Bioderma Sebium or Atoderm? Which Bioderma Line Is Right for Your Skin

Bioderma is a French pharmacy brand best known for its pink-capped micellar water, but its range is organised in a way that makes shopping unusually easy once you see the pattern. Each line has a name, a skin type and a colour.

The two lines people most often compare are Sebium and Atoderm. They sit at opposite ends of the skin spectrum: Sebium is for oily, blemish-prone skin, while Atoderm is for dry, very dry and eczema-prone skin. Choosing between them is mostly about being honest about what your skin does by mid-afternoon.

This guide explains both lines in detail, then covers the other Bioderma ranges you may want alongside them.

The colour code

• Sebium (green): oily, combination and blemish-prone skin.

• Atoderm (yellow): dry, very dry and atopic or eczema-prone skin, for face and body.

• Sensibio (pink): sensitive, reactive skin.

• Hydrabio (blue): dehydrated skin that feels tight.

• Cicabio: irritated, damaged skin that needs soothing and protection.

• Photoderm (orange): sunscreen.

• ABCDerm: babies and children.

How to tell if you are a Sebium or an Atoderm person

Try this simple test: wash your face with a gentle cleanser, apply nothing, and check after an hour or two.

• Shiny across the forehead, nose and chin, maybe the cheeks too: you lean oily. Start with Sebium.

• Tight, rough or flaky, possibly itchy: you lean dry. Start with Atoderm.

• Shiny T-zone but tight cheeks: you are combination. Use a Sebium cleanser and a lighter moisturiser, and consider Atoderm or Hydrabio only on dry areas.

• Stinging, flushing or reacting to most products: look at Sensibio first.

In Singapore, many people who think they have oily skin are actually dehydrated from air-con and harsh cleansers, so their skin overproduces oil. If strong washes leave you tight but shiny an hour later, try a gentler routine before going all-in on oil control.

Sebium: for oily and blemish-prone skin

Bioderma SebiumBiodermaBioderma Sebium Gel Moussant Foaming Gel - 200mlBioderma Sebium Gel Moussant 200ml is a foaming gel cleanser for combination or oily skin routines.S$28.09

includes cleansing gels, a micellar water, a pore-refining product and a serum. The Sebium Gel Moussant, a foaming face wash, is the starting point for most people. It cleans away excess oil without the harsh, stripped feel of many acne washes, and it comes in a tube or a larger pump bottle.

Who it suits:

• Oily skin that feels greasy by lunchtime in Singapore's humidity.

• Mild breakouts and blackheads, especially around the nose and chin.

• Combination skin that needs a proper clean on the T-zone.

How to use it well: wash morning and evening, follow with a light, non-comedogenic moisturiser and sunscreen. Do not over-wash; cleansing three or four times a day tends to make oiliness and irritation worse.

Sebium is a supportive routine, not a treatment for moderate or severe acne. If you have painful, deep or scarring spots, see a GP or dermatologist early. Our simple acne routine shows how to add active ingredients without wrecking your barrier.

Atoderm: for dry and eczema-prone skin

Atoderm is Bioderma's dry-skin line for face and body, used by adults, children and babies. Bioderma AtodermBiodermaBioderma Atoderm Cream Ultra-Nourishing For Normal To Dry Sensitive Skin - 500mlBioderma Atoderm Cream Ultra-Nourishing 500ml is a body cream for normal-to-dry sensitive skin routines.S$37.99

includes shower oils, creams and balms for normal-to-dry and sensitive skin.

Atoderm Intensive Balm: the standout

Bioderma Atoderm Intensive BalmBiodermaBioderma Atoderm Intensive Balm 500ml exp Sep 28Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Balm 500ml exp Sep 28 is a intensive balm for very dry or easily irritated skin. It is the 500ml option, supplied as one retail unit of the selected variant.S$37.99

is the best-known product in the line. It is a rich face and body moisturiser for very dry skin, designed for daily use on atopic and eczema-prone skin.

Despite the word "balm", it is a creamy texture rather than a waxy ointment, so it spreads easily over large areas. That makes it practical for children, and for adults who need to moisturise their whole body once or twice a day.

How to get the most from it:

1. Apply straight after bathing, on slightly damp skin.

2. Be generous. Eczema-prone skin needs more moisturiser than most people expect.

3. Keep going when skin looks fine. Daily use is what helps keep dryness under control.

4. Pair it with a gentle wash, not foaming soap.

Atoderm Cleansing Oil: for itchy-after-shower skin

Bioderma Atoderm Cleansing OilBiodermaBioderma Atoderm Cleansing Oil For Very Dry To Sensitive Skin 100mlIntensely nourishes Reduces itch & soothes irritation Cleanses, restores lipids Respects the most sensitive skin Leaves the skin satin smooth and ultra comfortable No paraben and alcohol - Very good cutaneous and…S$12.90

is a shower oil for very dry to sensitive skin. It cleanses with little foam and leaves skin feeling soft rather than tight, which suits people who itch after showering in hard, hot water. Rinse your shower floor afterwards, as oils can make it slippery.

Atoderm lip care

Bioderma Atoderm Stick LevresBiodermaBioderma Atoderm Stick Levres 4gBioderma Atoderm Stick Levres, 4g.S$19.90

is a lip balm stick for dry, chapped lips. Keep one in your bag for air-con offices and flights.

Atoderm is a moisturising range, not a medicine. If eczema patches are weeping, crusting, very red or disturbing sleep, see a doctor, as flares may need prescription treatment.

Sensibio and Hydrabio: sensitive and dehydrated skin

Bioderma SensibioBiodermaBioderma Sensibio H2O Make-up Removing Micellar Solution - 250mlBioderma Sensibio H2O 250ml is a micellar water for sensitive skin cleansing and makeup removal.S$26.31

includes the famous Sensibio H2O micellar water, plus cleansers, an eye makeup remover and a serum for sensitive skin. Micellar water is a handy first cleanse to remove sunscreen and makeup before your Sebium or Atoderm wash. For heavy water-resistant sunscreen, though, an oil cleanser may work better; see our guide to removing water-resistant sunscreen.

Bioderma Hydrabio SerumBiodermaBioderma Hydrabio Serum 72H Aquagenium+ 40 mLLightweight leave-on gel serum for dehydrated skin, with niacinamide, glycerin and hyaluronic acid.S$65.89

is the hydrating serum in the blue line. It suits skin that feels tight from air-con but is not truly dry, and pairs well with Sebium for oily but dehydrated skin.

Cicabio and Photoderm: repair and sun protection

Bioderma Cicabio Creme+BiodermaBioderma Cicabio Creme+ 40mlBioderma Cicabio Creme+, 40ml.S$29.59

is a soothing, protective cream for irritated, chapped or damaged skin, such as after over-exfoliating or around the nose during a cold. Use a thin layer and do not apply it to open wounds or infected skin. Our guide to repairing your skin barrier explains when this kind of cream helps.

Bioderma Photoderm Aquafluide SPF50+BiodermaBioderma Photoderm Aquafluide SPF50+ 40mlBioderma Photoderm Aquafluide SPF50+, 40ml.S$48.29

is a light, fluid sunscreen that suits oily and combination skin under makeup. Use a generous amount and reapply if you are outdoors. Our daily sunscreen guide covers how much is enough.

Sample routines

• Oily, blemish-prone: Sebium Gel Moussant, Hydrabio Serum, Photoderm Aquafluide.

• Dry or eczema-prone: Atoderm Cleansing Oil in the shower, Atoderm Intensive Balm after.

• Combination: Sebium cleanser, a light moisturiser, Atoderm on any dry patches.

• Sensitive: Sensibio H2O, a gentle moisturiser, sunscreen.

FAQ

Can I use Sebium and Atoderm together?

Yes. Many combination-skin users wash with Sebium and use Atoderm on dry cheeks or the body.

Is Atoderm Intensive Balm suitable for babies?

It is designed for all ages, including babies, but check the pack and ask your paediatrician if your baby has a persistent rash.

Is Sensibio H2O enough to remove sunscreen?

For light sunscreen and makeup it usually is. For water-resistant sunscreen or long-wear makeup, follow it with a proper cleanser, or start with a cleansing oil.

Which Bioderma cleanser is best for acne-prone skin?

The Sebium Gel Moussant is the usual choice. If it leaves your skin tight, switch to a gentler cleanser in the morning and keep Sebium for the evening.

Bottom line

Choose Sebium if your skin is oily or prone to breakouts, and Atoderm if it is dry, itchy or eczema-prone. The Atoderm Intensive Balm is the line's standout for very dry skin. Add Sensibio for gentle makeup removal, Hydrabio for dehydration, Cicabio for irritation and Photoderm for daily sun protection.