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- Skin
There's no shortage of fantastic skincare brands to be found across the pond—peek into any European pharmacy, and you'll see what we mean—but there's one in particular that stands out among the crowd. We're talking about Bioderma, a French pharmaceutical brand that's been around since the late '70s, though only recently garnered immense popularity stateside. "Bioderma is a brand known for simple, dermatologic-driven formulas geared to help people with different skin types," explainsMasha Banar, PA-C. Per the point of all of the products being firmly rooted in dermatology and the brand's solution-driven approach, she adds that skincare is helpfully categorized according to skin types. There's 'sensibio' forsensitive skin, 'sebium' for oily andacne-prone complexions, 'hydrabio' for dull anddehydrated skin, 'atoderm' for very dry and sensitized skin, and 'cicabio' for dry skin prone to irritation. There's also a suncare line and a line for kids and babies. The point being, it makes it easy to figure out exactly which formulas and products are best for you.
Keep reading for more on 10 of our favorites.
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Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water
What We Like
- Respects skin’s hydrolipidic film
- Removes fine particles and heavy metals
- Pure, waterlike texture
What We Don't Like
- Can sting the eyes
A true cult classic, this has long been a staple for pro makeup artists and one of the most effectivemakeup remover-cleanser hybrids out there. Consumers love it as well, with tons of rave reviews all over the internet, and it’s also a go-to for Barnar, who raves about how quickly and effectively it removes makeup. Tiny micelle molecules attach to and whisky away not only makeup but also dirt and oil. Super soothing and gentle, it feels like a more hydrating version of plain water and requires no rinsing.
Price at time of publish:$19
Active Ingredients: Mannitol, Capric Glycerides | Skin Type: Sensitive | Size: 16.7 oz | SPF: N/A | Cruelty Free: No
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Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Nourishing Balm
What We Like
- Infused zinc minimizes face redness
- Provides a skin barrier layer for soothing
- Restores skin comfort
What We Don't Like
- Not as effective on eczema
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Bioderma Atoderm Moisturizing Lip Stick
What We Like
- Leaves lips moisturized
- Nice raspberry scent
- Good for many ages (over 3 years old)
- Travel-friendly
What We Don't Like
- Not for the whole face
Even the most chapped lips don’t stand a chance against this insanely moisturizing balm.Shea butterimparts a heavy dose of moisture, but it also contains beeswax to help lock in all of that hydration. Bonus points for the affordable price tag, which means that you can stock up on a whole bunch to always keep on hand.
Price at time of publish:$10
Active Ingredients: Paraffin, Synthetic Wax | Skin Type: Dry and Damaged | Size: 0.14 oz | SPF: N/A | Cruelty Free: No
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Bioderma Sensibio Foaming Gel
What We Like
- Gently cleanses and purifies
- D.A.F. complex improves skin's tolerance threshold
- Removes makeup
What We Don't Like
- Not for those breakout-prone
"For those who like to get that extra clean feeling after washing their face, this is a great pick," says Banar. The gel formula removes impurities, but she adds that it won't strip your skin, unlike many other gels or foaming washes; in fact, it's so gentle that you can even use it twice daily. Credit the fact that it's sulfate-free and infused with nourishingvitamin E.
Price at time of publish:$18
Active Ingredients: Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Propanediol | Skin Type: Sensitive | Size: 6.67 oz | SPF: N/A | Cruelty Free: No
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Bioderma Sebium Mat Control
What We Like
- Removes impurities without stripping skin
- Gentle enough to use twice daily
- Infused with nourishing Vitamin E
- Mattifies skin for 8 hours
What We Don't Like
- Not for those breakout-prone
- Pricey
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Bioderma Cicabio Cream
What We Like
- Helps decrease sensation of discomfort
- Deeply moisturizes
- Grapeseed extract maintains skin in its optimal environment
What We Don't Like
- Not for sensitive skin
For random itchy spots, bug bites, blisters, burns, unidentified rashes, you name it, this cream is a skin-saving must-have. To use, dab a tiny bit of the multi-tasker, which contains both a proprietary ingredient that reduces itching and the urge to scratch, plus antibacterial copper and zinc,plusmoisturizinghyaluronic acidthat works to help skin heal faster, on your skin for relief.
Price at time of publish:$16
Active Ingredients: Copper, Zinc, Hyaluronic Acid | Skin Type: Dry | Size: 1.35 oz | SPF: N/A | Cruelty Free: No
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BioDerma Sensibio Gel Eye Contour
What We Like
- Great for eye tolerance
- Good for those who wear contacts
- Compatible with makeup
- Reduces appearance of fine lines and crow's feet
What We Don't Like
- Pricey
The stars of the show in this formula are hyaluronic acid andcaffeine. The former instantly hydrates and plumps up the skin to minimize the look of fine lines and wrinkles; the latter is a choice for both de-puffing and making dark circles less noticeable. We’d be happy enough with that, but this formula is also super lightweight and fast-absorbing (so you can even use it in the morning under makeup) and is so gentle that it’s one of the rare eye creams that you can apply to your upper lids.
Price at time of publish:$22
Active Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Caffeine, Laminiria | Skin Type: Sensitive, Redness-Prone | Size: 0.5 oz | SPF: N/A | Cruelty Free: No
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Bioderma Sebium Exfoliating Gel
What We Like
- Gently cleanses and purifies
- Promotes cell renewal
- Preserves natural radiance of skin
What We Don't Like
- Could dissolve better
Perfect for combination or oily skin, this combines both glycolic andsalicylic acids, which work to dissolve dead skin cells and help unclog pores. They also help leave skin generally smoother and more even, ideal when your complexion looks lackluster and needs a pick-me-up. Top tip: Massage it into the skin for one to two minutes before rinsing for the best results.
Price at time of publish:$18
Active Ingredients: Laminaria, Glycolic Acid | Skin Type: Combination, Oily, Acne=Prone | Size: 3.33 oz | SPF: N/A | Cruelty Free: No
Meet the Expert
Masha Banar, PA-C, is a certified physician assistant, the inventor of Mesolyft, and the founder of Visage Sculpture, a cosmetic clinic in Boston.
What to Look for in a Bioderma Product
Ingredients
Because Bioderma products are made for a variety of skin needs, look for products that are formulated for your skin type. For example, Bioderma’s lip hydrator contains shea butter, which can be beneficial for dry lips. And their Eye Contour has moisturizing hyaluronic acid and caffeine, which is useful for addressing fine lines, wrinkles, and bags around the eyes.
A Match For Your Skin Type
Even if you love a brand, you’ll still want to choose only products that are a fit for your skin. If you don’t have rosacea or experience redness, a product like their Sensibio AR cream would probably be unnecessary. And if you have super sensitive skin, you may want to avoid products like the Exfoliating Gel because it contains glycolic acid, which can be irritating on very sensitive skin. By choosing products that match your skin type, you’ll get the best results possible.
Size
You’d be surprised at how fast beauty products actually go bad–and that’s extra true for anything that touches your face directly. Though you might find yourself tempted to get a full-size item right from the start, be sure that you’ll use all of it in a timely manner. If you’re concerned about potential waste, opt for a smaller product first that you know you’ll use up.
FAQ
Does Bioderma have good ingredients?
Bioderma is a popular European brand known for using top-quality ingredients, though the brand is not cruelty-free, nor does it note any concrete steps it’s taking toward greater sustainability. Many products also contain fragrance, which isn’t ideal for sensitive skin. If you have sensitive skin, you’ll want to double check Bioderma ingredients against this list of ingredients for your skin type to see if the product would be a good fit for you.
Is Bioderma good for acne?
Bioderma has a line of skincare, Sebium, that is designed just for oily and acne prone skin. The product range contains cleansing and care products formulated to help treat and prevent blemishes.
Does Bioderma lighten skin?
Bioderma products that are not intended for skin lightening should not have that effect. But the brand’s Pigmentbio line is formulated to address hyperpigmentation.
Why Trust Byrdie?
Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. A stop at the pharmacy is always one of her favorite parts of a European vacation, and she was very happy when Bioderma finally became available in the U.S.
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Article Sources
Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
Ahmadraji F, Shatalebi MA. Evaluation of the clinical efficacy and safety of an eye counter pad containing caffeine and vitamin K in emulsified Emu oil base. Adv Biomed Res. 2015 Jan 6;4:10. doi: 10.4103/2277-9175.148292. PMID: 25625116; PMCID: PMC4300604.