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Simple vs Dr. Barbara Sturm

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

Simple and Dr. Barbara Sturm are established skincare brands that offer gentle moisturizers alongside targeted solutions for various complexions. The British brand is beloved for its moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners crafted with niacinamide and glycerin, which suit acne-prone skin and skin with dark spots best. Conversely, the German brand is deeply loved for its moisturizers, clarifying exfoliants, and nourishing serums built on scientifically advanced formulas that suit sensitive, dry, and balanced skin best. Ultimately, they differ through their foundational ingredients and specific formulations, as both strive to keep the complexion calm, smooth, and radiant.

Simple is a British skincare brand founded in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.

en.wikipedia.orgsec.govprnewswire.comsimple.co.uk

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

Popular Simple vs Dr. Barbara Sturm products

People Say

SimpleDr. Barbara Sturm
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Does not cause any form of irritation on the skin which I love. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The only cleanser that doesn't turn my face red. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “doesn't irritate my sensitive skin — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
    • “deep yet gentle cleanse — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
  • Hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “Instantly boosts skin's hydration... face doesn't feel dry and tight. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “skin drank it up — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “skin feels softer — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “absorbs very quickly — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “absorbs really well — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “sinks in immediately — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
  • Smoother skin texture Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin texture is immediately more even — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
    • “sinks in quickly — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
  • Glow and radiance Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “skin looks brighter — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
    • “healthy glow — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
  • Affordable price point Often MentionedNot noted
    • “great value for money — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
    • “super affordable — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “Can't beat the price for the quality. — Simple Micellar Water”
  • Extremely high price Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “way too expensive — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
  • Insufficient hydration or dryness Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “face feels a bit tight — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
    • “not moisturizing enough — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
  • Caused breakouts and skin reactions Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Gave me tiny bumps on my forehead. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “caused major breakouts — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “quite red after — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
    • “appearance of imperfections — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”

Questions and answers

Simple or Dr. Barbara Sturm: which is better?

Simple is better for an affordable price point and lightweight, non-greasy feel, while Dr. Barbara Sturm does better for smoother skin texture and glow and radiance. Glycerin helps provide moisture, and niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

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

Simple offers more affordable, lightweight, and value-friendly moisturizers alongside gentle makeup removers, while Dr. Barbara Sturm achieves better results for smoother skin texture and glow with products like its Good C Vitamin C Serum. Niacinamide helps reduce skin pigmentation, and topical ascorbic acid helps brighten the skin.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

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

Simple offers more lightweight and budget-friendly moisturizers, whereas the products on this page for Dr. Barbara Sturm include hydrating serums like Hyaluronic Serum that help improve skin quality.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

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

Simple is more affordable, offering value-friendly moisturizers on this page while Dr. Barbara Sturm has an extremely high price.

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

Simple and Dr. Barbara Sturm are both noted for causing breakouts and skin reactions, as reviewers report these issues for both brands equally on this page.

Which brand is older, Simple or Dr. Barbara Sturm?

Simple is older, having been founded in the United Kingdom in 1960, while Dr. Barbara Sturm was founded in Germany in 2014.

How do the fragrance-free formulations compare between Simple and Dr. Barbara Sturm products?

Both Simple and Dr. Barbara Sturm offer fragrance-free formulations across the products on this page. Reviewers note that Simple provides lightweight, value-friendly moisturizers, while Dr. Barbara Sturm delivers smoother skin texture and glow.

What are the key ingredients found across Simple products?

The products on this page from Simple feature Niacinamide and Glycerin as their key ingredients. Glycerin helps moisturize the skin by acting as an emollient.

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

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