Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum for dry skin
Sodium Hyaluronate
Butylene Glycol
Lactobacillus Portulaca Oleracea Extract Ferment
Ethylhexylglycerin
Average
- HighDry Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for dry skin; other moisturizers fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry skin: flakiness, tightness, dehydration, fine lines, and wrinkles. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Highly suitable for your dry skin as Sodium Hyaluronate and Lactobacillus Portulaca Oleracea Extract Ferment provide humectant action and barrier repair, offering moderate hydration for dry or flaky skin.
- Leuconostoc Radish Root Ferment Filtrate further supports skin hydration and barrier function.
- The product is safe for your dry skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your AM or PM routine. Start using it 3 times a week and work your way up to daily use.
- Apply your moisturizer after your toner and before your sunscreen in the morning. At night, use it as the final step after your serum.
- Gently press a small amount of the moisturizer into your skin. Avoid rubbing to keep your dry skin happy.
- Apply the moisturizer on slightly damp skin to help lock in extra hydration. This is great for soothing dry and flaky areas .
- Avoid the sensitive eye area and do a patch test before your first use .
People Say
★4.3Overall rating based on 5.1k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users frequently describe this serum as a "splurge" product that delivers deep, non-greasy hydration and a noticeable "plumping" effect that smooths fine lines and revitalizes dull complexions. While many praise its ability to calm sensitive or acne-prone skin without irritation, a significant portion of reviewers feel the exorbitant price tag is not justified by the results, often citing comparable effects from more affordable alternatives.
Highlights
Deep Instant Hydration Mostly Mentioned
- “skin drank it up”
- “quenched dry patches”
- “long-lasting moisture”
- “relieved tightness”
Extremely Expensive Mostly Mentioned
- “way too expensive”
- “overpriced luxury”
- “hard on wallet”
Lightweight Absorption Often Mentioned
- “sinks in immediately”
- “non-greasy finish”
- “water-like texture”
- “weightless feel”
Plumps Fine Lines Often Mentioned
- “lines less visible”
- “bouncy texture”
- “youthful fullness”
- “smoother forehead”
Calms Sensitive Skin Sometimes Noted
- “reduced redness”
- “no breakouts”
- “gentle on acne”
Glow and Radiance Sometimes Noted
- “healthy glow”
- “dewy look”
- “revived dull skin”
- “fresh appearance”
Cheaper Alternatives Sometimes Noted
- “The Ordinary is better”
- “found cheaper dupes”
- “paying for brand”
- “similar to drugstore”
Minimal Results Sometimes Noted
- “did nothing”
- “saw no difference”
- “average performance”
- “just basic hydration”
Sticky Residue Sometimes Noted
- “tacky finish”
- “feels sticky”
- “left a film”
- “tacky to touch”
Pilling Issues Rarely Noted
- “pills under makeup”
- “balls up”
- “flakes off”
- “doesn't layer well”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, nordstrom.com, spacenk.com, cultbeauty.com, bluemercury.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum work for dry skin?
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for dry skin?
Sodium Hyaluronate and Lactobacillus Portulaca Oleracea Extract Ferment make this serum a good fit for dry skin by providing moderate hydration and helping repair the skin barrier. Because other products fit dry skin better, a product of this type needs rich moisturizing agents and nourishing extracts that deliver deep hydration and improve moisture retention without irritation.
Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology, 2025
What does Hyaluronic Acid do for dry skin?
Hyaluronic acid draws moisture into dry skin, giving an immediate and lasting boost in hydration that helps smooth out fine lines and soften rough patches. It is very gentle and unlikely to cause irritation while improving overall skin smoothness and plumpness.
Dermatology and Therapy, 2021Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011
What does Butylene Glycol do for dry skin?
Butylene glycol helps dry skin by drawing in moisture and making it easier for hydration to sink in deeper. Clinical testing shows that combining it with other hydrating ingredients can increase skin moisture and reduce water loss.
Journal of Controlled Release, 2022International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for dry skin?
This serum goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing, though some serums can also be used in the morning or twice a day. A product of this type needs rich hydrators and barrier-repairing ingredients to fully address the needs of dry skin.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum with retinol by applying the serum first to help calm and hydrate your skin before putting on your retinol. Using a product like this alongside retinol may help reduce dryness and irritation while supporting your skin barrier.
How often should I use this serum?
You can use this treatment in your evening routine for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure. Daily application helps keep dry skin hydrated and supports barrier function.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?
Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on dry skin, as it is free of heavy, pore-clogging oils and harsh ingredients. It helps soothe and hydrate without triggering irritation.
Can I use this serum around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this serum around the eyes and on the body since it is very safe and gentle, though its light hydration may not be enough for extremely dry areas. Dry skin of this type needs rich creams with heavy sealing ingredients and heavy oils to lock in lasting moisture.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Facial masks containing low-temperature extracted Portulaca oleracea protect sensitive skin from photothermal stimulation and improve skin barrier function during photorejuvenation.
Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology, 2025Portulaca oleracea extract ameliorated skin barrier damage and inflammation induced by combined exposure to glycolic acid and UVB in HaCaT cells.
Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology, 2022Hyaluronic acid extracts are safe and efficacious products for skin repair when used in tissue regeneration alone or in combination with herbal or Western medicine.
Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.
Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.
BMC Oral Health, 2019Topical purslane at 5% and 10% concentrations achieved alleviation of symptoms and lesion remission comparable to topical 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide in 34 subjects with oral lichen planus over 90 days.
BMC Oral Health, 2023Topical application of a crude extract of Portulaca oleracea accelerates wound healing by decreasing wound surface area and increasing tensile strength in Mus musculus JVI-1, with the greatest contraction achieved at a single dose of 50mg compared to other dosages.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2003A polysaccharide fraction (VPOP3) from Portulaca oleracea L. reduced reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation, inhibited UVB-induced apoptosis, and downregulated melanogenic signaling pathway proteins in cells and zebrafish.
Phytomedicine, 2023
Ingredients
Water, Butylene Glycol, Lactobacillus Portulaca Oleracea Extract Ferment, Sodium Hyaluronate, Leuconostoc Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
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