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The INKEY List vs Dr. Barbara Sturm

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

The INKEY List and Dr. Barbara Sturm are two distinct skincare lines formulated to address diverse complexions with targeted care. The British brand features accessible moisturizers, serums, toners, and eye products built around glycerin, making it well-suited for sensitive and combination skin, whereas the German brand is deeply loved for gentle moisturizers, clarifying exfoliants, and nourishing serums built on scientifically advanced formulas that suit sensitive, dry, and balanced skin best. While both cater thoughtfully to sensitive skin, the former brand relies on barrier-restoring glycerin, and the latter brand focuses on deep hydration and harmonious components to keep the complexion calm, smooth, and radiant.

The INKEY List is a British skincare brand founded in 2018 and owned by Brand Evangelists for Beauty Limited.

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

Popular The INKEY List vs Dr. Barbara Sturm products

People Say

The INKEY ListDr. Barbara Sturm
  • Gentle Formula and Soothing Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “doesn't irritate my sensitive skin — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
    • “deep yet gentle cleanse — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
    • “reduced redness — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “Great for sensitive skin — The INKEY List PHA Toner”
  • Skin Smoothing and Texture Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin texture is immediately more even — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
    • “skin looks brighter — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
    • “healthy glow — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “Skin feels softer — The INKEY List PHA Toner”
  • Lightweight Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “sits beautifully under makeup — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
    • “Gel consistency — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
    • “sinks in immediately — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “sinks in quickly — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
  • Deep Hydration and Plumping Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Super hydrating — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
    • “intense nourishment — The INKEY List Collagen Peptide Serum”
    • “skin drank it up — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “lines less visible — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
  • Affordable Price and Value Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “Good for the price — The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser”
    • “One of the best balms for quality and also price — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
    • “unbeatable value — The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
  • Other Positive Highlights Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “skin looks fresh and plump — The INKEY List Collagen Peptide Serum”
    • “bags are gone — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
    • “great for combination skin — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
    • “lasts almost 5 months — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
  • High Price and Expensive Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “way too expensive — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
  • Lack of Results or Ineffectiveness Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “didn't do anything for circles — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
    • “did absolutely nothing — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
    • “didn't see a huge difference — The INKEY List Collagen Peptide Serum”
    • “did nothing — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
  • Other Negative Highlights Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Tube leaks liquified oil when opened — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
    • “Leaves a greasy film on face after washing — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
    • “pills under makeup — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “powder can be messy — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
  • Drying or Insufficient Hydration Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “have dry skin but this doesn't feel hydrating at all — The INKEY List Omega Water Cream”
    • “leaves under eye dry — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
    • “face feels a bit tight — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”

Questions and answers

The INKEY List or Dr. Barbara Sturm: which is better?

The INKEY List is a better choice when looking for affordable value, while Dr. Barbara Sturm tends to do better for gentle formulas and skin smoothing. Reviewers mention that the products on this page for The INKEY List offer budget-friendly options, whereas Dr. Barbara Sturm excels in soothing care.

What is the difference between The INKEY List and Dr. Barbara Sturm?

The INKEY List offers an affordable price and value for the products on this page, whereas Dr. Barbara Sturm rates better for a gentle formula and soothing as well as skin smoothing and texture.

The INKEY List or Dr. Barbara Sturm: which moisturizer is better?

For shoppers seeking affordability and value, the products on this page from The INKEY List provide hydrating and plumping moisturizers, while Dr. Barbara Sturm offers gentle formulas and skin smoothing benefits.

Which is more affordable, The INKEY List or Dr. Barbara Sturm?

The INKEY List is more affordable, as the products on this page provide budget-friendly options and value compared to Dr. Barbara Sturm.

Which causes fewer breakouts, The INKEY List or Dr. Barbara Sturm?

When comparing the products on this page, The INKEY List sometimes notes purging and breakouts in reviews, whereas Dr. Barbara Sturm does not have this negative highlight reported. Reviewers also indicate that Dr. Barbara Sturm provides a gentler formula and soothing benefits.

Where and when were The INKEY List and Dr. Barbara Sturm founded?

The INKEY List was founded in 2018 in the United Kingdom, and Dr. Barbara Sturm was founded in 2014 in Germany.

Which brand performs better for gentle formulas and soothing, according to review themes?

According to review themes, Dr. Barbara Sturm performs better for gentle formulas and soothing.

Do products from The INKEY List and Dr. Barbara Sturm contain fragrance?

Every product on the Dr. Barbara Sturm and The INKEY List pages lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

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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