Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Light by Dr Barbara Sturm

Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Light by Dr Barbara Sturm

Efficacy100/100IrritancyMedium
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Works for

1 of 1 advertised claim delivered

Moisturizing
13 ingredients credited for this claim
Strong support
What the product description says
“Face Cream Light by Dr Barbara Sturm”
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: 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

Pistacia vera seed oilKey activeEffect: HighHelps soften the upper layer of the skin~2–2.4%
PanthenolHero· HumectantEffect: HighHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function~1.2–1.4%
PantolactoneKey active· HumectantEffect: HighHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin~0.1–0.2%
Vitis vinifera seed oilKey active· EmollientEffect: HighA great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant properties~1.5–1.8%
Helianthus annuus seed oilKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA 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~0.25–0.5%
Sodium hyaluronateKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.2–0.4%
Hydrogenated vegetable glyceridesKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumHelp soften the upper layer of the skin~0.5–0.75%
Cetearyl alcoholKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture~0.6–0.9%
Coco-caprylateKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumAn emollient that softens skin and creates a nice product texture~3.2–3.9%
Butylene glycol· HumectantEffect: LowUsed 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~6.5–7.9%
Hydrogenated palm glycerides· EmollientEffect: LowAn emollient that softens the skin~0.45–0.7%
Dicaprylyl carbonate· EmollientEffect: LowHelps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin~2.4–3%
TocopherolEffect: Low, below effective dosePure 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~0.2–0.35%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
1 strong irritant: Zingiber officinale root extract
Medium risk
We flagged 9 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Zingiber officinale root extractA plant extract that can contain an irritating essential oil. Might have some anti-oxidant effect, but evidence is lackingHigh~0.05–0.1%est.
Coco-caprylateAn emollient that softens skin and creates a nice product textureMedium~3.2–3.9%est.
Tocopheryl acetateA 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.Medium~1.6–2%est.
Vitis vinifera seed oilA great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant propertiesMedium~1.5–1.8%est.
Potassium cetyl phosphateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.7–1.05%est.
EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeMedium~0.4–0.6%est.
Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationMedium~0.15–0.3%est.
Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrateA 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 determineMedium~0.15–0.25%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.05–0.15%est.
Comedogenic
1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
1 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Cetearyl alcoholA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture2/5~0.6–0.9%est.
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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~45–55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Butylene glycol~6.5–7.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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 glycol
Lactobacillus/portulaca oleracea ferment extract~4.4–5.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-inflammatoryAnti-blemishReduces irritationEvens skin toneReduces redness

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 extract
Coco-caprylate~3.2–3.9%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

An emollient that softens skin and creates a nice product texture

More about Coco-caprylate
Dicaprylyl carbonate~2.4–3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin

More about Dicaprylyl carbonate
Pistacia vera seed oil~2–2.4%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Pistacia vera seed oil
Tocopheryl acetate~1.6–2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidation

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 acetate
Vitis vinifera seed oil~1.5–1.8%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

A great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant properties

More about Vitis vinifera seed oil
Panthenol~1.2–1.4%
Hero · Moisturizing
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingReduces rednessReduces irritation

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function

More about Panthenol
Phenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Potassium cetyl phosphate~0.7–1.05%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Potassium cetyl phosphate
Carbomer~0.55–0.85%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations

More about Carbomer
Cetearyl alcohol~0.6–0.9%
Key activeComedogenic 2/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
2/5
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture

More about Cetearyl alcohol
Hydrogenated vegetable glycerides~0.5–0.75%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

Help soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Hydrogenated vegetable glycerides
Hydrogenated palm glycerides~0.45–0.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

An emollient that softens the skin

More about Hydrogenated palm glycerides
Xanthan gum~0.45–0.65%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.4–0.6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Ethylhexylglycerin
Bisabolol~0.25–0.45%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Reduces irritationAnti-inflammatoryAnti-oxidation

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 Bisabolol
Sodium hydroxide~0.25–0.45%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide
Helianthus annuus seed oil~0.25–0.5%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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 oil
Sodium hyaluronate~0.2–0.4%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin

More about Sodium hyaluronate
Tocopherol~0.2–0.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidationAnti-agingMoisturizingAnti-inflammatory

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 Tocopherol
Disodium edta~0.15–0.3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Stabilizes the product formulation

More about Disodium edta
Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate~0.15–0.25%
Irritant · medium
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 filtrate
Pantolactone~0.1–0.2%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Pantolactone
Citric acid~0.05–0.15%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH

More about Citric acid
Zingiber officinale root extract~0.05–0.1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-oxidation

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 extract
Ingredient 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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Amazon USPrice as of 10/15/2026 03:17 GMT
$230.00
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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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
Dr. Barbara SturmFace Cream Light by Dr Barbara SturmYOUR PRODUCTcelimaxDual Barrier Skin Wearable CreamEmoliumPure face creamRilastilAcnestil Attiva Cream
Match—60%59%58%
Price$178.48$20.75−$157.73—$24.44−$154.04
Shared key ingredients—3 of 94 of 94 of 9
Key difference—Ceramide ApGlycerinNiacinamide
Irritancy Medium Low Low Low
Drying alcohol————
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Product summary

"Dr. Barbara Sturm - Face Cream Light by Dr Barbara Sturm" is a well-rounded moisturizing product. To work well, any moisturizer needs to include a combination of water-binding and emollient ingredients. Dr. Barbara Sturm - Face Cream Light by Dr Barbara Sturm ticks this box. Humectants in this product (panthenol, pantolactone, sodium hyaluronate and butylene glycol) help to increase the water content in the upper layer of the skin. (These ingredients do so by "capturing" water molecules from the outside air or from within the deeper layers of the skin). Vitis vinifera seed oil, helianthus annuus seed oil, cetearyl alcohol, coco-caprylate and hydrogenated vegetable glycerides in this product help decrease the water evoporation from the skin, so that it stays hydrated for longer. These ingredients also soften the skin and take away the feeling of tightness and dryness.

Ingredient callouts

  • An effective concentration of Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) - about 1.20% - 1.40%. Panthenol helps strengthen the skin barrier, improve hydration and reduce inflammation in skin.
This product contains ingredients that could be beneficial, but their concentrations are too low in this formulation: vitamin e

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 for 135.00£ 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.

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Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Light by Dr Barbara Sturm
Dr. Barbara SturmFace Cream Light by Dr Barbara Sturm

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.