Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum for combination skin
Sodium Hyaluronate
Butylene Glycol
Lactobacillus Portulaca Oleracea Extract Ferment
Ethylhexylglycerin
Average
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for combination skin; other moisturizers fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. 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
- Offers moderate hydration for your combination skin, as sodium hyaluronate provides humectant action to hydrate and Lactobacillus Portulaca Oleracea Extract Ferment offers anti-inflammatory benefits. Leuconostoc Radish Root Ferment Filtrate also aids in hydration, which can help manage oily shine.
- The formula is safe for your combination skin, with no harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing Lactobacillus Portulaca Oleracea Extract Ferment to minimize irritation.
How to apply
- Use this moisturizer in your AM and PM routine every day to control shine. Always pair with SPF in the morning.
- Apply this moisturizer after your cleanser and toner, right before your morning SPF.
- Gently press a small amount of the moisturizer into your skin and avoid harsh rubbing. Let it ⏳absorb for a minute.
- Apply the moisturizer on slightly damp skin to help it lock in moisture better. This keeps your combination skin balanced.
- Avoid the eye area when applying the moisturizer. 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”
- “not worth $300”
- “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 combination skin?
Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum works moderately well for combination skin, offering soothing hydration that helps manage oily shine without causing irritation. A product of this type needs a rich blend of effective hydrating and skin-repairing ingredients to balance moisture levels across dry and oily areas, ensuring optimal hydration without excess oiliness.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for combination skin?
Sodium hyaluronate and Lactobacillus Portulaca Oleracea Extract Ferment make this serum a good fit for your combination skin by providing moderate hydration and calming irritation. A product of this type needs richer hydrating and skin-repairing ingredients, plus soothing extracts that manage oily shine without causing excess oiliness.
What does Hyaluronic Acid do for combination skin?
Hyaluronic acid is a great fit for combination skin because it quenches dry areas with a boost of hydration while keeping oily zones balanced. Regular use helps smooth out fine lines and makes your skin feel soft and plump without causing irritation.
Dermatology and Therapy, 2021Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011
What does Butylene Glycol do for combination skin?
Butylene glycol helps boost the absorption of other ingredients into combination skin while keeping the skin feeling soft. It may also help draw moisture into dry areas, though formulations need the right balance of soothing lipids and water-attracting ingredients to properly care for combination skin.
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This serum goes in your evening routine, applied after cleansing and toning and before your moisturizer. Putting treatments in the evening helps keep things simple and provides extra safety around sun exposure. To better fit combination skin, this type of product also needs ingredients that balance oily shine while delivering deeper hydration.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this treatment with retinol by applying it before your retinol product to help keep your skin calm and hydrated. A product of this type for combination skin also needs lightweight hydrators and soothing ingredients to balance dry areas and manage oily shine without irritation.
How often should I use this serum?
You can use this serum in your evening routine, as treatments fit best there for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure. A product of this type needs balanced hydration and calming ingredients to manage oily shine while keeping your combination skin calm and comfortable.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on combination skin because its ingredients are gentle and free of heavy oils. However, combination skin often needs lightweight formulas with balancing ingredients to keep oily areas clear and adequately hydrated.
Can I use this serum around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this serum around the eyes, though combination skin benefits most from a product that offers deep hydration with lightweight moisture and calming plant extracts.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Topical 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, 2023Facial 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, 2022
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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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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