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Dermalogica vs Dr. Barbara Sturm

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

Dermalogica and Dr. Barbara Sturm are two distinct skincare brands that offer thoughtfully crafted products for diverse complexions. The American brand is known for targeted serums, nourishing moisturizers, gentle cleansers, and purifying masks featuring hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and salicylic acid, making it best suited for oily and acne-prone skin. Conversely, the German brand is celebrated for its gentle moisturizers, clarifying exfoliants, and nourishing serums built on scientifically advanced formulas, which suit sensitive, dry, and balanced skin best. While both lines utilize powerhouse components to deliver visible results, they ultimately differ in their core focus, as the former manages excess oil and breakouts while the latter emphasizes deep hydration and barrier support.

Dermalogica is an American skincare brand founded in 1986 and owned by Unilever since 2015.

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

Popular Dermalogica vs Dr. Barbara Sturm products

People Say

DermalogicaDr. Barbara Sturm
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry skin — Dermalogica Super Rich Repair”
    • “super hydrating — Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque”
    • “skin drank it up — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “skin feels softer — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
  • Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “blends seamlessly — Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50”
    • “Absorbs quickly... not greasy — Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream”
    • “sinks in immediately — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “sinks in quickly — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
  • Soothing and Calming Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “doesn't irritate my sensitive skin — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
    • “reduced redness — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “helps calm and nourish my skin — Dermalogica Stabilizing Repair Cream”
  • Brightening and Radiance Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “skin looks brighter — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
    • “healthy glow — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “immediately brighter looking — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
  • Gentle and Exfoliating Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “gentle enough for daily use — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “skin feels smooth as silk — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “skin texture is immediately more even — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
    • “deep yet gentle cleanse — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
  • Anti-Aging and Firming Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “lines less visible — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “eyelids look firmer and lifted — Dermalogica Phyto Nature Lifting Eye Cream”
  • High Price Point Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “hefty price tag — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “Expensive for cleanser — Dermalogica Precleanse”
    • “Very expensive — Dermalogica Super Rich Repair”
    • “way too expensive — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
  • Heavy or Greasy Residue Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Too thick for day — Dermalogica Super Rich Repair”
    • “skin felt tight — Dermalogica Active Moist”
    • “felt a bit dry — Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel”
    • “tacky finish — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
  • Skin Irritation and Reactions Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “quite red after — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
    • “appearance of imperfections — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
    • “Stings eyes — Dermalogica Precleanse”
  • Unpleasant Scent Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “smells a bit weird — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
    • “smells like puke — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”

Questions and answers

Dermalogica or Dr. Barbara Sturm: which is better?

Dr. Barbara Sturm does better for anti-aging and firming, as well as brightening and radiance, compared to Dermalogica. Both brands offer equal performance in hydration, texture, and gentle exfoliation, though the products on this page for Dermalogica have a higher price point and are more likely to leave a heavy or greasy residue.

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

Dermalogica was founded in 1986 in the United States and is owned by Unilever, whereas Dr. Barbara Sturm was founded in 2014 in Germany and is owned by Puig. The products on this page from Dermalogica fit best for oily acne-prone skin, oily skin, and acne-prone skin, while Dr. Barbara Sturm does better for soothing and calming, brightening and radiance, and anti-aging and firming.

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

Dermalogica offers multiple moisturizers with high or superior Lovi fit levels across various skin types, whereas Dr. Barbara Sturm features only one moisturizer on this page, the Hyaluronic Serum, which has a high fit for oily skin and average fits for other skin types.

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

Reviewers note that Dermalogica has a high price point.

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

Dermalogica is generally reported to cause fewer reactions and breakouts than Dr. Barbara Sturm, as skin irritation and reactions are noted as a negative review theme for Dr. Barbara Sturm while Dermalogica features specialized products that fit oily acne-prone and acne-prone skin best.

Where and when were Dermalogica and Dr. Barbara Sturm founded, and who currently owns them?

Dermalogica was founded in 1986 in the United States and is owned by Unilever since 2015. Dr. Barbara Sturm was founded in 2014 in Germany and is owned by Puig since 2024.

Which brand performs better for soothing and calming, and which has reviewers noting higher price points?

Dr. Barbara Sturm performs better for soothing and calming, while reviewers note higher price points for the products on this page from Dermalogica.

How do the key ingredients and fragrance listings compare across products from both brands?

The products on this page for both Dermalogica and Dr. Barbara Sturm list no fragrance in their ingredients. Dermalogica features key ingredients across its products such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, salicylic acid, oat, vitamin E, and lactic acid.

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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