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Simple vs Dr. Barbara Sturm

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes · How the Fit score works

Simple and Dr. Barbara Sturm are two distinct skincare lines known for thoughtful formulation and gentle care. Simple offers moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners featuring niacinamide and glycerin that suit oily and acne-prone skin best, while Dr. Barbara Sturm provides moisturizers, exfoliants, and serums built on scientifically advanced formulas that suit sensitive, dry, and balanced skin best. Both brands differ in their origins and ingredient focus, with the British brand emphasizing hydration and barrier function through glycerin and niacinamide, and the German brand focusing on deep hydration and barrier support to keep the complexion calm, smooth, and radiant.

Simple is a British skincare brand founded in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.

en.wikipedia.orgsec.govprnewswire.comsimple.co.uk

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 Simple and Dr. Barbara Sturm products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Simple vs Dr. Barbara Sturm products

People Say

SimpleDr. Barbara Sturm
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Does not cause any form of irritation on the skin which I love. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The only cleanser that doesn't turn my face red. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “doesn't irritate my sensitive skin — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
    • “deep yet gentle cleanse — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
  • Hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “Instantly boosts skin's hydration... face doesn't feel dry and tight. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “skin drank it up — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “skin feels softer — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “absorbs very quickly — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “absorbs really well — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “sinks in immediately — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
  • Smoother skin texture Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin texture is immediately more even — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
    • “sinks in quickly — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
  • Glow and radiance Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “skin looks brighter — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
    • “healthy glow — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
  • Affordable price point Often MentionedNot noted
    • “great value for money — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
    • “super affordable — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “Can't beat the price for the quality. — Simple Micellar Water”
  • Extremely high price Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “way too expensive — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
  • Insufficient hydration or dryness Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “face feels a bit tight — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
    • “not moisturizing enough — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
  • Caused breakouts and skin reactions Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Gave me tiny bumps on my forehead. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “caused major breakouts — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “quite red after — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
    • “appearance of imperfections — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”

Questions and answers

Simple or Dr. Barbara Sturm: which is better?

Simple offers more budget-friendly options, whereas the products on this page by Dr. Barbara Sturm help deliver a smoother skin texture and a brighter glow. Glycerin in Simple products helps support skin moisture, and topical vitamin C in Dr. Barbara Sturm treatments may improve radiance.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

What is the difference between Simple and Dr. Barbara Sturm?

Simple offers budget-friendly, lightweight moisturizers and gentle makeup removers, while Dr. Barbara Sturm provides treatments that help deliver a smoother skin texture and a brighter glow. Lovi rates Simple's Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner at a Superior fit for mature skin, and Dr. Barbara Sturm's Enzyme Cleanser at a Superior fit for skin with dark spots.

Simple or Dr. Barbara Sturm: which moisturizer is better?

Simple offers more value-friendly moisturizers with lightweight hydration, while Dr. Barbara Sturm's Hyaluronic Serum is well-suited with a High fit for oily skin. Lovi rates the moisturizers on this page as having an Average fit across most skin types.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, Simple or Dr. Barbara Sturm?

Simple offers a much more affordable price point for shoppers, whereas Dr. Barbara Sturm features an extremely high price. Reviewers on this page frequently mention Simple as providing value-friendly moisturizers.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Simple or Dr. Barbara Sturm?

Simple and Dr. Barbara Sturm are rated equally for causing breakouts and skin reactions, as reviewers report issues for both. Niacinamide in Simple helps control pigmentation and supports skin health.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Which brand has been established longer and where are they from?

Simple has been established longer, having been founded in 1960 in the United Kingdom, whereas Dr. Barbara Sturm was founded in 2014 in Germany.

Do either Simple or Dr. Barbara Sturm products contain fragrance?

Every product on this page for both Simple and Dr. Barbara Sturm lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Which brand is better for achieving a smoother skin texture and more glow?

Dr. Barbara Sturm is better for achieving a smoother skin texture and more glow, as reviewers note it performs better in both areas than Simple. Niacinamide in Simple products also helps control skin aging and pigmentation.

Antioxidants, 2021The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Research behind their key ingredients

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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

How does it fit your skin?

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