
Highlights
WHAT IS IT?
A calming serum with plant-based active ingredients
FEATURES
Soothes and rebalances irritated skin, Strengthens skin's natural defenses
BEST FOR
Sensitive skin
CHECKS
Paraben-free, GMO-free, PEG-free
Who Is It For?
Adults Both Women And MenWhat Does It Help With?
Irritated Skin Redness SensitivityBudget
PremiumHow To Use
Which routine should it be used in?
Instructions:
Key Information
What Dr. Barbara Sturm Says
Product Description:
Dr. Barbara Sturm's CALMING SERUM calms and rebalances irritated skin. Perfect for soothing your complexion after sun exposure, sleep loss or jet lag.
About the Brand:
Ingredients Overview
Ingredients List
Aqua/water/eau, prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil, dicaprylyl carbonate, glycerin, octyldodecanol, lactobacillus/portulaca oleracea ferment extract, glyceryl stearate, panthenol, echium plantagineum seed oil, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil unsaponifiables, biosaccharide gum1, leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, cardiospermum halicacabum flower/leaf/vine extract, cetearyl alcohol, stearic acid, carbomer, sodium lauroyl glutamate, ethylhexylglycerin, sodium hydroxide, pantolactone, tocopherol, citric acid, dimethicone, phenoxyethanol
Key Ingredients
Cardiospermum, Echium Plantagineum, Sunflower Extract, Purslane Extract, Sweet Almond Oil, Glycerine, Panthenol
Ingredients Details
Bisabolol
Common Name(s): Alpha-bisabolol,levomenol,(-)-alpha-bisabolol
CAS Number: 515-69-5
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Reduces skin inflammation, soothes irritation, promotes wound healing, and enhances penetration of co-formulated actives.
Why It's Used: Premium natural soothing active with combined anti-inflammatory, wound healing, and penetration-enhancing activity โ clinically validated across sensitive, reactive, and irritated skin types.
How It Works: Inhibits nf-kb pathway reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines il-1ฮฒ, il-6, tnf-ฮฑ. enhances stratum corneum lipid fluidity increasing penetration of co-delivered actives. antimicrobial against s. aureus and c. albicans. promotes keratinocyte migration for wound healing.
Typically Found In: Sensitive skin products,post-procedure formulations,anti-irritant formulas,wound healing
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ soothing / anti-inflammatory
Secondary Functions: Anti-inflammatory,penetration enhancement,antimicrobial
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%โ1%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ from candeia tree (vanillosmopsis erythropappa) or synthetic
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Natural (-)-alpha-bisabolol from brazilian candeia tree is more sustainable and potent than chamomile-derived bisabolol. synthetic (ยฑ)-bisabolol is racemic with slightly lower anti-inflammatory potency.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating; ideal for reactive and sensitive skin.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes โ particularly recommended for sensitive skin
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Ceramides,panthenol,allantoin,hyaluronic acid,centella asiatica
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Bisabolol's dual function as both an anti-inflammatory and a penetration enhancer is synergistic โ by reducing the inflammatory response that increases barrier tightness while simultaneously fluidizing stratum corneum lipids, it provides enhanced delivery of co-formulated actives in the very conditions where delivery is most needed.
Last Verified: Cosing database,piazza et al. bisabolol anti-inflammatory study,cir safety assessment
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/leaf/vine Extract
Common Name(s): Cardiospermum halicacabum flower/leaf/vine extract
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides antioxidant protection, soothing anti-inflammatory effects, and skin-conditioning benefits through plant-derived polyphenols and phytochemicals.
Why It's Used: Plant extracts concentrate bioactive phytochemicals evolved for environmental protection โ uv, microbial, and oxidative stressors โ that translate to skin benefits.
How It Works: Polyphenols (flavonoids, phenolic acids) inhibit nf-ฮบb-mediated inflammatory signaling, scavenge reactive oxygen species through electron donation, and chelate pro-oxidant metal ions to reduce oxidative skin damage.
Typically Found In: Serums,toners,moisturizers,masks,essences
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Botanical extracts
Secondary Functions: Antioxidant,anti-inflammatory
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.1โ10%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Plant-derived extract; no animal components.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1
Comedogenicity Rating: 0
Sensitivity Concerns: Low sensitization potential at recommended use concentrations.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Well-characterized cosmetic ingredient with established safety profile. generally non-irritating at typical use concentrations. suitable for leave-on and rinse-off cosmetics.
Works Well With: Niacinamide,hyaluronic acid,vitamin c,ceramides
Avoid Combining With: Strong oxidizing agents
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Plant secondary metabolites (flavonoids, terpenes, phenolic acids) are biosynthesized as defense compounds against uv, herbivores, and pathogens. their anti-inflammatory activity typically derives from competitive inhibition of cox-2 and 5-lox enzymes (ic50 1โ50 ยตm), while antioxidant activity involves single electron transfer (set) and hydrogen atom transfer (hat) mechanisms with structure-dependent rate constants.
Last Verified: Cosing eu database; pcpc cosmetic ingredient safety reviews; phytochemical and ethnobotanical literature
Primary Sources: 2025-01-15
Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil
Common Name(s): Echium plantagineum seed 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,echium plantagineum seed oil botanical review
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Glycerin
Common Name(s): Glycerol,glycerine,1,2,3-propanetriol
CAS Number: 56-81-5
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Glycerin pulls water from the environment and deeper skin layers into the outer skin layer (epidermis), boosting moisture levels and keeping skin soft, smooth, and plump.
Why It's Used: It is used in virtually every moisturizer, serum, and cleanser because it is highly effective at hydrating skin, is well-tolerated by all skin types, and enhances the texture and spreadability of formulations.
How It Works: As a humectant, glycerin forms hydrogen bonds with water molecules, trapping them in the skin. it also reinforces the skin barrier by integrating into lipid structures between skin cells.
Typically Found In: Moisturizers,serums,cleansers,toners,sheet masks,sunscreens,body lotions,shampoos,conditioners
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Humectant
Secondary Functions: Skin barrier support,emollient,solvent
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 1%โ30% (typical: 3โ10%)
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ plant-derived (coconut, soy, palm) or synthetic
Halal Status: Yes โ when plant-derived or synthetic; verify source with supplier
Source Notes: Derived from plant oils via hydrolysis or saponification; synthetic versions also available. palm-derived glycerin carries sustainability concerns.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low; non-irritating at all standard concentrations
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Extremely rare allergic reactions; generally safe for all skin types including sensitive and baby skin
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Widely recognized as safe. ewg hazard score: 1. no significant concerns for irritation, sensitization, or toxicity at typical concentrations (up to 50%).
Works Well With: Hyaluronic acid,ceramides,niacinamide,panthenol,urea,peptides,retinol,ahas/bhas
Avoid Combining With: No known incompatibilities at standard concentrations
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Glycerin is an endogenous skin component found naturally in the stratum corneum. aquaporin-3 channels in keratinocytes facilitate glycerin transport, making it integral to natural skin hydration pathways.
Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment,ewg skin deep,inci decoder
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12