Galderma skincare
Galderma is a Swiss skincare brand founded in 1981 and owned by Galderma Group AG.
Galderma's products on this page cover serums. For acne-prone skin, Lovi rates the Epiduo Gel highest; for skin with dark spots, the Benzac AC 5; and for mature skin, the Benzac AC Mild Strength 2.5% Acne Gel.
This page covers some of the most popular Galderma products; for the whole Galderma range, with a fit score for every product, use the Lovi app.
Galderma serums and treatments
People Say
★3.8Overall rating based on 1.2k+ reviewsReviewers most often praise Galderma for stubborn acne, active acne, and mild to moderate acne. The most common complaints are harsh side effects and dryness and peeling.
Highlights
Effective acne-clearing serums Mostly Mentioned
- “cleared up my skin — Benzac AC Mild Strength 2.5% Acne Gel”
- “cystic acne gone — Epiduo Gel”
- “stops new pimples — Epiduo Gel”
Body-effective and gentle serums Often Mentioned
- “didn't burn my face — Benzac AC Mild Strength 2.5% Acne Gel”
- “excellent for back/chest — Benzac AC 5”
Severe dryness and peeling Mostly Mentioned
- “skin flaking off — Epiduo Gel”
- “skin peeling off — Benzac AC 5”
- “dried my face a lot — Benzac AC Mild Strength 2.5% Acne Gel”
Severe irritation and discomfort Mostly Mentioned
- “face on fire — Epiduo Gel”
- “red as tomato — Epiduo Gel”
- “burning redness and pain — Benzac AC 5”
Sources: lovi.care, drugs.com, webmd.com, doctorfox.co.uk, clicks.co.za, 1mg.com, and more
Questions and answers
Is Galderma worth it?
Galderma is worth it for shoppers looking for effective acne-clearing serums, with Lovi rating the brand-focused routines Superior for acne-prone skin, oily skin, sensitive skin, combination skin, and dry skin. Reviewers often mention the serums are body-effective and gentle, though some note severe dryness and peeling. Additionally, the Galderma products on this page list no fragrance in their ingredients.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2018
Does Galderma cause breakouts?
No, Galderma does not cause breakouts, as its serums are effective acne-clearing treatments designed to tackle pimples. Reviewers note that the products help clear acne, though they may occasionally cause severe dryness, peeling, or irritation.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2018
Is Galderma fragrance-free?
Yes, every one of the Galderma products on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.
What are the key ingredients in Galderma products?
Galderma products rely on key ingredients like benzoyl peroxide and adapalene to help clear breakouts and smooth the skin. Topical benzoyl peroxide helps reduce acne-causing bacteria, while adapalene helps prevent clogged pores. Reviewers note that these serums are effective for clearing acne, though some mention experiencing severe dryness and peeling.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2018
What are good alternatives to Galderma?
Good alternatives to Galderma include Weleda, La Prairie, Bepantol, NEOCUTIS, Valmont, and Bepanthol. Among these, the La Prairie-focused routine is an option, though Lovi rates the Galderma-focused routine Superior for dry, oily, sensitive, combination, and acne-prone skin.
Galderma vs La Prairie: which is better?
Lovi rates Galderma Superior and La Prairie High for dry, oily, sensitive, combination, and acne-prone skin. Reviewers note that Galderma provides effective acne-clearing serums, though some experience dryness and irritation.
Who owns Galderma, and where is it from?
Galderma is a Swiss brand founded in 1981, owned by Galderma Group AG.
Is Galderma cruelty-free?
PETA, Leaping Bunny, and Cruelty Free International, the registries Lovi checks, do not list Galderma as cruelty-free.
Research behind Galderma's key ingredients
Behind these ratings
Lovi rates every product from its 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
How does it fit your skin?
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