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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Hourglass Cosmetics Equilibrium™ Biomimetic Skin Active Serum versus Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Rich .

Published on October 23, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 6 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 and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any common allergens, parabens or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Serum Brand
General Moisturizer German Brand Germany

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

General Moisturizer

All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.

Price

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Buy Equilibrium™ Biomimetic Skin Active Serum

Shop

Buy Face Cream Rich

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (3)
Redness Reducing
Skin Texture
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin C (2)
Vitamin E

Benefits

Hydrating (5)
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture
Brightening (4)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin (3)
Acne Trigger (3)
Irritating
Rosacea (2)
Eczema (2)
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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 Water

Hourglass Cosmetics Equilibrium™ Biomimetic Skin Active Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Rich contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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 Glycerin

Hourglass Cosmetics Equilibrium™ Biomimetic Skin Active Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.

Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Rich contains this as ingredient number 4.

3
What it does: Solvent
Community Rating: Liked

Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.

Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use.

It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.

Learn more about Propanediol

Hourglass Cosmetics Equilibrium™ Biomimetic Skin Active Serum contains this as ingredient number 5.

Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Rich contains this as ingredient number 16.

4
What it does: Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

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 Acetate

Hourglass Cosmetics Equilibrium™ Biomimetic Skin Active Serum contains this as ingredient number 11.

Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Rich contains this as ingredient number 18.

5
What it does: Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

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 Gum

Hourglass Cosmetics Equilibrium™ Biomimetic Skin Active Serum contains this as ingredient number 19.

Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Rich contains this as ingredient number 26.

6
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

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.

Hourglass Cosmetics Equilibrium™ Biomimetic Skin Active Serum contains this as ingredient number 25.

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.

40% are loved or liked
8% have mixed ratings
24% are disliked or very disliked
28% have no rating yet
32% are loved or liked
11% have mixed ratings
47% are disliked or very disliked
11% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Hourglass Cosmetics Equilibrium™ Biomimetic Skin Active Serum 25 ingredients

Equilibrium™ Biomimetic Skin Active Serum hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Rich 38 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating

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