# Galderma vs Principia

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

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

Galderma and Principia are skincare brands that offer targeted [serums](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/serum), cleansers, and treatment gels. The Swiss brand Galderma, founded in 1981, is known for specialized formulas with ingredients like Epiduo and Benzac AC, making it best suited for oily and acne-prone skin. Principia is widely loved for its thoughtful cleansers and precise formulas, suiting balanced to oily skin best to help maintain a healthy, balanced complexion. While both serve oily skin, they differ in their product types and specific formulations for various skin concerns.

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 Principia 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=pg47ef5a7efc).

### Popular Galderma vs Principia products

#### Galderma

- [Epiduo Gel](https://lovi.care/skincare/p/galderma/epiduo-gel/for/acne-prone-skin) — High fit — [$34.97 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GSSCQ6J2?tag=lovi-care-web-product-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Benzac AC 5](https://lovi.care/skincare/p/galderma/benzac-ac-5/for/oily-acne-prone-skin) — High fit
- [Benzac AC Mild Strength 2.5% Acne Gel](https://lovi.care/skincare/p/galderma/benzac-ac-mild-strength-2-5-acne-gel/for/oily-acne-prone-skin) — High fit

#### Principia

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

## Questions and answers

### Galderma or Principia: which is better?

Galderma is better for acne-prone skin because the products on this page achieve a High fit level for that skin type, whereas Principia reaches only a Low fit. Reviewers note that Galderma offers effective acne-clearing [serums](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/serum), though [benzoyl peroxide](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/benzoyl-peroxide) may cause severe dryness and peeling.

[The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32175593/) [American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2018](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29549588/)

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

Galderma focuses on effective acne-clearing serums that fit oily and acne-prone skin with a High Lovi level, while Principia offers a cleanser that fits oily skin with an Average Lovi level. Galderma products may cause severe dryness and irritation, and all products on this page for both brands are fragrance-free.

[The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32175593/) [American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2018](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29549588/)

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

The provided page does not contain pricing information, so it is not possible to determine whether Galderma or Principia is more affordable.

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

Galderma fits oily acne-prone skin best with High Lovi levels for its acne-clearing serums on this page, whereas Principia offers an average fit for such skin with its cleanser. Benzoyl peroxide helps clear acne.

[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/)

### When were Galderma and Principia founded and where is Galderma based?

Galderma was founded in 1981 in Switzerland, and Principia was founded in 2020.

### How do the Lovi fit levels for oily acne-prone skin compare between Epiduo Gel and Gel de Limpeza GL-01?

Epiduo Gel has a High Lovi fit for oily acne-prone skin, while Gel de Limpeza GL-01 has an Average fit.

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

Reviewers most frequently mention severe dryness and peeling along with severe irritation and discomfort as negative side effects of the products on this page by Galderma.

## 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
- [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 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
- [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
- [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
- [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
- [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
- [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

- Swiss skincare: [Galderma](https://lovi.care/skincare/brands/galderma)
- Skincare: [Principia](https://lovi.care/skincare/brands/principia)

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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/galderma-vs-principia (this page)
- United Kingdom: https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/compare/galderma-vs-principia
- Ireland: https://lovi.care/skincare/ie/compare/galderma-vs-principia
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- Canada: https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/compare/galderma-vs-principia
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