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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 known for thoughtful formulas. The Japanese brand founded in 1980 by Kao Corporation offers effective sunscreens, gentle cleansers, purifying masks, and efficient makeup removers, while Grown Alchemist is loved for its cleansers and serums. Both brands suit combination skin best, though the former also suits mature skin and the latter suits sensitive and dry skin. They differ primarily in their specific target audiences and heritage, with the first brand featuring standout solutions like the UV Aqua Rich for acne-prone skin, the Makeup Remover Perfect Oil for skin with dark spots, and the Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser for mature skin, and the latter highlighting the Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser for acne-prone skin, the Instant Smoothing Serum for skin with dark spots, and the Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser for mature skin.

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 generally does better than Biore for hydration, texture, and gentle, non-stripping formulas, whereas Biore performs better on cleansing efficacy and price point. Reviewers frequently praise Grown Alchemist for its pleasant cleansers, while noting some issues with cleanser performance and packaging.

What is the difference between Biore and Grown Alchemist?

Grown Alchemist provides better hydration and non-stripping formulas, while Biore offers stronger cleansing efficacy.

Biore or Grown Alchemist: which cleanser is better?

Grown Alchemist provides a more gentle and hydrating cleansing experience compared to Biore. Reviewers often mention that Grown Alchemist cleansers are hydrating, gentle, and pleasant, whereas Biore offers higher cleansing efficacy.

Which is more affordable, Biore or Grown Alchemist?

Biore is more affordable than Grown Alchemist, as price point is a review theme where Biore does better. Reviewers note that Grown Alchemist often has packaging issues.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Biore or Grown Alchemist?

Grown Alchemist is generally better for breakout-prone skin because the products on this page achieve a High Lovi fit level for acne-prone skin, whereas Biore products on this page only reach an Average or Low fit.

Which brand is better for sensitive skin, Biore or Grown Alchemist?

Grown Alchemist is generally better for sensitive skin because its Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser achieves a High Lovi fit level for sensitive skin, whereas Biore products on this page mostly show Low or Average fit levels for sensitive skin.

Do Biore and Grown Alchemist products contain fragrance?

Every Biore and Grown Alchemist product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

How do the founding years and corporate ownership of Biore and Grown Alchemist compare?

Biore was founded in 1980 in Japan and is owned by the Kao Corporation, whereas Grown Alchemist was founded in 2008 and has been independently owned since 2024.

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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