🇪🇸Spain

Elemis vs Dr. Barbara Sturm

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

Elemis and Dr. Barbara Sturm are two distinct skincare lines known for thoughtful formulations tailored to differing complexion needs. Elemis features nourishing serums, rich moisturizers, gentle cleansers, and refreshing toners anchored by hydrating glycerin and softening shea, making it well-suited for mature and dry skin. Meanwhile, Dr. Barbara Sturm offers gentle moisturizers, clarifying exfoliants, and nourishing serums built on scientifically advanced formulas that serve sensitive, dry, and balanced skin best. While both brands focus heavily on deep hydration and barrier support, they differ in their foundational approach and regional heritage.

Elemis is a British skincare brand founded in 1989 and owned by L'Occitane Group since 2019.

elemis.comau.elemis.comen.wikipedia.org

Dr. Barbara Sturm is a German skincare brand founded in 2014 and owned by Puig since 2024.

uploads.puig.combeautymatter.compitchbook.com

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

Popular Elemis vs Dr. Barbara Sturm products

People Say

ElemisDr. Barbara Sturm
  • Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Absorbs almost immediately, and my skin feels well hydrated all day. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “whipped silk feel — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
    • “sinks in immediately — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “sinks in quickly — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
  • Skin Smoothing and Softening Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “baby soft — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “skin texture is immediately more even — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
    • “lines less visible — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “The cream really hydrates and my face looks amazing. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
    • “Quenches thirsty skin... immediate improvement. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “skin drank it up — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “skin feels softer — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
  • Radiance and Glow Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “skin looks brighter — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
    • “healthy glow — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “healthy glow — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
  • Gentle on Skin and Sensitive Areas Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “doesn't irritate my sensitive skin — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
    • “reduced redness — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “no stinging or redness — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
  • Exfoliation and Deep Cleansing Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “deep yet gentle cleanse — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
    • “non-stripping formula — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
  • Price and Value Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Complete waste of money for me. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “very expensive — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “expensive — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “way too expensive — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
  • Limited or Slow Results Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “didn't see a difference — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “didn't see difference — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
    • “Verdict still out. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
    • “did nothing — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
  • Fragrance and Scent Issues Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “smells a bit weird — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
    • “The smell is very strong... could not handle for long. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”

Questions and answers

Elemis or Dr. Barbara Sturm: which is better?

Dr. Barbara Sturm does better for radiance, gentleness on sensitive areas, and deep cleansing, while Elemis offers better price and value. Reviewers note that Elemis has a high price point and sometimes mentions strong fragrance or skin irritation, whereas Dr. Barbara Sturm lists no fragrance in the ingredients of the products on this page.

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

Elemis offers a wider range of products that are mostly fragranced and fit mature and dry skin best, whereas Dr. Barbara Sturm features entirely fragrance-free products on this page and tends to do better for radiance, gentle care, and exfoliation.

Elemis or Dr. Barbara Sturm: which moisturizer is better?

Elemis offers a wider range of moisturizers with options like the Pro-Collagen Marine Cream achieving a Superior fit for mature skin, whereas Dr. Barbara Sturm features the Hyaluronic Serum as its sole moisturizer option with an Average fit across most skin types.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

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

Elemis is more affordable as review themes note high price and value as a negative for Elemis, whereas Dr. Barbara Sturm has a higher price point across its products on this page.

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

Reviewers note that Elemis sometimes causes skin irritation and features strong fragrance in many of the products on this page, whereas Dr. Barbara Sturm is gentler on sensitive areas and lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

How does the country of origin and founding year compare between Elemis and Dr. Barbara Sturm?

Elemis was founded in 1989 in the United Kingdom, whereas Dr. Barbara Sturm was founded in 2014 in Germany.

Which brand has more fragrance-free options among their listed products?

Dr. Barbara Sturm has more fragrance-free options among their listed products, as every product on their page lists no fragrance. In comparison, most products on the Elemis page contain fragrance.

Which brand does better in terms of radiance and glow according to reviewers?

Dr. Barbara Sturm does better in terms of radiance and glow according to reviewers. The products on this page help improve skin brightness and overall appearance.

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?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play