PRODUCT REVIEW
Cheaper alternatives
Product summary
What can the product work for?
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
Dr. Barbara Sturm's Calming Serum rebalances irritated skin by helping to reduce redness and burning and restoring a healthy barrier function.The lightweight, lipid-based formula utilizes a potent, plant-based complex of ingredients including Cardiospermum, a vine that calms aggravated skin, Echium, which is rich in saturated fatty acids that help hydrate and soothe, Sunflower Seed Oil which helps neutralize free radicals in the skin and Purslane, an anti-aging powerhouse that helps reduce the visible signs of irritation.
biosaccharide gum-1
0.55% -
1.25%
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
0.1% -
0.3%
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
echium plantagineum seed oil
1% -
1.6%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
A plant oil that because of its high content of alpha-linolenic acid help support skin barrier function and moisturize the skin
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Anti-aging
What does the product description say?
Key Benefits Soothes the complexion When used over time, strengthens skin's natural defenses minimizing the skin's sensitized reaction Cardiospermum, Echium, and Sunflower Extract calms and rebalances irritated skin Purslane helps calm the skin and reduce the visible signs of irritation
prunus amygdalus dulcis oil
4.3% -
6.4%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
An emollient that softens the skin
tocopherol
0.1% -
0.3%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
Honesty check
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Moisturizing | |
| Anti-aging |
Total Promises Fulfilled score:
75/100.
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Can it cause trouble?
- Overall product irritation risk
- Acne & comedogenic risk ingredients: 1
Potential irritants
cardiospermum halicacabum flower/leaf/vine extract
0.4% -
0.95%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-oxidation,
Anti-inflammatory
A plant extract that might have some anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties but evidence is missing
echium plantagineum seed oil
1% -
1.6%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-inflammatory
A plant oil that because of its high content of alpha-linolenic acid help support skin barrier function and moisturize the skin
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
cetearyl alcohol
0.45% -
1.1%
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
User reviews (0)
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| WIMJ similarity score |
55%
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74%
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55%
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55%
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54%
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| Irritancy | IRRITANCY
LOW
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LOW
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LOW
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LOW
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LOW
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LOW
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LOW
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LOW
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LOW
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LOW
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LOW
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LOW
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Ingredients & concentrations
All ingredients
Key Actives
lactobacillus/portulaca oleracea ferment extract
1.7% -
2.5%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-inflammatory,
Reduces irritation,
Anti-blemish,
Reduces redness,
Evens skin tone
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
panthenol
1.3% -
1.9%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Reduces redness,
Reduces irritation
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
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Potential irritants
cardiospermum halicacabum flower/leaf/vine extract
0.4% -
0.95%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-oxidation,
Anti-inflammatory
A plant extract that might have some anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties but evidence is missing
echium plantagineum seed oil
1% -
1.6%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-inflammatory
A plant oil that because of its high content of alpha-linolenic acid help support skin barrier function and moisturize the skin
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
cetearyl alcohol
0.45% -
1.1%
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
prunus amygdalus dulcis oil
4.3% -
6.4%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-oxidation,
Anti-aging
An emollient that softens the skin
dicaprylyl carbonate
3.6% -
5.4%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
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Ingredient list view
Water, Prunus amygdalus dulcis oil, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Glycerin, Octyldodecanol, Lactobacillus/portulaca oleracea ferment extract, Glyceryl stearate, Panthenol, Echium plantagineum seed oil, Helianthus annuus seed oil unsaponifiables, Biosaccharide gum-1, Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, Cardiospermum halicacabum flower/leaf/vine extract, Cetearyl alcohol, Stearic acid, Carbomer, Sodium lauroyl glutamate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium hydroxide, Pantolactone, Tocopherol, Citric acid, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol
Sources
- Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
- Therapeutic Advantages of Medicinal Herbs fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum, in Topical Application and its Activities on Atopic Dermatitis
- Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulations
- Safety Assessment of Panthenol, Pantothenic Acid, and Derivatives as Used in Cosmetics
- Healing fats of the skin: the structural and immunologic roles of the omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids
- Evidence for the efficacy and safety of topical herbal drugs in dermatology: Part I: Anti-inflammatory agents
- Safety Assessment of Panthenol, Pantothenic Acid, and Derivatives as Used in Cosmetics
- Vitamin E in dermatology
- Vitamin E and Skin Health
- Dimethicone as a protective ingredient in topical medications