Dr. Barbara Sturm
Dr. Barbara Sturm is the luxury skincare line from the German aesthetics doctor of the same name, known for an ingredient-led, anti-inflammatory approach to the face. The collection here spans the cleansing and treatment steps you would expect from the brand: the Enzyme Cleanser, the Glow Drops, a Night Serum and Night Cream, an Eye Cream, and a Face Mask, alongside body and hand care like the Body Cream and Handwash. It is a considered, results-focused range rather than a budget routine. We list 23+ products in stock, including the brand's hero serums and travel-friendly sizes.
By Skinsli editorial Updated
Buying guide
Dr. Barbara Sturm skincare: how to choose
Dr. Barbara Sturm built her skincare around an anti-inflammatory philosophy drawn from her work as an aesthetics doctor in Germany. The line we stock covers the whole face routine, from the Enzyme Cleanser through the Glow Drops, Night Serum, Night Cream, Eye Cream, and Face Mask, plus body and hand care. This guide explains the philosophy behind the brand, walks through the products on this page, and helps you decide where to begin and how to layer them.
The philosophy behind the brand
Dr. Barbara Sturm is a German doctor who came to skincare from aesthetic and orthopaedic medicine, and her formulas centre on calming inflammation rather than aggressively resurfacing skin. The brand favours gentle, well-tolerated actives and a minimal-irritation approach, which is why so many of its products read as soothing and replenishing. If you gravitate to this line, you are usually choosing comfort and a measured routine over harsh exfoliation.
The Enzyme Cleanser as a starting point
The Enzyme Cleanser is one of the brand's signatures and a sensible first buy. It is a powder-to-foam wash activated with water that lifts away the day gently while giving a light, enzyme-based polish. Because it is mild, it suits most skin types and sets a clean base for the treatment steps that follow. The 75ml size on this page lasts a long time, since you only need a small amount per wash.
Glow Drops and daytime radiance
The Glow Drops are the brand's most talked-about product, a lightweight serum in a 30ml dropper that adds a dewy, lit-from-within finish under or in place of moisturiser. They work well in the morning when you want skin to look fresh and hydrated, and they layer easily under makeup. If you want one hero item to try the line, the Glow Drops are the usual choice alongside the cleanser.
Night Serum and Night Cream
The Night Serum (30ml) and Night Cream (50ml) are the evening half of the routine. The serum delivers its treatment step onto clean skin, and the richer Night Cream seals it in overnight while you rest. Pairing the two gives a complete PM routine: serum first for active care, cream second for comfort and a protective finish. They are designed to work together, though either can slot into an existing nighttime line.
Eye Cream and Face Mask
The Eye Cream comes in a compact 15ml jar for the delicate area around the eyes, where a dedicated, gentler formula makes sense. The Face Mask (50ml) is a treat-and-reset step you can use once or twice a week to give skin extra moisture and calm. Both are add-ons to the core cleanse-and-treat routine rather than daily essentials, so reach for them when you want to round out the line.
Body Cream, Handwash, and V Wash
The range extends past the face. The Body Cream (500ml) and Handwash (500ml) bring the brand's gentle, replenishing approach to the rest of the skin, and the V Wash (200ml) is an intimate cleanser formulated for sensitive areas. These let you keep one brand philosophy across more of your routine if you have come to trust how the face products feel. The generous bottle sizes make the body and hand items practical for daily, whole-household use.
How to layer the routine
A clear order helps: cleanse with the Enzyme Cleanser, apply the Glow Drops in the morning or the Night Serum in the evening, then moisturise with the Night Cream at night and add Eye Cream around the eyes. Use the Face Mask once or twice a week in place of a regular treatment step. Let each layer absorb for a moment before the next so the lighter serums sink in before the richer creams.
Who the line suits and how to start
This is a premium, gentle line that suits people who want a calm, anti-inflammatory routine and are happy to invest in considered products. It works across most skin types, including sensitive skin, because the formulas avoid harsh actives. If you are new to the brand, start with the Enzyme Cleanser and the Glow Drops, see how your skin responds over a few weeks, then build out with the night and eye steps. As always, patch test first if your skin reacts easily.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is Dr. Barbara Sturm known for?
Dr. Barbara Sturm is a luxury skincare brand founded by the German aesthetics doctor of the same name, built around an anti-inflammatory approach to skin. The line favours gentle, well-tolerated formulas, with the Glow Drops and Enzyme Cleanser among its best-known products.
What do the Glow Drops do?
The Glow Drops are a lightweight 30ml serum that adds a dewy, fresh finish to the skin. Use them in the morning under or instead of moisturiser for a lit-from-within look, and they layer easily under makeup. They are the brand's signature daytime radiance product.
How do I use the Enzyme Cleanser?
The Enzyme Cleanser is a powder you activate with water to make a gentle foam. Take a small amount, work it into a lather in wet hands, massage it over the face, then rinse. It gives a mild enzyme polish without stripping, so it suits most skin types as a first step.
Is Dr. Barbara Sturm suitable for sensitive skin?
The brand's anti-inflammatory philosophy means the formulas avoid harsh actives and aim for low irritation, so the line works across most skin types including sensitive skin. As with any new product, patch test first if your skin reacts easily, and introduce one item at a time.
Which Dr. Barbara Sturm product should I start with?
Most people begin with the Enzyme Cleanser and the Glow Drops, the two products that best capture the brand's gentle, radiance-focused approach. See how your skin responds over a few weeks, then add the Night Serum, Night Cream, and Eye Cream to build a full routine.