Simple vs Dr. Barbara Sturm
Simple and Dr. Barbara Sturm are established skincare brands offering gentle moisturizers alongside other targeted essentials. The British brand features cleansers, toners, and makeup removers enriched with niacinamide and glycerin that suit acne-prone and oily skin best, while the German brand offers clarifying exfoliants and nourishing serums built on scientifically advanced formulas that suit sensitive, dry, and balanced skin best. While both rely on carefully balanced components to support the complexion, the former utilizes niacinamide and glycerin, whereas the latter focuses on deep hydration and barrier support.
Simple is a British skincare brand founded in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.
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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 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
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 value-friendly, lightweight moisturizers and gentle makeup removers, while Dr. Barbara Sturm achieves better smoother skin texture and glow. Both brands provide equally gentle options for sensitive skin, but Simple is much more affordable.
What is the difference between Simple and Dr. Barbara Sturm?
Simple offers budget-friendly, lightweight moisturizers and gentle makeup removers, whereas Dr. Barbara Sturm provides high-end treatments focused on smoother skin texture and radiance.
Which is more affordable, Simple or Dr. Barbara Sturm?
Simple is more affordable, as the products on this page provide budget-friendly, lightweight moisturizers and gentle makeup removers.
Which causes fewer breakouts, Simple or Dr. Barbara Sturm?
Simple and Dr. Barbara Sturm are equal in causing breakouts and skin reactions, as reviewers report the same negative experiences for both. However, Simple products on this page list glycerin, which helps hydrate and soothe the skin.
When was Simple founded and who is its current owner?
Simple was founded in 1960 in the United Kingdom and has been owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.
Which brand offers a higher fit level for the enzyme cleanser when targeting skin with dark spots?
Dr. Barbara Sturm offers a Superior fit level for its Enzyme Cleanser when targeting skin with dark spots, whereas Simple does not feature an enzyme cleanser on this page.
What are the key ingredients shared across the products of Simple?
The products on this page for Simple share Niacinamide and Glycerin as their key ingredients. Glycerin helps provide emollient benefits to the skin.
Research behind their key ingredients
Bacterial cellulose membranes as drug delivery systems: an in vivo skin compatibility study
Effects of ascorbic acid on gingival melanin pigmentation in vitro and in vivo
Apigenin inhibits UVA-induced cytotoxicity in vitro and prevents signs of skin aging in vivo
Borage Oil Treated with Immobilized Lipase Inhibits Melanogenesis
Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos
Saccharide isomerate ameliorates cosmetic scalp conditions in a Chinese study population
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.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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