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The INKEY List vs Dr. Barbara Sturm

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

The INKEY List and Dr. Barbara Sturm are distinct skincare lines created to support various complexions. The British brand founded in 2018 offers targeted serums, moisturizers, and toners built around glycerin that suit dry and sensitive skin best, while the German brand established in 2014 features gentle moisturizers, clarifying exfoliants, and nourishing serums formulated for sensitive, dry, and balanced skin. Both brands differ in their approaches, as the former relies on straightforward ingredients like azelaic acid and ceramides for specific concerns, whereas the latter utilizes scientifically advanced formulas centered on deep hydration and barrier support.

The INKEY List is a British skincare brand founded in 2018 and owned by Brand Evangelists for Beauty Limited.

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

Popular The INKEY List vs Dr. Barbara Sturm products

People Say

The INKEY ListDr. Barbara Sturm
  • Gentle Formula and Soothing Often MentionedMostly 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”
    • “Great for sensitive skin — The INKEY List PHA Toner”
  • Skin Smoothing and Texture Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin texture is immediately more even — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
    • “skin looks brighter — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
    • “healthy glow — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “Skin feels softer — The INKEY List PHA Toner”
  • Lightweight Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “sits beautifully under makeup — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
    • “Gel consistency — The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Serum”
    • “sinks in immediately — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “sinks in quickly — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
  • Deep Hydration and Plumping Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Super hydrating — The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Serum”
    • “intense nourishment — The INKEY List Collagen Peptide Serum”
    • “skin drank it up — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “lines less visible — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
  • Affordable Price and Value Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “Good for the price — The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser”
    • “One of the best balms for quality and also price — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
    • “unbeatable value — The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
  • Other Positive Highlights Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “skin looks fresh and plump — The INKEY List Collagen Peptide Serum”
    • “bags are gone — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
    • “great for combination skin — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
    • “lasts almost 5 months — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
  • High Price and Expensive Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “way too expensive — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
  • Lack of Results or Ineffectiveness Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “didn't do anything for circles — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
    • “did absolutely nothing — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
    • “didn't see a huge difference — The INKEY List Collagen Peptide Serum”
    • “did nothing — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
  • Other Negative Highlights Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Tube leaks liquified oil when opened — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
    • “Leaves a greasy film on face after washing — The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm”
    • “pills under makeup — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “powder can be messy — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
  • Drying or Insufficient Hydration Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “have dry skin but this doesn't feel hydrating at all — The INKEY List Omega Water Cream”
    • “leaves under eye dry — The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream”
    • “face feels a bit tight — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”

Questions and answers

The INKEY List or Dr. Barbara Sturm: which is better?

The INKEY List offers better affordability for shoppers on this page, while Dr. Barbara Sturm does better for a gentle formula and soothing results.

What is the difference between The INKEY List and Dr. Barbara Sturm?

The products on this page from The INKEY List generally offer better affordability, while Dr. Barbara Sturm tends to do better for a gentle formula and soothing as well as skin smoothing and texture.

The INKEY List or Dr. Barbara Sturm: which moisturizer is better?

When comparing moisturizers, The INKEY List offers a much more affordable price and value, while Dr. Barbara Sturm is noted for a more gentle formula and soothing feel among the products on this page.

Which is more affordable, The INKEY List or Dr. Barbara Sturm?

The INKEY List offers better affordability for shoppers, as the products on this page feature affordable prices and value compared to Dr. Barbara Sturm.

Which causes fewer breakouts, The INKEY List or Dr. Barbara Sturm?

Neither brand is proven to cause fewer breakouts overall, but reviewers sometimes note purging and breakouts with The INKEY List products on this page.

Which brand has more products listed on the comparison page, The INKEY List or Dr. Barbara Sturm?

The INKEY List has more products listed on this page than Dr. Barbara Sturm, with sixteen products compared to Dr. Barbara Sturm's three.

Which brand offers better skin smoothing and texture according to review themes?

According to review themes, Dr. Barbara Sturm does better for skin smoothing and texture.

When was The INKEY List founded compared to Dr. Barbara Sturm?

The INKEY List was founded in 2018 in the United Kingdom, whereas Dr. Barbara Sturm was founded earlier 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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