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Elemis vs Dr. Barbara Sturm

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

Elemis and Dr. Barbara Sturm are two distinct skincare lines offering targeted solutions for various complexions. The British brand, founded in 1989, provides expertly formulated serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners enriched with glycerin and shea butter, making it ideal for dry, balanced, and sensitive skin types. Similarly, the German brand, established in 2014, features gentle moisturizers, clarifying exfoliants, and nourishing serums built on scientifically advanced formulas that support deep hydration and barrier health for sensitive, dry, and balanced skin. While both prioritize gentle and deeply hydrating formulations, they differ through their foundational origins and specific ingredient combinations.

Elemis is a British skincare brand founded in 1989 and owned by L'Occitane Group since 2019.

elemis.comau.elemis.comen.wikipedia.org

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

Popular Elemis vs Dr. Barbara Sturm products

People Say

ElemisDr. Barbara Sturm
  • Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Absorbs almost immediately, and my skin feels well hydrated all day. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “whipped silk feel — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
    • “sinks in immediately — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “sinks in quickly — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
  • Skin Smoothing and Softening Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “baby soft — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “skin texture is immediately more even — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
    • “lines less visible — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “The cream really hydrates and my face looks amazing. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
    • “Quenches thirsty skin... immediate improvement. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “skin drank it up — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “skin feels softer — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
  • Radiance and Glow Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “skin looks brighter — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
    • “healthy glow — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “healthy glow — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
  • Gentle on Skin and Sensitive Areas Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “doesn't irritate my sensitive skin — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
    • “reduced redness — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “no stinging or redness — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
  • Exfoliation and Deep Cleansing Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “deep yet gentle cleanse — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
    • “non-stripping formula — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
  • Price and Value Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Complete waste of money for me. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “very expensive — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “expensive — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “way too expensive — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
  • Limited or Slow Results Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “didn't see a difference — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “didn't see difference — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
    • “Verdict still out. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
    • “did nothing — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
  • Fragrance and Scent Issues Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “smells a bit weird — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
    • “The smell is very strong... could not handle for long. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”

Questions and answers

Elemis or Dr. Barbara Sturm: which is better?

Dr. Barbara Sturm performs better than Elemis for radiance, gentleness on sensitive skin, and exfoliation, while the products on this page for Elemis tend to feature added fragrance.

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

Elemis and Dr. Barbara Sturm differ mainly in fragrance and performance across specific review categories, as Elemis features added fragrance in most of its products on this page while Dr. Barbara Sturm lists no fragrance in any of its products. Reviewers note that Dr. Barbara Sturm does better for radiance and glow, gentle care on sensitive areas, and exfoliation, whereas Elemis has higher price points and sometimes noted skin irritation.

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

Elemis offers a wider range of moisturizers with options like the Pro-Collagen Marine Cream achieving a Superior fit for mature skin, whereas Dr. Barbara Sturm provides options such as the Hyaluronic Serum which has a High fit for oily skin.

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

Elemis is more affordable than Dr. Barbara Sturm, though high price point is a notable concern for Elemis products on this page.

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

Comparing the products on this page, Dr. Barbara Sturm tends to be gentler and more suitable for sensitive or breakout-prone skin, while Elemis often features strong fragrances that may cause skin irritation for some users.

Between Elemis and Dr. Barbara Sturm, which brand has better options for fragrance-free skincare?

Dr. Barbara Sturm has better options for fragrance-free skincare because every product on its page lists no fragrance, whereas most Elemis products contain fragrance.

Which brand offers better results for radiance and glow according to reviewers, Elemis or Dr. Barbara Sturm?

Dr. Barbara Sturm does better for radiance and glow according to reviewers. Elemis also features a radiant glow among its often mentioned review themes.

How do the founding years and home countries of Elemis and Dr. Barbara Sturm compare?

Elemis was founded in 1989 in the United Kingdom, whereas Dr. Barbara Sturm was founded 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

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