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Medik8 vs Dr. Barbara Sturm

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

Medik8 and Dr. Barbara Sturm are two sophisticated skincare lines offering targeted serums, moisturizers, and clarifying treatments. The British brand Medik8 focuses on hyaluronic acid to suit dry and dry sensitive skin, while the German brand Dr. Barbara Sturm relies on scientifically advanced formulas to support sensitive, dry, and balanced skin. Both brands differ in their founding years, ownership, and specific hero products tailored for acne, dark spots, and mature concerns.

Medik8 is a British skincare brand founded in 2009 and owned by L'Oréal Groupe since 2025.

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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 Medik8 and Dr. Barbara Sturm products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Medik8 vs Dr. Barbara Sturm products

People Say

Medik8Dr. Barbara Sturm
  • Gentle and Non-Irritating Formulation Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “zero irritation or peeling — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “only Vitamin C my sensitive skin can tolerate — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “doesn't irritate my sensitive skin — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
    • “deep yet gentle cleanse — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
  • Texture and Lightweight Feel Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “absorbed effortlessly — Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream”
    • “smoother skin — Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse”
    • “sinks in immediately — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “sinks in quickly — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
  • Hydration and Plumping Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Restores moisture — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “Instantly quenched the skin — Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Intense”
    • “skin drank it up — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “lines less visible — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
  • Brightening and Glow Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “I wake up glowing. It adds back that youthful bloom that I've lost. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
    • “unlocked a serious glow — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “skin looks brighter — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
    • “healthy glow — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
  • Usability and Longevity Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “great for combination skin — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
    • “lasts almost 5 months — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
    • “practical for travel — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
    • “pores feel cleaner — Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse”
  • High Price and Value Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Expensive per bottle — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “very expensive for amount — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “hefty price tag — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “way too expensive — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
  • Slow or Ineffective Results Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Not as effective as retinol — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
    • “no difference — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
    • “no difference yet — Medik8 Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye 3”
    • “did nothing — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
  • Dryness, Dry Skin, and Color Transfer Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “slightly drying — Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse”
    • “need a thick moisturizer — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “stained my white pillowcase — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “face feels a bit tight — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
  • Tackiness, Residue, and Finish Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “too oily for my combination skin — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “Can feel sticky if over-applied — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “Oily texture unpleasant — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
    • “tacky finish — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”

Questions and answers

Medik8 or Dr. Barbara Sturm: which is better?

Medik8 is a better fit for dry skin, dry sensitive skin, and combination skin, while Dr. Barbara Sturm achieves a higher Lovi fit for usability and longevity. Reviewers frequently note that Medik8 products on this page help improve skin texture and provide deep hydration and plumping, though topical hyaluronic acid may help improve skin quality and signs of skin aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between Medik8 and Dr. Barbara Sturm?

Medik8 offers a much wider range of products on this page than Dr. Barbara Sturm, with Medik8 featuring specialized serums like Bakuchiol Peptides and Oxy-R Peptides. Reviewers note that Dr. Barbara Sturm scores better for usability and longevity, while Medik8 faces more negative feedback regarding high prices and slow or ineffective results.

Medik8 or Dr. Barbara Sturm: which moisturizer is better?

Medik8 provides high to superior hydration fits for dry skin with products like Hydr8 B5 Intense, which helps deliver deep moisture. Hyaluronic acid found in these formulas may improve skin hydration and reduce signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Drug Delivery, 2017

Which is more affordable, Medik8 or Dr. Barbara Sturm?

Dr. Barbara Sturm is more affordable according to the review themes on this page, which rank Medik8 lower for high price and value. Medik8's products on this page often receive negative feedback regarding a high price point.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Medik8 or Dr. Barbara Sturm?

Neither brand can be called out as causing fewer breakouts overall, as the products on this page show varying fit levels across different skin types. Reviewers also mention that both brands perform equally well for gentle and non-irritating formulations.

Which brand has more products listed on the page, Medik8 or Dr. Barbara Sturm?

Medik8 has more products listed on the page than Dr. Barbara Sturm, with twelve choices compared to just three. Both brands feature options formulated with hyaluronic acid, which helps provide hydration and plumping effects.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

When was Medik8 founded compared to Dr. Barbara Sturm, and who owns each company?

Medik8 was founded in 2009 in the United Kingdom and has been owned by L'Oréal Groupe since 2025, while Dr. Barbara Sturm was founded in 2014 in Germany and is owned by Puig.

Which Medik8 products have a Superior Lovi fit level for dry skin?

Medik8 offers Bakuchiol Peptides, Hydr8 B5 Intense, and Press & Glow as the products on this page with a Superior Lovi fit level for dry skin. Topical hyaluronic acid, found in Hydr8 B5 Intense, helps improve skin quality and hydration.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

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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