Biore vs Grown Alchemist
Biore and Grown Alchemist are distinct skincare brands that offer thoughtfully crafted cleansers, sunscreens, masks, and serums. The Japanese line founded in 1980 is beloved for accessible sunscreens, cleansers, masks, and makeup removers tailored best to sensitive and mature skin, while the other brand is cherished for cleansers and serums best suited for sensitive, dry, and combination skin. Both options feature standout preparations for acne-prone skin, dark spots, and mature skin, yet they differ through distinct foundational formulas and heritages.
Biore is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by Kao Corporation.
This page compares some of the most popular Biore and Grown Alchemist products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Biore vs Grown Alchemist products
People Say
Texture and Weight Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “silkiest cleanser — Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser”
- “Very light weight — Grown Alchemist Instant Smoothing Serum”
- “melts into skin — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
Cleansing Efficacy Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
- “Gets the gunk out — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
- “Face feels squeaky clean — Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser”
- “Gets everything nice and clean — Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser”
Non-Stripping Formula Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
- “Doesn't dry out my skin — Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser”
- “doesn't strip at all — Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser”
- “Leaves skin soft, doesn't dry out face. — Biore Makeup Remover Perfect Oil”
Pleasant Scent Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
- “Smells amazing — Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser”
- “smell is divine — Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser”
- “Fruity fragrance, smells like apple/grape, refreshing. — Biore Makeup Remover Perfect Oil”
Hydration and Moisture Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “Skin version of chugging water — Grown Alchemist Instant Smoothing Serum”
- “feels like a moisturizer — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
Gentle on Skin Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “Perfect for sensitive skin — Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser”
- “calms my skin down — Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser”
Fragrance and Scent Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “smells like alcohol — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
- “strong citrus smell — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
- “Too perfumy notes — Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser”
- “smells medicinal — Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser”
Makeup Removal Issues Not notedOften Mentioned
- “Isn't going to be your makeup remover — Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser”
Price Point Not notedOften Mentioned
- “expensive for what it is — Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser”
Questions and answers
Biore or Grown Alchemist: which is better?
Grown Alchemist gives better hydration, texture, and gentle care, while Biore offers stronger cleansing efficacy at a lower price point. Grown Alchemist has High Lovi fit levels for sensitive skin and dry skin across products like its Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser.
What is the difference between Biore and Grown Alchemist?
Grown Alchemist delivers better hydration and non-stripping formulas across the products on this page, while Biore offers stronger cleansing efficacy.
Biore or Grown Alchemist: which cleanser is better?
Biore achieves higher cleansing efficacy across the products on this page, while Grown Alchemist offers gentler, more non-stripping formulas.
Which is more affordable, Biore or Grown Alchemist?
Biore is more affordable than Grown Alchemist.
Which causes fewer breakouts, Biore or Grown Alchemist?
Grown Alchemist provides products on this page like Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser that achieve a High Lovi fit for acne-prone skin, whereas Biore products on this page mostly have an Average or Low fit for acne-prone skin.
Between Biore and Grown Alchemist, which brand offers better hydration and moisture according to reviewers?
Grown Alchemist does better than Biore for hydration and moisture according to reviewers.
How do the founding years and corporate ownerships of Biore and Grown Alchemist compare?
Biore was founded in 1980 in Japan and is owned by Kao Corporation, whereas Grown Alchemist was founded in 2008 and has been independently owned since 2024.
What are the specific reviewer complaints associated with Grown Alchemist cleansers?
Reviewers often mention cleanser performance and packaging issues as specific complaints associated with Grown Alchemist cleansers.
Research behind their key ingredients
The effect of niacinamide on reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppression of melanosome transfer
Final report on the safety assessment of Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid, and Sodium Benzoate
Psychophysical study of the effects of topical application of menthol in healthy volunteers
Efficacy of olive leaf extract-containing cream for facial rejuvenation: A pilot study
A Rose Extract Protects the Skin against Stress Mediators: A Potential Role of Olfactory Receptors
In vivo and in vitro evaluation of octyl methoxycinnamate liposomes
Development and efficacy assessments of tea seed oil makeup remover
Effects of fermented tea seed oil on the skin lipid barrier and microbiome of sensitive skin
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.
-

Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-

Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-

Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-

Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-

Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-

Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-

Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-

Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.







