ISDIN and Dr. Barbara Sturm are prominent skincare brands offering distinct approaches to daily beauty routines. The Spanish brand features elegant moisturizers, advanced sunscreens, restorative serums , and targeted eye products best suited for dry and sensitive skin, while the German brand provides gentle moisturizers, clarifying exfoliants, and nourishing serums tailored for sensitive, dry, and balanced skin. Both collections deliver dependable protection and deep hydration through carefully balanced formulas. They differ primarily in their heritage and precise active ingredients, with ISDIN emphasizing targeted restorative care and Dr. Barbara Sturm focusing on barrier support.
ISDIN is a Spanish skincare brand founded in 1975 and owned by Puig.
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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 ISDIN and Dr. Barbara Sturm products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app .
Popular ISDIN vs Dr. Barbara Sturm products
People Say
ISDIN Dr. Barbara Sturm
+ Lightweight and fast-absorbing texture
Mostly Mentioned Often Mentioned
“absorbs instantly — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica” “ultra-light fluid product, which makes it super easy to apply — ISDIN Fusion Water” “Lightweight formula absorbs fast — ISDIN Hyaluronic Concentrate” “sinks in immediately — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
+ Gentle and suitable for sensitive skin
Often Mentioned Mostly Mentioned
“Sensitive/reactive skin tolerates — ISDIN Hyaluronic Moisture” “no excessive exfoliation — ISDIN Retinal Intense Serum” “doesn't irritate my sensitive skin — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum” “reduced redness — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
+ Hydration and plumping
Rarely Noted Often Mentioned
“lines less visible — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum” “skin feels softer — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum” “Skin feels intensely hydrated — ISDIN Hyaluronic Concentrate”
+ Deeply hydrating
Sometimes Noted Often Mentioned
“skin drank it up — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum” “Improved moisture and texture — ISDIN Hyaluronic Moisture”
+ Smoother skin texture
Rarely Noted Often Mentioned
“skin texture is immediately more even — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser” “skin was much smoother — ISDIN Retinal Intense Serum”
+ Repairs sun damage and brightens skin tone
Sometimes Noted Often Mentioned
“skin looks brighter — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum” “My hyperpigmentation has lightened and skin looks more even, even shines more. — ISDIN Flavo-C Serum”
– High price point
Often Mentioned Mostly Mentioned
“very expensive — ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica” “My only wish is that ISDIN would make this product in a bigger size bottle. — ISDIN Fusion Water” “high cost — ISDIN K-Ox Eyes” “way too expensive — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
– Lack of results
Rarely Noted Often Mentioned
“don't see result — ISDIN K-Ox Eyes” “no noticeable changes yet — ISDIN Retinal Intense Serum” “did nothing — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
Questions and answers
ISDIN or Dr. Barbara Sturm: which is better?
ISDIN is better for lightweight and fast-absorbing sunscreens, while Dr. Barbara Sturm achieves better results for hydration, plumping, and smoothing skin texture among the products on this page. Dr. Barbara Sturm also has every product on this page listing no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas some ISDIN products contain fragrance.
What is the difference between ISDIN and Dr. Barbara Sturm?
ISDIN brings together lightweight textures and ultralight sunscreens, whereas the products on this page from Dr. Barbara Sturm offer deep hydration and smoother skin texture.
ISDIN or Dr. Barbara Sturm: which moisturizer is better?
For moisturizers, Dr. Barbara Sturm achieves higher hydration and plumping results, whereas the products on this page by ISDIN lean toward lightweight textures like their Hyaluronic Concentrate which Lovi rates as Average for dry skin. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of skin aging.
Dermatologic Therapy, 2022 Drug Delivery, 2017
Which is more affordable, ISDIN or Dr. Barbara Sturm?
ISDIN may be more affordable than Dr. Barbara Sturm, as a high price point is noted as a drawback for ISDIN products on this page.
Which causes fewer breakouts, ISDIN or Dr. Barbara Sturm?
Both ISDIN and Dr. Barbara Sturm offer products on this page that help with acne-prone skin, such as ISDIN Retinal Intense Serum and Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser. Reviewers do not report fewer breakouts with one brand over the other.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019
Which brand was founded earlier and in which country, ISDIN or Dr. Barbara Sturm?
ISDIN was founded earlier, in 1975 in Spain, whereas Dr. Barbara Sturm was founded in 2014 in Germany.
How do the fragrance-free product options compare between ISDIN and Dr. Barbara Sturm?
Dr. Barbara Sturm has a fragrance-free option across every product on this page, whereas only 3 of 8 products from ISDIN list no fragrance. Reviewers note that ISDIN sometimes has a strong fragrance in its formulas.
Which brand offers a sunscreen product, ISDIN or Dr. Barbara Sturm?
ISDIN offers sunscreen products on this page, including Eryfotona Actinica and Fusion Water , whereas Dr. Barbara Sturm does not list any sunscreens.
3 more questions
Research behind their key ingredients
46 more studies
Prospective, randomized, double-blind assessment of topical bakuchiol and retinol for facial photoageing
Bakuchiol · The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019 Effects of ascorbic acid on gingival melanin pigmentation in vitro and in vivo
Ascorbyl glucoside · Journal of Periodontology, 2009 Bacterial cellulose skin masks-Properties and sensory tests
Cellulose · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2018 Treatment of acne with a combination of propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera compared to erythromycin cream: two double-blind investigations
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice · Clinical Pharmacology, 2018 Antiaging efficacy of melatonin-based day and night creams: a randomized, split-face, assessor-blinded proof-of-concept trial
Melatonin · Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2018 Effect of a topical antioxidant serum containing vitamin C, vitamin E, and ferulic acid after Q-switched 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser for treatment of environment-induced skin pigmentation
Ascorbic acid · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020 The 24-hour skin hydration and barrier function effects of a hyaluronic 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract moisturizing fluid: an intra-subject, randomized, assessor-blinded study
Glycerin · Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017 Randomized controlled study for the anti-aging effect of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide after laser therapy
Niacinamide · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021 A new topical panthenol-containing emollient: Results from two randomized controlled studies assessing its skin moisturization and barrier restoration potential, and the effect on skin microflora
Panthenol · The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017 Stable Ozonides with Vitamin E Acetate versus Corticosteroid in the Treatment of Lichen Sclerosus in Foreskin: Evaluation of Effects on Inflammation
Tocopheryl acetate · Urologia Internationalis, 2019 A Double-Blinded, Randomized, Vehicle-Controlled Study of the Efficacy of Moisturizer Containing Licochalcone A, Decanediol, L-Carnitine, and Salicylic Acid for Prevention of Acne Relapse in Asian Population
Salicylic acid · BioMed Research International, 2020 Senomorphic activity of a combination of niacinamide and hyaluronic acid: correlation with clinical improvement of skin aging
Niacinamide · Scientific Reports, 2024 Sunscreens and Cosmetic Formulations Containing Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate and Rice Peptides for the Improvement of Skin Photoaging: A Double-blind, Randomized Placebo-controlled Clinical Study
Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate · Photochemistry and Photobiology, 2021 Clinical evidence of the efficacy and safety of a new 3-in-1 anti-aging topical night serum-in-oil containing melatonin, bakuchiol, and ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate: 103 females treated from 28 to 84 days
Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019 Biomimetic hyaluronic acid-stabilized zinc oxide nanoparticles in acne treatment: A preclinical and clinical approach
Zinc oxide · Journal of Controlled Release, 2025 Efficacy of a multitargeted, salicylic acid-based dermocosmetic cream compared to benzoyl peroxide 5% in Acne vulgaris: Results from a randomized study
Salicylic acid · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024 Evaluation of dermal extracellular matrix and epidermal-dermal junction modifications using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometric imaging, in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy, echography, and histology: effect of age and peptide applications
Palmitoyl tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2015 A Salicylic Acid-Based Dermocosmetic is Effective as an Adjunct to Benzoyl Peroxide for Mild to Moderate Acne and as Monotherapy in Maintenance Post Benzoyl Peroxide
Salicylic acid · Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023 Antioxidant-based topical formulations influence on the inflammatory response of Japanese skin: A clinical study using non-invasive techniques
Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate · European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2017 Botulinum toxin injection as a single or combined treatment with non-cross-linked high molecular weight and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid gel for neck rejuvenation: A randomized clinical trial
Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid · Dermatologic Therapy, 2022 Efficacy and Tolerability of Topical Nicotinamide Plus Antibacterial Adhesive Agents and Zinc-Pyrrolidone Carboxylic Acid Versus Placebo as an Adjuvant Treatment for Moderate Acne Vulgaris in Indonesia: A Multicenter, Double-blind, Randomized, Controlled Trial
Zinc pca · The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020 Borage Oil Treated with Immobilized Lipase Inhibits Melanogenesis
Lipase · Lipids, 2020 Comparison of methods for assessing photoprotection against ultraviolet A in vivo
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane · Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1987 Using ordered mesoporous silica SBA-15 to limit cutaneous penetration and transdermal permeation of organic UV filters
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane · International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2019 Topical Zinc Oxide Nanoparticle Formulations for Acne Vulgaris: A Systematic Review of Pre-Clinical and Early-Phase Clinical Evidence
Zinc oxide · Biomedicines, 2025 Influence of vitamin E acetate on stratum corneum hydration
Tocopheryl acetate · Arzneimittel-Forschung, 1998 Enhancing Photoprotection and Mitigating Ex Vivo Stratum Corneum Oxidative Stress: A Multifunctional Strategy Combining Rosmarinic Acid with UVB Filters
Octocrylene · Antioxidants, 2025 Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of a Panthenol-Enriched Mask for Skin Barrier Recovery After Facial Laser Treatment: Results of a Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Study
Panthenol · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025 TiO2-embedded mesoporous silica with lower porosity is beneficial to adsorb the pollutants and retard UV filter absorption: A possible application for outdoor skin protection
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane · European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2023 Efficacy and Tolerability of Stable Hybrid Cooperative Complexes of High- and Low-Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid in Asian Patients: An Open-Label Study
Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid · Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2026 Ginkgo biloba leaves extract's cosmeceutical evaluation: a preliminary assessments on human volunteers towards achieving improved skin condition and rejuvenation
Ginkgo biloba leaf extract · Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy, 2023 Nanostructured Lipid Carrier Based Gel Containing α-Tocopherol and α-Tocopheryl Acetate for Synergistic Cutaneous Antiaging Efficacy
Tocopheryl acetate · Scientific Reports, 2025 Nanocomplex of quaternized cyclodextrin grafted chitosan and hyaluronic acid for a skin delivery
Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid · Colloids and Surfaces. B, Biointerfaces, 2022 Effect of an Emollient Emulsion Containing 15.0% of Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride on the Urocanic Acid of the Stratum Corneum
Caprylic capric triglyceride · Life, 2023 Prospective randomized double-blind comparative study of topical acetyl zingerone with tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate versus tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate alone on facial photoaging
Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024 A Double-Blind, 12-Week Study to Evaluate the Antiaging Efficacy of a Cream Containing the NFκB Inhibitor 4-Hexyl-1, 3-Phenylenediol and Ascorbic Acid-2 Glucoside in Adult Females
Ascorbyl glucoside · Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2016 Safety assessment on comedogenicity of dermatological products containing d-alpha tocopheryl acetate in Asian subjects: A double-blind randomized controlled trial
Tocopheryl acetate · Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021 Facial disbiosis and UV filters
Ethylhexyl salicylate · Archives of Dermatological Research, 2024 The clinical efficacy of a new emulsion for acne and conspicuous facial pore amelioration
Lens esculenta seed extract · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024 Portulaca oleracea extract relieves skin barrier damage induced by increased photosensitivity after GA peeling
Lactobacillus portulaca oleracea extract ferment · Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology, 2022 Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos
Ascorbyl glucoside · International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2024 Retrospective Review of Dermal Safety Studies of Organic Sunscreens
Ethylhexyl salicylate · Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2025 Targeting Circadian Rhythm for the Regulation of Skin Collagen Metabolism
Palmitoyl tripeptide-1 · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026 Mechanistic understanding and peptide ingredient screening for type III collagen via biological knowledge graph and molecular docking
Palmitoyl tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 · International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2026 Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind Assessment of Supramolecular Bakuchiol and Terminalia Chebula Extract for Facial Photoaging in Chinese Sensitive Skin Population
Bakuchiol · Health Science Reports, 2025 Low-temperature extracted Portulaca oleracea L. as a functional ingredient in facial masks for photorejuvenation of sensitive skin
Lactobacillus portulaca oleracea extract ferment · Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology, 2025
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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
Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
Aishani Shah, MD
Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
Asya Zubkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
Hanna Kurets, MD
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