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Biore vs Grown Alchemist

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

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.

biore.comkao.com

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

BioreGrown Alchemist
  • 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 provides better hydration and moisture and is more gentle on the skin, whereas Biore offers better cleansing efficacy and a lower price point. For products on this page, Grown Alchemist fits sensitive skin best with its Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser getting a High Lovi fit level.

What is the difference between Biore and Grown Alchemist?

Grown Alchemist provides better hydration, texture, and gentle non-stripping formulas, whereas Biore offers superior cleansing efficacy and better price points for the products on this page. Reviewers frequently praise Grown Alchemist for its pleasant cleansers, while noting some cleanser performance and packaging issues.

Biore or Grown Alchemist: which cleanser is better?

Biore offers stronger cleansing efficacy, while Grown Alchemist provides a more non-stripping formula and a gentler feel. Reviewers frequently mention that Grown Alchemist delivers hydrating and pleasant cleansers, although it has some reported issues with cleanser performance and packaging.

Which is more affordable, Biore or Grown Alchemist?

Biore is more affordable than Grown Alchemist, as price point is an area where Biore does better. Reviewers note that Grown Alchemist has packaging and performance issues.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Biore or Grown Alchemist?

Grown Alchemist helps prevent breakouts better than Biore, as Grown Alchemist achieves a High fit level for acne-prone skin with its Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser, whereas the products on this page for Biore reach only an Average or low fit level for acne-prone skin.

Which brand is better for sensitive skin based on their brand-focused routines and Lovi fit levels?

Grown Alchemist is better for sensitive skin, as its Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser earns a High Lovi fit level for sensitive skin, whereas Biore's products on this page generally achieve only Average or Low fit levels for that skin type.

What do reviewers say about the cleansers and packaging of Grown Alchemist compared to Biore?

Reviewers note that Grown Alchemist offers hydrating, gentle, and pleasant cleansers, but they often mention issues with cleanser performance and packaging. Reviewers do not mention specific packaging or cleanser performance issues for Biore on this page.

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.

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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