We Tried Dr Barbara Sturm’s Peptide Serum – Here’s Our Report

Did you know that searches for ‘peptide skincare’ have recently increased by more than 200 percent? It appears that millions of us are on the same mission – to find the ultimate peptide-powered formula for boosting skin firmness and bounce. These super smart operators contain chains of amino acids that act as the building blocks for skin-supporting proteins like collagen, elastin and keratin. When applied in serum form, peptides prompt the skin to start repairing itself, turbo charging collagen and reducing fine lines and wrinkles. Enter Dr Barbara Sturm’s new Peptide Serum, which promises to take these hard-working yet gentle skincare dynamos to the next level.

C&TH Beauty Lab: The Peptide Serum By Dr Barbara Sturm

The Product

Powered by advanced peptides, this high performance, bio-tech innovation is clinically proven to preserve up to 90 percent of elastin and 63 percent of collagen. Think of it as internal scaffolding for the face – without the need for injectables like Botox. The serum helps to defend the skin’s structural proteins while supporting their natural synthesis, resulting in firmer, smoother and more resilient skin. What sets this product apart is its unique formulation: it contains a synergistic blend of five peptides and amino acids designed to enhance the repair and renewal process through a targeted approach. How does it work? Read on…

The Clinical Bit

Acting as signalling molecules on the skin’s surface, these next-gen bio-tech peptides stimulate collagen and elastin synthesis in the deeper layers. In tandem, a deeply moisturising amino acid complex delivers essential building blocks for the skin’s own peptides, encouraging them to work more efficiently. ‘Think of this as your skin’s youth preserver and guardian, boosting collagen, accelerating repair and keeping skin strong, firm and radiant,’ says Dr Sturm.

Each of the five peptide ingredients has a specific role. Neurotransmitter inhibitor, acetyl octapeptide-3 acts a bit like Botox to relax facial muscles, smoothing lines and facial micro-tensions. Hexapeptide-3 is a signalling peptide, which gets to work on plumping and regenerating the skin. Then there’s acetyl tetrapeptide-2, which performs the gravity-defying feat of reversing signs of skin sagging, enhancing firmness and redefining facial contours. Multi-target signalling superhero decapeptide-4 is a good all-rounder, supporting the formation of collagen, elastin and fibronectin to strengthen skin structure and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Finally, palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, another signalling peptide, helps to reduce inflammation, refine texture and strengthen the skin barrier. Of course, no Dr Sturm creation would be complete without the brand’s signature ingredient, purslane extract, an anti-ageing powerhouse that protects the skin from oxidative damage.

Clinical trials involving instrumental tests on 24 volunteers showed that skin hydration is boosted by 191 percent in 28 days and 223 percent after 56 days. Skin elasticity improved by 36 percent in 56 days and skin firmness by 27 percent, while fine lines and wrinkles showed a 38 percent visible reduction and skin redness reduced by 65 percent. Ninety percent of users agreed the serum replenished and plumped their skin and 87 percent saw improved elasticity and reduced sagginess after 56 days.

The Test Drive

A long-time fan of anti-inflammatory expert Dr Sturm, I first met her about 12 years ago when she gave me one of her so-called ‘vampire facials’, using a platelet-rich plasma moisturising cream (MC1) customised with my own blood (it involved drawing a small amount of blood and then adding it to the cream, which I recall had a slight metallic scent!). My skin had never looked or felt so smooth or nourished. Thanks to Kim Kardashian, Dr Sturm’s vampire facial made global headlines, and celebrities such as Victoria Beckham have been investing in her skincare and flocking to her state-of-the-art clinics ever since.

As someone who has long been Botox adverse, this gentle, lightweight formulation is the perfect pro-active treatment. It may not achieve the glass-like look of an injectable, but I prefer to see more natural, cumulative results anyway, knowing that I’m renewing my skin from the inside out. It is by far one of the fastest absorbing serums that I’ve tried: my skin literally inhales it, in a single greedy gulp, giving instant hydration and plumping. Non-greasy and non-sticky, it also proves the ideal base for makeup.

After applying a few drops both morning and night to my face, eye area and décolleté for more than a month, I can report that my skin feels firmer and looks noticeably smoother and brighter with a more refined texture. I’ve even noticed that the fine lines around my eyes appear slightly less crow like. And I was chuffed when a colleague young enough to be my daughter complimented me on my ‘glowing’ skin, not once but twic. I teamed the serum with the equally fast-absorbing Dr Sturm Face Cream, also part of the brand’s molecular cosmetics line and containing superfood ingredient Purslane.

The Verdict

With its focus on preserving and stimulating collagen – or ‘collagen banking’ as Dr Sturm calls it, this serum is designed for skin longevity. Increasingly, more of us are taking a preventative and restorative approach to skincare, and although this is at the pricier end of the scale, it offers a marked return on investment.

SHOP

Dr Barbara Sturm The Peptide Serum, £70 for 10ml or £185 for 30ml. drsturm.com