Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum for dry sensitive skin
Sodium Hyaluronate
Butylene Glycol
Lactobacillus Portulaca Oleracea Extract Ferment
Ethylhexylglycerin
Average
- HighDry Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for dry sensitive skin; other moisturizers fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry sensitive skin: flakiness, tightness, redness, 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
- Offers moderate hydration for your dry and sensitive skin, as sodium hyaluronate and butylene glycol provide humectant action to plump and hydrate. Lactobacillus Portulaca Oleracea Extract Ferment further supports barrier repair, enhancing overall skin comfort.
- This serum provides general hydration benefits, making it suitable for dry or flaky skin concerns.
- The product is safe for your dry and sensitive skin, containing no harsh ingredients and including soothing components like Lactobacillus Portulaca Oleracea Extract Ferment.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your AM or PM routine. Start using this moisturizer 3 times a week and move to daily use if your dry skin tolerates it well.
- Apply this moisturizer after cleansing and toner in the morning, or after your serum in the evening. Always pair it with SPF in the morning.
- Gently press a small amount of the moisturizer into your skin. Avoid rubbing it harshly to protect your sensitive skin.
- Apply the moisturizer on slightly damp skin to help with hydration absorption. This also works well for dry and flaky skin types.
- Do a patch test before your first use. Avoid the eye area to prevent any irritation.
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 dry sensitive skin?
Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum works moderately well for dry sensitive skin by offering basic hydration and calming comfort. While it provides some relief, this skin type typically benefits more from products featuring rich blends of multiple moisturizing agents and pro vitamin B5 for deep, lasting hydration and stronger barrier protection.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for dry sensitive skin?
Sodium hyaluronate and butylene glycol help plump and hydrate dry skin, while Lactobacillus Portulaca Oleracea Extract Ferment helps calm sensitive skin and supports barrier repair. To work best for dry sensitive skin, a product of this type needs multiple forms of deep hydration and soothing ingredients like pro vitamin B5 to lock in moisture and nourish without irritation.
Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology, 2025Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology, 2022
What does Hyaluronic Acid do for dry sensitive skin?
Hyaluronic acid is a great fit for dry, sensitive skin because it brings a large boost in hydration, making the skin feel soft and smooth while improving barrier function. It helps calm tightness and dryness, and is unlikely to cause irritation.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011Dermatology and Therapy, 2021
What does Butylene Glycol do for dry sensitive skin?
Butylene glycol helps draw moisture into dry skin and increases hydration to keep it soft and smooth. While it generally has a good safety profile, it may occasionally cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive skin.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024Journal of Controlled Release, 2022
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for dry sensitive skin?
This serum goes in your evening routine after your cleanser and soothing toner, and before your moisturizer. A product of this type for dry and sensitive skin needs rich hydrators and soothing barrier-repair ingredients to keep skin soft and comfortable.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum with retinol by applying the serum first to give your skin moisture and comfort before adding your retinol product. This helps keep your dry and sensitive skin calm and soft while you use active treatments.
How often should I use this serum?
This serum works well in your evening routine, and some people can also use it in the morning or twice a day. Daily application helps improve skin moisture and keeps dry skin feeling soft and comfortable.
Health Science Reports, 2021Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry sensitive skin?
This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for dry and sensitive skin because it contains gentle, soothing ingredients like Lactobacillus Portulaca Oleracea Extract Ferment. However, because it only offers moderate hydration, dry skin often needs richer creams with heavy oils and butters to truly stay smooth and comfortable.
Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology, 2025Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology, 2022
Can I use this serum around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this serum around the eyes and on the body, as sodium hyaluronate and butylene glycol help hydrate these areas. However, because this is an average fit for dry and sensitive skin, this skin needs richer hydrators and stronger barrier-supporting ingredients to stay soft and calm.
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, 2022Topical 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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Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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