Dr. Barbara Sturm Darker Skin Tones Foam Cleanser
Works for
CleansingCocamidopropyl betaine, Sodium lauroyl glutamateCleanses gently
“Darker Skin Tones Foam Cleanser”
This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium lauroyl glutamate) and should be able to cleanse the skin gently. Still keep in mind that any cleansing can disrupt the skin barrier, and most people do not need to cleanse their skin more than once per day.
Even though this formulation is mild, the following cleansing agents could trigger an irritation or allergy for some people: cocamidopropyl betaine
ExfoliationUrea, Salicylic acidWorks well
“Salicylic acid removes impurities and helps exfoliate the skin”
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: salicylic acid.
Anti-blemishSalicylic acid, Lactobacillus/portulaca oleracea ferment extractWorks well
“The collection combines state of the art scientific advances with nature and its potent active ingredients nourish the skin, reduce inflammation and hyper-pigmentation, and even the skin tone, while minimising pores and helping to prevent breakouts.”
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: salicylic acid. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: AlcoholMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Salicylic acid~1.25–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
More about Salicylic acidWater~13–19%
Cocamidopropyl betaine~5.6–8.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen
More about Cocamidopropyl betaineSodium lauroyl glutamate~3–4.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used as a cleansing agent. It creates foam
More about Sodium lauroyl glutamateSodium chloride~2–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chloridePhenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCitric acid~1.3–2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidPanthenol~1.1–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolPropylene glycol~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolUrea~0.8–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin (urea makes up about 7% of natural moisturizing factors in skin). Attracts water to the upper layer of the skin. Also has a positive effect on the skin barrier beyond the humectant action. Can enhance penetration of other ingredients. Is an exfoliating ingredient when used in high concentrations
More about UreaLactobacillus/portulaca oleracea ferment extract~0.5–1.15%
- 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 extractGlycerin~0.4–0.95%
- 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 GlycerinEthylhexylglycerin~0.3–0.75%
Salicylic acid~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
More about Salicylic acidSodium hyaluronate~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateAlcohol~0.1–0.3%
- 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 AlcoholLeuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate~0.05–0.2%
- 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 filtrateTris(tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol) citrate~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pantolactone~0.01–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about PantolactoneIngredient list view
Salicylic acid, Water, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Sodium lauroyl glutamate, Sodium chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Citric acid, Panthenol, Propylene glycol, Urea, Lactobacillus/portulaca oleracea ferment extract, Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Salicylic acid, Sodium hyaluronate, Alcohol, Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, Tris(tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol) citrate, Pantolactone
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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 SturmDarker Skin Tones Foam CleanserYOUR PRODUCT | Face factsCeramide Blemish Foaming Cleanser | ROUND LAB1025 Dokdo Bubble Foam | PrequelTRAVEL GLEANSER + SA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 86% | 84% | 84% |
| Price | $80.00 | $7.82−$72.18 | $12.93−$67.07 | $6.00−$74.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 9 | 4 of 9 | 3 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate | Zinc Pca |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Medium | Low |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Bubble Skincare All ClearREVOLUTION SKINCARE Blemish Targeting Salicylic Acid Facial Gel Cleanser
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 15 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Beta Hydroxy Acidsfda.gov
- 3A review of toxicity from topical salicylic acid preparationssciencedirect.com
- 4
- 5Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 6
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