Sensibio DS+ Cream - Soothing Purifying Cream
Sensibio DS+ Cream - Soothing Purifying Cream
Product Description
Bioderma Sensibio DS+ Soothing Purifying Cream is a lightweight, fragrance-free gel-cream developed for sensitive facial skin prone to seborrheic dermatitis. Its dual anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory action helps limit Malassezia yeast, calm redness, soften scales and reduce flaking around the nose, eyebrows, forehead and chin.
โจ Texture & Feel
Anti-Fungal Action
Piroctone Olamine, Climbazole and Glyceryl Undecylenate work together to limit Malassezia yeast, a key trigger of seborrheic dermatitis flare-ups.
Soothes Redness & Itching
Enoxolone (licorice-derived glycyrrhetinic acid) and coconut oil calm inflammation and visibly reduce redness and tightness.
Reduces Flaking & Scales
Emollient agents soften scales and help lift flakes for a smoother, more comfortable complexion.
Microbiome Support
The patented D.A.F. complex with prebiotic sugars (xylitol, mannitol, rhamnose, fructooligosaccharides) reinforces the skin's tolerance threshold.
๐ก๏ธ Safety & Compatibility
Contains azole-type antifungals (climbazole) plus piroctone olamine. Topical absorption is low, but as this is a treatment cream you should confirm with your doctor first.
Formulated to fight Malassezia, yet it contains coconut oil and esters that strict fungal-acne checkers flag. Most seborrheic-dermatitis users tolerate it well; patch test if reactive.
No added fragrance and a high-tolerance formula make it suitable for reactive, easily irritated skin.
Clinically studied on facial seborrheic dermatitis and formulated for very good skin tolerance.
Propylene glycol and sorbitan sesquioleate can irritate very sensitive users; test on a small area first.
Do not apply to clearly irritated, oozing or broken skin. Seek professional advice if symptoms persist.
๐ฌ Ingredient Breakdown
๐ฟ Glycyrrhetinic Acid (Enoxolone) ~0.5โ1% Proven
A licorice-root derived compound and one of the cream's key soothing actives. It calms inflammation, reduces visible redness and has antioxidant and antibacterial properties.
- Source: Shown to alleviate dermatitis and protect skin against UV-B induced damage.
- Role: Anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing agent for reactive skin.
๐ Piroctone Olamine ~0.5% Proven
A water-soluble antifungal active commonly used in anti-dandruff care. It is particularly effective against Malassezia, the yeast linked to dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis.
- Source: Widely used to control Malassezia overgrowth on skin and scalp.
- Role: Targets the root microbial trigger of seborrheic dermatitis.
๐ก๏ธ Climbazole ~0.5% Proven
A topical azole antifungal and preservative. In combination with piroctone olamine it helps relieve seborrheic dermatitis and eczema-type flaking.
- Source: Established antifungal used to treat eczema and seborrheic dermatitis.
- Role: Reinforces the cream's anti-Malassezia action.
๐ฅฅ Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil ~5โ8% Promising
Listed second on the INCI, this emollient is rich in fatty acids that trap moisture and soften skin, helping calm and comfort flaky areas.
- Source: Lauric-acid-rich oil valued for moisturizing and skin-softening effects.
- Role: Soothing emollient that helps reduce tightness and scaling.
๐ฆ D.A.F. Complex โ Mannitol, Xylitol, Rhamnose & Fructooligosaccharides Blend Promising
Bioderma's patented prebiotic sugar complex. These humectants hydrate the skin while supporting a balanced microbiome and raising the skin's tolerance threshold to external stress.
- Source: Xylitol reduces transepidermal water loss; fructooligosaccharides act as prebiotics that reinforce the skin's microbiome.
- Role: Long-term comfort and resilience for reactive skin.
๐ Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract Low % Promising
A brown kelp extract containing lipids and antioxidants. It nourishes the skin barrier and helps soothe and reduce inflammation in sensitive skin.
- Source: Known to calm and reduce skin inflammation while delivering antioxidants.
- Role: Supports barrier nourishment and soothing.
20 ingredients
Aqua/Water/Eau, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Propylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Piroctone Olamine, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Climbazole, Mannitol, Xylitol, Rhamnose, Fructooligosaccharides, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, Cetyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol.
๐ Where It Fits in Your Routine
Apply as your targeted treatment after cleansing. On normal-to-oily skin it can double as your moisturizer; very dry skin can layer a richer cream on top. Always finish with SPF in the morning.
๐ How to Use
Cleanse
Wash with a gentle cleanser (ideally the Sensibio DS+ Cleansing Gel) and pat skin dry.
Apply to Affected Areas
Take a small amount and apply to redness- and flaking-prone zones: nostrils, eyebrows, forehead and chin.
Massage In
Gently massage until fully absorbed. The light texture sinks in fast without greasiness.
Use Daily
Apply once or twice a day, morning and/or evening. Avoid clearly irritated or oozing skin.
Protect
Follow with a broad-spectrum sunscreen in the morning to protect sensitized skin.
๐ค Who Is It For?
โ Perfect for you if:
- You have seborrheic dermatitis with redness, itching and flaking
- You have sensitive, reactive or redness-prone skin
- You want a lightweight, fragrance-free daily treatment
- You prefer a clinically studied French-pharmacy formula
- You need something that works under makeup
โ Consider alternatives if:
- You have very dry skin needing rich, occlusive hydration
- You strictly avoid coconut oil and comedogenic oils
- You expect an instant, one-time cure (it's a maintenance treatment)
- You're pregnant and prefer to avoid azole antifungals without a doctor's sign-off
๐ฏ Skin Type Compatibility
Non-greasy gel-cream controls seborrheic flaking without adding shine.
Targets oily, SD-prone zones around the nose and brows while staying light elsewhere.
Fragrance-free and hypoallergenic with very good clinical tolerance.
Soothes well but the light texture may need a richer moisturizer layered on top.
Brand-tested non-comedogenic, but it contains coconut oil โ patch test if highly breakout-prone.
๐ Results Timeline
Immediate Soothing
Redness and itching begin to calm; skin feels more comfortable and less tight from the first applications.
~60% noticedReduced Flaking
Scales soften and become easier to remove, and visible flaking around the nose and brows decreases.
~70% noticedFull Clinical Results
Per Bioderma's clinical study on facial seborrheic dermatitis (21 subjects, 56 days), symptoms were visibly reduced with continued daily use.
~75% noticedโญ Ratings by Platform
โ๏ธ Pros & Cons
โ Praised
- Effectively calms seborrheic redness and flaking
- Lightweight, non-greasy and works under makeup
- Fragrance-free, hypoallergenic and well-tolerated
- Clinically studied for facial seborrheic dermatitis
- Affordable French-pharmacy pricing
โ Criticized
- Small 40ml tube runs out quickly
- Contains coconut oil (comedogenic concern)
- A maintenance product, not a permanent cure
- May not hydrate very dry skin enough alone
- Azole antifungal means a pregnancy caution
๐ฐ Budget-Friendly Alternatives (Dupes)
Uses zinc pyrithione as the antifungal instead of piroctone olamine and climbazole. Larger size and simpler base, but lacks the soothing enoxolone and prebiotic complex.
A more natural, plant-oil approach with tea tree and jojoba. Cheaper, but less clinically backed and not specifically formulated for facial SD.
Salicylic acid plus ceramides exfoliate scales and support the barrier, but there's no antifungal action against Malassezia, so it tackles flaking differently.
๐ Comparison with Competitors
Bioderma Sensibio DS+ (Featured)
$24.90Ducray Kelual DS Cream
$28.00Noble Formula 2% Pyrithione Zinc
$23.95CeraVe SA Smoothing Cream
$15.99๐ฆ Storage & Shelf Life
12 months after opening
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight; close the tube tightly after use.
40ml squeeze tube
Yes โ at 40ml it's well under the 100ml carry-on limit.
โ Frequently Asked Questions
It contains the azole antifungal climbazole plus piroctone olamine and glyceryl undecylenate. Topical absorption is generally low and there are no retinoids, salicylic acid, hydroquinone or chemical sunscreens. However, because it is a treatment cream containing antifungal actives, it's best to confirm with your doctor or midwife before using during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
This is nuanced. The cream is specifically designed to fight Malassezia with piroctone olamine, climbazole and glyceryl undecylenate โ so many people use it precisely to manage Malassezia-driven conditions. At the same time it contains coconut oil, caprylic/capric triglyceride and sorbitan sesquioleate, which strict fungal-acne checkers flag as potential triggers. Most seborrheic-dermatitis users tolerate it well, but if you have classic fungal acne and react to oils and esters, patch test first.
Yes, generally. The formula has no actives that strongly conflict with retinol, vitamin C, AHAs or BHAs. To avoid over-irritating already sensitive skin, introduce strong actives gradually โ for example use exfoliating acids or retinol in the evening and the DS+ cream as your soothing layer, and always patch test new combinations.
It's best for oily, combination and sensitive skin prone to seborrheic dermatitis โ redness, itching and flaking around the nose, eyebrows, forehead and chin. Dry skin can use it but may need a richer moisturizer layered on top, since the texture is deliberately light and non-greasy.
Many users feel soothing relief from redness and itching within the first week. Flaking typically reduces over 2โ4 weeks. Bioderma's clinical study on facial seborrheic dermatitis (21 subjects over 56 days) showed visibly reduced symptoms after about two months of consistent daily use.
Apply it after cleansing (and any serum) as your targeted treatment. On normal-to-oily skin it can act as your moisturizer; on dry skin, layer a richer cream over it. In the morning, always finish with sunscreen. Use once or twice daily on clean, dry skin.
Bioderma tests and markets the finished cream as non-comedogenic, and we rate it around 2/5. The caveat is coconut oil, which sits second on the ingredient list and is comedogenic in isolation. Most users don't break out, but if you're very breakout-prone, patch test on a small area first.
The Period After Opening (PAO) is 12 months. After opening, use it within a year and store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight for best stability.
Verdict: Bioderma Sensibio DS+ is a well-priced, clinically studied French-pharmacy treatment that genuinely helps calm the redness, itching and flaking of facial seborrheic dermatitis. Its dual antifungal-plus-soothing approach, fragrance-free formula and lightweight feel make it a strong daily-use option for oily, combination and sensitive skin. The main trade-offs are the small 40ml tube, the presence of coconut oil that gives acne-prone users pause, and the reality that it manages rather than permanently cures the condition. For most people dealing with face SD, it's an easy, effective recommendation โ just keep expectations on "control and comfort" rather than "one-time fix."
Product Overview
What are Quick Product Notes?
Quick product notes are a great way to check if a product is free from commonly avoided ingredients by skincare enthusiasts. These preferences come about for different reasons depending on the ingredient such as personal experiences, sensitivities, health preferences & etc.
Pro Tip Alert!
Just because a product is not free from a common preference does not mean it's a bad product! You can make a personal decision whether or not you want to use a product that contains these ingredients or not - click the labels of the preference to read more about them.
Quick Product Notes
Paraben-Free
Paraben-Free
Understanding Parabens
Parabens are a large group of preservatives which are used to prevent bacteria growing in cosmetic formulations. There has been some healthy controversy surrounding them due to a few studies finding paraben presence in breast tumours and breast tissue. However, the majority of the scientific community have deemed these findings non-conclusive due to the limitations of these studies. There's still a lot of support for avoiding parabens following the better safe than sorry route. If you do we completely support you! If you are concerned about the health safety of parabens, then feel free to avoid them by looking out for the Paraben-Free icon. If not, don't worry about it - they do have had one of the longest safety records as preservatives!
Which Ingredients are classified as Paraben?
A product will be paraben-free if it does not contain any of the following parabens:
- Sodium Isobutylparaben
- Sodium Ethylparaben
- Sodium Butylparaben
- Propylparaben
- Isopropylparaben
- Isobutylparaben
- Sodium Propylparaben
- Butylparaben
- Ethylparaben
- Sodium Methylparaben
- Methylparaben
Sulfate-Free
Sulfate-Free
Understanding Sulfates
Sulfates are a large group of ingredients which act as cleansing agents in Cosmetics. They help loosen up the dirt and grime from your skin and hair to allow for water to wash it away with ease. However some sulfates are so good at their job, they can wash off your skinโs own natural oils that keep it moisturised and protected which can lead to dryness and irritation. Most people will find no issues with sulfate, however if you find your skin doesn't like sulfates then free feel to avoid them by looking out for the sulfate-free icon on Skincarisma.
Which ingredients are classified as sulfates?
We've taken the Sulfates which are considered more harsh for our Sulfate-Free status. A product will be Sulfate-Free if it does not contain any of the following Sulfates:
- TEA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
- Ammonium Laureth Sulfate
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
- PEG-15 Cocamine
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate
- Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate
- Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
- Dioctyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate
- Ammonium Xylenesulfonate
- Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate
- Sodium Xylenesulfonate
- Sodium Myreth Sulfate
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
Alcohol-Free
Alcohol-Free
Understanding Simple Alcohols
Alcohol ingredients are widely used in cosmetics and come in different types. For the most part alcohols are not problematic at all. However one type of alcohols, simple alcohols can be quite drying to the skin because it evaporates very quickly. This can cause irritation which can also lead to other skin complications. These alcohols should never be used alone on your skin, but combined with other cosmetic ingredients, they are normally without issue. However, for some people with sensitive and easily irritable skin, avoiding products with these simple alcohols may be beneficial. If you find your skin doesn't like these simple alcohols, then free feel to avoid them by looking out for the Alcohol-Free icon.
Which Ingredients are classified as Alcohol?
A product will be alcohol-free if it does not contain any of the following alcohol ingredients:
- SD Alcohol
- Alcohol Denat
- Isopropyl Alcohol
- Alcohol
Silicone-Free
Silicone-Free
Understanding Silicones
If you've ever used a skincare, makeup or beauty product that's made your skin look and feel smoother tempoarily - it's likely contained Silicone. They are a popular class of ingredients found in cosmetics due to their smooth, soft, easy-to-spread and smooth properties that help creates an artificial layer/barrier on top of skin or hair (commonly found in conditioners).
For the same reasons they are popularly used, they are also commonly avoided. Anecdotally, many individuals have reported that Silicones cause/excerbate breakouts, irritation, cause a feeling of skin being unable to breathe, cause clumping of cosmetic products and find it difficult to wash off. As a result, those who find them problematic are avoiding them and increasingly, cosmetic companies are avoiding them as well.
If you have had bad experiences with Silicones in the past, or suspect they are problematic then look out for the tick on the Silicone-free label.
Disclaimer
The Silicone-free label only includes the most common Silicone ingredients that have indentified been reported by individuals that could potentially cause issues.
These include: Amodimethicone, Behenoxy Dimethicone, Bis-Aminopropyl Dimethicone, Cetearyl Methicone, Cetyl Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Dimethicone Copolyol, Dimethiconol, Methicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Stearoxy Dimethicone, Stearyl Dimethicone, Trimethylsilylamodimethicone.
Note, that this does not include all ingredients part of the Silicone class of ingredients.
EU Allergen-Free
EU Allergen-Free
Understanding the Identified Contact Allergens
The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has identified and established 26 cosmetic ingredients that are likely contact allergens (potential to cause skin allergies) as demonstrated in clinical or epidemiological studies. The EU's SCCS have recommend cosmetic companies to disclose them on the labels if used and in cases where the concentration exceeds 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products, then they must be labelled.
Look out for the tick on the EU-Allergen free label to know your cosmetic is free from any of the 26 identified cosmetic ingredients.
For more information regarding the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety, please visit their official website.
Disclaimer
The EU Allergen Free label is for the 26 ingredients identified by the EU SCCS and products will be only flagged if a suspected ingredient is on it's ingredient list. It is possible for cosmetics to contain one of the suspect ingredients without it appearing on the ingredient list due to it not reaching the concentration threshold to disclose it and cosmetic manufacturers choice to not disclose it.
Also note, the EU Allergen Free label is not personalized for your own allergies you may have and it does not constitute as medical advice. For your specific case, always consult your medical professiona such as dermatologist, physician, pharmacist, or health care provider - please read our medical disclaimer for more information.
Fungal Acne (Molassezia) Safe
Fungal Acne (Molassezia) Safe
Understanding Fungal Acne (Pityrosporum Folliculitis/Malassezia Folliculitis)
Pityrosporum Folliculitis/Malassezia folliculitis or simply known as Fungal Acne is a persistent acne-like condition that commonly responds poorly to traditional acne-treating methods. Unlike most cases of Acne where bacteria is the culprit, Fungi is the culprit of Fungal Acne (Hence the name!). There are certain classes & groups of ingredients that have been shown to promote and feed the growth of the Fungal Acne, Fungi such as fatty acids, oils, esters, polysorbates and fermented ingredients.
For more information regarding Fungal Acne, please visit Simple Skincare Science (f.c) - #3 of our Recommend Skincare Resources for an amazing comprehensive guide!
Please Read: How to use the Fungal Acne (Malassezia) Label
At SkinCarisma, we've done our best to identify as many ingredients as possible but note the fungal-free label may not be 100% accurate due to the complexconditions and combination of ingredients that malezzeria can thrive on.
Additionally, products that may contain ingredients that have shown to feed Malassezia may not neccessarily exacerbate the condition due to concentration of ingredient used in the product, this information is simply not available on the products.
As a result, please note this is only an experimental label that can be best used to possible identify problematic products you have used in the past. It is in no way a perfect identifier nor a predictor in whether or not it will exacerbate or cause fungal acne. It will continue to be worked on as more information and research comes to light.
If you find any ingredients you believe should be included, please email us at snails@skincarisma.com.
Disclaimer
Due to the lack of substantial research into this area it is very likely there are other ingredients and class/groups of ingredients that could feed Fungal Acne which have not been indentified.
The Fungal-Safe label does not constitute as medical advice. For your specific case, always consult your medical professiona such as dermatologist, physician, pharmacist, or health care provider - please read our medical disclaimer for more information.
What are Notable Effects & Ingredients?
Ever used a product that promised a certain effect but provided no results? It might not have contained any notable ingredients that could have been responsible for that promised effect. It doesn't matter what the marketing or packaging ยซpromisesยป it can do, if it doesn't contain anything that can help - then the likelihood of it helping is low.
We help you identify key notable ingredients that have been shown to help with effects such as acne-fighting, brightening, UV-protection, wound healing & anti-aging to help you achieve your skincare goals smarter. Please note that different notable ingredients have varying levels of research behind them, some are extremely well proven yet some have mixed research in their efficacy.
Pro Tip Alert!
Just because a product doesn't contain any notable ingredients doesn't mean it's bad. And a product with notable ingredients (or even many) doesn't necessarily guarantee the efficacy of the product performing these effects either. There are other factors such as ingredient quality, concentration and formulation that will ultimately determine this.
Be smart and use this as just a starting point for you to make more informed and smarter choices and compare it with reviews to see if the product is right for you
Notable Effects & Ingredients
What are Ingredients Related to Skin Type?
Why are some products great for some people and horrible for others? Well everyone has different skin types and different reactions to the same ingredients.
We've identified a range of ingredients that are commonly regarded as potentially good or bad for those with Dry, Oily/Acne-Prone or Sensitive skin.
Pro Tip Alert!
A product that contains good or bad ingredients for your skin type doesn't always flat out make the entire product good or bad for your skin. There are other factors such as ingredient quality, concentration and formulation that will ultimately determine your skins reaction.
One of the best ways to use this section is to troubleshoot products you've had bad experiences with in the past. Check if it contains any of the marked ingredients to point out suspect ingredients to avoid in the future!
Ingredients Related to Skin Types
Dry Skin
Oily/Acne-Prone Skin
Sensitive Skin
What is the Ingredient Safety Breakdown?
Ingredient Safety Breakdown refers to the percentage % of ingredients in different risk categories as classified by EWG (Environment Working Group) if they are available. There are almost endless cosmetic ingredients and they are one of the few organisations globally that have assigned ratings to a lot of the more commonly used ingredients which is why we reference them.
Pro Tip Alert!
EWG is seen by many to be more on the alarmist side in their assignment of health ratings resulting in rating ingredients as riskier than they actually are. We recommend using this a reference point rather than a strict guide of ingredient safety and to always do further research if into ingredients that you may find suspect.
Ingredient Safety Breakdown
Product ingredient list
| EWG | CIR | Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Water
Solvent, Skin Conditioning
|
|
|
| 0 |
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning
|
Hydrating
|
|
| 3 |
Propylene Glycol
Solvent, Skin Conditioning, Fragrance, Humectant, Viscosity Controlling, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Skin-Conditioningagent - Miscellaneous
|
Hydrating
|
|
| 1 |
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Solvent, Skin Conditioning, Masking, Perfuming, Emollient
|
|
|
| 3 |
Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Antifoaming Agent, Skin Protecting
|
|