back for this and got the Nivea cream.”
“I love that Nivea Creme. You can get the original German formula in the tin jar from Amazon. It completely saves my hands, elbows, and feet.”
“I used it nightly for two weeks to judge it and it seriously impressed me. No new acne and my face felt SO soft in the morning. It is seriously amazing for a dry, cold climate.”
Nivea Creme is a $7 moisturizer that overdelivers
Beyond the bright blue tin, Nivea Crème gets you a rich and thick cream suitable for your face and body. Used for more than 100 years around the world, it is often referred to as a cold-weather lifesaver and is a staple in European pharmacies. Nivea Creme is ultra-moisturizing thanks to petrolatum, mineral oil, glycerin and lanolin alcohol. Nivea’s classic scent, characterized by notes of citrus, lavender and rose essence, offers a clean and comforting aroma that appeals to all genders.
How to Use Nivea Creme for best results
To mimic La Mer’s application ritual, warm a small amount in your hands before applying. Nivea Crème is ideal for nighttime repair, winter weather or dry skin patches. The versatile formula also works well as a makeup primer, face mask, elbow cream and even an under-eye mask in a pinch.
Nivea Crème is best for:
- Dry, sensitive or mature skin types.
- Anyone who wants a no-frills moisturizer that works.
- Those wanting high performance at a drugstore price.
- Both men and women as an affordable daily treatment.
Nivea Creme costs hundreds less than La Mer Crème de la Mer
While La Mer Crème de la Mer has earned its reputation as a luxurious skincare staple that celebrities like Mindy Kaling swear by, Nivea Creme proves that great skincare doesn’t have to come with a triple-digit (or even double digit) price tag. At as little as 1% of La Mer’s cost, Nivea delivers surprisingly comparable hydration, texture and skin-softening benefits in a classic blue tin that people have trusted for more than 100 years. Whether you’re looking to simplify your routine or save big without sacrificing results, Nivea Creme is a budget-friendly beauty secret that truly holds its own.
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