About Dr. Barbara Sturm
Dr. Barbara Sturm mixes the power of clean science with effective, natural ingredients in her namesake skincare line. Made in Germany, the good doctor offers products for men, women, teens, and even babies that are cruelty-free and toxic-free.
Perhaps one of the most talked-about skincare brands to ever exist, take a look at the brand’s Press section and you’ll find page after page of features in notable publications. Some examples include Women’s Health, WWD, Vogue, and Vanity Fair.
With an Instagram following of 428k, it’s safe to say there’s something special about this particular company. If you’re interested in finding out exactly what that is, we invite you to read through this Dr. Barbara Sturm review.
Here, we’ll dive deep into information about the brand and its top sellers, show you what customers have to say about them, give you information on promotions, and more, to help you decide if they’re worth your attention, too.
Overview of Dr. Barbara Sturm
You can’t fully understand the brand without knowing who Dr. Barbara Sturm is herself. A German aesthetics doctor, take one look at her skin and you’ll want to know what her secret is. She claims it’s an anti-inflammatory approach and a mixture of non-surgical anti-aging treatments.
Running spas in Germany, London, LA, and Miami, Dr. Sturm is perhaps best known for her MC1 treatment. This unique process uses her patient’s own blood to trigger their skin’s healing response and reduce inflammation.
She launched her namesake skincare line in 2014. Her molecular cosmetics quickly likened to that of magic potions, producing a natural glow while addressing aging skin concerns, but in a non-invasive, natural way that doesn’t involve nips, tucks, and harsh chemicals.
Based in Düsseldorf, Germany, today, the brand offers skincare for adults, teens, and babies, the latter, a cutely packaged collection of creams, shampoo, and bath-time products.
Now that you know a little bit more about the face behind the brand, this Dr. Barbara Sturm review will shed some light on its pros and cons before jumping into its effective product line.
Pros
- Wide, varied selection of skincare products for different skin concerns
- Made from highly effective science-backed and natural ingredients
- Cruelty-free with primarily vegan collections
- Offers mini sizes
- Free sachets with every order
- Ships around the world
Cons
- Pricey
- Cannot return products after trying them
One of the things we love about this brand is that Dr. Sturm’s touch is all over it. It doesn’t feel like a line that someone else created and pasted her picture on the front, the doctor herself leaves notes and explanations on each product.
It’s these very collections that she sells in her spas and boutiques. In other words, they’re what she’s using on her high-profile patients.
What are these spa-worthy collections? Dr. Barbara Sturm focuses on skincare only, and in her lineup, you’ll discover a selection of cleansers, toners, serums, and creams for the face, along with several options for body and hand care.
In the next section of our Dr. Barbara Sturm review, we’ll lead you through an array of her signature skincare that can be bought as a one-time purchase or as part of a monthly subscription. Subscribing members save 15% and get their orders shipped for free.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Products Review
Ahead, we’ll walk you through the brand’s best-selling skincare products. You’ll find a varied list of cleansers, masks, serums, and creams here that showcase some of Dr. Barbara Sturm’s most famous concoctions, along with details on what makes them so effective.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Cleanser Review
The first step in any functional skincare routine, cleansing helps remove dirt and grime that settles on top of your skin and makes its way into your pores.
With that said, not all cleansers are built the same, some over stripping your skin and leaving it wanting. Dr. Barbara Sturm seems to use Purslane in a lot of her products, and you’ll find that same, active ingredient within her Cleanser.
Along with the skin-healthy omega 3 fatty acids found in Purslane, this particular formula uses aloe to repair while the cleanser does what it needs to do. This helps prep your skin for your next skincare step—usually serum.
Without an effective cleanser, serum can’t do its job, essentially just sitting on top of the dirt on your skin, never sinking in. A waste of money, time, and a good product.
Offered in a 150mL bottle, the Dr. Barbara Sturm Cleanser is $70.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser Review
Enzyme Cleanser…sounds a little intimidating. And to be honest, the formula kind of is, but it’s those big ingredients that are going to give you big results.
Using the power of cellulose peeling particles, lipase, subtilisin, and vitamin C, this cleanser reaches deep into pores, sloughing off dead skin, makeup, and pollution.
You may find that you have fewer blackheads when using the Enzyme Cleanser, which, in the tube, is a fine-grain powder. But, when mixed with water, it turns into a foamy consistency. Gotta love the transformative nature of science.
Get softer, smoother skin with a 75mL tube of the Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser for $75.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Mask Review
Using the soothing, hydrating powder of essential Purslane and Kaolin clay, the Face Mask gives skin a hit of hydration. It also calms the skin from irritation from environmental stressors, like sun and pollution damage.
Best used two or three times a week on freshly cleansed skin, leave this product on for up to 15 minutes before rinsing it off. The brand particularly recommends the Face Mask for those with dry skin.
Accompanied by a convenient application brush, the 50mL Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Mask leaves skin rejuvenated, smooth, and ready for the day. Get it for $120.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Review
To be used at night and in the morning, the Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream rejuvenates and hydrates skin to give you a natural-looking glow.
Using a smart mixture of skullcap and purslane, this cream calms irritation and redness, while boosting hydration. The result? Plump, firm, and totally smooth skin.
Pick up a 50mL jar for $215.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum Review
Loved for the way it holds in moisture, Hyaluronic acid has become one of skincare’s superstars over the last 10 years.
A go-to for anyone with dry, dull skin, Hyaluronic Serum acts like a wave of moisture. It washes over and sinks deep into your skin to pop out fine lines while providing a firmer feel and a glowy, hydrated look.
Made with low and high molecularly-weighed particles (one sinks in, the other coats), this serum also uses the calming powers of purslane to minimize redness and irritation.
A 30mL bottle of the Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum is $300.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Eye Cream Review
Because the skin around our eyes is thinner than the rest of our faces, wrinkles tend to gather there. On top of that, darkness, puffiness, and bags are no strangers to the eye area either, but often, the solution to making them disappear isn’t overly complicated, especially with products like the Eye Cream.
Dr. Sturm described her eye cream as “eye pudding” because of its interesting texture. Although it feels super lightweight on your skin, it’s ultra-rich in nutrients from golden root, sugar beet, and yeast, a unique combination that soothes skin, depuffs, and treats any fine lines in the area.
Revive your eyes with the Eye Cream for $140.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Glow Drops Review
A natural glow is perhaps one of the most lusted-after effects, offering a brighter complexion, dewy skin, and smooth tone. Dr. Barbara Sturm Glow Drops use a combination of hyaluronic acid, wild rose extract, and polygonum bistorta root (an anti-inflammatory) to hydrate, plump, brighten, and even skin tone.
Infused with optical pigments that give skin a shimmery glow without looking like you dumped a bottle of glitter on your face, a bottle of these healthy skin drops is $145.
Have a deeper complexion? Try Dr. Barbara Sturm darker skin tones oil.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Sun Drops SPF50 Review
Dr. Barbara Sturm is known for doing things a little differently from the rest, which is why her sunscreen isn’t in the traditional thick, cream form. Instead, Sun Drops SPF50 is a lightweight serum that smooths onto the skin like your favorite oil.
Fast-absorbing and gentle, these drops blend nourishing Vitamin E, beta-glucan, and cassia extract to protect skin from sun and pollution damage while serving as a broad spectrum barrier against UVA and UVB light rays.
Protect, soothe, and nourish with a 30mL bottle of the Dr. Barbara Sturm Sun Drops SPF50 for $145.
Who Is Dr. Barbara Sturm For?
Dr. Barbara Sturm skincare is made for a spectrum of skin issues. Because the brand offers multiple, focused solutions (hyaluronic for moisture, lifting serum for aging skin, etc.) those with a number of issues can find solutions.
Based on the formulas, we’d say the brand is aimed at those over 30. The majority of Dr. Barbara Sturm products cater to men’s and women’s aging skin concerns, rather than acne. With that said, the brand also has teens and baby care lines.
Comparison: Dr. Barbara Sturm vs. Augustinus Bader
Upon landing on the Augustinus Bader website, we quickly learned that the brand uses something called TFC8® technology in all of its products. With a little digging, we found out that it means Triggered Factor Complex, a formula made up of over 40 effective ingredients that work to retain moisture, and nourish skin, protect, and repair skin.
Augustinus Bader uses sustainably sourced ingredients, offers vegan options, and is considered clean skincare that mixes science with natural compounds to bring out the best in your skin.
Like our featured brand, its competitor specializes in skincare only. But, unlike Dr. Barbara Sturm, it doesn’t offer supplements to regenerate skin from the inside out.
When comparing similar products, more specifically, Augustinus Bader The Face Oil ($85) to Dr. Barbara Sturm Glow Drops ($145), we found that the former offers hydration through a mixture of argan, babassu, and hazelnut oil, along with its TFC8 complex.
It’s packed to the brim with ingredients to bring about a whole spectrum of effects—from anti-aging to brightening to hydration.
What makes these brands so different is that Augustinus Bader offers very few products—its one face oil does it all. Our featured brand has Dr. Barbara Sturm drops and serums that are specifically tailored to one need—whether that’s moisture, glowing skin, clarifying, lifting, or brightening.
Is one method inherently better than the other? It’s about your preferences, really. You may want to powerfully focus on one aspect, like lifting. That way, you know you’re getting a concentrated effort on working on something you really need. The alternative is tackling a range of issues, perhaps in areas you don’t really need, like dark spots or redness.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Reviews: What Do Customers Think?
Skin health is an investment. Just as you shell out money for the gym and healthy food to stay in good shape, you can think of taking care of your skin the same way. But even though the benefits of the brand’s skincare appear to counteract the dents in our wallets, when spending any sizable amount on anything, you want to know that it works well.
To find out just how effective these seemingly “miracle” products are, this Dr. Barbara Sturm review turned to real customer feedback from all corners of the web.
Before we reveal that feedback though, we gathered up some of the brand’s bestsellers and their ratings from DrSturm.com and compiled them into a handy little list below:
- Night Serum: average of 4.6/5 stars from 5 ratings
- Hyaluronic Serum: average of 5/5 stars from 4 reviews
- Cleanser: average of 4/5 stars from 6 reviews
- Face Mask: average of 5/5 stars from 4 reviews
- Anti-Pollution Drops: average of 5/5 stars from 3 reviews
As you can see, the brand’s products haven’t received many ratings on its own site. But, we’ll still take a close look at one before diving into another source. Since products that use hyaluronic acid are super popular right now, we decided to see what buyers had to say about the Hyaluronic Serum.
Everyone who has bought the serum says it hydrates and holds in moisture extremely well. Of its effects, one Dr. Barbara Sturm review read, “it gives instant hydration and has left me feeling comfortable in my own skin.”
Hydration really changes everything. Many people who have age-related skin issues notice a big change with proper hydration.
Next, we checked out Sephora to see what its customers had to say about the Dr. Sturm Glow Drops. Over 6k shoppers say they love this product, though only 289 have left a review, giving it an overall score of 3.8/5 stars. In terms of a breakdown, 68% of customers gave it a 4 or 5-star rating, while just 7% gave it 1 star.
Many users note how well it hydrates and doesn’t leave skin greasy, even those with oily skin. Though there are so many comments that mention its glowy effects, we came across one that read, “This is one of my go-to products for a no makeup look! I use it all year round, brightens my skin in the winter, and gives me a nice enhanced glow in the summer.”
The right product can actually enhance skin, meaning you may not feel as much of a need to cover up with makeup.
Craving a little more information on the Hyaluronic Serum, we headed to Influenster to check out user experience. Influenster is a well-known review site where those who have tried certain products come to write their honest opinions.
It’s proven to be a great source for getting the nitty-gritty details of a product, so we were excited to see what users had to say about the serum. 143 Influensters awarded it an overall score of 4.3/5 stars with the following breakdown:
- 5 stars: 59%
- 4 stars: 24%
- 3 stars: 7%
- 2 stars: 6%
- 1 star: 3%
There are a few comments that mention how the Hyaluronic Serum is a much better consistency than those at lower price points. So right off the bat, you know this serum is going to produce greater effects.
In terms of just how fast those results are, one Dr. Barbara Sturm review read, “Whenever I consistently use this product I do notice my skin does look nicer and with a more even texture.” Others second this opinion, saying it gives them “supple” skin and they’ve seen results in just one week.
What have these reviews taught us? Dr. Barabara Sturm skincare is higher quality than your average line, that it produces fast results, and can lead to greater satisfaction with your natural appearance.
Is Dr. Barbara Sturm Worth It?
There are a few common things that come up when shoppers talk about Dr. Barabara Sturm skincare—price, quality, and effectiveness.
The first thing on that list can be what makes some shoppers shy away from buying, but we love that the brand offers a minis section that allows you to try a smaller size before committing to a larger bottle.
There’s no doubt that its skincare produces some miraculous results. Throughout this Dr. Barabara Sturm review, we came across many users raving about the effects experienced with the brand’s products.
It’s held in high regard with high-profile clients as well as beauty editors who swear by the stuff. Considering that the products are made from science-backed and potent natural products, are never tested on animals, and have such great results, we think they’re definitely worth the buy.
Not completely sold on the price? Pick up a trial size. With your order comes several trial sachets as well, so you’ll be able to suss out a few other products with just one small order.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Promotions & Discounts
If you want high-quality skincare that’s used and loved by the world’s elite, you’re probably going to pay a higher price for it. That’s a plain and simple fact.
With this in mind, during this Dr. Barbara Sturm review, we were doubly as diligent in tracking down promotions and discounts offered by the brand and were truly pleased with what we found:
- Sign up to the mailing list to get 10% off your first order
- With every order, the company includes complimentary skincare sachets
- Orders over $400 receive a free travel-size product (with effective potions like these, that total isn’t hard to reach)
- Candy Shop: mini sizes of your favorites to try before you splurge on the larger size
Where to Buy Dr. Barbara Sturm
To access the brand’s entire inventory, shopping at DrSturm.com is the way to go. If you’d rather head to an in-store location, check out the website’s Store Locator to find one near you.
Want a treatment and some products to take home with you? Dr. Barbara Sturm has boutiques and spas located in Dusseldorf, Germany and London, UK, as well as Miami and LA in the USA.
FAQ
Where is Dr. Barbara Sturm Made?
Dr. Barbara Sturm skincare and supplements are made in Germany.
Is Dr. Barbara Sturm Vegan and Cruelty-Free?
The brand doesn’t label its products as vegan, but most of them are. The only animal-derived ingredients it uses are cruelty-free beeswax and animal-derived xanthan gum (apparently sometimes, it’s made from whey, but not always).
Dr. Barbara Sturm never has and never will test its products on animals. In fact, the company won’t sell its products in China due to the country’s requirements for animal testing.
What is Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Shipping Policy?
Dr. Barbara Sturm ships to quite a few locations around the world, most with similar ship times. We’ll outline them all for you below for you to see if they deliver to your location and how approximately long it will take.
- Germany: Standard 3-5 business days, Express 2-3 business days
- UK/Europe: Standard 3-5 business days, Express 2-3 business days
- Europe (non-EU): Standard 3-5 business days, Express 2-3 business days
- USA & Canada: Standard 3-5 business days, Express 1-2 business days
- Mexico: Standard 5 business days
- Middle East: Standard 3-4 business days
- Asia: Standard 4-5 business days
This Dr. Barbara Sturm review must note here that all orders sent to locations outside of the EU will have duty fees. You can prepay them when checking out or when the package arrives but just be prepared since the brand is located in Germany.
What is Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Return Policy?
If for any reason once you receive your Dr. Barbara Sturm products and need to return them, you certainly can as long as it’s been under 30 days of delivery. Any items you send back must be in saleable condition in their original packaging.
The company has a pretty strict policy on what’s considered saleable and will not accept returns on items that:
- Are unsealed
- Have been used
- Relabelled
- Have been refilled
- Were pierced
- Are missing some pieces
To make a return, use the email noted in the last section of this Dr. Barbara Sturm review. From there, the brand’s customer service team will let you know what to do next.
How to Contact Dr. Barbara Sturm
We hope you found the information that you needed in this Dr. Barbara Sturm review, but if you still have questions, feel free to email service@drsturm.com.
Explore your skincare options with these popular beauty brands:
