"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.

This product contains ingredients that could be beneficial, but their concentrations are too low in this formulation: lecithin, titanium dioxide, vitamin c and caprylic/capric triglyceride

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.

What can the product work for?

Works for

Moisturizing

Moisturizing

What does the product description say?

Hyaluronic Acid provides intensive moisture and Ginseng Extract and Vitamin E help supports the skin's protection against free radical, environmental stressors.

Source: Candour Beauty

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

sodium hyaluronate 0.2% - 0.4%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin

biosaccharide gum-1 0.2% - 0.4%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

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

dimethicone 0.55% - 0.8%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

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

Anti-aging

What does the product description say?

Dark Spots, Fine Lines and Wrinkles, and Dullness and Uneven Texture Formulation.

Source: Sephora

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.

limnanthes alba seed oil 0.7% - 1%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: LOW

This oil's cmposition is closest to rapeseed oil. It is a very stable oil and serves as an emoillient

ascorbic acid 0.15% - 0.25%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Insufficient!

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

ascorbyl palmitate 0.15% - 0.3%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Insufficient!

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.

Evens skin tone

What does the product description say?

Vitamin E protects against free radicals for glowing, more even-looking skin.

Source: Sephora

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.

lactobacillus/portulaca oleracea ferment extract 2.2% - 2.7%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: 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

ascorbic acid 0.15% - 0.25%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Insufficient!

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

Honesty check

Buy now

Can it cause trouble?

User reviews (0)

Ingredients & concentrations

All ingredients

Key Actives

lactobacillus/portulaca oleracea ferment extract 2.2% - 2.7%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Anti-inflammatory, Reduces irritation, Anti-blemish, Evens skin tone, Reduces redness

limnanthes alba seed oil 0.7% - 1%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Moisturizing, Anti-aging, Anti-oxidation

This oil's cmposition is closest to rapeseed oil. It is a very stable oil and serves as an emoillient

Search top rated products by actives

Potential irritants

cocoglycerides 0.3% - 0.55%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Cleansing, Moisturizing

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

alcohol 0.25% - 0.45%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Antibacterial

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

Comodogenic ingredients

cetearyl alcohol 0.35% - 0.65%

Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium

Works for: Cleansing, Moisturizing

A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture

All ingredients

water 45% - 55%

Irritation risk:

Plain old water

glycerin 4.4% - 5.4%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant

coco-caprylate 4.1% - 5%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Moisturizing

An emollient that softens skin and creates a nice product texture

Ingredient 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, Ci 77491, Titanium dioxide, Ci 77891

	Dr. Barbara Sturm - Brightening Face Cream	celimax - Dual Barrier Skin Wearable Cream Sponsored	Lumixyl Skin Brightening - Lumixyl Brightening Cream	MISSHA - MISA Geum Sul Rejuvenating Cream	Cetaphil - Redness Relieving Night Moisturizer	celimax - Dual Barrier Skin Wearable Cream	Maruderm - Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer Face & Body Cream	Altruist - Moisturising Fluid 0.5% Hyaluronic Acid	Eucerin - AQUAporin Active for Dry and Sensitive Skin	Gold Bond - Pure Moisture	Hero Cosmetics - Rescue Balm Red Correct	Aveda - botanical kinetics all-sensitive lotion
Price
WIMJ similarity score		55%	56%	55%	55%	55%	55%	55%	54%	54%	54%	54%
Key ingredients	panthenol biosaccharide gum-1 +8 more	Common: panthenol sodium hyaluronate +3 more Other: ceramide ap ceramide as +6 more	Common: panthenol glycerin +4 more Other: decapeptide-1 emblica officinalis fruit extract +2 more	Common: panthenol biosaccharide gum-1 +5 more Other: niacinamide adenosine +9 more	Common: panthenol caprylic/capric triglyceride +3 more Other: niacinamide ceramide np +5 more	Common: panthenol sodium hyaluronate +3 more Other: ceramide ap ceramide as +6 more	Common: panthenol dimethicone +3 more Other: niacinamide urea +7 more	Common: panthenol dimethicone +3 more Other: urea cetyl dimethicone +1 more	Common: panthenol caprylic/capric triglyceride +3 more Other: glyceryl glucoside glycine +3 more	Common: panthenol caprylic/capric triglyceride +3 more Other: niacinamide 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid +12 more	Common: panthenol caprylic/capric triglyceride +3 more Other: copper tripeptide-1 oligopeptide-32 +7 more	Common: panthenol caprylic/capric triglyceride +3 more Other: avena sativa kernel extract simmondsia chinensis seed oil +2 more
Irritancy	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW
Potential Irritants	ascorbic acid Has skin benefit? panax ginseng root extract Has skin benefit? +12 more	disodium edta Has skin benefit? ethylhexylglycerin Has skin benefit? +6 more	phenylethyl resorcinol Has skin benefit? chlorphenesin Has skin benefit? +7 more	sophora angustifolia root extract Has skin benefit? salvia miltiorrhiza root extract Has skin benefit? +18 more	bht Has skin benefit? disodium edta Has skin benefit? +9 more	disodium edta Has skin benefit? ethylhexylglycerin Has skin benefit? +6 more	lactic acid Has skin benefit? sodium lactate Has skin benefit? +4 more	propylene glycol Has skin benefit? silver chloride Has skin benefit? +4 more	caprylyl glycol Has skin benefit? tocopheryl acetate Has skin benefit? +5 more	3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid Has skin benefit? behenic acid Has skin benefit? +9 more	ethylhexylglycerin Has skin benefit? 1,2-hexanediol Has skin benefit? +5 more	caprylyl glycol Has skin benefit? glyceryl laurate Has skin benefit? +9 more
All ingredients	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +41 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +37 more	water Has skin benefit? caprylic/capric triglyceride Has skin benefit? +24 more	saccharomyces/panax ginseng root ferment filtrate Has skin benefit? water Has skin benefit? +71 more	water Has skin benefit? caprylic/capric triglyceride Has skin benefit? +29 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +37 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +24 more	water Has skin benefit? dimethicone Has skin benefit? +21 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +22 more	water Has skin benefit? hydroxyethyl urea Has skin benefit? +31 more	water Has skin benefit? hydrogenated polyisobutene Has skin benefit? +35 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +26 more

PRODUCT REVIEW

Dr. Barbara Sturm Brightening Face Cream

Works for:

Doesn't work for:

Can it cause trouble?

Key actives

Cheaper alternatives

Product summary

Ingredient callouts

Irritation risk

About the brand

Price

What can the product work for?

Works for

Does not work for

Moisturizing

What does the product description say?

Anti-aging

What does the product description say?

Evens skin tone

What does the product description say?

Honesty check

How honest is this product?

Buy now

US Retailers

AU Retailers

UK Retailers

CA Retailers

Can it cause trouble?

Potential irritants

Comodogenic ingredients

User reviews (0)

Similar products & dupes

Ingredients & concentrations

All ingredients

Key Actives

Potential irritants

Comodogenic ingredients

All ingredients

Ingredient list view

Sources