Dr. Barbara Sturm Microbiotic Hydrating Blemish Control HA Serum

Dr. Barbara Sturm Microbiotic Hydrating Blemish Control HA Serum
5.1
/ 10
Moisturizing
10.0 Humectancy icon Humectancy
0.2 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
3Anti-wrinkle icon/ 10
Anti-wrinkle

Review

Results you may expect from using Dr. Barbara Sturm Microbiotic Hydrating Blemish Control HA Serum:

Based on the ingredient analysis by CreamScan, these are the key benefits you can expect from using Dr. Barbara Sturm Microbiotic Hydrating Blemish Control HA Serum:

  • Moderate moisturizing. It has a moisturizing rating of 5.1 out of 10.
  • Some anti-wrinkle efficacy: Dr. Barbara Sturm Microbiotic Hydrating Blemish Control HA Serum has an anti-wrinkle rating of 3.0 out of 10 so you may expect some, although limited, effect on wrinkles.

How moisturizing is it?

Quite moisturizing: Dr. Barbara Sturm Microbiotic Hydrating Blemish Control HA Serum has a moisturizing rating of 5.1 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? Significantly more humectant. It has a low occlusivity of 0.2 out of 10 and a maximum humectancy of 10 out of 10, primarily due to the high content of Butylene Glycol (est. ≈6.0%) and Propanediol (est. ≈3.0%).

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the moisturizing rating calculation.

Anti-wrinkle efficacy

According to CreamScan analysis, Dr. Barbara Sturm Microbiotic Hydrating Blemish Control HA Serum has a slight anti-wrinkle rating of 3.0 out of 10. It contains one ingredient with proven anti-wrinkle efficacy: Asiaticoside (est. ≈0.3%), 
 derived from the plant Centella asiatica, an ingredient with moderate anti-wrinkle efficacy confirmed by one study.
 
Among others, Dr. Barbara Sturm Microbiotic Hydrating Blemish Control HA Serum also contains contains Asiatic Acid and Madecassic Acid, two ingredients marketed as effective in reducing wrinkles. However, the studies supporting the anti-wrinkle claims of these ingredients provide insufficient evidence of efficacy according to CreamScan Research Evaluation Standards. Therefore, these ingredients do not contribute to the anti-wrinkle rating.
 
Moisturizers, when used regularly, are proven to prevent wrinkle formation and even reduce existing wrinkles. Therefore, this product, like any other moisturizer, could deliver additional anti-wrinkle efficacy through its moisturizing action.
 

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the anti-wrinkle rating calculation.

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
75
Water
6
Butylene Glycol
4
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
3
Propanediol
2
Bifida Ferment Lysate
1.5
Dimethylimidazolidinone Rice Starch
1.3
Panthenol
1
Buddleja Officinalis Flower Extract
0.3
Sodium Hyaluronate
0.3
Asiaticoside
0.3
Asiatic Acid
0.3
Maclura Cochinchinensis Leaf Prenylflavonoids
0.3
Madecassic Acid
0.3
Lactic Acid
0.3
Propylene Glycol
0.3
Carbomer
0.3
Ethylhexylglycerin
0.3
Benzyl Alcohol
0.3
Xanthan Gum
0.3
Potassium Sorbate
0.3
Sodium Hydroxide
0.3
Pantolactone
0.3
Sodium Benzoate
0.3
Acetic Acid
0.3
Citric Acid
0.3
Phenoxyethanol
0.3
Tocopherol
Est. %
Water
Function:
Origin:
Butylene Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Function:
Origin:
Propanediol
Function:
Origin:
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Function:
Origin:
Dimethylimidazolidinone Rice Starch
Function:
Origin:
Panthenol
Function:
Origin:
Buddleja Officinalis Flower Extract
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Hyaluronate
Function:
Origin:
Asiaticoside
Function:
Origin:
Asiatic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Maclura Cochinchinensis Leaf Prenylflavonoids
Function:
Origin:
Madecassic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Lactic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Propylene Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Carbomer
Function:
Origin:
Ethylhexylglycerin
Function:
Origin:
Benzyl Alcohol
Function:
Origin:
Xanthan Gum
Function:
Origin:
Potassium Sorbate
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Hydroxide
Function:
Origin:
Pantolactone
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Benzoate
Function:
Origin:
Acetic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Citric Acid
Function:
Origin:
Phenoxyethanol
Function:
Origin:
Tocopherol
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
11.8
6
3
1.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
5.1
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 11.8 10
10.0
6
3
1.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Occlusivity All occlusives 0.3 20
0.2
0.3
Moisturizing rating
5.1
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
6
3
1.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
All humectants 11.8 10
10
All humectants
11.8
6
3
1.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
0.3
All occlusives 0.3 20
0.2
All occlusives
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
3 /10 0.1 0.3 3
n/a
- 0.3 -
n/a
- 0.3 -
Total
3
Asiaticoside
3
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
3 /10
when present at, %
0.1
in this formula, est. %
0.3
Asiatic Acid
-
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
n/a
when present at, %
-
in this formula, est. %
0.3
Madecassic Acid
-
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
n/a
when present at, %
-
in this formula, est. %
0.3
Anti-wrinkle rating
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
All antioxidants 1.9 3 No
All antioxidants
1.9
Buddleja Officinalis Flower Extract
1
Asiaticoside
0.3
Sodium Hyaluronate
0.3
Tocopherol
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
2
1.3
All soothing 3.3 5 No
All soothing
3.3
2
1.3
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Water
Est. %75
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.
Butylene Glycol
Est. %6
Function
Origin
Butylene GlycolA clear, colorless liquid humectant that draws moisture to the skin. The humectancy of butylene glycol, owed to its two hydroxyl groups, is quite considerable, although not as powerful as glycerin, which contains three hydroxyl groups.
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Est. %4
Function
Origin
Alpha-Glucan OligosaccharideA sugar-derived ingredient thought to provide protective benefits to the skin's microbiome which keeps skin feeling and looking healthy.
Propanediol
Est. %3
Function
Origin
PropanediolAn excellent solvent capable of mixing water with normally water-insoluble ingredients. It also functions as a humectant due to its water-loving alcohol groups. Propanediol can control the viscosity of a product by reducing its thickness.
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Est. %2
Function
Origin
Bifida Ferment LysateA mixture of probiotic bacteria. According to the patent holder, it contains enzymes that are able to repair damaged DNA in skin cells. A single study confirms that it is able to reduce skin sensitivity.
Dimethylimidazolidinone Rice Starch
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
Dimethylimidazolidinone Rice StarchDescription is coming soon
Panthenol
Est. %1.3
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.
Buddleja Officinalis Flower Extract
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Buddleja Officinalis Flower ExtractDescription is coming soon
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.

Asiaticoside
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Asiaticoside

A Gotu Kola or Centella Asiatica derivative with confirmed anti-wrinkle efficacy.

Asiatic Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Asiatic AcidA compound isolated from Gotu Kola, a promising anti-wrinkle medicinal plant from Southeast Asia. It is claimed to increase the production of collagen and help with the wound healing process.
Maclura Cochinchinensis Leaf Prenylflavonoids
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Maclura Cochinchinensis Leaf PrenylflavonoidsDescription is coming soon
Madecassic Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Madecassic AcidAn isolated bioactive compound from Gotu Kola. It increases collagen and hyaluronic acid production in the skin and helps to treat wounds, scars, and burns.
Lactic Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Lactic AcidThe most popular AHA in skincare and less irritating than glycolic acid. It can be naturally found in sour milk. It is a humectant moisturizing, pH stabilizing, and gently exfoliating ingredient, able to soften dry, cracked, and peeling skin.
Propylene Glycol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Propylene GlycolA clear, thick, odorless liquid of synthetic origin. Its main function is to stabilize cosmetic products exposed to varying temperatures. It is also a moderately strong humectant with similar properties to glycerin.
Carbomer
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
CarbomerA synthetic ingredient with the ability to gel water. When used in emulsions, such as lotions and creams, carbomer can also act as an emulsion stabilizer.
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.
Benzyl Alcohol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Benzyl AlcoholA multifunctional ingredient that is supplied as a clear, colorless liquid. Its main function is as a flavoring agent and fragrance. It also acts as a broad-spectrum preservative, solvent, and viscosity-controlling agent that thins the product.
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.
Potassium Sorbate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Potassium SorbateA preservative widely used in food and personal care products, available from natural sources or synthetically produced. Potassium sorbate works by inhibiting the growth of yeasts, molds, and some bacteria.
Sodium Hydroxide
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium Hydroxide

An ingredient that is able to bring the pH of a product up, thereby making it less harsh on the skin.

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.
Sodium Benzoate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium BenzoateA preservative that usually works in combination with other preservatives. It has to be at low pH (<5.5) to be effective.
Acetic Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Acetic AcidDescription is coming soon
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.
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.
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.