Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Dr. Barbara Sturm Darker Skin Tones Face Cream Rich versus Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Rich .
Published on May 30, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 18 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain Vitamin C and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols and oils
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.
General Moisturizer
All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.
General Moisturizer
All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.
Ingredient Info
Dr. Barbara Sturm Darker Skin Tones Face Cream Rich 47 ingredients
Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Rich 38 ingredients
Contains Alcohol
Ingredients in this product that are types of alcohol:
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
Contains Alcohol
Ingredients in this product that are types of alcohol:
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Dr. Barbara Sturm Darker Skin Tones Face Cream Rich 47 ingredients
Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Rich 38 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
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This product contains 7 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 5 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 4 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Darker Skin Tones Face Cream Rich 47 ingredients
Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Rich 38 ingredients
Water • Glyceryl Stearate Citrate • Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil • Glycerin • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Butylene Glycol • Cetearyl Alcohol • Cocoglycerides • Decyl Oleate • Lactobacillus/Portulaca Oleracea Ferment Extract • Coco-Caprylate • Squalane • Tocopheryl Acetate • Maris Aqua • Panthenol • Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract • Sodium Lactate • Sodium PCA • Allantoin • Teprenone • Sodium Hyaluronate • Hydrolyzed Algae Extract • Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate • Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract • Fructose • Glycine • Tocopherol • Inositol • Lactic Acid • Niacinamide • Urea • Oleanolic Acid • Ascorbic Acid • Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract • Carbomer • Maltodextrin • Xanthan Gum • Lecithin • Ethylhexylglycerin • Sodium Hydroxide • Disodium EDTA • Alcohol • Pantolactone • Ascorbyl Palmitate • Citric Acid • Sodium Benzoate • Phenoxyethanol
Water • Octyldodecanol • Urea • Glycerin • Butyrospermum Parkii Butter • Butter • Decyl Oleate • Zea Mays Germ Oil • C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate • Cetearyl Alcohol • Glyceryl Stearate • Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil • Lactobacillus/Portulaca Oleracea Ferment Extract • Persea Gratissima Oil • Sorbitol • Propanediol • Potassium Cetyl Phosphate • Tocopheryl Acetate • Dimethicone • Phenoxyethanol • Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides • Panthenol • Phytosterols • Olea Europaea Fruit Oil • Carbomer • Xanthan Gum • Ethylhexylglycerin • Potassium Sorbate • Leuconostoc Ferment Filtrate • Whey Filtrate • Alcohol • Sorbitan Oleate • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Baicalin • Ascorbyl Palmitate • Pantolactone • Citric Acid • Ascorbic Acid
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterDr. Barbara Sturm Darker Skin Tones Face Cream Rich contains this as ingredient number 1.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Rich contains this as ingredient number 1.
Glycerin 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 GlycerinDr. Barbara Sturm Darker Skin Tones Face Cream Rich contains this as ingredient number 4.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Rich contains this as ingredient number 4.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
Within a product, Caprylic Triglyceride can thicken the product and make spreadability easier by dissolving clumping compounds. An added benefit of Caprylic Triglyceride is its antioxidant properties.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Caprylic Triglyceride has not been found to be toxic for human use in concentrations under 50%.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideDr. Barbara Sturm Darker Skin Tones Face Cream Rich contains this as ingredient number 5.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Rich contains this as ingredient number 33.
Cetearyl 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 AlcoholDr. Barbara Sturm Darker Skin Tones Face Cream Rich contains this as ingredient number 7.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Rich contains this as ingredient number 10.
Decyl Oleate comes from decyl alcohol and oleic acid.
Decyl Oleate is an emollient. It helps moisturize the skin by creating a thin barrier on top to prevent moisture from escaping.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Decyl OleateDr. Barbara Sturm Darker Skin Tones Face Cream Rich contains this as ingredient number 9.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Rich contains this as ingredient number 7.
Lactobacillus/Portulaca Oleracea Ferment Extract is an antioxidant.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Darker Skin Tones Face Cream Rich contains this as ingredient number 10.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Rich contains this as ingredient number 13.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateDr. Barbara Sturm Darker Skin Tones Face Cream Rich contains this as ingredient number 13.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Rich contains this as ingredient number 18.
Panthenol (also referred to as pro-vitamin B5) is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin.
lt is a humectant, meaning that it helps the skin attract and retain moisture.
Another benefit is the anti-inflammatory abilities. This means that it's great for sensitive, irritation-prone skin.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
Learn more about PanthenolDr. Barbara Sturm Darker Skin Tones Face Cream Rich contains this as ingredient number 15.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Rich contains this as ingredient number 22.
Urea is also called carbamide and is the diamide of carbonic acid. In cosmetics, urea is used to hydrate the skin. It also provides exfoliation in higher concentrations.
As a humectant, urea helps draw moisture from the air and from deep within the skin. This helps hydrate your skin. Studies show urea is an effective moisturizer for dry skin conditions. 40% urea is typical in medications for treating eczema and other skin conditions.
Urea has the strongest exfoliation effect in concentrations higher than 10%. It is a keratolytic agent, meaning it breaks down the keratin protein in the top layer of skin. This helps remove dead skin cells and flaking skin.
In medicine, urea has been shown to help increase the potency of other ingredients, such as fungal treatments.
Humans and animals use urea to metabolize nitrogen-containing compounds. Urea is highly soluble in water. Once dissolved, it is neither acidic nor alkaline.
Learn more about UreaDr. Barbara Sturm Darker Skin Tones Face Cream Rich contains this as ingredient number 31.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Rich contains this as ingredient number 3.
Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C. This form makes up the largest amount of vitamin C found naturally in our skin.
Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, it also has plenty of benefits on your skin.
Vitamin C is best used for brightening skin. It improves dark spots, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation. This is because it blocks the process of skin darkening when exposed to UV.
Remember: Vitamin C should not replace sunscreen!
Your skin uses vitamin C to build collagen. Collagen is one key component in having a strong skin barrier and plump skin. Vitamin C also plays a role in regulating collagen, thus making it effective in improving wrinkles and fine lines.
Ascorbic acid shows potent antioxidant activity. As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. These antioxidants also protect skin against UV damage.
The best formulations include Vitamin E and/or ferulic acid. These two ingredients help stabilize and provide a boost in the benefits of ascorbic acid. This is because ascorbic acid becomes unstable when exposed to UV and air. In fact, you can tell your ascorbic acid has oxidized when it turns an orange-yellow color.
Ascorbic acid is generally compatible with other ingredients. However, using ascorbic acid with other active ingredients might cause irritation. Two ingredients: copper ions and benzoyl peroxide, will inactivate ascorbic acid completely.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.
Learn more about Ascorbic AcidDr. Barbara Sturm Darker Skin Tones Face Cream Rich contains this as ingredient number 33.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Rich contains this as ingredient number 38.
Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create gel consistency within products.
Carbomer is commonly found in many types of cosmetics products. It is found to be safe in concentrations up to 15%. However, a high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Most products contain 1% of less of carbomer.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Darker Skin Tones Face Cream Rich contains this as ingredient number 35.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Rich contains this as ingredient number 25.
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 GumDr. Barbara Sturm Darker Skin Tones Face Cream Rich contains this as ingredient number 37.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Rich contains this as ingredient number 26.
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Darker Skin Tones Face Cream Rich contains this as ingredient number 39.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Rich contains this as ingredient number 27.
Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is usually an astringent alcohol.
These alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Fatty alcohols come from plant oils such as coconut oil. These can help hydrate the skin and are non-irritating. Some fatty alcohols include cetyl and stearyl alcohol.
Learn more about AlcoholDr. Barbara Sturm Darker Skin Tones Face Cream Rich contains this as ingredient number 42.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Rich contains this as ingredient number 31.
Pantolactone is a synthetically created humectant.
As a humectant, Pantolactone helps draw moisture to the skin. It can help add hydration to your skin.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Darker Skin Tones Face Cream Rich contains this as ingredient number 43.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Rich contains this as ingredient number 36.
Ascorbyl Palmitate is created by combining pure Vitamin C and palmitic acid. It is an antioxidant and helps reduce hyperpigmentation.
Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, or molecules that may break down skin cells. Antioxdants help reduce signs of aging.
Ascorbyl Palmitate is a stable version of Vitamin C, meaning it does not disintegrate when exposed to sunlight. However, studies show it does not penetrate skin as well as pure Vitamin C.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Ascorbyl PalmitateDr. Barbara Sturm Darker Skin Tones Face Cream Rich contains this as ingredient number 44.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Rich contains this as ingredient number 35.
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidDr. Barbara Sturm Darker Skin Tones Face Cream Rich contains this as ingredient number 45.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Rich contains this as ingredient number 37.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Darker Skin Tones Face Cream Rich contains this as ingredient number 47.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Rich contains this as ingredient number 20.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Darker Skin Tones Face Cream Rich 47 ingredients
Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Rich 38 ingredients
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Dr. Barbara Sturm Darker Skin Tones Face Cream Rich 47 ingredients
Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Rich 38 ingredients
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Dr. Barbara Sturm Darker Skin Tones Face Cream Rich 47 ingredients
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