Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Light
Works for
1 of 2 advertised claims delivered
MoisturizingPanthenol, Pistacia vera seed oil + 11 moreStrong evidence
“An active ingredient combination of Ginger, Bisabolol, and Panthenol moisturizes and calms irritated areas of the skin whilst Vegetable Lipids boost regeneration for vitality and youthful radiance.”
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:
pantolactone, sodium hyaluronate.
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: helianthus annuus seed oil, vitis vinifera seed oil.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol
Anti-agingTocopherolLimited evidence
“These powerful active ingredients provide comprehensive protection against cell aging.”
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: Zingiber officinale root extractMedium risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Butylene glycol~6.5–7.9%
- 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 glycolLactobacillus/portulaca oleracea ferment extract~4.4–5.4%
- 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 extractCoco-caprylate~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that softens skin and creates a nice product texture
More about Coco-caprylateDicaprylyl carbonate~2.4–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
More about Dicaprylyl carbonatePistacia vera seed oil~2–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Pistacia vera seed oilTocopheryl acetate~1.6–2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateVitis vinifera seed oil~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant properties
More about Vitis vinifera seed oilPanthenol~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 PhenoxyethanolPotassium cetyl phosphate~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Potassium cetyl phosphateCarbomer~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerCetearyl alcohol~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholHydrogenated vegetable glycerides~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Help soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrogenated vegetable glyceridesHydrogenated palm glycerides~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin
More about Hydrogenated palm glyceridesXanthan gum~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumEthylhexylglycerin~0.4–0.6%
Bisabolol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
More about BisabololSodium hydroxide~0.25–0.45%
Helianthus annuus seed oil~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
More about Helianthus annuus seed oilSodium hyaluronate~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateTocopherol~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- 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
More about TocopherolDisodium edta~0.15–0.3%
Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate~0.15–0.25%
- 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~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about PantolactoneCitric acid~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidZingiber officinale root extract~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can contain an irritating essential oil. Might have some anti-oxidant effect, but evidence is lacking
More about Zingiber officinale root extractIngredient list view
Water, Butylene glycol, Lactobacillus/portulaca oleracea ferment extract, Coco-caprylate, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Pistacia vera seed oil, Tocopheryl acetate, Vitis vinifera seed oil, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Carbomer, Cetearyl alcohol, Hydrogenated vegetable glycerides, Hydrogenated palm glycerides, Xanthan gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Bisabolol, Sodium hydroxide, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Sodium hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Disodium edta, Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, Pantolactone, Citric acid, Zingiber officinale root extract
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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 SturmFace Cream LightYOUR PRODUCT | celimaxDual Barrier Skin Wearable Cream 50ml | EmoliumPure face cream | CetaphilHydrating Night Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 60% | 59% | 58% |
| Price | $188.99 | $14.73−$174.26 | — | $1.32−$187.67 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 9 | 4 of 9 | 4 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Ceramide Ap | Glycerin | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Based on the ingredient list, "Dr. Barbara Sturm - Face Cream Light" can work well for skin moisturization. The formulation is based on a combination of good humectants and emollients. Both are needed to increase the skin hydration level. Panthenol, pantolactone, sodium hyaluronate and butylene glycol in this product (humectants) attract water molecules to the upper layer of the skin (the water comes from the outside air or from the deeper layers of the skin if the air is dry). Emollients in this formulation (vitis vinifera seed oil, helianthus annuus seed oil, cetearyl alcohol, coco-caprylate and hydrogenated vegetable glycerides) help to reduce the moisture loss from the skin. They also soften the skin surface and relieve the feeling of dryness and tightness.
Ingredient callouts
- This formulation also includes panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) at about 1.20% - 1.40% concentration. In this concentration, panthenol works effectively to improve the skin barrier and reduce inflammation.
Irritation risk
This formulation includes some common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Dr. Barbara Sturm" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails from 215.00$ up to 277.00$ in the United States, for 289.95CA$ in Canada, for 55.87A$ in Australia and from 130.00£ up to 201.00£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 15 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 4
- 5
- 6
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