ISDIN vs Dr. Barbara Sturm
ISDIN and Dr. Barbara Sturm are two esteemed European skincare houses known for sophisticated, scientifically advanced formulas that nurture the complexion. The Spanish brand is beloved for its thoughtful moisturizers, sunscreens, serums, and eye products, while the German maker is deeply loved for its gentle moisturizers, clarifying exfoliants, and nourishing serums. The former suits acne-prone skin and combination skin best, whereas the latter suits sensitive, dry, and balanced skin best because it focuses on deep hydration and barrier support. Ultimately, they differ in their heritage and targeted skin types, with both brands offering reliable, gentle efficacy through daily use.
ISDIN is a Spanish skincare brand founded in 1975 and owned by Puig.
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Dr. Barbara Sturm is a German skincare brand founded in 2014 and owned by Puig since 2024.
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This page compares some of the most popular ISDIN and Dr. Barbara Sturm products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
People Say
Lightweight and fast-absorbing texture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
- “absorbs instantly — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
- “ultra-light fluid product, which makes it super easy to apply — ISDIN Fusion Water”
- “Lightweight formula absorbs fast — ISDIN Hyaluronic Concentrate”
- “sinks in immediately — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
Gentle and suitable for sensitive skin Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “Sensitive/reactive skin tolerates — ISDIN Hyaluronic Moisture”
- “no excessive exfoliation — ISDIN Retinal Intense Serum”
- “doesn't irritate my sensitive skin — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
- “reduced redness — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
Hydration and plumping Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
- “lines less visible — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
- “skin feels softer — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
- “Skin feels intensely hydrated — ISDIN Hyaluronic Concentrate”
Deeply hydrating Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “skin drank it up — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
- “Improved moisture and texture — ISDIN Hyaluronic Moisture”
Smoother skin texture Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
- “skin texture is immediately more even — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
- “skin was much smoother — ISDIN Retinal Intense Serum”
Repairs sun damage and brightens skin tone Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “skin looks brighter — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
- “My hyperpigmentation has lightened and skin looks more even, even shines more. — ISDIN Flavo-C Serum”
High price point Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “very expensive — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica”
- “My only wish is that ISDIN would make this product in a bigger size bottle. — ISDIN Fusion Water”
- “high cost — ISDIN K-Ox Eyes”
- “way too expensive — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
Lack of results Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
- “don't see result — ISDIN K-Ox Eyes”
- “no noticeable changes yet — ISDIN Retinal Intense Serum”
- “did nothing — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
Questions and answers
ISDIN or Dr. Barbara Sturm: which is better?
Dr. Barbara Sturm does better for hydration and plumping, smoother skin texture, and repairing sun damage, while ISDIN stands out for its lightweight and fast-absorbing textures. However, reviewers often note a high price point and lack of results for ISDIN products on this page.
What is the difference between ISDIN and Dr. Barbara Sturm?
ISDIN delivers lightweight and fast-absorbing textures with products like Fusion Water, though reviewers note a high price point and occasional lack of results. Dr. Barbara Sturm stands out for deeper hydration, plumping, and smoother skin texture across the products on this page.
ISDIN or Dr. Barbara Sturm: which moisturizer is better?
Dr. Barbara Sturm does better for hydration and plumping with its moisturizers on this page. Reviewers note that Dr. Barbara Sturm provides deep hydration, while ISDIN's moisturizers have a high price point and may lack results.
Which is more affordable, ISDIN or Dr. Barbara Sturm?
Dr. Barbara Sturm is generally more affordable in terms of review feedback, as reviewers frequently note a high price point for ISDIN products on this page without mentioning the same concern for Dr. Barbara Sturm.
Which causes fewer breakouts, ISDIN or Dr. Barbara Sturm?
Both ISDIN and Dr. Barbara Sturm offer products on this page that are well-suited for acne-prone skin, with Lovi rating their applicable options as High or Average. Reviewers note that ISDIN is especially praised for its ultralight sunscreens, which helps prevent clogged pores compared to heavier formulas.
Which brand is older, ISDIN or Dr. Barbara Sturm?
ISDIN is the older brand, having been founded in Spain in 1975, whereas Dr. Barbara Sturm was founded in Germany in 2014.
How do the fragrance profiles of ISDIN and Dr. Barbara Sturm products compare?
When it comes to fragrance, the products on this page differ significantly between the two brands. Dr. Barbara Sturm lists no fragrance in every product on this page, whereas ISDIN includes fragrance in five of its eight products.
Which brand's products are owned by Puig?
Both ISDIN and Dr. Barbara Sturm are owned by Puig. ISDIN has been owned by Puig since it was founded in 1975, while Dr. Barbara Sturm came under Puig ownership in 2024.
Research behind their key ingredients
Effects of ascorbic acid on gingival melanin pigmentation in vitro and in vivo
Borage Oil Treated with Immobilized Lipase Inhibits Melanogenesis
Comparison of methods for assessing photoprotection against ultraviolet A in vivo
Nanocomplex of quaternized cyclodextrin grafted chitosan and hyaluronic acid for a skin delivery
The clinical efficacy of a new emulsion for acne and conspicuous facial pore amelioration
Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos
Retrospective Review of Dermal Safety Studies of Organic Sunscreens
Targeting Circadian Rhythm for the Regulation of Skin Collagen Metabolism
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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