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Medik8 vs Dr. Barbara Sturm

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

Medik8 and Dr. Barbara Sturm are refined skincare brands that offer thoughtfully formulated serums, moisturizers, and targeted treatments for various complexions. The British line utilizes hyaluronic acid across its collection, featuring the Surface Radiance Cleanse for acne-prone skin, the Oxy-R Peptides for dark spots, and the Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream for mature skin. Conversely, the German brand emphasizes gentle hydration and barrier support with scientifically advanced formulas, suiting sensitive, dry, and balanced skin through products like The Good C Vitamin C Serum, the Enzyme Cleanser, and the Hyaluronic Serum. While both maintain high standards, they differ in their foundational approaches, as Medik8 relies heavily on hyaluronic acid to smooth wrinkles, whereas its counterpart focuses on harmonious, calming components for radiant health.

Medik8 is a British skincare brand founded in 2009 and owned by L'Oréal Groupe since 2025.

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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 Medik8 and Dr. Barbara Sturm products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Medik8 vs Dr. Barbara Sturm products

People Say

Medik8Dr. Barbara Sturm
  • Gentle and Non-Irritating Formulation Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “zero irritation or peeling — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “only Vitamin C my sensitive skin can tolerate — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “doesn't irritate my sensitive skin — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
    • “deep yet gentle cleanse — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
  • Texture and Lightweight Feel Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “absorbed effortlessly — Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream”
    • “smoother skin — Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse”
    • “sinks in immediately — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “sinks in quickly — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
  • Hydration and Plumping Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Restores moisture — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “Instantly quenched the skin — Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Intense”
    • “skin drank it up — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “lines less visible — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
  • Brightening and Glow Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “I wake up glowing. It adds back that youthful bloom that I've lost. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
    • “unlocked a serious glow — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “skin looks brighter — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
    • “healthy glow — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
  • Usability and Longevity Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “great for combination skin — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
    • “lasts almost 5 months — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
    • “practical for travel — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
    • “pores feel cleaner — Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse”
  • High Price and Value Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Expensive per bottle — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “very expensive for amount — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “hefty price tag — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “way too expensive — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
  • Slow or Ineffective Results Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Not as effective as retinol — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
    • “no difference — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
    • “no difference yet — Medik8 Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye 3”
    • “did nothing — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
  • Dryness, Dry Skin, and Color Transfer Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “slightly drying — Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse”
    • “need a thick moisturizer — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “stained my white pillowcase — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “face feels a bit tight — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
  • Tackiness, Residue, and Finish Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “too oily for my combination skin — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “Can feel sticky if over-applied — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “Oily texture unpleasant — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
    • “tacky finish — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”

Questions and answers

Medik8 or Dr. Barbara Sturm: which is better?

Dr. Barbara Sturm does better for usability and longevity. Both brands rely on hyaluronic acid to help hydrate and plump the skin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between Medik8 and Dr. Barbara Sturm?

Medik8 and Dr. Barbara Sturm offer different skincare selections on this page, with Dr. Barbara Sturm performing better for usability and longevity while Medik8 faces more negative feedback regarding high price, dryness, and tackiness.

Medik8 or Dr. Barbara Sturm: which moisturizer is better?

Medik8 provides a better range of moisturizers, with Hydr8 B5 Intense rated as a Superior fit for dry skin, while Dr. Barbara Sturm offers Hyaluronic Serum at an Average fit for dry skin.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, Medik8 or Dr. Barbara Sturm?

Medik8 faces more customer complaints about its high price point among the products on this page, while Dr. Barbara Sturm scores better for usability and longevity.

Which causes fewer breakouts, Medik8 or Dr. Barbara Sturm?

Neither brand is proven to cause fewer breakouts than the other, as both offer gentle, non-irritating formulations according to reviewers.

When were Medik8 and Dr. Barbara Sturm founded and where are they from?

Medik8 was founded in 2009 in the United Kingdom, while Dr. Barbara Sturm was founded in 2014 in Germany.

Which brand has more fragrance-free products, Medik8 or Dr. Barbara Sturm?

Medik8 has more fragrance-free products on this page, with 11 out of 12 formulas listing no fragrance. Dr. Barbara Sturm also offers all its products on this page as fragrance-free.

What do reviewers say about Medik8's serums and prices?

Reviewers frequently mention that Medik8 serums are gentle and non-irritating, while also offering deep hydration and plumping, improved skin texture, and a brightening glow. However, reviewers also note a high price point for the products on this page.

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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