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Dermalogica vs Dr. Barbara Sturm

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

Dermalogica and Dr. Barbara Sturm are two esteemed skincare lines distinguished by contrasting philosophies and active ingredients. The American brand, founded in 1986, is known for targeted serums, nourishing moisturizers, gentle cleansers, and purifying masks featuring hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and salicylic acid, which suit dry and oily skin best. Conversely, the German brand, founded in 2014, relies on scientifically advanced formulas for gentle moisturizers, clarifying exfoliants, and nourishing serums that favor sensitive, dry, and balanced skin. While both offer distinct standout products for concerns like acne, dark spots, and aging, Dermalogica works beneath the surface to address complex types, whereas Dr. Barbara Sturm focuses on deep hydration and barrier support.

Dermalogica is an American skincare brand founded in 1986 and owned by Unilever since 2015.

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

Popular Dermalogica vs Dr. Barbara Sturm products

People Say

DermalogicaDr. Barbara Sturm
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry skin — Dermalogica Super Rich Repair”
    • “super hydrating — Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque”
    • “skin drank it up — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “skin feels softer — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
  • Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “blends seamlessly — Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50”
    • “Absorbs quickly... not greasy — Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream”
    • “sinks in immediately — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “sinks in quickly — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
  • Soothing and Calming Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “doesn't irritate my sensitive skin — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
    • “reduced redness — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “helps calm and nourish my skin — Dermalogica Stabilizing Repair Cream”
  • Brightening and Radiance Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “skin looks brighter — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
    • “healthy glow — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “immediately brighter looking — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
  • Gentle and Exfoliating Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “gentle enough for daily use — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “skin feels smooth as silk — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “skin texture is immediately more even — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
    • “deep yet gentle cleanse — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
  • Anti-Aging and Firming Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “lines less visible — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “eyelids look firmer and lifted — Dermalogica Phyto Nature Lifting Eye Cream”
  • High Price Point Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “hefty price tag — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “Expensive for cleanser — Dermalogica Precleanse”
    • “Very expensive — Dermalogica Super Rich Repair”
    • “way too expensive — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
  • Heavy or Greasy Residue Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Too thick for day — Dermalogica Super Rich Repair”
    • “skin felt tight — Dermalogica Active Moist”
    • “felt a bit dry — Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel”
    • “tacky finish — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
  • Skin Irritation and Reactions Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “quite red after — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
    • “appearance of imperfections — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
    • “Stings eyes — Dermalogica Precleanse”
  • Unpleasant Scent Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “smells a bit weird — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
    • “smells like puke — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”

Questions and answers

Dermalogica or Dr. Barbara Sturm: which is better?

Both Dermalogica and Dr. Barbara Sturm offer strong skincare options, with Dr. Barbara Sturm doing better for brightening, anti-aging, and soothing, while Dermalogica features a much wider range of products. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of skin aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

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

Dermalogica was founded in 1986 in the United States and offers a broad range of products with fit levels varying widely across skin types, whereas Dr. Barbara Sturm was founded in 2014 in Germany with a smaller selection on this page. Reviewers note that Dr. Barbara Sturm does better for brightening, radiance, anti-aging, and firming, while Dermalogica tends to have a high price point and heavy or greasy residue.

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

When comparing moisturizers, Dermalogica offers a much wider range of products with fit levels reaching Superior for dry skin and dry sensitive skin like the Circular Hydration Serum. Reviewers note that Dermalogica products provide intense hydration and soothing moisturizers, though some users mention a high price point.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

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

Dermalogica is more affordable, whereas Dr. Barbara Sturm faces reviews noting a high price point. Reviewers also mention a high price point for the products on this page by Dermalogica.

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

Dermalogica features more products on the products on this page tailored for breakout-prone skin, including several with Superior Lovi fit levels for oily acne-prone and acne-prone skin.

Between Dermalogica and Dr. Barbara Sturm, which brand is better for soothing and calming the skin?

Between the two brands, Dr. Barbara Sturm is better for soothing and calming the skin.

Which skincare brand has products with better anti-aging and firming benefits, Dermalogica or Dr. Barbara Sturm?

Dr. Barbara Sturm does better for anti-aging and firming compared to Dermalogica according to the review themes on this page.

How do the founding years and home countries of Dermalogica and Dr. Barbara Sturm compare?

Dermalogica was founded in 1986 in the United States, whereas Dr. Barbara Sturm was established later in 2014 in Germany.

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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