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Biore vs Grown Alchemist

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

Biore and Grown Alchemist are two distinct skincare lines offering targeted daily care through carefully balanced formulas. Biore is a Japanese brand founded in 1980 and owned by Kao Corporation, globally loved for sunscreens, cleansers, masks, and makeup removers that suit oily and combination skin best. Conversely, Grown Alchemist is loved for its cleansers and serums, suiting sensitive, dry, and combination skin best. While both brands feature standout products for acne-prone skin, dark spots, and mature skin, they differ fundamentally in their heritage, ownership, and ideal skin types.

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

biore.comkao.com

This page compares some of the most popular Biore and Grown Alchemist products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Biore vs Grown Alchemist products

People Say

BioreGrown Alchemist
  • Texture and Weight Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “silkiest cleanser — Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser”
    • “Very light weight — Grown Alchemist Instant Smoothing Serum”
    • “melts into skin — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
  • Cleansing Efficacy Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Gets the gunk out — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
    • “Face feels squeaky clean — Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser”
    • “Gets everything nice and clean — Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser”
  • Non-Stripping Formula Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Doesn't dry out my skin — Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser”
    • “doesn't strip at all — Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser”
    • “Leaves skin soft, doesn't dry out face. — Biore Makeup Remover Perfect Oil”
  • Pleasant Scent Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Smells amazing — Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser”
    • “smell is divine — Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser”
    • “Fruity fragrance, smells like apple/grape, refreshing. — Biore Makeup Remover Perfect Oil”
  • Hydration and Moisture Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Skin version of chugging water — Grown Alchemist Instant Smoothing Serum”
    • “feels like a moisturizer — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
  • Gentle on Skin Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “Perfect for sensitive skin — Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser”
    • “calms my skin down — Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser”
  • Fragrance and Scent Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like alcohol — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
    • “strong citrus smell — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
    • “Too perfumy notes — Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser”
    • “smells medicinal — Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser”
  • Makeup Removal Issues Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “Isn't going to be your makeup remover — Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser”
  • Price Point Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “expensive for what it is — Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser”

Questions and answers

Biore or Grown Alchemist: which is better?

Grown Alchemist provides better hydration and a more non-stripping formula across the products on this page, whereas Biore does better with cleansing efficacy. Reviewers frequently mention that Grown Alchemist offers gentle and pleasant cleansers, though some note performance and packaging issues.

What is the difference between Biore and Grown Alchemist?

Grown Alchemist is rated better for hydration, texture, and being gentle on skin, while Biore is noted for cleansing efficacy and price point. For products on this page, Grown Alchemist has no listed best-fit skin types, whereas Biore best fits oily, combination, and acne-prone skin.

Biore or Grown Alchemist: which cleanser is better?

Biore offers better cleansing efficacy, while Grown Alchemist does better on being gentle on skin and providing a non-stripping formula. For the products on this page, Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser has an average fit for oily and acne-prone skin, and Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser has a high fit for sensitive and dry skin.

Which is more affordable, Biore or Grown Alchemist?

Biore is more affordable than Grown Alchemist.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Biore or Grown Alchemist?

Grown Alchemist does better on skin gentleness and non-stripping formulas, but neither brand is specifically noted for causing fewer breakouts on this page.

Which brand has more products suited for sensitive skin, Biore or Grown Alchemist?

Grown Alchemist has more products with a High Lovi fit for sensitive skin, specifically the Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser, whereas Biore's products on this page mostly show an Average or Low fit for sensitive skin.

What do reviewers say about the cleansers from Grown Alchemist?

Reviewers often say that the cleansers from Grown Alchemist are hydrating, gentle, and pleasant. However, reviewers also mention cleanser performance and packaging issues.

How does the country of origin and founding year compare between Biore and Grown Alchemist?

Biore was founded in 1980 in Japan, whereas Grown Alchemist was founded in 2008 and its country of origin is not available on this page.

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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