BYOMA Moisturizing Gel-Cream Versus Dr. Barbara Sturm Microbiotic Balancing Face Cream
Updated on December 03, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, parabens, silicones or sulfates
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
BYOMA Moisturizing Gel-Cream 19 ingredients
Dr. Barbara Sturm Microbiotic Balancing Face Cream 38 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
BYOMA Moisturizing Gel-Cream 19 ingredients
Dr. Barbara Sturm Microbiotic Balancing Face Cream 38 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Oleic Acid
Emollient
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Tromethamine
BufferingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Niacinamide, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Stearic Acid, Oleic Acid, Lactic Acid, Tromethamine, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol
Water
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Decyl Oleate
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Propanediol
SolventCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides
EmollientBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCocoglycerides
Emollient
Dimethylimidazolidinone Rice Starch
AbsorbentTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Buddleja Officinalis Flower Extract
UV FilterAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Maclura Cochinchinensis Leaf Prenylflavonoids
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Glycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides
Emollient
Sorbitol
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPantolactone
HumectantSodium Benzoate
Masking
Acetic Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Octyldodecanol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Decyl Oleate, Squalane, Propanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Cocoglycerides, Dimethylimidazolidinone Rice Starch, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Buddleja Officinalis Flower Extract, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Asiaticoside, Maclura Cochinchinensis Leaf Prenylflavonoids, Lactic Acid, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, Sorbitol, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Pantolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Acetic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinLactic Acid is an AHA that is derived from fermenting lactose, a carbohydrate from milk. It removes the top layer of old and dead skin cells and helps increase cell turnover.
Benefits of Lactic Acid are that it can help to reduce large pores and reduce the effects of aging. Some potential downsides are that it can be bad for dry skin, cause irritation, worsen eczema, and worsen rosacea.
Not only does it help exfoliate the skin, it helps strengthen the skin's barrier. When applied, lactic acid helps the skin create ceramides.
Lactic acid is an over-the-counter chemical exfoliant that comes from the fermentation of lactose — a carbohydrate found in milk.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidCetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
BYOMA Moisturizing Gel-Cream 19 ingredients
Dr. Barbara Sturm Microbiotic Balancing Face Cream 38 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
BYOMA Moisturizing Gel-Cream 19 ingredients
Pros: Lightweight product texture, long-lasting hydration, not contributing to any breakouts, great ingredients for skin barrier support, affordable + worth the money.
Cons: Not great for super dry days (esp. in cold weather), can't be used as a "moisture bomb" overnight due to thin texture, pump can be difficult sometimes.
Very good product for my skin type very good moisturizer very smoothing
