# Galderma vs FRE

Page: https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/compare/galderma-vs-fre

The Lovi Fit is the same in every country; only the stores and prices differ, and the ones here are for Canada.

Galderma and FRE are distinct skincare brands designed to address various dermatological needs. The Swiss brand offers [serums](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/serum) formulated with key ingredients like [adapalene](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/adapalene) and [benzoyl peroxide](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/benzoyl-peroxide), suiting oily and combination skin best, with standout items such as Epiduo Gel and Benzac AC. Meanwhile, the second brand is widely loved for its targeted product types and nourishing formulas like [Argan Oil](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/argan-oil), which suit acne-prone skin best owing to their gentle and effective compositions. Ultimately, both differ primarily in their specific active ingredients and the range of skin types they are tailored to support.

Galderma is a Swiss skincare brand founded in 1981 and owned by Galderma Group AG.

[en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galderma)

This page compares some of the most popular Galderma and FRE products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, [use the Lovi app](https://app.pora.ai/vqqJ/j1xj2b6o?af_sub2=compare&af_sub3=selection_note&af_sub4=pg890a6de43a).

### Popular Galderma vs FRE products

#### Galderma

- [Epiduo Gel](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/p/galderma/epiduo-gel/for/acne-prone-skin) — High fit
- [Benzac AC 5](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/p/galderma/benzac-ac-5/for/oily-acne-prone-skin) — High fit — [CA$45.40 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0H7FDLC2T?tag=lovi-care-web-product01-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Benzac AC Mild Strength 2.5% Acne Gel](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/p/galderma/benzac-ac-mild-strength-2-5-acne-gel/for/oily-acne-prone-skin) — High fit

#### FRE

- [Argan Oil](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/p/fre/argan-oil/for/dry-sensitive-skin) — High fit

## Questions and answers

### Galderma or FRE: which is better?

Galderma is better for oily and acne-prone skin because the products on this page have a High fit for those skin types, while FRE fits them less. [Benzoyl peroxide](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/benzoyl-peroxide) helps clear acne effectively, though reviewers note that it may cause severe dryness and irritation.

[The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32175593/) [Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, 2021](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33545336/)

### What is the difference between Galderma and FRE?

Galderma has a High fit for oily acne-prone skin with products like Epiduo Gel, whereas FRE features [Argan Oil](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/argan-oil) which has an Average fit for that skin type. Galderma is a Swiss brand founded in 1981, while FRE is an independent brand founded in 2016.

[The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32175593/) [International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2014](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25143733/)

### Which is more affordable, Galderma or FRE?

Neither Galderma nor FRE shows pricing information on this page, so affordability cannot be compared here.

### Which causes fewer breakouts, Galderma or FRE?

Galderma has a High Lovi fit for oily acne-prone and acne-prone skin with its acne-clearing [serums](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/serum), whereas FRE has only an Average fit for those skin types with its Argan Oil. Topical benzoyl peroxide helps treat acne by reducing relevant bacteria.

[The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32175593/) [Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, 2021](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33545336/)

### How do the founding years and company backgrounds of Galderma and FRE compare?

Galderma was founded in 1981 in Switzerland and is owned by Galderma Group AG, whereas FRE was founded in 2016 and is independently owned.

### Which brand's products are completely free of fragrance according to the page?

Both Galderma and FRE feature products on this page that are completely free of fragrance in their ingredients.

### What specific negative side effects do reviewers most frequently mention for Galderma products?

Reviewers most frequently mention severe dryness and peeling as well as severe irritation and discomfort for Galderma products.

## Research behind their key ingredients

- [Topical benzoyl peroxide for acne](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32175593/) Benzoyl peroxide, Benzoyl peroxide 25mg g · The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020
- [Design, characterization, and clinical evaluation of argan oil nanostructured lipid carriers to improve skin hydration](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25143733/) Argania spinosa kernel oil argan kernel oil · International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2014
- [Prevention and Reduction of Atrophic Acne Scars with Adapalene 0.3%/Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5% Gel in Subjects with Moderate or Severe Facial Acne: Results of a 6-Month Randomized, Vehicle-Controlled Trial Using Intra-Individual Comparison](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29549588/) Adapalene · American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2018
- [Benzoyl peroxide treatment decreases Cutibacterium acnes in shoulder surgery, from skin incision until wound closure](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33545336/) Benzoyl peroxide, Benzoyl peroxide 25mg g · Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, 2021
- [The 24-hour skin hydration and barrier function effects of a hyaluronic 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract moisturizing fluid: an intra-subject, randomized, assessor-blinded study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28860834/) Glycerin · Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
- [Efficacy and Safety of a Fixed-Dose Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2%, Benzoyl Peroxide 3.1%, and Adapalene 0.15% Gel for Moderate-to-Severe Acne: A Randomized Phase II Study of the First Triple-Combination Drug](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34674160/) Benzoyl peroxide, Benzoyl peroxide 25mg g · American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2022
- [A topical gel of tea tree oil nanoemulsion containing adapalene versus adapalene marketed gel in patients with acne vulgaris: a randomized clinical trial](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34251536/) Adapalene · Archives of Dermatological Research, 2022
- [Development of Multifunctional Cosmetic Cream Using Bioactive Materials from Streptomyces sp. T65 with Synthesized Mesoporous Silica Particles SBA-15](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32224894/) Silicon dioxide · Antioxidants, 2020
- [Formulating octyl methoxycinnamate in hybrid lipid-silica nanoparticles: An innovative approach for UV skin protection](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32395645/) Silicon dioxide · Heliyon, 2020
- [Clindamycin phosphate 1.2%/adapalene 0.15%/benzoyl peroxide 3.1% gel for moderate-to-severe acne: Efficacy and safety results from two randomized phase 3 trials](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37656094/) Adapalene · Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2023
- [Efficacy and safety of microencapsulated benzoyl peroxide and microencapsulated tretinoin for the treatment of acne vulgaris: Results from two phase 3 double-blind, randomized, vehicle-controlled studies](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37356627/) Benzoyl peroxide, Benzoyl peroxide 25mg g · Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2023
- [Semi-Solid Dosage Forms Containing Pranoprofen-Loaded NLC as Topical Therapy for Local Inflammation: In Vitro, Ex Vivo and In Vivo Evaluation](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37367119/) Carbomer 940 · Gels, 2023

## The brands

- Swiss skincare: [Galderma](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/brands/galderma)
- Skincare: [FRE](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/brands/fre)

## More comparisons

- [SKIN1004 vs Galderma](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/compare/skin1004-vs-galderma)
- [SKIN1004 vs FRE](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/compare/skin1004-vs-fre)
- [Anua vs Galderma](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/compare/anua-vs-galderma)
- [Anua vs FRE](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/compare/anua-vs-fre)
- [Medicube vs Galderma](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/compare/medicube-vs-galderma)
- [Medicube vs FRE](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/compare/medicube-vs-fre)
- [The Ordinary vs Galderma](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/compare/the-ordinary-vs-galderma)
- [The Ordinary vs FRE](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/compare/the-ordinary-vs-fre)
- [Beauty of Joseon vs Galderma](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/compare/beauty-of-joseon-vs-galderma)
- [Beauty of Joseon vs FRE](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/compare/beauty-of-joseon-vs-fre)
- [COSRX vs Galderma](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/compare/cosrx-vs-galderma)
- [COSRX vs FRE](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/compare/cosrx-vs-fre)
- [CeraVe vs Galderma](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/compare/cerave-vs-galderma)
- [CeraVe vs FRE](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/compare/cerave-vs-fre)
- [La Roche-Posay vs Galderma](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/compare/la-roche-posay-vs-galderma)
- [La Roche-Posay vs FRE](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/compare/la-roche-posay-vs-fre)
- [Dr. Althea vs Galderma](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/compare/dr-althea-vs-galderma)
- [Dr. Althea vs FRE](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/compare/dr-althea-vs-fre)
- [Some By Mi vs Galderma](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/compare/some-by-mi-vs-galderma)
- [Some By Mi vs FRE](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/compare/some-by-mi-vs-fre)

## About the Lovi Fit

Lovi: Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes.

Lovi compares products by their fit scores, calculated from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules its 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. Levels from best to worst: Superior, High, Average, Low, Caution, Warning.

Behind this comparison: Nadia Kapleva, MS (Co-founder, Medical Director); Alexey Shagraev, PhD (Co-founder, CEO and CTO); Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc (Medical Board); Aishani Shah, MD (Medical Board); Asya Zubkova, MS (Medical Board); Hanna Kurets, MD (Medical Board, Medical Advisor); Elina Nazarenko, MD (Medical Board); Victoria Derkova, MS (Medical Board).

Page built Nov 8, 2026.

More from Lovi: https://lovi.care/skincare/llms.txt

## This page in other countries

- United States: https://lovi.care/skincare/compare/galderma-vs-fre
- United Kingdom: https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/compare/galderma-vs-fre
- Ireland: https://lovi.care/skincare/ie/compare/galderma-vs-fre
- Germany: https://lovi.care/skincare/de/compare/galderma-vs-fre
- France: https://lovi.care/skincare/fr/compare/galderma-vs-fre
- Italy: https://lovi.care/skincare/it/compare/galderma-vs-fre
- Netherlands: https://lovi.care/skincare/nl/compare/galderma-vs-fre
- Spain: https://lovi.care/skincare/es/compare/galderma-vs-fre
- Canada: https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/compare/galderma-vs-fre (this page)
- Australia: https://lovi.care/skincare/au/compare/galderma-vs-fre
- Singapore: https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/compare/galderma-vs-fre
- Saudi Arabia: https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/compare/galderma-vs-fre
- United Arab Emirates: https://lovi.care/skincare/ae/compare/galderma-vs-fre
