Explore Routine Login

Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo versus Dr. Barbara Sturm Balancing Shampoo .

Published on January 02, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe shampoos. 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 dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores, scar healing and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, 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.

Shampoo American Brand United States
Shampoo German Brand Germany

Shampoo

Detergent or soap for cleansing the hair.

Shampoo

Detergent or soap for cleansing the hair.

Price

Shop

Buy No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo

Starts at $30.00
Shop

Buy Balancing Shampoo

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

AHA
Vitamin E
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (4)
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (2)
Dark Spots
Scar Healing (2)
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating (2)
Rosacea (2)
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

AHA

Benefits

Hydrating
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Scar Healing
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying
Acne Trigger
Irritating
Rosacea (2)
Eczema
Join our community

Build your routine, track which ingredients work for you, and much more with your free account.

Join SkinSort

Ingredients Compared

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

WaterSodium Lauroyl Methyl IsethionateCocamidopropyl HydroxysultainePotassium Cocoyl GlycinateDisodium Cocoyl GlutamatePotassium CocoateSodium Lauroyl SarcosinateGlycereth-26Decyl GlucosideParfumPhenoxyethanolCocamidopropylamine OxideSodium Cocoyl GlutamateGlycol DistearateDisodium Laureth SulfosuccinateMethyl Gluceth-20Acrylates CopolymerPeg-120 Methyl Glucose DioleateAmodimethiconePolyquaternium-10 Citric AcidEthylhexylglycerinSodium Lauryl SulfoacetateDivinyldimethicone/Dimethicone CopolymerChlorphenesinPolyquaternium-11Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium ChlorideC11-15 Pareth-7Trisodium Ethylenediamine DisuccinateLaureth-9GlycerinTrideceth-12PanthenolHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl SilanetriolC12-13 Pareth-3C12-13 Pareth-23Helianthus Annuus Seed OilTocopherolPseudozyma Epicola/Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil Ferment Extract FiltrateArgania Spinosa Kernel OilRice Ferment FiltratePrunus Armeniaca Kernel OilQuaternium-95PropanediolHelianthus Annuus Seed ExtractPeg-8Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol DimaleateEuterpe Oleracea Fruit ExtractRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf ExtractPunica Granatum ExtractOriganum Vulgare Leaf ExtractMusa Sapientum Fruit ExtractMorinda Citrifolia Fruit ExtractSodium HyaluronatePeg-8/Smdi CopolymerArctium Lappa Root ExtractSodium PolyacrylatePalmitoyl Myristyl SerinateCitralHexyl CinnamalLimoneneBiotinPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate

Ingredients Side-by-side

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

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

Loading ingredients...

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

Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo contains this as ingredient number 1.

Dr. Barbara Sturm Balancing Shampoo contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Cleansing, Emulsifying, Foaming, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate is a cleansing agent and emulsifier. It is a surfactant derived from sarcosine, and a common source is coconut oil. As a surfactant, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate helps lift dirts, oil, and other molecules to be washed away. In leave-on products, this ingredient is used as an emulsifier. Emulsifier help prevent ingredients such as oils and waters from separating.

Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate is also commonly found as a foaming agent in shampoo, toothpaste, and shaving foam. It is amphiphilic, meaning it loves both water and fats.

Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo contains this as ingredient number 7.

Dr. Barbara Sturm Balancing Shampoo contains this as ingredient number 3.

3
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Glycol Distearate serves as a pearlizing or opacifying agent in cosmetic products.

It's often included in cleansers and haircare products to give them a lustrous or shimmering appearance.

It is derived from stearic acid, a natural fatty acid commonly found in vegetable oils and animal fats.

Glycol Distearate isn't fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Glycol Distearate

Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo contains this as ingredient number 14.

Dr. Barbara Sturm Balancing Shampoo contains this as ingredient number 14.

4
What it does: Buffering, Masking
Community Rating: Disliked

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 Acid

Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo contains this as ingredient number 21.

Dr. Barbara Sturm Balancing Shampoo contains this as ingredient number 8.

5
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

Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo contains this as ingredient number 31.

Dr. Barbara Sturm Balancing Shampoo contains this as ingredient number 5.

6
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

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 Panthenol

Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo contains this as ingredient number 33.

Dr. Barbara Sturm Balancing Shampoo contains this as ingredient number 10.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

25% are loved or liked
17% have mixed ratings
27% are disliked or very disliked
30% have no rating yet
31% are loved or liked
8% have mixed ratings
38% are disliked or very disliked
23% have no rating yet

Usage

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

When to use

Loading routine usage...

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo 63 ingredients

2.6 /5
from 5 ratings
Color Care (1)
BubbIes's avatar

BubbIes

2 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

You honestly shouldn’t be using this unless you have color treated hair, which is something I realized after using this for awhile. This is very...

You honestly shouldn’t be using this unless you have color treated hair, which is something I realized after using this for awhile. This is very heavy, I found that it weighed my hair down and made it look lifeless.

Dr. Barbara Sturm Balancing Shampoo 26 ingredients

Balancing Shampoo hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 41 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo.

See 41 alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Dr. Barbara Sturm Balancing Shampoo.

See 50 alternatives
Loading similar comparisons...