Dr. Barbara Sturm Brightening Face Serum
Works for
MoisturizingPanthenol, Glycerin + 6 moreWorks well
“* Extracts of Cress Sprouts combat the formation of dark and yellowish spots while Hyaluronic Acid provides intensive moisture”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, pantolactone.
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. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol
Evens skin toneLactobacillus/portulaca oleracea ferment extractNot delivered
“A unique blend of natural ingredients promotes an even, refined complexion and helps diminish the appearance of dark spots.”
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.
Anti-agingNo ingredient credited for this claimNot delivered
“Visibly brighter and more even skin with reduced signs of ageing with continued use.”
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: AlcoholMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Methylsilanol mannuronate~5.2–6.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glycerin~4–4.9%
- 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 GlycerinMethylpropanediol~3.1–3.8%
Lactobacillus/portulaca oleracea ferment extract~2.3–2.8%
- 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~2.1–2.5%
Butylene glycol~1.7–2%
- 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 glycolDimethylimidazolidinone rice starch~1.4–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Dimethylimidazolidinone rice starchPanthenol~1.2–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolPhenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolSodium potassium aluminum silicate~0.75–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerAlcohol~0.55–0.85%
- 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 AlcoholAllantoin~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinEthylhexylglycerin~0.5–0.75%
Lecithin~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinXanthan gum~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumPanax ginseng root extract~0.45–0.7%
- 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 extractSodium hydroxide~0.35–0.65%
Disodium edta~0.3–0.55%
Sodium hyaluronate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateAlteromonas ferment extract~0.25–0.45%
- 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 extractLeuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate~0.2–0.4%
- 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~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Soy isoflavones~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sorbic acid~0.15–0.25%
Citric 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 acidIron oxides~0.05–0.15%
- 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, Methylsilanol mannuronate, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Lactobacillus/portulaca oleracea ferment extract, Silica, Butylene glycol, Dimethylimidazolidinone rice starch, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium potassium aluminum silicate, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Alcohol, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lecithin, Xanthan gum, Panax ginseng root extract, Sodium hydroxide, Disodium edta, Sodium hyaluronate, Alteromonas ferment extract, Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, Pantolactone, Lepidium sativum sprout extract, Soy isoflavones, Sorbic acid, Citric acid, Iron oxides, Titanium dioxide
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
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 SerumYOUR PRODUCT | Mila MoursiHyaluronic Acid Restorative Elixir | L300INTENSIVE MOISTURE FACE SERUM | BABORDaily Bright Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 64% | 64% | 63% |
| Price | $320.00 | $98.00−$222.00 | — | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 7 | 4 of 7 | 4 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Acetyl Glucosamine | Niacinamide | 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: REVOLUTION SKINCARE Blemish Resurfacing and Recovery 2% Tranexamic Acid Serumendota spa Potent Brightening Serum
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 10 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 4
- 5
- 6Ginseng in Dermatology: A Reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.