🇮🇹Italy

Galderma vs Dr. Barbara Sturm

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

Galderma and Dr. Barbara Sturm are two distinct skincare brands with different approaches to complexion health. The Swiss brand, founded in 1981, specializes in targeted serums like Epiduo Gel and Benzac AC for acne-prone, dark spot, and mature skin concerns, whereas the German brand, founded in 2014, is deeply loved for gentle moisturizers, clarifying exfoliants, and nourishing serums such as The Good C Vitamin C Serum, Enzyme Cleanser, and Hyaluronic Serum. While its scientifically advanced formulas suit sensitive, dry, and balanced skin best through deep hydration and barrier support, both differ significantly in their ingredient focus and formulation philosophy.

Galderma is a Swiss skincare brand founded in 1981 and owned by Galderma Group AG.

en.wikipedia.org

Dr. Barbara Sturm is a German skincare brand founded in 2014 and owned by Puig since 2024.

uploads.puig.combeautymatter.compitchbook.com

This page compares some of the most popular Galderma and Dr. Barbara Sturm products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Galderma vs Dr. Barbara Sturm products

People Say

GaldermaDr. Barbara Sturm
  • Gentle on Sensitive Skin Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “doesn't irritate my sensitive skin — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
    • “deep yet gentle cleanse — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
    • “reduced redness — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “didn't burn my face — Galderma Benzac AC Mild Strength 2.5% Acne Gel”
  • Acne Clearance and Prevention Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “cleared up my skin — Galderma Benzac AC Mild Strength 2.5% Acne Gel”
    • “cystic acne gone — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
    • “stops new pimples — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Deep Hydration Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin drank it up — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “skin feels softer — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
  • Lightweight Absorption Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “sinks in immediately — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “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”
  • Severe Dryness and Peeling Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “skin flaking off — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • High Price and Cost Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “way too expensive — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
  • Intense Burning and Stinging Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “face on fire — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Acne Purging Phase Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “got worse first — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Fabric Bleaching Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “bleached my towel — Galderma Benzac AC 5”

Questions and answers

Galderma or Dr. Barbara Sturm: which is better?

Galderma is better for acne clearance, while Dr. Barbara Sturm is better for gentle care on sensitive skin, deep hydration, and glow. Lovi rates Dr. Barbara Sturm as having a Superior fit for skin with dark spots using its Enzyme Cleanser.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

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

Galderma is better for acne clearance and prevention with effective acne-clearing serums, whereas Dr. Barbara Sturm is better for gentle care on sensitive skin, deep hydration, and glow and radiance. However, reviewers note that Galderma may cause severe dryness and peeling as well as severe irritation and discomfort.

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2018

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

Galderma is more affordable, as high price and cost are noted as a negative review theme for Dr. Barbara Sturm.

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

Galderma is better for acne clearance and prevention, offering effective acne-clearing serums on this page. However, reviewers note that users may experience severe dryness and peeling with Galderma products.

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2018

Which brand has products that cause severe dryness and peeling according to reviewers, Galderma or Dr. Barbara Sturm?

Galderma features products on this page that reviewers mostly mention for causing severe dryness and peeling.

Which brand's products are fragrance-free, Galderma, Dr. Barbara Sturm, or both?

Both Galderma and Dr. Barbara Sturm offer products on this page that list no fragrance in their ingredients.

Which company was founded earlier, Galderma in Switzerland or Dr. Barbara Sturm in Germany?

Galderma was founded earlier in 1981 in Switzerland, whereas Dr. Barbara Sturm was founded 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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