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Dermalogica vs Dr. Barbara Sturm

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

Dermalogica and Dr. Barbara Sturm are established skincare brands offering distinct approaches to daily regimens. Dermalogica is an American line known for targeted serums, nourishing moisturizers, gentle cleansers, and purifying masks featuring hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and salicylic acid, making it best for oily and combination skin. Conversely, the German brand Dr. Barbara Sturm is celebrated for gentle moisturizers, clarifying exfoliants, and nourishing serums built on scientifically advanced formulas that suit sensitive, dry, and balanced skin. Ultimately, the brands differ because the former uses active formulations to balance excess oil and moisture, while the latter focuses on deep hydration and barrier support.

Dermalogica is an American skincare brand founded in 1986 and owned by Unilever since 2015.

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

Popular Dermalogica vs Dr. Barbara Sturm products

People Say

DermalogicaDr. Barbara Sturm
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry skin — Dermalogica Super Rich Repair”
    • “super hydrating — Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque”
    • “skin drank it up — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “skin feels softer — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
  • Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “blends seamlessly — Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50”
    • “Absorbs quickly... not greasy — Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream”
    • “sinks in immediately — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “sinks in quickly — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
  • Soothing and Calming 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”
    • “helps calm and nourish my skin — Dermalogica Stabilizing Repair Cream”
  • Brightening and Radiance Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “skin looks brighter — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
    • “healthy glow — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “immediately brighter looking — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
  • Gentle and Exfoliating Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “gentle enough for daily use — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “skin feels smooth as silk — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “skin texture is immediately more even — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
    • “deep yet gentle cleanse — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
  • Anti-Aging and Firming Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “lines less visible — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
    • “eyelids look firmer and lifted — Dermalogica Phyto Nature Lifting Eye Cream”
  • High Price Point Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “hefty price tag — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “Expensive for cleanser — Dermalogica Precleanse”
    • “Very expensive — Dermalogica Super Rich Repair”
    • “way too expensive — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
  • Heavy or Greasy Residue Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Too thick for day — Dermalogica Super Rich Repair”
    • “skin felt tight — Dermalogica Active Moist”
    • “felt a bit dry — Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel”
    • “tacky finish — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum”
  • Skin Irritation and Reactions Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “quite red after — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
    • “appearance of imperfections — Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum”
    • “Stings eyes — Dermalogica Precleanse”
  • Unpleasant Scent Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “smells a bit weird — Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser”
    • “smells like puke — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”

Questions and answers

Dermalogica or Dr. Barbara Sturm: which is better?

When comparing the products on this page, Dr. Barbara Sturm achieves better results for soothing, brightening, and anti-aging, while Dermalogica is noted for high prices and heavy residue.

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

Dermalogica is an American brand founded in 1986 and owned by Unilever, whereas Dr. Barbara Sturm is a German brand founded in 2014 and owned by Puig. The products on this page for Dermalogica fit best on oily skin, combination skin, and oily acne-prone skin, while Dr. Barbara Sturm performs better for brightening, radiance, anti-aging, firming, soothing, and calming.

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

For moisturizers, the products on this page show that Dermalogica provides more options with varying fit levels across skin types, whereas Dr. Barbara Sturm offers a specific hydrating formula like the Hyaluronic Serum which has a High fit for oily skin and Average fit for other skin types.

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

Dermalogica is the more affordable brand, as Dr. Barbara Sturm faces negative review mentions for its high price point while Dermalogica products on this page frequently receive high price complaints.

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

The products on this page for both brands lack study data on breakouts, but reviewers note that Dermalogica sometimes causes breakouts or reactions.

Between Dermalogica and Dr. Barbara Sturm, which brand is better for anti-aging and firming results?

Dr. Barbara Sturm is better for anti-aging and firming results, as reviews show it outperforms Dermalogica in this area.

How do the founding years and countries of origin compare between Dermalogica and Dr. Barbara Sturm?

Dermalogica was founded in 1986 in the United States, whereas Dr. Barbara Sturm was founded in 2014 in Germany.

Which brand has reviews noting skin irritation and reactions more often, Dermalogica or Dr. Barbara Sturm?

Dr. Barbara Sturm has reviews noting skin irritation and reactions more often. Dermalogica reviewers sometimes note skin irritation and eye discomfort, but Dr. Barbara Sturm performs worse in this category according to the review themes.

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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