Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum
Works for
MoisturizingCeramide np, Panthenol + 16 moreWorks well
“Aloe Vera and Hyaluronic Acid provide intensive moisture and hydration.”
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, caprylic/capric triglyceride.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: ceramide np, panthenol
Anti-agingButyrospermum parkii butter, Polygonum bistorta root extract + 1 moreNot delivered
“The serum boosts the formation of collagen, leading to firmer and more youthful-looking skin.”
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.This ingredient - butyrospermum parkii butter - could be helpful for preventing or repairing signs of aging in theory, but there is no evidence that it actually works.
Evens skin toneLactobacillus/portulaca oleracea ferment extractNot delivered
“Improve skin tone and reduce the signs of uneven pigmentation with this gentle Vitamin C face serum.”
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy13 flagged ingredientsLow risk
Comedogenic3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale3 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
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Water~45–55%
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~6.9–8.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideDecyl oleate~4.5–5.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Decyl oleateButyrospermum parkii butter~3.3–4.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
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
More about Butyrospermum parkii butterGlycerin~2.5–3.1%
- 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 GlycerinHydrogenated lecithin~2–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to retain moisture by creating a protective barrier on the skin. Rich in fatty acids. Improves product texture and helps with the penetration of other ingredients.
More about Hydrogenated lecithinPentylene glycol~1.8–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolLactobacillus/portulaca oleracea ferment extract~1.4–1.7%
- 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 extractOlea europaea fruit oil~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin but is not effective for restoring its barrier function. Might be helpful to calm down inflammation
More about Olea europaea fruit oilPersea gratissima oil~1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin and could be helpful in repairing its barrier function
More about Persea gratissima oilTocopheryl acetate~0.7–1.1%
- 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 acetateCeramide np~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Ceramide npSodium hyaluronate~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronatePolygonum bistorta root extract~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant properties and is claimed by its manufacturer to be able to decrease lines and wrinkles but evidence is lacking
More about Polygonum bistorta root extractLeuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate~0.45–0.7%
- 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 filtratePlankton extract~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Plankton extractPhenoxyethanol~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPanthenol~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolC12-16 alcohols~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and improve the product's texture
More about C12-16 alcoholsPalmitic acid~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that is naturally present in skin and helps soften it
More about Palmitic acidSqualane~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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.
More about SqualaneXanthan gum~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumCarbomer~0.25–0.45%
- 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 CarbomerEthylhexylglycerin~0.25–0.4%
Helianthus annuus seed oil~0.25–0.45%
- 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 oilTocopherol~0.2–0.4%
- 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 TocopherolTeprenone~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium hydroxide~0.15–0.3%
Hexylene glycol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps create a more spreadable product texture
More about Hexylene glycolPantolactone~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about PantolactoneCaprylyl glycol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolCitric acid~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidIngredient list view
Water, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Decyl oleate, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Glycerin, Hydrogenated lecithin, Pentylene glycol, Lactobacillus/portulaca oleracea ferment extract, Olea europaea fruit oil, Persea gratissima oil, Tocopheryl acetate, Ceramide np, Sodium hyaluronate, Polygonum bistorta root extract, Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, Plankton extract, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, C12-16 alcohols, Palmitic acid, Squalane, Xanthan gum, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Tocopherol, Teprenone, Sodium hydroxide, Hexylene glycol, Pantolactone, Caprylyl glycol, Citric acid
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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 SturmThe Good C Vitamin C SerumYOUR PRODUCT | VitamasquesBarrier Repair Serum | colibri skincareBarrier Booster | Elizabeth GrantProfessional Institute Ceramide Drops Duo | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 56% | 54% | 53% |
| Price | $160.00 | $19.99−$140.01 | — | $26.00−$134.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 12 | 7 of 12 | 5 of 12 |
| Key difference | — | Glyceryl Glucoside | Niacinamide | Allantoin |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: INNBEAUTY PROJECT Elastic Skin Firming & Plumping Vegan Growth Factor Serum with Copper PeptidesBalea Vital Plus Ceramide Serum
Product summary
"Dr. Barbara Sturm - The Good C Vitamin C Serum" could be helpful for: Moisturizing, Anti-aging, Anti-inflammatory, Evens skin tone and Anti-oxidation, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- This product also contains Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid). It can be an effective active for anti-aging and evening out the skin tone, but in this product it is used for stabilizing other ingredients in the formulation. In this concentration (0.55% - 0.80%) it cannot have a noticeable benefit for the skin.
- Humectants (zinc pca 0.45% - 0.70%, glycerin 4.30% - 5.30% and sodium hyaluronate 0.90% - 1.10%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Dr. Barbara Sturm" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails from 121.00$ up to 190.00$ in the United States and from 110.00£ up to 166.00£ 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 18 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Use of “natural” oils for moisturization: Review of olive, coconut, and sunflower seed oilonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 4
- 5
- 6Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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