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Elemis vs Dr. Barbara Sturm

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

Elemis and Dr. Barbara Sturm are established skincare brands that offer nourishing serums and rich moisturizers, yet they diverge in their foundational ingredients and specific target audiences. The British line relies on glycerin and shea butter, making it well-suited for dry skin and mature skin, while the German line emphasizes advanced science to cater best to sensitive, dry, and balanced skin. Both labels address individual concerns through tailored treatments, but they differ in their heritage, ownership, and unique formulations.

Elemis is a British skincare brand founded in 1989 and owned by L'Occitane Group since 2019.

elemis.comau.elemis.comen.wikipedia.org

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

Popular Elemis vs Dr. Barbara Sturm products

People Say

ElemisDr. Barbara Sturm
  • Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Absorbs almost immediately, and my skin feels well hydrated all day. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “whipped silk feel — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
    • “sinks in immediately — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “sinks in quickly — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
  • Skin Smoothing and Softening Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “baby soft — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “skin texture is immediately more even — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
    • “lines less visible — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “The cream really hydrates and my face looks amazing. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
    • “Quenches thirsty skin... immediate improvement. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “skin drank it up — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “skin feels softer — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
  • Radiance and Glow Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “skin looks brighter — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
    • “healthy glow — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “healthy glow — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
  • Gentle on Skin and Sensitive Areas 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”
    • “no stinging or redness — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
  • Exfoliation and Deep Cleansing Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “deep yet gentle cleanse — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
    • “non-stripping formula — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
  • Price and Value Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Complete waste of money for me. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “very expensive — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “expensive — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “way too expensive — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
  • Limited or Slow Results Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “didn't see a difference — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “didn't see difference — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
    • “Verdict still out. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
    • “did nothing — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
  • Fragrance and Scent Issues Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “smells a bit weird — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
    • “The smell is very strong... could not handle for long. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”

Questions and answers

Elemis or Dr. Barbara Sturm: which is better?

Dr. Barbara Sturm does better for radiance, gentleness on sensitive areas, and deep cleansing, while Elemis excels in price and value. Lovi rates Dr. Barbara Sturm's Enzyme Cleanser as a superior fit for skin with dark spots.

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

Elemis is a UK-based brand founded in 1989 that tends to feature fragrance in the products on this page and has fit levels like High for dry skin, whereas Dr. Barbara Sturm is a newer German brand founded in 2014 where every product on this page lists no fragrance.

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

For moisturizers, Elemis has a wider range with options like the Pro-Collagen Marine Cream that Lovi rates as Superior for mature skin and High for dry skin, whereas Dr. Barbara Sturm offers the Hyaluronic Serum which Lovi rates as High for oily skin and Average for dry skin. Elemis reviewers often mention hydrating and luxurious moisturizers, but the products on this page frequently contain fragrance.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

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

Elemis is more affordable, as reviewers frequently note a high price point as a negative for the brand while also showing it does better than Dr. Barbara Sturm on price and value.

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

Dr. Barbara Sturm may cause fewer breakouts than Elemis, as the products on this page for Dr. Barbara Sturm are fragrance-free, whereas most Elemis products contain fragrance, which sometimes causes skin irritation.

Between Elemis and Dr. Barbara Sturm, which brand is considered better for gentle use on sensitive skin areas?

Dr. Barbara Sturm is considered better for gentle use on sensitive skin areas. The products on this page for Elemis frequently include fragrance, whereas every product on this page for Dr. Barbara Sturm lists no fragrance.

How do the origins and ownership histories of Elemis and Dr. Barbara Sturm compare?

Elemis was founded in 1989 in the United Kingdom and has been owned by the L'Occitane Group since 2019, whereas Dr. Barbara Sturm was founded in 2014 in Germany and is owned by Puig since 2024.

Which of the two skincare lines offers fragrance-free product options across its range?

Dr. Barbara Sturm offers fragrance-free product options across the products on this page, as every product lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

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

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