Dr. Barbara Sturm vs Dr. Hauschka — side by side, no bias.
Our pick
Cleanser
8.3/10 · Dr. Barbara Sturm
| Cleanser | Soothing Cleansing Milk | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Dr. Barbara Sturm | Dr. Hauschka |
| Category | cleanser | cleanser |
| Editor Rating | 8.3/10 ★ | 8/10 |
| Category | cleanser | cleanser |
| Texture | Gentle milky gel | Silky, thin milky lotion |
| Finish | Clean, soft, calm | Clean, soft, never tight |
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| Verdict | Dr. Barbara Sturm's daily cleanser — and the product that anchors her entire anti-inflammatory skincare philosophy. The formulation centers on purslane extract (Portulaca oleracea), Dr. Sturm's signature ingredient: a telomere-protecting, anti-inflammatory botanical that she identified during her orthopedic research into blood-based healing therapies. The coco-glucoside surfactant is one of the gentlest available — it cleans without disrupting the lipid barrier. Panthenol, urea, and betaine form a hydrating trio that actively replenishes moisture during the cleansing step rather than stripping it. At ~$80 for 150ml, it's luxury pricing for a cleanser — but Dr. Sturm's argument is that harsh cleansing is the first point of barrier destruction in most routines, and investing in gentle cleansing pays dividends across every subsequent step. The milky gel texture is satisfying: it spreads easily, emulsifies makeup and SPF, and rinses clean without residue. A genuinely well-formulated cleanser with a luxury tax. | Dr. Hauschka's Soothing Cleansing Milk is the quiet German answer to the double-cleansing trend — except it's been doing it since the 1960s. This milky cleanser uses jojoba, sweet almond, and apricot kernel oils to dissolve makeup and sunscreen without stripping. Anthyllis vulneraria (kidney vetch) extract is Dr. Hauschka's signature — a wild-harvested alpine plant with anti-inflammatory properties used in traditional European herbal medicine. The fermented oat/rye/wheat seed extract adds a prebiotic dimension. Bentonite clay provides gentle purification without the tightness of foam cleansers. Apply to dry skin, massage, remove with a warm damp cloth — the European cleansing ritual that predates micellar water and cleansing balms. The result is skin that feels genuinely clean but never stripped. For dry and sensitive skin types, this is the first step that sets the tone for everything after. |
