The Skin Care Whisperer Behind Hollywood’s Glow Just Dropped A *Major* New Peptide Serum

Few skin care gurus have achieved the level of celebrity fanfare as Dr. Barbara Sturm. An orthopedics specialist from Germany, she rose to prominence by incorporating blood-based anti-inflammatory treatments into skin care, initially offering her MC1 cream made with patients’ own plasma (which gained her a celebrity following including Hailey Bieber, Victoria Beckham, and Oprah Winfrey.) More than a decade after launching her brand and expanding into body care, hair care, and global spas, she has introduced her latest innovation: The Peptide Serum, a non-invasive daily treatment designed to boost collagen and elastin production while simultaneously working to smooth expression lines.

Before we get into the product itself, a quick science lesson on peptides. Made up of chains of amino acids, peptides can be thought of as messengers that signal your cells to perform specific functions. There are hundreds of peptides being researched across the pharmaceutical and supplement industries, but in cosmetics, the most prized peptides are those capable of protecting and stimulating the skin’s structural proteins (aka collagen and elastin) that give it its firmness and elasticity. Topical peptides also appear to be a solid choice for those with sensitive skin, as they generally support the skin barrier, and several cosmetic peptides can even help with reducing inflammation.

About The Serum

One of the pillars of Dr. Sturm’s line is taking a holistic approach to skin health. Part of that certainly includes diet and exercise, but the topical products you use also play a role in helping to protect your skin. This is especially true when it comes to collagen and elastin. Though the collagen and elastin your body naturally produces begins to decline in your mid-20s, lifestyle factors like sun exposure, a sugar-heavy diet, and stress can accelerate the degradation of both. Enter: The Peptide Serum. While it can’t make up for poor lifestyle habits (please, just put on the sunscreen), it can assist with preserving your skin’s collagen and elastin and boosting the production of these naturally occurring proteins at the same time.

There are five peptides powering the serum, which were carefully selected for their soothing and hydrating benefits, in addition to their ability to support collagen and elastin production. But the star peptide is called acetyl octapeptide-3, and it works to create a tightening effect by relaxing facial muscle contractions (Dr. Sturm calls it an “instant Botox effect”). It works alongside the other peptides, as well as ingredients like amino acids (the building blocks of proteins and peptides) and hyaluronic acid to visibly plump up skin and, according to a consumer evaluation test, reduce unwanted wrinkles after 56 days of daily use.

You can incorporate the serum into your morning and/or evening skin care routine, but a few drops are all you need for your face and décolleté. And if you don’t yet want to commit to the full-size bottle, there’s also a smaller option for under $100 for those who want to test the serum out first.