Dr. Barbara Sturm Brightening Face Cream
Works for
1 of 3 advertised claims delivered
MoisturizingPanthenol, Sodium hyaluronate + 16 moreStrong evidence
“Hyaluronic Acid provides intensive moisture”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
biosaccharide gum-1, glycerin.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: dimethicone, limnanthes alba seed oil.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol
Anti-agingLimnanthes alba seed oil, Ascorbyl palmitate + 1 moreLimited evidence
“Fine Lines and Wrinkles”
This product does not contain ingredients that are able to reduce fine lines and wrinkles or help with skin elasticity, but it can improve the look of the skin temporarily through moisturization. Well-moisturized skin might also be able to repair the sun damage better.
Evens skin toneLactobacillus/portulaca oleracea ferment extract, Ascorbic acidLimited evidence
“Brightening Face Cream”
This product contains ingredients (lactobacillus/portulaca oleracea ferment extract) that could help reduce hyperpigmentation (for example, post-acne marks or age spots) in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: AlcoholMedium risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
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Water~45–55%
Glycerin~4.4–5.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinCoco-caprylate~4.1–5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that softens skin and creates a nice product texture
More about Coco-caprylateMethylpropanediol~3–3.7%
Lactobacillus/portulaca oleracea ferment extract~2.2–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Obtained from fermenting a plant extract with bacteria Lactobacillus. The resulting compound might be able to calm down inflammation and have some anti-oxidant properties, but solid evidence is missing
More about Lactobacillus/portulaca oleracea ferment extractSilica~2–2.4%
Butylene glycol~1.6–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolBrassica campestris sterols~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Help soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Brassica campestris sterolsDicaprylyl ether~1.2–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin while creating a non-greasy feel on the skin. Helps to dissolve other ingredients
More about Dicaprylyl etherHydrogenated vegetable glycerides~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Help soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrogenated vegetable glyceridesLimnanthes alba seed oil~0.7–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
This oil's cmposition is closest to rapeseed oil. It is a very stable oil and serves as an emoillient
More about Limnanthes alba seed oilTocopheryl acetate~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateDimethicone~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconePanthenol~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolPhenoxyethanol~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPotassium cetyl phosphate~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Potassium cetyl phosphateSodium potassium aluminum silicate~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cetearyl alcohol~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholHydrogenated palm glycerides~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin
More about Hydrogenated palm glyceridesCocoglycerides~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
Help soften the upper layer of the skin and make it easier for oil and water mix together. Recently, a rising number of allergic reactions to cocoglycerides and other coconut-derived surfactants has been reported. As there is a significant overlap between frequent irritants and allergens, we flag this ingredient for attention of those with very sensitive, reactive skin
More about CocoglyceridesCarbomer~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerAlcohol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties
More about AlcoholXanthan gum~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumEthylhexylglycerin~0.2–0.4%
Lecithin~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinPanax ginseng root extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might have some anti-inflammatory properties, but solid evidence is lacking. It can be irritating
More about Panax ginseng root extractDisodium edta~0.2–0.4%
Sodium hyaluronate~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateSodium hydroxide~0.2–0.4%
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideAlteromonas ferment extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A marine extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. It is claimed to have anti-inflammatory properties but research is lacking
More about Alteromonas ferment extractBiosaccharide gum-1~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and is claimed to provide a longer-lasting hydration because of its ability to create a water-binding film on the surface of the skin
More about Biosaccharide gum-1Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A preservative that comes from radishes fermented by a bacteria. New research suggests that the preservation properties in the ingredient come from an ammonium salt that is not present naturally in radish root but used in its cultivation. Is problematic because the exact amount of the preservative agents is difficult to determine
More about Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtratePantolactone~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about PantolactoneLepidium sativum sprout extract~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Soy isoflavones~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ascorbyl palmitate~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable and can penetrate the skin better than L-Ascorbic acid. It is effective in protecting the skin from free radicals, as well as evening the skin tone, but is less effective in stimulating collagen production compared to L-Ascorbic acid.
More about Ascorbyl palmitateCitric acid~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidAscorbic acid~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
The most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of aging
More about Ascorbic acidIron oxides~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An umbrella term for the following three colorants: CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499. They might be able to offer some protection against visible light, but the degree of the protection is not clear
More about Iron oxidesTitanium dioxide~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
More about Titanium dioxideIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Coco-caprylate, Methylpropanediol, Lactobacillus/portulaca oleracea ferment extract, Silica, Butylene glycol, Brassica campestris sterols, Dicaprylyl ether, Hydrogenated vegetable glycerides, Limnanthes alba seed oil, Tocopheryl acetate, Dimethicone, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Sodium potassium aluminum silicate, Cetearyl alcohol, Hydrogenated palm glycerides, Cocoglycerides, Carbomer, Alcohol, Xanthan gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lecithin, Panax ginseng root extract, Disodium edta, Sodium hyaluronate, Sodium hydroxide, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Alteromonas ferment extract, Biosaccharide gum-1, Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, Pantolactone, Lepidium sativum sprout extract, Soy isoflavones, Ascorbyl palmitate, Citric acid, Ascorbic acid, Iron oxides, Titanium dioxide
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| Dr. Barbara SturmBrightening Face CreamYOUR PRODUCT | Lumixyl Skin BrighteningLumixyl Brightening Cream | MISSHAMISA Geum Sul Rejuvenating Cream | MarudermHyaluronic Acid Moisturizer Face & Body Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 61% | 60% | 60% |
| Price | $140.00 | — | — | $21.99−$118.01 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 10 | 7 of 10 | 5 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Decapeptide-1 | Niacinamide | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Medium | Low |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"Dr. Barbara Sturm - Brightening Face Cream" is a well-rounded moisturizing product. To work well, any moisturizer needs to include a combination of water-binding and emollient ingredients. Dr. Barbara Sturm - Brightening Face Cream ticks this box. Humectants in this product (panthenol, biosaccharide gum-1, glycerin, pantolactone and sodium hyaluronate) help to increase the water content in the upper layer of the skin. (These ingredients do so by "capturing" water molecules from the outside air or from within the deeper layers of the skin). Limnanthes alba seed oil, dimethicone, brassica campestris sterols, cetearyl alcohol and coco-caprylate in this product help decrease the water evoporation from the skin, so that it stays hydrated for longer. These ingredients also soften the skin and take away the feeling of tightness and dryness.
Ingredient callouts
- This product also contains Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid). It can be an effective active for anti-aging and evening out the skin tone, but in this moisturizer it is used for stabilizing other ingredients in the formulation. In this concentration (0.15% - 0.25%) it cannot have a noticeable benefit for the skin.
Irritation risk
This moisturizer contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Dr. Barbara Sturm" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails from 140.00$ up to 300.00$ in the United States, for 310.45A$ in Australia, from 140.00£ up to 306.58£ in the United Kingdom and for 265.00CA$ in Canada.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 11 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 5Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 6
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