🇩🇪Germany

Biore vs Dr. Barbara Sturm

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

Biore and Dr. Barbara Sturm are distinct skincare lines, with the Japanese heritage brand founded in 1980 offering effective sunscreens, gentle cleansers, purifying masks, and efficient makeup removers for combination and mature skin, while the German line founded in 2014 provides gentle moisturizers, clarifying exfoliants, and nourishing serums for sensitive, dry, and balanced complexions. Both ranges utilize thoughtfully crafted, scientifically advanced formulas, yet the former focuses on balanced care using ingredients like charcoal and rich oils, whereas the latter emphasizes deep hydration and barrier support through ingredients like vitamin C, enzymes, and hyaluronic acid. Ultimately, readers weigh whether they need targeted pore purification and oil control or intensive calm and radiance before selecting their ideal routine.

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

biore.comkao.com

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

Popular Biore vs Dr. Barbara Sturm products

People Say

BioreDr. Barbara Sturm
  • Effective cleansing and debris removal Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Gets the gunk out — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
    • “Face feels squeaky clean — Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser”
    • “No greasy film, leaves skin fresh, rinses easily. — Biore Makeup Remover Perfect Oil”
    • “deep yet gentle cleanse — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
  • Lightweight texture and finish Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “sinks in immediately — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “sinks in quickly — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
    • “melts into skin — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
  • Sun protection and hydration Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin drank it up — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “skin feels softer — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
    • “SPF 50+ PA++++ — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
  • Calming sensitive skin Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “doesn't irritate my sensitive skin — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
    • “reduced redness — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
  • Ease of use Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Minimal effort required — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
    • “Works in shower, effective on wet hands/face. — Biore Makeup Remover Perfect Oil”
    • “practical for travel — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
  • Skin texture smoothing Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “skin texture is immediately more even — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
    • “Leaves skin feeling clean — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
  • High price point and cheaper alternatives Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “way too expensive — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
  • Inconsistent or temporary results Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Doesn't get all blackheads — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
    • “Doesn't shrink pores — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
    • “did nothing — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
  • Drying and stripping effects Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “face feels a bit tight — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
    • “Made my skin peel — Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser”
  • Scent and fragrance complaints Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “smells a bit weird — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
    • “smells like alcohol — Biore UV Aqua Rich”

Questions and answers

Biore or Dr. Barbara Sturm: which is better?

Dr. Barbara Sturm does better for lightweight texture, sun protection and hydration, calming sensitive skin, and skin texture smoothing, while Biore offers stronger results for effective cleansing and debris removal and ease of use. However, the products on this page for Dr. Barbara Sturm may cause drying and stripping effects, and Biore faces complaints regarding a high price point and cheaper alternatives as well as inconsistent or temporary results.

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

Biore and Dr. Barbara Sturm differ mainly in their product strengths, with Biore offering better effective cleansing and ease of use while the products on this page from Dr. Barbara Sturm achieve superior results for skin texture smoothing and sun protection and hydration. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of skin aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

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

Biore is more affordable, though the products on this page face complaints for a high price point and cheaper alternatives. Dr. Barbara Sturm is the higher-priced brand of the two.

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

When it comes to breakout prevention, Dr. Barbara Sturm stands out with superior skin-smoothing and texture benefits from products like its Enzyme Cleanser, which has a High Lovi fit level for acne-prone skin. Meanwhile, the products on this page from Biore generally receive lower fit ratings for acne-prone and sensitive skin.

Which brand has products that are better suited for sensitive skin based on the review themes?

Dr. Barbara Sturm is better suited for sensitive skin, as the review themes show it does better at calming sensitive skin compared to Biore.

How do the founding countries and parent companies of Biore and Dr. Barbara Sturm compare?

Biore was founded in Japan in 1980 and is owned by Kao Corporation, whereas Dr. Barbara Sturm was founded in Germany in 2014 and is owned by Puig.

Which brand performs better when it comes to skin texture smoothing according to reviewers?

Dr. Barbara Sturm performs better for skin texture smoothing according to reviewers. Topical treatments with ingredients like vitamin C may help improve skin texture and reduce signs of aging.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

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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