Is Dr. Barbara Sturm’s $325 Hyaluronic Acid Serum Worth the Hype? Here’s My Honest Review

Growing up, I had oily skin—like, “bring oil blotting sheets with me to school” oily skin. But as I approached my early- and mid-20s, my skin completely transformed. Not only did I develop hormonal acne, but after getting that under control and treating it, my skin did a total turnaround and became super dry. That’s when hyaluronic acid serums (which are face serums that help your skin retain moisture) quickly became a staple for me, particularly the Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum.

Of course, there was a lot of trial and error at first. My tried-and-true salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide washes were no longer my trusty go-tos. I previously had a simple yet effective (oily skin) skin care routine: Mornings consisted of face wash, moisturizer, and SPF. Evenings consisted of makeup remover, face wash, retinol, and moisturizer.

But now things needed to be adjusted. And as I created a new skin care routine tailored to my now much drier skin, I noticed one thing missing: a hydrating serum. I wanted was to stop the flaking and dry patches, so I decided to incorporate a hyaluronic acid serum (this is probably something I should’ve been doing long before, but it’s never too late!). Adding extra hydration did wonders for my skin, and I haven’t looked back since.

This was also the point at which I learned not all hyaluronic acid products are created the same. Some are super sticky, some don’t really hydrate skin that well, and some don’t layer well under makeup (read “pilling”). So when I had the chance to try the Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum, I was thrilled. It seemed like a perfect fit. One thing to note about this serum is that it’s pricey (the standard-size one-ounce bottle retails for $325). But after using it for years at this point, here’s why I think it’s worth the buy.

My honest review

Original image of Catharine Malzahn testing the Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum

Original image of Catharine Malzahn testing the Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum

Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum has been a match made in heaven for my dry skin. At this point, I’ve gone through three bottles of it, and it never ceases to impress. My skin feels smoother, plumper, and of course, more hydrated. I started seeing the hydration effects after just a week of use (particularly in the winter), but the smoother, plumper feel came later, after about a month of use (these things take time!). Plus, it hasn’t caused any breakouts or irritation whatsoever.

I love how well it absorbs; it settles instantly and doesn’t feel sticky. The texture is viscous, like any serum, and not too watery. It feels almost soft on application and applies more smoothly than any other one I’ve tried. I follow it with SPF and makeup, and I’ve never had any pilling issues under foundation.

At the end of the day, after removing my makeup (I like the Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm) and washing my face (usually with the Fresh Soy Face Cleanser), I apply Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum, follow it up with my SkinMedica 0.25 Retinol Complex and Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream, and my skin is sufficiently moisturized and ready for bed. With this combination, my skin feels soft and smooth when I wake up the next morning—for a dry-skinned girlie, this is the best feeling ever.

Why is Dr. Barbara Sturm so popular?

Dr. Barbara Sturm is a German doctor and a pioneer in the anti-inflammatory and aesthetics space. Her eponymous brand is known for its luxurious, scientifically driven products, and the famed hyaluronic serum is no different. One of the brand’s hero products, it works great on all skin types and contains not only multiple weights of hyaluronic acid serum (to provide both instant hydration and deeper skin barrier function support) but also ingredients such as purslane extract for an antioxidant boost. It also boosts firmness and aids in increasing skin’s elasticity, so it’s great for fine lines and wrinkles. Hello, anti-aging powerhouse! Though anyone can benefit from a hyaluronic acid serum like this one, those with dry, dull, sensitive, or aging skin will particularly thrive with this addition to their routine.