Dr. Barbara Sturm Sun Drops SPF 50 for oily skin

Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
Sodium Hyaluronate
Tocopheryl Acetate Vitamin E
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
High
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
One of the best sunscreens for oily skin.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. 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 oily skin, this product offers excellent UV protection with Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate and Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, which are non-occlusive and help manage shine.
- While Glycerin and Panthenol provide general hydration, they do not specifically target the reduction of oily shine on your skin.
- The formula is safe for your skin, featuring soothing ingredients like Sodium Carboxymethyl Betaglucan and Tocopherol, with no risk of irritation.
How to apply
- Use this moisturizing sunscreen daily in your AM routine. Reapply every two hours when exposed to direct sun.
- Apply this moisturizing sunscreen as the final step of your morning routine after your moisturizer.
- Smooth an even layer of the moisturizing sunscreen over your face and neck, avoiding harsh rubbing.
- Apply the moisturizing sunscreen onto clean, dry skin for the best protection and even coverage.
- Avoid the immediate eye area and discontinue use if any irritation occurs.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 200+ reviewsUsers find this sunscreen luxurious and serum-like, offering high protection without a heavy feel, suitable for sensitive and acne-prone skin. Its glowy finish and mixability with moisturizers are highly praised. However, the very high price and small bottle size are frequently mentioned drawbacks, leading users to question its value.
Highlights
Lightweight & invisible Mostly Mentioned
- “Sinks in quickly like a serum”
- “Absolutely no white cast”
- “Feels like a milky lotion, not sunscreen”
- “Disappears into skin immediately”
Extremely high price Mostly Mentioned
- “Way too expensive for the size”
- “Hard to justify the cost”
- “Price tag is eye-watering”
- “Luxury splurge, not a daily staple”
Hydrating & dewy glow Often Mentioned
- “Leaves a beautiful, healthy glow”
- “Dewy finish but not greasy”
- “Keeps skin hydrated all day”
- “Makes skin look plump and fresh”
Skin compatibility Sometimes Noted
- “Didn't break out my acne-prone skin”
- “Great for sensitive skin”
- “Soothing ingredients like purslane”
- “No irritation or redness”
Versatile application Sometimes Noted
- “Mixes perfectly with my moisturizer”
- “Sits beautifully under makeup”
- “Doesn't pill or ball up”
- “Easy to apply with dropper”
Small quantity Sometimes Noted
- “Bottle runs out very fast”
- “Tiny amount for the money”
- “Not enough product for daily liberal use”
- “Finished it in a few weeks”
Sticky initial texture Sometimes Noted
- “Feels tacky when first applied”
- “Sticky for the first few minutes”
- “Needs time to settle down”
- “Leaves a slight film initially”
Scent & eye sensitivity Rarely Noted
- “Has a faint chemical smell”
- “Stung my eyes slightly”
- “Scent is medicinal but fades”
- “Burned when I got it too close to eyes”
Sources: lovi.care, spacenk.com, cultbeauty.com, revolve.com, nordstrom.com, reddit.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Dr. Barbara Sturm Sun Drops SPF 50 a great fit for oily skin?
Dr. Barbara Sturm Sun Drops SPF 50 is a great fit for oily skin because it offers excellent UV protection with ingredients that are not heavy and help manage shine. It also features soothing ingredients with no risk of irritation, making it comfortable for daily use.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily skin?
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate and Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine make this serum a great fit for your oily skin because they provide sun protection without feeling heavy and help manage shine. The formula also includes soothing ingredients like Sodium Carboxymethyl Betaglucan and Tocopherol, which are unlikely to cause irritation.
What does Octinoxate do for oily skin?
Octinoxate protects oily skin from UV damage while being unlikely to disturb natural skin bacteria or trigger breakouts. It provides reliable sun protection without feeling heavy on shine-prone skin.
Archives of Dermatological Research, 2024International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2013
What does Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate do for oily skin?
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate helps protect oily skin from UV rays as a chemical sunscreen filter. It has a good safety profile and is unlikely to cause irritation when used in sunscreens.
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This product is a moisturizing sunscreen rather than a serum, and it goes in the morning routine after your moisturizer. It offers high suitability and great UV protection for oily skin with ingredients that help manage shine.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this moisturizing SPF in the morning after your retinol and other daytime treatments are fully absorbed. It provides sun protection and helps manage shine while keeping your skin safely hydrated throughout the day.
How often should I use this serum?
This product is a moisturizing sunscreen to be used in your morning routine after your moisturizer, rather than a serum. You can apply it every morning to get UV protection while helping manage shine.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This moisturizing SPF is a great fit for oily skin and helps manage shine with non-greasy UV protectors. It is unlikely to cause breakouts or clog pores, featuring soothing ingredients with a safe profile for your skin.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Liposomal encapsulation of octyl methoxycinnamate increases its safety, skin affinity, and in vivo solar photoprotection factor while slowing its release and enhancing retention in the stratum corneum compared to a conventional formulation.
International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2013Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Replacing 20% of the chemical UV filter octyl methoxycinnamate with urucum oil in solid lipid nanoparticles maintained the skin protection factor without inducing toxic responses or significant skin penetration in human volunteers.
Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2018Encapsulation of ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate and butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane in lipid microparticles significantly reduced their in vivo human skin penetration compared to nonencapsulated filters.
Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2011The application of a sunscreen formulation containing ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, ethylhexyl salicylate, methyl anthranilate, and octocrylene does not significantly affect critical acne-related species such as Cutibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis, refuting the induction of facial dysbiosis in men.
Archives of Dermatological Research, 2024Oral and dermal administration of Uvinul A plus resulted in three major urinary metabolites accounting for 52% of the oral dose, with a very low estimated daily systemic exposure of 8.1-9.3 μg/d in volunteers not intentionally exposed.
International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, 2020Topical 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 application of an antioxidant serum containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented particulate matter-induced degradation of extracellular matrix components, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the skin of 15 female volunteers compared to untreated controls.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Dermatological products containing d-alpha tocopheryl acetate showed non-comedogenic potential with less than a 50% increase in microcomedones in 12 healthy male subjects compared to octyl palmitate.
Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021Topical application of an antioxidant mix containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented PM and UV-induced skin barrier perturbation, lipid peroxidation, inflammatory markers, MMP9 activation, and Type I collagen loss in 15 healthy females compared to untreated exposed skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Topical 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, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Dibutyl Adipate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Glycerin, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Arginine, Cyclohexasiloxane, Lauryl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cassia Alata Leaf Extract, Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Acetamide Mea, Xanthan Gum, Cyclopentasiloxane, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Carboxymethyl Betaglucan, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Tocopherol, Pantolactone, Carbomer, Citric Acid, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Dna
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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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
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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