The Enduring Appeal Of Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Hyaluronic Serum — & Why Celebs Can’t Get Enough

When it comes to skin care, there are buzzy ingredients, and then there are those rare few whose enduring popularity has landed them in a league of their own. Perhaps the best example of this is hyaluronic acid, which has skyrocketed in popularity over the last few years thanks to its ability to deeply hydrate and plump up skin by drawing in moisture. And one of the most beloved hyaluronic acid products out there? Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Hyaluronic Serum.

Ten years since its launch, the serum has accrued a loyal celebrity following that includes Victoria Beckham, Katie Holmes, and Oprah Winfrey, who loved the doctor-developed serum (and range of products) so much, she became an investor in Dr. Sturm’s company.

What Makes Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Hyaluronic Acid Serum So Special?

Celebrity endorsements aside, the serum has been proven to boost hydration and visibly improve signs of skin aging, thanks to its smoothing and plumping abilities. The secret behind its success is really twofold. For starters, the formula uses a combination of long-, medium-, and small-chain hyaluronic molecules to maximize the hydration benefits. As long-chain hyaluronic molecules smooth out any lines on your face caused by dehydration, the small- and medium-chain hyaluronic molecules work deeper to support the production of collagen and elastin.

Then, to address the negative effects inflammation can have on the skin, Dr. Sturm incorporated biofermented purslane extract, a plant whose antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties have been shown to protect the skin against oxidative damage and potentially help repair existing cellular damage. No wonder Kourtney Kardashian called it “one of [her] most favorite products,” adding that she uses it both day and night.

Other Dr. Barbara Sturm Products To Try

Of course, no hyaluronic acid serum alone is able to work moisturizing miracles. To ensure you’re actually locking hydration into your skin, you’ll want to pair the hyaluronic serum with something that includes occlusive ingredients (found in the face creams, below).

The Face Cream

Before Hailey Bieber founded Rhode, the skin care enthusiast relied on Dr. Sturm to keep her skin glowing. In particular, Bieber turned to Dr. Sturm’s signature MC1 cream, which involved a trip to Dr. Sturm’s clinic in Germany for a blood draw that separates the plasma to then be mixed into a moisturizer. The Face Cream was one of the first products Dr. Sturm introduced to her line, and was formulated as the at-home (blood-free!) version of her MC1 cream. Because it includes occlusive and emollient ingredients like shea butter and squalane, the Face Cream is ideal for applying after the Hyaluronic Serum to lock in the moisture from the hyaluronic acid.

The fast-absorbing cream doesn’t contain any harsh actives, making it safe to use in both the morning and at night, but it does include purslane and skullcap. The plant extracts are naturally anti-inflammatory and rich in antioxidant compounds like vitamin A, vitamin C, and glutathione, and help to soothe skin while also addressing an uneven skin tone and texture.

The Glow Cream

For a moisturizer that gives you immediate payoff while continuing to improve the look of your skin over time, there’s the Dr. Barbara Sturm Glow Cream. As its name implies, the daily face cream enhances skin radiance right away with light-reflecting pearl pigments, and promotes a more even skin tone with continued use, thanks to bistorta root extract. To further enhance your skin tone and texture for glowier skin, rose extract and biosaccharides work to soothe any redness, hyaluronic acid, shea butter, and squalane increase hydration, and purslane and vitamin E provide an antioxidant boost that helps protect the skin against oxidative stress.

The Sun Drops

Finally, no skin care routine is complete without sunscreen — in fact, you’re fighting a losing battle if you’re not following up your pricey skin care products with an SPF. These sun drops keep your face protected against daily sun exposure with SPF 50 from a blend of chemical sunscreen filters, but they do it in the form of a serum. In addition to giving the sun drops a lightweight texture, the serum formula also packs in the skin care benefits with moisturizing and antioxidant ingredients like panthenol, green tea leaf extract, and purslane extract. Plus, it even includes hyaluronic acid, so you can reserve your hyaluronic acid serum for the nighttime and save yourself an extra step in the morning.