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Medik8 vs Dr. Barbara Sturm

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

Medik8 and Dr. Barbara Sturm are two sophisticated skincare lines offering targeted serums, moisturizers, and clarifying treatments. The British brand Medik8 focuses on hyaluronic acid to suit dry and dry sensitive skin, while the German brand Dr. Barbara Sturm relies on scientifically advanced formulas to support sensitive, dry, and balanced skin. Both brands differ in their founding years, ownership, and specific hero products tailored for acne, dark spots, and mature concerns.

Medik8 is a British skincare brand founded in 2009 and owned by L'Oréal Groupe since 2025.

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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 Medik8 and Dr. Barbara Sturm products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Medik8 vs Dr. Barbara Sturm products

People Say

Medik8Dr. Barbara Sturm
  • Gentle and Non-Irritating Formulation Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “zero irritation or peeling — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “only Vitamin C my sensitive skin can tolerate — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “doesn't irritate my sensitive skin — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
    • “deep yet gentle cleanse — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
  • Texture and Lightweight Feel Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “absorbed effortlessly — Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream”
    • “smoother skin — Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse”
    • “sinks in immediately — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “sinks in quickly — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
  • Hydration and Plumping Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Restores moisture — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “Instantly quenched the skin — Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Intense”
    • “skin drank it up — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “lines less visible — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
  • Brightening and Glow Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “I wake up glowing. It adds back that youthful bloom that I've lost. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
    • “unlocked a serious glow — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “skin looks brighter — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
    • “healthy glow — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
  • Usability and Longevity Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “great for combination skin — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
    • “lasts almost 5 months — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
    • “practical for travel — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
    • “pores feel cleaner — Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse”
  • High Price and Value Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Expensive per bottle — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “very expensive for amount — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “hefty price tag — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “way too expensive — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
  • Slow or Ineffective Results Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Not as effective as retinol — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
    • “no difference — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
    • “no difference yet — Medik8 Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye 3”
    • “did nothing — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
  • Dryness, Dry Skin, and Color Transfer Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “slightly drying — Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse”
    • “need a thick moisturizer — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “stained my white pillowcase — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “face feels a bit tight — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
  • Tackiness, Residue, and Finish Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “too oily for my combination skin — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “Can feel sticky if over-applied — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “Oily texture unpleasant — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
    • “tacky finish — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”

Questions and answers

Medik8 or Dr. Barbara Sturm: which is better?

Medik8 is better for dry, dry sensitive, and combination skin types. Reviewers note that Dr. Barbara Sturm scores better for usability and longevity, while Medik8 has a higher price point and slower results.

What is the difference between Medik8 and Dr. Barbara Sturm?

Medik8 offers a wider range of targeted serums and is well suited for dry, dry sensitive, and combination skin, while Dr. Barbara Sturm scores better for usability and longevity among the products on this page. Topical hyaluronic acid, found across Medik8 products, helps improve skin hydration and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Medik8 or Dr. Barbara Sturm: which moisturizer is better?

When comparing moisturizers, Medik8 offers products on this page like Hydr8 B5 Intense which has a Superior Lovi fit level for dry skin, whereas Dr. Barbara Sturm features the Hyaluronic Serum which has an Average Lovi fit level for dry skin. Topical hyaluronic acid, a key ingredient in these moisturizers, helps improve skin hydration and signs of skin aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Drug Delivery, 2017

Which is more affordable, Medik8 or Dr. Barbara Sturm?

Medik8 is more affordable, though reviewers of the products on this page frequently mention a high price point for the brand.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Medik8 or Dr. Barbara Sturm?

The products on this page for both Medik8 and Dr. Barbara Sturm help support skin with breakouts, though neither brand has an overall advantage for preventing them. For instance, Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse has a Superior Lovi fit for acne-prone skin, while Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser achieves a High Lovi fit for the same skin type.

When was each brand founded and where are they from?

Medik8 was founded in 2009 in the United Kingdom, while Dr. Barbara Sturm was founded in 2014 in Germany.

Which brand has products with fragrance, and how many are they?

Medik8 has products with fragrance on this page, and there is one such product. Dr. Barbara Sturm lists no fragrance in the ingredients of any product on this page.

What are the morning and evening routine steps recommended for dry skin using Medik8?

For dry skin using Medik8, the morning routine recommends a cleanser, hydrating toner, Hydr8 B5 Intense moisturizer, and a sunscreen, while the evening routine suggests a pre-cleanser, cleanser, Bakuchiol Peptides serum, and the same moisturizer.

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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