Dr. Barbara Sturm Clarifying Mask

Dr. Barbara Sturm Clarifying Mask

Review

Does Dr. Barbara Sturm Clarifying Mask work?

Dr. Barbara Sturm Clarifying Mask is a type of skincare product designed to be rinsed off, peeled off, or otherwise removed from the skin. Research confirming the moisturizing, anti-wrinkle, and soothing effects of such products is very limited. Therefore, we do not provide efficacy ratings for these types of skincare products.

However, you can explore the roles of specific ingredients in the Ingredients Explained section below.

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
60
9
6
4
3
2.5
2
1.5
1.3
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Est. %
Water
Function:
Origin:
Kaolin
Function:
Origin:
Alcohol Denat.
Function:
Origin:
Cetearyl Alcohol
Function:
Origin:
Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil
Function:
Origin:
Lactobacillus/Portulaca Oleracea Ferment Extract
Function:
Origin:
Octyldodecanol
Function:
Origin:
Brassica Campestris (Rapeseed) Sterols
Function:
Origin:
Cetearyl Glucoside
Function:
Origin:
Panthenol
Function:
Origin:
Zinc PCA
Function:
Origin:
Allantoin
Function:
Origin:
Lens Esculenta (Lentil) Seed Extract
Function:
Origin:
Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil
Function:
Origin:
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Hyaluronate
Function:
Origin:
Polygonum Bistorta Root Extract
Function:
Origin:
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Function:
Origin:
Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract
Function:
Origin:
Tocopherol
Function:
Origin:
Xanthan Gum
Function:
Origin:
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate
Function:
Origin:
Alcohol
Function:
Origin:
Ethylhexylglycerin
Function:
Origin:
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Function:
Origin:
Disodium EDTA
Function:
Origin:
Hexylene Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Arginine
Function:
Origin:
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Function:
Origin:
Pantolactone
Function:
Origin:
Caprylyl Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Citric Acid
Function:
Origin:
Ascorbic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Phenoxyethanol
Function:
Origin:
Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891)
Function:
Origin:

Ingredients explained

Water
Est. %60
Function
Origin
WaterThe most used ingredient in skincare. Its concentration defines the product texture: rich creams may have about 50% of water while a light jelly about 90%. Water doesn’t moisturize the skin by itself and is used in skincare as a solvent for other ingredients.
Kaolin
Est. %9
Function
Origin
KaolinA type of mineral clay milled into a white, very fine powder. It is able to absorb sweat and oil, which then helps to keep the skin matte. The larger particles of kaolin are used in skin scrubs as an abrasive ingredient.
Alcohol Denat.
Est. %6
Function
Origin
Alcohol Denat.

Denatured alcohol is ethanol that contains additives that make it unsafe to consume. It is mainly used as a solvent and an antimicrobial agent. A major drawback to alcohol denat. is that it dries out the skin.

Cetearyl Alcohol
Est. %4
Function
Origin
Cetearyl AlcoholA blend of cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol, the fatty alcohols that are derived from palm oil. It helps to create emulsions that give off a soft and silky emollient feel and also increase product thickness.
Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil
Est. %3
Function
Origin
Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed OilA liquid plant wax, also known as Jojoba oil, pressed from the seeds of Simmondsia chinensis. These seeds can contain up to 50% of liquid wax. It is used as an occlusive moisturizer, emollient, and emulsifier.
Lactobacillus/Portulaca Oleracea Ferment Extract
Est. %2.5
Function
Origin
Lactobacillus/Portulaca Oleracea Ferment ExtractProduct of fermentation by Lactobacillus bacteria of purslane extract, which is rich in antioxidant flavonoids, terpenes, and carotenoids.
Octyldodecanol
Est. %2
Function
Origin
OctyldodecanolAn emollient fatty alcohol that spreads easily without leaving a greasy residue on the skin. It is also used as a solvent and dispersing agent for other ingredients.
Brassica Campestris (Rapeseed) Sterols
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
Brassica Campestris (Rapeseed) SterolsBrassica campestris sterols are a mixture of sterols (fat-like compounds) obtained from rapeseed oil. They are used as an emollient additive to the oil base of a cosmetic product. Read more about rapeseed oil here: Brassica Campestris (Rapeseed) Seed Oil.
Cetearyl Glucoside
Est. %1.3
Function
Origin
Cetearyl GlucosideAn emulsifier that creates stable mixtures of oil in water that feel soft and spread easily. Cetearyl glucoside is sold with cetearyl alcohol as an emulsifier blend and also provides some body to the formula.
Panthenol
Est. %1
Function
Origin
PanthenolA popular soothing and moisturizing derivative of vitamin B5. Panthenol is particularly beneficial for dry, flaking, burned, or damaged skin. It is used to alleviate the symptoms of a rash, dermatitis, eczema, chapped lips, and sunburn.
Zinc PCA
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Zinc PCAA two-part ingredient: Zinc helps to control sebum and bacteria in acne-prone skin, while skin-identical PCA is a moisturizing humectant. Zinc PCA may even boost collagen production and so is researched as a potential anti-wrinkle ingredient.
Allantoin
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
AllantoinA fluffy, white powder that acts as a humectant due to its water-loving chemistry and as an exfoliant that helps to remove dead skin cells. It has also been shown to be very soothing to irritated and inflamed skin.
Lens Esculenta (Lentil) Seed Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Lens Esculenta (Lentil) Seed Extract
Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Echium Plantagineum Seed OilAn emollient and occlusive oil from the Purple Viper’s Bugloss plant. It contains oleic, linoleic, alpha-linolenic acids, as well as very rare polyunsaturated called stearidonic acid. It is suitable for all skin types.
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil UnsaponifiablesA strongly emollient and occlusive moisturizing fraction of sunflower oil that consists of waxes, sterols, phospholipids, and vitamin E.
Sodium Hyaluronate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium Hyaluronate

A sodium salt of famous hyaluronic acid. A potent humectant that hydrates the skin, supports collagen function, and fills out small wrinkles. Sodium hyaluronate also offers soothing and antioxidant properties.

Polygonum Bistorta Root Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Polygonum Bistorta Root Extract
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment FiltrateA biotechnological fermentation ingredient that is created by feeding radish root to Leuconostoc kimchii. It allegedly contains organic acids and a mixture of peptides known as bacteriocins – which have antimicrobial activity.
Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine ExtractA soothing extract obtained from the balloon plant. It has plenty of anti-inflammatory flavonoids, phytosterols, and phenolic compounds.
Tocopherol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Tocopherol

Simply another name for vitamin E. Tocopherol is a fantastic ingredient and especially beneficial for dry and inflamed skin. It has occlusive moisturizing, emollient, antioxidant, and photoprotective properties.

Xanthan Gum
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Xanthan GumA natural multi-functional ingredient that originates from fermented sugars. Xanthan gum acts as a viscosity-building agent to thicken skincare products. It is also an excellent stabilizer and works well to hold other ingredients together.
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Magnesium Aluminum SilicateA naturally occurring clay that is hygroscopic, which means that it easily absorbs water. This ingredient is thus commonly used as an absorbent and emulsion stabilizer. It also modifies slip by improving the spreadability of the products it is used in.
Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium Cetearyl SulfateA synthetic surfactant that cleanses and creates large volumes of foam.
Alcohol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
AlcoholAn effective antimicrobial ingredient that kills bacteria, fungi, and even some viruses. It is also an excellent solvent and astringent. Alcohol helps to create lighter and less viscous products. It can, however, be dehydrating and skin-sensitizing.
Ethylhexylglycerin
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
EthylhexylglycerinA preservative booster derived from glycerin. It is commonly paired with other preservatives to improve their efficacy. Ethylhexylglycerin is also a humectant due to its chemical base of glycerin.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideA natural occlusive moisturizing and emollient ingredient, it is a blend of glycerin and two fatty acids, caprylic and capric acid. It creates an oil-based protective layer on the skin, thereby preventing water loss.
Disodium EDTA
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Disodium EDTAA synthetic chelator that helps to maintain the look and smell of a product by 'locking up' troublesome metal ions.
Hexylene Glycol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Hexylene GlycolA multifunctional ingredient that is best known for its use as a solvent. It can dissolve both water-based ingredients and oils. For this reason, it can also function as an emulsifier, allowing oil and water ingredients to mix and remain stable.
Arginine
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
ArginineA humectant amino acid used to attract water to the skin’s surface. It is a part of the skin's Natural Moisturizing Factor, a mixture of various compounds that keeps the skin’s surface well hydrated. Arginine can also be used as a pH adjuster.
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Ascorbyl PalmitateA form of vitamin C derived from ascorbic acid and palmitic acid. It is more stable and less irritating than ascorbic acid. Unfortunately, Ascorbyl Palmitate lacks the studies to prove its anti-wrinkle efficacy.
Pantolactone
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PantolactoneA vitamin B5 derivative. Similar to panthenol, it has several benefits as an antioxidant and humectant. However, it is less reactive and therefore products can stay stable longer.
Caprylyl Glycol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Caprylyl GlycolAn emollient that improves product spreadability and offers a silky feel on the skin. It also acts as a preservative booster that improves the efficacy of other preservatives. According to the manufacturer, it is also a humectant moisturizer.
Citric Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Citric AcidA gently exfoliating AHA that helps to remove the top layer of dead skin cells. In comparison to other AHAs, citric acid has been shown to be one of the least effective. It is also very commonly used as a stabilizing and pH-controlling agent.
Ascorbic Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Ascorbic Acid

Also known as vitamin C, this multi-benefit ingredient has proven anti-wrinkle, antioxidant, and anti-pigmentation efficacy. It degrades easily when exposed to air and light, so it requires proper packaging to maintain its stability.

Phenoxyethanol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PhenoxyethanolThe most frequently used preservative in skincare. It is a clear, oil-like liquid synthetic substance that protects products from harmful bacteria and yeast, whilst still leaving skin microflora unharmed. It is confirmed by research to be harmless.
Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891)
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891)One of two the most commonly used mineral sunscreens. It can absorb UV light, including UVB – which causes burning, tanning, and even skin cancer. Also used as a colorant, titanium dioxide gives a product a bright white color.