"Dr. Barbara Sturm - Face Cream" has a good moisturizing formula. This moisturizer uses a good combo of humectants and emollients. These both types of ingredients are essentials for improving the skin hydration and keeping the skin barrier healthy. Panthenol, glycerin, pantolactone and sorbitol in this product (humectants) attract water molecules to the upper layer of the skin (the water comes from the outside air or from the deeper layers of the skin if the air is dry). Emollients in this formulation (butyrospermum parkii butter, dimethicone, squalane, c12-15 alkyl benzoate and cetearyl alcohol) help to reduce the moisture loss from the skin. They also soften the skin surface and relieve the feeling of dryness and tightness.

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 (0.05% - 0.20%) it cannot have a noticeable benefit for the skin.
This formulation also includes panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) at about 4.30% - 6.50% concentration. In this concentration, panthenol works effectively to improve the skin barrier and reduce inflammation.

Irritation risk

This formulation includes some common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide 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 75.00$ up to 291.00$ in the United States, for 594.16A$ in Australia, from 140.00£ up to 155.00£ in the United Kingdom and for 89.00CA$ in Canada.

For a detailed price comparison: click here.

What can the product work for?

Does not work for

Evens skin tone

Anti-aging

What does the product description say?

It strengthens skin barrier function thus preventing and reducing significant signs of aging.

Source: Sephora

This product contains tocopherol. This ingredient help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they might be able to prevent early signs of aging (like fine lines and wrinkles), at least to some extent. These ingredients will not be able to "reverse" signs of aging.

butyrospermum parkii butter 3% - 4.6%

Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High

Concentration: Effectiveness: LOW

A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals

tocopherol 7.8% - 11.6%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: LOW

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

ascorbic acid 0.05% - 0.2%

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

Moisturizing

What does the product description say?

Face Cream

Source: From product name

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: glycerin, pantolactone.

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: butyrospermum parkii butter, dimethicone.

The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol

glycerin 1.3% - 1.9%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

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

squalane 3.9% - 5.9%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.

pantolactone 0.1% - 0.35%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin

Anti-oxidation

This product contains antioxidants (tocopherol) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).

tocopherol 7.8% - 11.6%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

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

butyrospermum parkii butter 3% - 4.6%

Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High

Concentration: Effectiveness: LOW

A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals

ascorbic acid 0.05% - 0.2%

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

Evens skin tone

What does the product description say?

Loss of Firmness and Elasticity, Fine Lines and Wrinkles, and Dullness and Uneven Texture Formulation.

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 0.45% - 1%

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 0.05% - 0.2%

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

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Can it cause trouble?

User reviews (0)

Ingredients & concentrations

All ingredients

Key Actives

lactobacillus/portulaca oleracea ferment extract 0.45% - 1%

Irritation risk:

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

tocopherol 7.8% - 11.6%

Irritation risk:

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

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

Search top rated products by actives

Potential irritants

rosa damascena extract 25% - 37%

Irritation risk:

Oil of a very fragrant pink rose used as fragrance in cosmetics. Extensive research has shown it has mixed benefits. In the pro column, inhaling this flower’s scent seems to have relaxing properties and the plant’s petals contain skin-soothing and antioxidant compounds that can benefit skin. On the flipside, the numerous chemicals that create this rose’s distinctive fragrance pose a risk of causing skin aggravation.

cocoglycerides 0.45% - 1.05%

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

Comodogenic ingredients

butyrospermum parkii butter 3% - 4.6%

Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High

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

A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals

butyrospermum parkii butter 1.1% - 1.7%

Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High

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

A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals

All ingredients

rosa damascena extract 25% - 37%

Irritation risk:

tocopherol 7.8% - 11.6%

Irritation risk:

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

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

panthenol 4.3% - 6.5%

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

Ingredient list view

Rosa damascena extract, Tocopherol, Panthenol, Squalane, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Water, Octyldodecanol, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Glycerin, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Decyl oleate, Zea mays germ oil, Cetearyl alcohol, Glyceryl stearate, Lactobacillus/portulaca oleracea ferment extract, Sorbitol, Propanediol, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Cocoglycerides, Dimethicone, Tocopheryl acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrogenated palm glycerides, Panthenol, Squalane, Carbomer, Xanthan gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium sorbate, Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, Alcohol, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Baicalin, Pantolactone, Ascorbyl palmitate, Citric acid, Ascorbic acid

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Price
WIMJ similarity score		59%	60%	60%	60%	59%	59%	58%	58%	57%	57%	57%
Key ingredients	panthenol panthenol +10 more	Common: panthenol panthenol +4 more Other: madecassoside madecassoside +4 more	Common: panthenol dimethicone +5 more Other: niacinamide lactic acid +12 more	Common: panthenol dimethicone +3 more Other: madecassoside dimethiconol +2 more	Common: panthenol dimethicone +3 more Other: niacinamide urea +7 more	Common: panthenol panthenol +4 more Other: madecassoside madecassoside +4 more	Common: panthenol dimethicone +2 more Other: ceramide np	Common: panthenol caprylic/capric triglyceride +3 more Other: creatine ubiquinone	Common: panthenol butyrospermum parkii butter +2 more Other:	Common: panthenol butyrospermum parkii butter +4 more Other: glycine soja oil helianthus annuus seed oil +2 more	Common: panthenol glycerin +2 more Other: urea ceramide ap +8 more	Common: panthenol squalane +2 more Other: madecassoside ceramide np +6 more
Irritancy	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW
Potential Irritants	ascorbic acid Has skin benefit? alcohol Has skin benefit? +10 more	disodium edta Has skin benefit? madecassoside Has skin benefit? +3 more	ci 19140 Has skin benefit? ascorbic acid Has skin benefit? +16 more	citric acid Has skin benefit? myristic acid Has skin benefit? +7 more	lactic acid Has skin benefit? sodium lactate Has skin benefit? +4 more	disodium edta Has skin benefit? madecassoside Has skin benefit? +3 more	pentylene glycol Has skin benefit? glycyrrhiza inflata root extract Has skin benefit? +3 more	cocoglycerides Has skin benefit? ethylhexylglycerin Has skin benefit? +5 more	citric acid Has skin benefit? dehydroacetic acid Has skin benefit? +2 more	rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract Has skin benefit? propylene glycol Has skin benefit? +10 more	benzyl alcohol Has skin benefit? ethylhexylglycerin Has skin benefit? +7 more	ethylhexylglycerin Has skin benefit? 1,2-hexanediol Has skin benefit? +8 more
All ingredients	rosa damascena extract Has skin benefit? tocopherol Has skin benefit? +35 more	helianthus annuus seed oil Has skin benefit? butyrospermum parkii butter Has skin benefit? +20 more	water Has skin benefit? squalane Has skin benefit? +49 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +27 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +24 more	helianthus annuus seed oil Has skin benefit? butyrospermum parkii butter Has skin benefit? +20 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +17 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +21 more	water Has skin benefit? dimethicone Has skin benefit? +15 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +39 more	water Has skin benefit? carthamus tinctorius oleosomes Has skin benefit? +28 more	water Has skin benefit? urea Has skin benefit? +31 more

PRODUCT REVIEW

Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream

Works for:

Doesn't work for:

Can it cause trouble?

Key actives

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Product summary

Ingredient callouts

Irritation risk

About the brand

Price

What can the product work for?

Works for

Does not work for

Anti-aging

What does the product description say?

Moisturizing

What does the product description say?

Anti-oxidation

Evens skin tone

What does the product description say?

Honesty check

How honest is this product?

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Can it cause trouble?

Potential irritants

Comodogenic ingredients

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Ingredients & concentrations

All ingredients

Key Actives

Potential irritants

Comodogenic ingredients

All ingredients

Ingredient list view

Sources