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Simple vs Dr. Barbara Sturm

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

Simple and Dr. Barbara Sturm are two distinct skincare lines that cater to different complexions with targeted, thoughtful ingredients. Simple offers gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners featuring niacinamide and glycerin, which suit acne-prone and mature skin best. Meanwhile, Dr. Barbara Sturm provides gentle moisturizers, clarifying exfoliants, and nourishing serums built on scientifically advanced formulas that favor sensitive, dry, and balanced skin. Ultimately, the British drugstore staple differs from the German luxury line through its accessible, daily-care approach versus targeted, high-performance barrier support.

Simple is a British skincare brand founded in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.

en.wikipedia.orgsec.govprnewswire.comsimple.co.uk

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

Popular Simple vs Dr. Barbara Sturm products

People Say

SimpleDr. Barbara Sturm
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Does not cause any form of irritation on the skin which I love. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The only cleanser that doesn't turn my face red. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “doesn't irritate my sensitive skin — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
    • “deep yet gentle cleanse — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
  • Hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “Instantly boosts skin's hydration... face doesn't feel dry and tight. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “skin drank it up — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “skin feels softer — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “absorbs very quickly — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “absorbs really well — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “sinks in immediately — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
  • Smoother skin texture Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin texture is immediately more even — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
    • “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”
  • Affordable price point Often MentionedNot noted
    • “great value for money — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
    • “super affordable — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “Can't beat the price for the quality. — Simple Micellar Water”
  • Extremely high price Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “way too expensive — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
  • Insufficient hydration or dryness Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “face feels a bit tight — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
    • “not moisturizing enough — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
  • Caused breakouts and skin reactions Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Gave me tiny bumps on my forehead. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “caused major breakouts — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “quite red after — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
    • “appearance of imperfections — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”

Questions and answers

Simple or Dr. Barbara Sturm: which is better?

Simple is better for an affordable price point and lightweight, non-greasy feel, while Dr. Barbara Sturm does better for smoother skin texture and glow and radiance. Glycerin helps provide hydration and moisture, and niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

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

Simple offers budget-friendly, lightweight moisturizers that reviewers widely praise, while Dr. Barbara Sturm provides options like its Hyaluronic Serum where Lovi rates its fit as High for oily skin. Glycerin, a key ingredient in Simple moisturizers, helps maintain hydration in the skin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

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

Simple is more affordable, as it is noted for offering value-friendly moisturizers and an affordable price point.

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

Both Simple and Dr. Barbara Sturm are rated equal for causing breakouts and skin reactions, as reviewers report this issue for both lines.

When was Simple founded and who owns it compared to Dr. Barbara Sturm?

Simple was founded in 1960 in the United Kingdom and has been owned by Unilever PLC since 2011, whereas Dr. Barbara Sturm was founded in 2014 in Germany and is owned by Puig.

How does the Lovi fit level of the Enzyme Cleanser compare across different skin types?

Lovi rates Dr. Barbara Sturm's Enzyme Cleanser as having a superior fit for skin with dark spots, and a high fit for mature skin, oily skin, combination skin, sensitive skin, and oily acne-prone skin. For dry sensitive skin and dry skin, the cleanser has an average fit.

What do reviewers say are the main drawbacks of Simple skincare products?

Reviewers note that Simple products commonly cause breakouts or irritations, struggle with heavy makeup, and sometimes lack sufficient hydration or moisture.

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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