# Principia vs Sesderma

Page: https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/compare/principia-vs-sesderma

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

Principia and Sesderma are skincare lines offering thoughtful cleansers, advanced [serums](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/serum), and precise formulas. The former is widely loved for its cleansers and suits balanced to oily skin best, featuring standout products like the Gel de Limpeza GL-01 for acne-prone skin to maintain a healthy, balanced complexion. Founded in 1989, the Spanish brand is beloved for its meticulously engineered formulas that suit sensitive, hyperpigmented, and aging skin types best. While both brands help refine texture and promote radiance, they differ through Principia's focus on balancing oil and Sesderma's use of botanical [extracts](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/extract) and active compounds like the Azelac RU Serum.

Sesderma is a Spanish skincare brand founded in 1989 and owned by Grupo Sesderma since 2026.

[skinexpert.sesderma.com](https://skinexpert.sesderma.com/en/jb-capital-joins-the-shareholding-of-sesderma-group-as-a-strategic-partner/) [sesderma.com](https://www.sesderma.com/us_en/about-us.html)

This page compares some of the most popular Principia and Sesderma 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=pg72582e862c).

### Popular Principia vs Sesderma products

#### Sesderma

- [Azelac RU Serum](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/p/sesderma/azelac-ru-serum/for/acne-prone-skin) — High fit

#### Principia

- [Gel de Limpeza GL-01](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/p/principia/gel-de-limpeza-gl-01/for/oily-skin) — Average fit

## Questions and answers

### Principia or Sesderma: which is better?

Sesderma offers a high fit for acne-prone skin and dark spots with its Azelac RU [Serum](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/serum), while the products on this page by Principia earn an average fit across those skin types.

[Pharmaceutics, 2021](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33923739/)

### What is the difference between Principia and Sesderma?

Sesderma achieves a High fit for skin with dark spots with its Azelac RU Serum, while the products on this page from Principia reach an Average fit for the same concern. Additionally, Principia lists no fragrance across its products, whereas Sesderma includes fragrance in its serum.

### Which is more affordable, Principia or Sesderma?

This public Lovi page does not provide pricing information for either Principia or Sesderma products, so we cannot determine which brand is more affordable.

### Which causes fewer breakouts, Principia or Sesderma?

Sesderma fits acne-prone skin with a High Lovi fit level for its Azelac RU Serum, while the products on this page from Principia reach only Average or Low fit levels for acne-prone skin.

### Which brand is older, Principia or Sesderma?

Sesderma is older, having been founded in Spain in 1989, while Principia was founded more recently in 2020.

### Do either Principia or Sesderma products contain fragrance?

Every product on this page from Principia lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas the Azelac RU Serum from Sesderma contains fragrance.

### Where were Principia and Sesderma founded?

Sesderma was founded in Spain in 1989, whereas the founding location for Principia is not available.

## Research behind their key ingredients

- [Vitamin A antagonizes decreased cell growth and elevated collagen-degrading matrix metalloproteinases and stimulates collagen accumulation in naturally aged human skin](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10692106/) Retinol · The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000
- [The effect of niacinamide on reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppression of melanosome transfer](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12100180/) Niacinamide · The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002
- [Improvement of naturally aged skin with vitamin A (retinol)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17515510/) Retinol · Archives of Dermatology, 2007
- [Nicotinic acid/niacinamide and the skin](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17147561/) Niacin · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2004
- [Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27261203/) Retinol · International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017
- [Prospective, randomized, double-blind assessment of topical bakuchiol and retinol for facial photoageing](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29947134/) Retinol · The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019
- [Efficacy and Safety of Azelaic Acid Nanocrystal-Loaded In Situ Hydrogel in the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33923739/) Azelaic acid · Pharmaceutics, 2021
- [A topical lipophilic niacin derivative increases NAD, epidermal differentiation and barrier function in photodamaged skin](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17518989/) Niacin · Experimental Dermatology, 2007
- [A Double-Blinded, Randomized, Vehicle-Controlled Study of the Efficacy of Moisturizer Containing Licochalcone A, Decanediol, L-Carnitine, and Salicylic Acid for Prevention of Acne Relapse in Asian Population](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33150170/) Salicylic acid · BioMed Research International, 2020
- [Efficacy of a multitargeted, salicylic acid-based dermocosmetic cream compared to benzoyl peroxide 5% in Acne vulgaris: Results from a randomized study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37941097/) Salicylic acid · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
- [A Salicylic Acid-Based Dermocosmetic is Effective as an Adjunct to Benzoyl Peroxide for Mild to Moderate Acne and as Monotherapy in Maintenance Post Benzoyl Peroxide](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38051857/) Salicylic acid · Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023
- [Effects of 15% Azelaic Acid Gel in the Management of Post-Inflammatory Erythema and Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation in Acne Vulgaris](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38734843/) Azelaic acid · Dermatology and Therapy, 2024
- [Influence of vitamin E acetate on stratum corneum hydration](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9706379/) Tocopheryl acetate · Arzneimittel-Forschung, 1998
- [Nanostructured Lipid Carrier Based Gel Containing α-Tocopherol and α-Tocopheryl Acetate for Synergistic Cutaneous Antiaging Efficacy](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41309687/) Tocopheryl acetate · Scientific Reports, 2025
- [Safety assessment on comedogenicity of dermatological products containing d-alpha tocopheryl acetate in Asian subjects: A double-blind randomized controlled trial](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34471722/) Tocopheryl acetate · Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021
- [The efficacy of enoxolone in reducing erythema and pain after laser treatment: A randomized split-face pilot study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38622995/) Glycyrrhetinic acid · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
- [Impact of dermal emulsions containing diacyl phospholipids, mono acyl phospholipids, sodium lauryl ether sulfate and polysorbate 80 in combination with UVA irradiation on human skin physiology in vivo: A pilot study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42617898/) Sodium laureth sulfate · International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2026

## The brands

- Skincare: [Principia](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/brands/principia)
- Spanish skincare: [Sesderma](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/brands/sesderma)

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## 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/principia-vs-sesderma
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- Ireland: https://lovi.care/skincare/ie/compare/principia-vs-sesderma
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- Netherlands: https://lovi.care/skincare/nl/compare/principia-vs-sesderma
- Spain: https://lovi.care/skincare/es/compare/principia-vs-sesderma
- Canada: https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/compare/principia-vs-sesderma (this page)
- Australia: https://lovi.care/skincare/au/compare/principia-vs-sesderma
- Singapore: https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/compare/principia-vs-sesderma
- Saudi Arabia: https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/compare/principia-vs-sesderma
- United Arab Emirates: https://lovi.care/skincare/ae/compare/principia-vs-sesderma
