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Biore vs Dr. Barbara Sturm

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

Biore and Dr. Barbara Sturm are distinct skincare lines from Japan and Germany that offer thoughtful sunscreens, cleansers, masks, makeup removers, gentle moisturizers, clarifying exfoliants, and nourishing serums. The Japanese brand suits sensitive and oily skin best with gentle and clarifying formulations, featuring standout items like the UV Aqua Rich, Makeup Remover Perfect Oil, and Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser. Meanwhile, Dr. Barbara Sturm suits sensitive, dry, and balanced skin best through deep hydration and barrier support, highlighted by The Good C Vitamin C Serum, Enzyme Cleanser, and Hyaluronic Serum. While both brands support a refreshed complexion, the former relies on effective formulas for balance, whereas the latter builds upon scientifically advanced formulas for a calm, smooth, and radiant finish.

Biore is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by Kao Corporation.

biore.comkao.com

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

Popular Biore vs Dr. Barbara Sturm products

People Say

BioreDr. Barbara Sturm
  • Effective cleansing and debris removal Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Gets the gunk out — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
    • “Face feels squeaky clean — Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser”
    • “No greasy film, leaves skin fresh, rinses easily. — Biore Makeup Remover Perfect Oil”
    • “deep yet gentle cleanse — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
  • Lightweight texture and finish Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “sinks in immediately — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “sinks in quickly — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
    • “melts into skin — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
  • Sun protection and hydration Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin drank it up — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “skin feels softer — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
    • “SPF 50+ PA++++ — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
  • Calming sensitive skin Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “doesn't irritate my sensitive skin — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
    • “reduced redness — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
  • Ease of use Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Minimal effort required — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
    • “Works in shower, effective on wet hands/face. — Biore Makeup Remover Perfect Oil”
    • “practical for travel — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
  • Skin texture smoothing Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “skin texture is immediately more even — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
    • “Leaves skin feeling clean — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
  • High price point and cheaper alternatives Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “way too expensive — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
  • Inconsistent or temporary results Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Doesn't get all blackheads — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
    • “Doesn't shrink pores — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
    • “did nothing — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
  • Drying and stripping effects Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “face feels a bit tight — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
    • “Made my skin peel — Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser”
  • Scent and fragrance complaints Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “smells a bit weird — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
    • “smells like alcohol — Biore UV Aqua Rich”

Questions and answers

Biore or Dr. Barbara Sturm: which is better?

Biore is better for effective cleansing and ease of use with the products on this page, while Dr. Barbara Sturm is better for lightweight texture, sun protection, hydration, calming sensitive skin, and smoothing skin texture. Hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

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

Biore offers more affordable and effective cleansing and debris removal with products like Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser, whereas Dr. Barbara Sturm provides superior skin texture smoothing and sun protection with lightweight options like Enzyme Cleanser and The Good C Vitamin C Serum. Lovi rates Dr. Barbara Sturm's Enzyme Cleanser as a Superior fit for skin with dark spots.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

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

Biore is the more affordable brand, though reviewers note it comes with a high price point and cheaper alternatives drawback compared to Dr. Barbara Sturm.

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

When it comes to breakout-prone skin, the products on this page for Dr. Barbara Sturm hold a High Lovi fit for acne-prone skin, whereas Biore products on this page generally have an Average Lovi fit for acne-prone skin.

Which brand has products that are better for calming sensitive skin?

Dr. Barbara Sturm does better for calming sensitive skin, while Biore products on this page have a Low fit level for sensitive skin.

How do the founding years and corporate ownerships of Biore and Dr. Barbara Sturm compare?

Biore was founded in Japan in 1980 and is owned by Kao Corporation, whereas Dr. Barbara Sturm was founded in Germany in 2014 and is owned by Puig.

Which brand performs better for lightweight texture and finish according to reviewers?

Dr. Barbara Sturm performs better for lightweight texture and finish according to reviewers. The products on this page for this brand provide smooth finishes without heavy layers.

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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