
Highlights
WHAT IS IT?
Face cream moisturizer
FEATURES
Anti-aging, hydrating, firming
BEST FOR
Not specified, but suitable for sensitive skin
CHECKS
Paraben-free, GMO-free, PEG-free
Who Is It For?
Not Specified Likely Suitable For AdultsWhat Does It Help With?
Hydration Firmness Anti-agingBudget
PremiumHow To Use
Which routine should it be used in?
Instructions:
Key Information
What DR. BARBARA STURM Says
Product Description:
Dr. Barbara Sturm's anti-aging FACE CREAM will keep your skin hydrated and firm throughout the day.
About the Brand:
Ingredients Overview
Ingredients List
Purslane Extract, Skullcap, Vitamin E, Panthenol, Squalane, Shea Butter, Corn Oil, Glycerine
Key Ingredients
Purslane Extract, Skullcap, Vitamin E, Panthenol, Squalane, Shea Butter
Ingredients Details
Corn Oil
Common Name(s): Corn oil,botanical oil,phytochemical active
CAS Number: N/a
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides antioxidant protection from reactive oxygen species, reduces inflammatory cytokine production in skin, and conditions skin through the plant's phytochemical complex.
Why It's Used: Natural origin narrative, traditional use heritage, and multi-functional phytochemical profile supporting concurrent skin care claims from one ingredient.
How It Works: Polyphenols, terpenoids, and alkaloids scavenge ros via hโข donation, inhibit nf-kb or cox-2 inflammatory pathways, and interact with skin surface proteins for conditioning.
Typically Found In: Botanical skin care,natural products
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ antioxidant
Secondary Functions: Free radical scavenging,anti-aging
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%โ10%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Conditional
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Plant-derived extract or synthetic.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating; well-tolerated.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Vitamin c,vitamin e,ferulic acid,spf,other antioxidants
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Plant secondary metabolites evolved as photoprotectants and antimicrobials โ mechanisms directly applicable to cosmetic antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in human skin.
Last Verified: Cosing database,corn oil botanical review
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Glycerine
Common Name(s): Glycerin,universal humectant,water-binding skin conditioning
CAS Number: N/a
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Attracts and retains moisture in the sc, improves skin barrier function at low concentrations, provides gentle keratolytic softening, and acts as a co-solvent for water-soluble actives.
Why It's Used: The reference humectant โ lowest cost, best safety profile, universal formulation compatibility, and present naturally in the sc via lipase-mediated glycerolipid hydrolysis makes glycerin the industry standard against which all humectants are benchmarked.
How It Works: Three hydroxyl groups form 6 h-bonds with water molecules per glycerol unit โ the highest oh-group density per carbon of any commercial humectant. glycerin also down-regulates epidermal serine proteases that overactivate in dry sc, improving desquamation and barrier integrity.
Typically Found In: All cosmetics,universal
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient โ humectant
Secondary Functions: Tewl reduction,skin plumping
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 1%โ40%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Synthetic or naturally derived. excellent aqueous solubility.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating; suitable for all skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Ceramides,emollients,occlusives,glycerin,hyaluronic acid
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Epidermal lipases hydrolyse sc glycerophospholipids during cornification, releasing glycerol that contributes to the natural nmf โ topical glycerin directly supplements this endogenous sc humectant pool.
Last Verified: Cosing database,glycerin universal humectant review
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Panthenol
Common Name(s): Provitamin b5,d-panthenol,dl-panthenol,d-pantothenyl alcohol,(r)-2,4-dihydroxy-n-(3-hydroxypropyl)-3,3-dimethylbutanamide
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Panthenol deeply moisturizes skin and hair, soothes irritation, accelerates wound healing, strengthens the skin barrier, and improves hair elasticity and shine.
Why It's Used: It is used because it is exceptionally versatile, working in both skin and hair formulations. it is gentle enough for sensitive and post-procedure skin, and converts to the active vitamin b5 within the skin.
How It Works: Panthenol penetrates skin and hair, where it is oxidized to pantothenic acid (vitamin b5), a coenzyme a precursor essential to metabolism. in skin, it acts as a humectant and stimulates fibroblast proliferation. in hair, it coats the shaft, improving manageability.
Typically Found In: Moisturizers,serums,toners,after-sun products,wound healing products,shampoos,conditioners,hair masks,beard care
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ provitamin b5
Secondary Functions: Anti-inflammatory,wound healing,hair conditioning
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.5%โ5% (typical: 1โ3%)
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ synthetically produced
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Commercially synthesized. both d- and dl-forms used in cosmetics; d-panthenol is the biologically active isomer but dl-panthenol is less expensive and widely used.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low; one of the most soothing ingredients in cosmetics
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Extremely rare contact allergy; considered one of the safest cosmetic ingredients. suitable for all skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes โ ideal for sensitive, reactive, and post-procedure skin
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Exceptionally safe. ewg hazard score: 1. no significant concerns for irritation, sensitization, or systemic toxicity. safe during pregnancy.
Works Well With: Hyaluronic acid,ceramides,allantoin,niacinamide,centella asiatica,retinol (reduces irritation),glycerin
Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Panthenol has demonstrated wound-healing properties in clinical studies, stimulating fibroblast proliferation and migration. its dual humectant and anti-inflammatory action makes it particularly effective in barrier-repair formulations.
Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment,ebner et al. (2002) skin pharmacology and applied skin physiology
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Shea Butter
Common Name(s): Shea butter,karite butter
CAS Number: 91080-23-8
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides deep nourishing emolliency with anti-inflammatory cinnamic acid esters and a uniquely rich unsaponifiable fraction.
Why It's Used: The most nutritious plant butter โ unique cinnamic acid esters, lupeol, and rich unsaponifiable fraction provide anti-inflammatory and wound healing benefits beyond standard fatty acid emolliency.
How It Works: Cinnamic acid esters absorb uv radiation providing mild natural uv filtering (spf 3-4). lupeol inhibits nf-kb for anti-inflammatory activity. high stearic acid provides occlusive barrier function. rich unsaponifiable fraction (4-9%) provides phytosterols, tocopherols, and triterpenes for bioactive skin benefits.
Typically Found In: Body butters,rich moisturizers,baby products,hair conditioners,lip balms
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient โ emollient
Secondary Functions: Cinnamic acid uv support,lupeol anti-inflammatory,rich emolliency
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 1%โ100%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ from butyrospermum parkii nuts
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Unrefined (raw) shea retains more unsaponifiable fraction and stronger natural scent/color. refined shea is odorless, white, and cleaner for formulation. certified fair trade supports west african women's cooperatives.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic (refined); 2/5 โ low (raw/unrefined)
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Humectants,ceramides,actives as carrier
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Shea butter's unsaponifiable fraction (4-9%, vs coconut oil's 0.5% and olive oil's 1-2%) is exceptionally rich in triterpenes, phytosterols, and tocopherols. this fraction is responsible for shea's anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties that simple fatty acid analysis fails to reveal.
Last Verified: Cosing database,lin et al. shea butter cinnamic acid study,cir safety assessment
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12