Shiseido vs Galderma
Shiseido and Galderma are distinguished skincare brands originating from Japan and Switzerland, respectively. The Japanese house offers a thoughtful array of moisturizers, cleansers, sunscreens, and serums featuring glycerin, suiting sensitive and mature skin best. Meanwhile, the Swiss brand focuses on serums, providing specialized treatments like Epiduo Gel and Benzac formulations for acne and dark spots. While the former emphasizes gentle daily care and hydration, the latter is known for targeted acne and blemish solutions.
Shiseido is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1872 and owned by Shiseido Company, Limited.
corp.shiseido.comen.wikipedia.orgmarketscreener.com
Galderma is a Swiss skincare brand founded in 1981 and owned by Galderma Group AG.
This page compares some of the most popular Shiseido and Galderma products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Shiseido vs Galderma products
People Say
Deep hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedNot noted
- “Immediate sensation of comfort — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
- “Lightweight, silky, non-sticky, sinks in instantly. — Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate”
- “skin feels plump, soft and nourished, eliminates dryness, bouncy feel — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
Acne clearance and prevention Not 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”
Luxurious and lightweight textures Mostly MentionedNot noted
- “silky smooth, rich but non-greasy, absorbs quickly, melts into skin — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
- “Airy-soft texture — Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Cream”
- “absorbs quickly — Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Gel Cream”
Brightening and radiance Often MentionedNot noted
- “Skin looks brighter, more radiant, and "glowy." — Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate”
- “faded pimple marks — Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Gel Cream”
- “Eyes look more awake — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
Anti-aging and skin smoothing Often MentionedNot noted
- “Smoothed out crow's feet — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
- “tighter jawline, lifted appearance, improved elasticity, less sagging — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
- “wrinkles look softer — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream Enriched”
Drying or stripping Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
- “left my skin squeaky dry — Shiseido Clarifying Cleansing Foam”
- “skin flaking off — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
High price point Mostly MentionedNot noted
- “Very expensive for the size — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
Intense burning and stinging Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “face on fire — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
Initial acne purge Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “got worse first — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
Bleaches fabrics Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “bleached my towel — Galderma Benzac AC 5”
Redness and irritation Not notedOften Mentioned
- “red as tomato — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
Questions and answers
Shiseido or Galderma: which is better?
Shiseido is better for deep hydration, anti-aging, and luxurious textures, while Galderma is better for effective acne-clearing serums. Hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of skin aging.
What is the difference between Shiseido and Galderma?
Shiseido is a Japanese brand focused on deep hydration, anti-aging, and luxury textures, whereas Galderma is a Swiss brand whose products on this page specialize in effective acne-clearing serums. Shiseido's moisturizers with sodium hyaluronate may help improve skin quality and signs of skin aging.
Which is more affordable, Shiseido or Galderma?
Galderma is more affordable, as Shiseido products on this page often have a high price point.
Which causes fewer breakouts, Shiseido or Galderma?
Galderma does better for acne clearance and prevention among the products on this page, whereas reviewers of Shiseido sometimes note skin irritation and an initial acne purge.
How do Shiseido and Galderma differ in their approach to fragrance in skincare products?
Shiseido includes fragrance in the majority of the products on this page, while Galderma lists no fragrance for every product on this page. Reviewers note that Shiseido features a strong fragrance, which may lead to skin irritation in some users.
Which brand offers better products for deep hydration and moisturizing, Shiseido or Galderma?
Shiseido offers better products for deep hydration and moisturizing. Reviewers mostly mention deep hydration as a key benefit for the products on this page, and hyaluronic acid is highlighted as a key ingredient.
What are the main drawbacks or negative reviews associated with Galderma compared to Shiseido?
The main drawbacks associated with Galderma compared to Shiseido are severe dryness and peeling as well as severe irritation and discomfort. Reviewers also mention a high price point for Galderma.
Research behind their key ingredients
Psychophysical study of the effects of topical application of menthol in healthy volunteers
Panax ginseng induces human Type I collagen synthesis through activation of Smad signaling
Vitamin C-squalene bioconjugate promotes epidermal thickening and collagen production in human skin
Another Reason for Using Caffeine in Dermocosmetics: Sunscreen Adjuvant
In vivo and in vitro evaluation of octyl methoxycinnamate liposomes
Anatomical site differences of sodium lauryl sulfate-induced irritation: randomized controlled trial
Skin recovery by Lavandula angustifolia leaf callus extract: Redox control of Nrf2 signaling
Moisturizing Effects of Diglycerol Combined with Glycerol on Human Stratum Corneum
Functional properties and skin care effects of sodium trehalose sulfate
Transdermal Delivery of Baicalin Based on Bio-Vesicles and Its Efficacy in Antiaging of the Skin
Liposomal formulation of a vitamin C derivative: a promising strategy to increase skin permeability
New Chalcone-Derived Molecule for the Topical Regulation of Hyperpigmentation and Skin Aging
Targeting Circadian Rhythm for the Regulation of Skin Collagen Metabolism
Retrospective Review of Dermal Safety Studies of Organic Sunscreens
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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