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ISDIN vs Dr. Barbara Sturm

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

ISDIN and Dr. Barbara Sturm are two esteemed European skincare houses rooted in scientifically advanced formulas. The Spanish brand relies on sophisticated moisturizers, advanced sunscreens, targeted serums, and soothing eye products, while the German maker is beloved for gentle moisturizers, clarifying exfoliants, and nourishing serums. Both lines cater well to sensitive skin, though the former excels for oily, acne-prone types, and the latter supports dry and balanced complexions. They ultimately differ in their foundational approaches, as the 1975 pioneer emphasizes daily protection and targeted corrections, whereas the newer creator focuses on deep hydration and barrier support.

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.

Popular ISDIN vs Dr. Barbara Sturm products

People Say

ISDINDr. Barbara Sturm
  • 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?

Both brands have their strengths, but ISDIN is typically chosen for its ultralight sunscreens, while Dr. Barbara Sturm is noted for offering deeper hydration, smoothing skin texture, and repairing sun damage.

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

ISDIN features ultralight sunscreens and lightweight moisturizers with a high price point, whereas the products on this page by Dr. Barbara Sturm offer fragrance-free formulations with strengths in hydration, plumping, and smoothing skin texture.

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

For moisturizers, Dr. Barbara Sturm achieves higher marks for hydration and plumping compared to ISDIN, whose moisturizers on this page have fit levels that range from Average to Low for dry skin. Reviewers also note that Dr. Barbara Sturm delivers deeper hydration and smoother skin texture.

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

Dr. Barbara Sturm products have a high price point, while reviewers often note that ISDIN products also have a high price point.

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

When it comes to breakouts, the products on this page for ISDIN and Dr. Barbara Sturm both offer options that may help acne-prone skin, such as ISDIN's Eryfotona Actinica and Dr. Barbara Sturm's Enzyme Cleanser.

Between ISDIN and Dr. Barbara Sturm, which brand was founded earlier and in which country?

ISDIN was founded earlier, having started in Spain in 1975, while Dr. Barbara Sturm was founded later in Germany in 2014.

How do the fragrance inclusions compare between ISDIN and Dr. Barbara Sturm products on this page?

For the products on this page, ISDIN includes fragrance in five of its eight items, whereas Dr. Barbara Sturm lists no fragrance in any of its products.

Which brand offers better performance for hydration and plumping according to the review themes?

According to the review themes, Dr. Barbara Sturm delivers better performance for hydration and plumping compared to ISDIN.

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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