Hada Labo vs Galderma
Hada Labo and Galderma are skincare brands that offer distinct approaches to complexion care, with the Japanese brand founded in 2004 and the Swiss brand established in 1981. Hada Labo is beloved for its nurturing toners, gentle makeup removers, and deeply nourishing moisturizers crafted from advanced formulas featuring moisture-binding properties, whereas the Swiss brand provides targeted serums. The former brand suits dry skin and dry sensitive skin best, while both feature offerings tailored for acne-prone skin, dark spots, and mature skin through specific items like the Gokujyun Lotion, Epiduo Gel, and Benzac AC treatments. Ultimately, they differ in their foundational philosophies, as the Japanese line focuses on restoring balance and comfort through hydration, while its counterpart specializes in active dermatological solutions.
Hada Labo is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 2004 and owned by Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd..
en.wikipedia.orghadalabosa.co.zahadalabotokyo.pl
Galderma is a Swiss skincare brand founded in 1981 and owned by Galderma Group AG.
This page compares some of the most popular Hada Labo and Galderma products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
People Say
Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedNot noted
- “skin drinks it up — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
- “Plumps fine lines — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
- “leaves skin soft, smooth, and hydrated — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
Acne Clearance and Prevention Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “cleared up my skin — Galderma Benzac AC Mild Strength 2.5% Acne Gel”
- “cystic acne gone — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
- “stops new pimples — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
Gentle Formulation Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
- “never stings my sensitive skin — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
- “No fragrance/alcohol — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
- “no irritation, no breakouts — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
- “didn't burn my face — Galderma Benzac AC Mild Strength 2.5% Acne Gel”
Hyperpigmentation and Redness Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “faded considerably — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
- “calms my redness — Hada Labo Premium Whitening Lotion (Light)”
- “scars are fading — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
- “angry redness tones down — Galderma Benzac AC 5”
Texture and Finish Often MentionedNot noted
- “absorbs super quickly — Hada Labo Premium Whitening Lotion (Light)”
- “Thick serum-like — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
- “absorbs super quickly — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
Value and Versatility Often MentionedNot noted
- “bottle lasts forever — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
- “mixes well with oils — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
- “Lasts forever — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
Skin Irritation and Dryness Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “face on fire — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
Initial Purging and Breakouts Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “gave me tiny bumps — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
- “Closed comedones — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
- “gave me closed comedones — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
- “got worse first — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
Fabric Bleaching Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “bleached my towel — Galderma Benzac AC 5”
Sticky or Heavy Feel Often MentionedNot noted
- “Tacky residue — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
Other Formulation Issues Often MentionedNot noted
- “takes months to see results — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
Questions and answers
Hada Labo or Galderma: which is better?
Hada Labo is better for hydration and gentle daily care, fitting dry and sensitive skin with a Superior level on Lovi. Galderma is better for targeted acne clearance through its serums, though it may cause severe dryness.
Dermatologic Therapy, 2022The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020
What is the difference between Hada Labo and Galderma?
Hada Labo focuses on gentle hydration with hyaluronic acid and rates Superior for dry skin, whereas Galderma specializes in effective acne-clearing serums that may cause severe dryness and peeling.
Dermatologic Therapy, 2022The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020
Which is more affordable, Hada Labo or Galderma?
Hada Labo is more affordable because reviewers frequently mention the brand for its value and versatility.
Which causes fewer breakouts, Hada Labo or Galderma?
Hada Labo causes fewer breakouts, as review themes note that Galderma products often lead to severe dryness, peeling, and irritation.
Which brand is better suited for dry skin, Hada Labo or Galderma?
Hada Labo is better suited for dry skin, with Lovi fit levels reaching Superior for products like Gokujyun Lotion, whereas Galderma products are rated as Low or Caution for this skin type. Reviewers frequently note that Hada Labo provides deep hydration and moisturization without fragrance.
Do any products from Hada Labo or Galderma contain fragrance?
Every product from Hada Labo and Galderma on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.
Which brand has been around longer, Hada Labo or Galderma?
Galderma has been around longer, having been founded in Switzerland in 1981, whereas Hada Labo was founded in Japan in 2004.
Research behind their key ingredients
The effect of niacinamide on reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppression of melanosome transfer
Preparation and characterization of a lecithin nanoemulsion as a topical delivery system
The anti-wrinkles properties of sodium acetylated hyaluronate
Moisturizing Effects of Diglycerol Combined with Glycerol on Human Stratum Corneum
Nanocomplex of quaternized cyclodextrin grafted chitosan and hyaluronic acid for a skin delivery
Combined Effect of Silybin and Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate on UV-Induced Photoaging
Behind this comparison
Lovi compares products by their fit scores, calculated from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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