Dr. Barbara SturmcleanserCleanse step

Dr. Barbara Sturm Darker Skin Tones Foam Cleanser

This foam cleanser is formulated with deeper skin tones in mind, aiming to gently cleanse while addressing concerns like pores, dark spots, and uneven tone. It contains salicylic acid to help soften dead skin cells and cleanse deeply, and hyaluronic acid for hydration.

Sephora price

$80.00

Price matters most when you are trying to learn whether this lane belongs in your routine without turning the test into a luxury gamble.

Sephora reviews

3.8 / 5

About 11 reviews on the current Sephora source, so there is real volume behind the reputation.

Shoppers keep mentioning

VeganGood for: PoresBest for Oily, Combo, Normal SkinHyaluronic AcidFragrance FreeCruelty-FreeSalicylic Acid: Softens dead skin cells and deeply cleanses the skin.PoresDark Spotsand Dullness and Uneven Skin Tone

These are the shopper themes that keep showing up around this listing and shape why people open it in the first place.

Glass take

3.8 / 5 overall fit

A gentle, fragrance-free foam cleanser with salicylic acid and hyaluronic acid, designed for deeper skin tones. It effectively cleanses and targets pores, dark spots, and uneven tone, making it a good option for oily, combination, and normal skin types.

Dr. Barbara Sturm Darker Skin Tones Foam Cleanser

Sephora snapshot refreshed April 23, 2026

Price, rating, review count, and source status come from Sephora. Glass adds the routine fit, overlap risk, and what to compare next.

View Sephora

What Sephora says

What this product is supposed to do

A gentle foam cleanser formulated for the specific skin needs of deeper skin tones.

Combination and OilyPoresDark Spotsand Dullness and Uneven Skin Tone

Shake well before use.

Moisten hands, apply two pumps of the foam into palm, and smooth it over face in circular movements.

Rinse off thoroughly with warm water.

What Glass adds

What actually matters before you buy it

A straightforward cleanser with salicylic acid for exfoliation and hyaluronic acid for hydration. It's a solid choice for oily, combination, or normal skin types looking for a gentle yet effective cleanse that also helps with pores and tone.

Best for

When this is a smart buy

  • Oily, combination, or normal skin
  • Deeper skin tones
  • Those targeting pores, dark spots, and uneven tone

Skip if

When this is the wrong lane

  • You have very dry or sensitive skin that reacts to salicylic acid
  • You prefer a cream or oil-based cleanser

Routine fit

Where this fits in your routine

This cleanser is designed for the first step of your skincare routine, morning and night. Use it after removing makeup to cleanse the skin thoroughly before applying any treatment serums or moisturizers.

Why it works

Where it earns the slot and where it does not

The useful question is not whether this product is good in a vacuum. It is whether it makes your routine easier to run or just adds one more bottle with a familiar ingredient on it.

What it actually does well

  • Gentle foam texture
  • Fragrance-free
  • Contains salicylic acid for exfoliation
  • Contains hyaluronic acid for hydration
  • Targets common concerns for deeper skin tones

Where it starts to feel redundant

  • Higher price point
  • Limited review count may not fully represent efficacy for all skin types

Routine fit

Where it belongs in the stack

Morning and night

This cleanser can be used both in the morning to refresh the skin and at night to remove impurities and makeup.

Glass rating

How this formula scores in real life

3.8/ 5 overall

A gentle, fragrance-free foam cleanser with salicylic acid and hyaluronic acid, designed for deeper skin tones. It effectively cleanses and targets pores, dark spots, and uneven tone, making it a good option for oily, combination, and normal skin types.

Full ingredient breakdown

Every ingredient, what it does, and whether I care

Solvent

Water (Aqua)

Badness

0.0 / 10

The base for most skincare formulations, dissolving other ingredients.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

None

Surfactant

Cocamidopropyl Betaine

Badness

1.0 / 10

A mild surfactant that helps to create foam and cleanse the skin. It's generally well-tolerated.

Usually helps with

Most skin types

Watch for

Rarely, can cause irritation in very sensitive individuals.

Surfactant

Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate

Badness

1.0 / 10

A gentle amino acid-based surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin.

Usually helps with

Most skin types, including sensitive

Watch for

None

Viscosity Adjuster

Sodium Chloride

Badness

0.0 / 10

Used to thicken the product's consistency.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

None

Preservative

Phenoxyethanol

Badness

2.0 / 10

A common preservative used to prevent microbial growth in cosmetic products.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

Can be irritating for some sensitive skin types at higher concentrations.

pH Adjuster

Citric Acid

Badness

1.0 / 10

Used to adjust the pH of the product, making it more compatible with the skin's natural pH.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

Can cause irritation or stinging if the pH is too low or if skin is already compromised.

Humectant, Soothing Agent

Panthenol

Badness

1.0 / 10

A form of Vitamin B5 that attracts and holds moisture in the skin, also known for its soothing properties.

Usually helps with

Dry, sensitive, and irritated skin

Watch for

None

Humectant, Solvent

Propylene Glycol

Badness

2.0 / 10

A common ingredient that helps to retain moisture and improve the penetration of other ingredients.

Usually helps with

Most skin types

Watch for

Can cause irritation or allergic reactions in some individuals, especially those with sensitive skin.

Humectant, Exfoliant

Urea

Badness

3.0 / 10

A natural moisturizing factor that helps to hydrate the skin and can also gently exfoliate at higher concentrations.

Usually helps with

Dry and rough skin

Watch for

Can cause stinging or irritation, especially on broken or sensitive skin.

Soothing Agent, Antioxidant

Lactobacillus/Portulaca Oleracea Ferment Extract

Badness

1.0 / 10

Derived from purslane, known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, helping to calm the skin.

Usually helps with

Irritated and sensitive skin

Watch for

None

Humectant

Glycerin

Badness

0.0 / 10

A widely used humectant that draws water into the skin, keeping it hydrated and soft.

Usually helps with

All skin types, especially dry

Watch for

None

Preservative Booster, Emollient

Ethylhexyl- Glycerin

Badness

2.0 / 10

A derivative of glycerin that enhances the effectiveness of preservatives and can also act as a skin conditioner.

Usually helps with

Most skin types

Watch for

Can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in some individuals.

Exfoliant

Salicylic Acid

Badness

4.0 / 10

A beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) that penetrates pores to exfoliate and help clear congestion. It's effective for acne and oily skin.

Usually helps with

Oily, acne-prone, and congested skin

Watch for

Can cause dryness, peeling, or irritation, especially when first starting or if skin is sensitive.

Humectant

Sodium Hyaluronate

Badness

1.0 / 10

The salt form of hyaluronic acid, which effectively attracts and retains moisture in the skin, providing hydration.

Usually helps with

All skin types, especially dehydrated

Watch for

None

Solvent, Astringent

Alcohol

Badness

4.0 / 10

Can help other ingredients penetrate the skin and has a drying effect. However, it can be irritating and dehydrating for many skin types.

Usually helps with

Very oily skin (in low concentrations)

Watch for

Can cause dryness, redness, and irritation, especially for dry or sensitive skin.

Preservative, Skin Conditioning

Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate

Badness

1.0 / 10

A natural preservative derived from fermented radish root, offering some skin-conditioning benefits.

Usually helps with

Most skin types

Watch for

None

pH Adjuster

Tris (Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol) Citrate

Badness

0.0 / 10

Used to adjust and stabilize the pH of the formulation.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

None

Humectant

Pantolactone

Badness

1.0 / 10

A derivative of pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5), it functions as a humectant to hydrate the skin.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

None

Compare before you buy

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FAQ

The fast answers people actually need

Is this cleanser suitable for oily skin?

Yes, this cleanser is specifically recommended for oily, combination, and normal skin types due to its formulation with salicylic acid, which helps to cleanse pores and manage oiliness.

Can this cleanser be used by people with darker skin tones?

Yes, the product is formulated with the specific skin needs of deeper skin tones in mind, aiming to gently cleanse and address concerns like dark spots and uneven tone.

What are the main active ingredients?

The key active ingredients are Salicylic Acid, which exfoliates and cleanses pores, and Hyaluronic Acid, which hydrates the skin.