Bioderma vs Galderma
Bioderma and Galderma are European skincare brands that offer thoughtful selections of dermatological products for various skin types. The French brand, founded in 1977, provides nourishing moisturizers, makeup removers, serums, and cleansers anchored by glycerin, which suit sensitive and acne-prone skin best. Meanwhile, the Swiss brand, founded in 1981, specializes in serums such as Epiduo Gel and Benzac AC for targeted acne care. Ultimately, both differ in their regional origins, founding years, and specific product ranges.
Bioderma is a French skincare brand founded in 1977 and owned by Jean-Noël Thorel Foundation since 2018.
Galderma is a Swiss skincare brand founded in 1981 and owned by Galderma Group AG.
This page compares some of the most popular Bioderma and Galderma products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Bioderma vs Galderma products
People Say
Acne Clearance and Breakout Prevention Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
- “cleared up my skin — Galderma Benzac AC Mild Strength 2.5% Acne Gel”
- “cystic acne gone — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
- “stops new pimples — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
- “It brightened my skin and faded dark spots. — Bioderma Pigmentbio Sensitive Areas”
Gentle and Non-Irritating Formula Mostly MentionedNot noted
- “doesn't sting my eyes — Bioderma Sensibio H2O”
- “doesn't cause any irritation — Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Cleansing Oil”
- “mildest face wash I've tried — Bioderma Sensibio Gel Moussant”
Hydration and Moisturization Mostly MentionedNot noted
- “healed my dry skin — Bioderma Sébium Hydra”
- “absorbs instantly — Bioderma Hydrabio Serum”
- “leaves skin feeling hydrated — Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Cleansing Oil”
Miscellaneous Performance Notes Mostly MentionedNot noted
- “Keeps you shine free — Bioderma Sébium Pore Refiner”
- “melts every bit of make up and SPF off — Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Cleansing Oil”
- “My skin feels fresh, balanced and less greasy after each wash. — Bioderma Sébium Gel moussant”
Dryness and Peeling Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
- “Skin looks like sandpaper — Bioderma Sébium Pore Refiner”
- “It isn't a cleanser I can use every day... it can be very drying. — Bioderma Sébium Gel moussant”
- “dried out my skin — Bioderma Sensibio H2O”
- “skin flaking off — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
Skin Irritation and Burning Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
- “coat the eyes with a milky film — Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Cleansing Oil”
- “stings my eyes bad — Bioderma Sensibio H2O”
- “Stings on open pimples — Bioderma Sébium Pore Refiner”
- “face on fire — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
Caused Breakouts and Purging Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
- “broke me out — Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Baume”
- “clogged my pores — Bioderma Sensibio AR”
- “clogged my pores — Bioderma Atoderm Crème Ultra”
- “got worse first — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
Fabric Bleaching Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “bleached my towel — Galderma Benzac AC 5”
Miscellaneous Negative Notes Often MentionedNot noted
- “won't budge waterproof mascara — Bioderma Sensibio H2O”
Questions and answers
Bioderma or Galderma: which is better?
Bioderma is better for gentle, soothing hydration and barrier repair, while Galderma is better for acne clearance and breakout prevention. Reviewers note that the products on this page from Bioderma offer soothing moisturizers and gentle cleansers, whereas Galderma provides effective acne-clearing serums.
What is the difference between Bioderma and Galderma?
Bioderma offers a wide range of gentle cleansers, soothing moisturizers, and makeup removers that fit sensitive, acne-prone, and dry skin well, whereas Galderma specializes in fragrance-free acne-clearing serums that may cause severe dryness and peeling. Glycerin is a key ingredient featured across Bioderma products.
Which is more affordable, Bioderma or Galderma?
Reviewers note that Bioderma sometimes has high price point and value concerns.
Which causes fewer breakouts, Bioderma or Galderma?
Galderma performs better than Bioderma for acne clearance and breakout prevention. Reviewers note that Bioderma may occasionally cause breakouts and purging, while Galderma offers effective acne-clearing serums.
Between Bioderma and Galderma, which brand is better suited for sensitive skin?
Bioderma is better suited for sensitive skin, as the products on this page fit sensitive skin best and feature gentle, non-irritating formulas. Galderma, by contrast, is known for severe dryness and skin irritation.
How do the foundation years and countries of origin compare between Bioderma and Galderma?
Bioderma was founded in France in 1977, whereas Galderma was founded in Switzerland in 1981.
Which brand offers products with fragrance, Bioderma or Galderma?
Bioderma offers products with fragrance, while every product from Galderma on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.
Research behind their key ingredients
Hesperidin, Hesperetin, Rutinose, and Rhamnose Act as Skin Anti-Aging Agents
Development of Polymeric Micelles of Oleanolic Acid and Evaluation of Their Clinical Efficacy
Effect of topically applied lipids on surfactant-irritated skin
Potentially beneficial effects of rhamnose on skin ageing: an in vitro and in vivo study
Formulation strategies to modulate the topical delivery of anti-inflammatory compounds
Salicyloyl-phytosphingosine: a novel agent for the repair of photoaged skin
Interest in Micellar Solution to Reduce Unpleasant Skin Sensations
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.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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