I'm sure by now you've all heard of a certain cult-favorite skincare brand by German aesthetics doctor, Barbara Sturm, MD. The line is so effective and luxurious that it's garnered attention from celebrities like Bella Hadid, Nina Dobrev, Kim Kardashian, Emma Roberts, and the list goes on. Naturally, because I try so many beauty products, I'm always skeptical until proven otherwise. I decided to do a little investigating on Sturm's products and see what all the hype was about.
What I was extremely pleasantly surprised to discover was that Sturm has a line designed specifically for darker skin tones. Let's just say there aren't many out there that offer that, so I pretty much jumped for joy. I've been using a few products from the line for a little over two months now, and I'm totally in love. Normally, my skin errs on the side of oily and breakout-prone, so I'm always careful about using new products on my skin (it's a delicate balance). But these products not only soothe and hydrate my skin, but they also help prevent new breakouts from forming which I can literally see happening live on my skin from time to time. A small little blemish might appear, but the next day, it's gone.
I'm genuinely excited to see the long-term results and wanted to share them with anyone else who may struggle with the same issues. Now, I must admit Sturm's products are pretty pricey, but investing in at least a couple is a smart move in my book. If you're curious about which products Sturm says are the best to fight acne for both fair and darker skin tones, keep reading below for what she had to share with me.
My Current Dr. Sturm Skincare Routine
I'd heard wonderful things about Sturm's Darker Skin Tones range from another stunning famous face, Nathalie Emmanuel, who touted the line as her go-to for both her morning and evening routine. I decided to try it for myself since I fit the bill and am prone to things like acne and dark spots. If you're wondering what the secret sauce is in this line, Sturm broke it down for us.
"At the beginning of my research, I was surprised to discover that there were so few options tailored to address the needs of melanin-rich skin," Sturm shares. "As an aesthetics doctor focused on combating inflammation, I do not believe in one-size-fits-all skincare. Everyone's skin has both overlapping and different needs, and those different needs must be properly addressed. I created the Darker Skin Tones line because I was aware of the scientific literature showing skin with more active melanocytes possessing a special sensitivity to the inflammation cascade, which can lead to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and other dysfunctions. Beginning in 2014, I spent years and my own funds researching and developing an ingredient, science-based skincare line to address the unique inflammation challenges of darker skin. My Darker Skin Tones line contains potent ingredients that combat irritation, boost hydration, and balance sebum production as well as ingredients like Lumicol, which helps even skin's tone for a natural, healthy glow."
I use this cleanser as my main face wash in the morning and evening. It's a gentle foaming wash with salicylic acid and hyaluronic acid that never leaves my skin feeling dry or tight which I really appreciate. Most face washes with salicylic acid do exactly that, so using this has been a refreshing change. It's definitely one of the most well-formulated face washes I've ever used, and after using it for about two months now, I've seen some real, noticeable improvements in my skin's overall tone and texture.
A few times a week, I'll swap in the enzyme cleanser morning or evening when I feel like I could use some light exfoliation. It has really helped reduce blackheads on my nose where I get them most often and my skin feels incredibly smooth after I use it. I've also definitely seen an improvement in the dark spots I have around my chin area, but I also use a potent vitamin C serum in the morning, so that could also be making a bigger difference.
After cleansing, I'll go in with a sweep of the Balancing Toner to remove any excess oil. This one also contains hyaluronic acid and sugar biovector to help regulate the pH balance in your skin.
I try not to neglect my neck area because I know it's just as prone to accelerated aging as your facial skin. This cream contains shiitake mushroom to help tighten and firm the skin while the ingredient purslane provides antioxidant protection.
Dr. Sturm's Recommendations for Acne-Prone Skin
Even if you have a fairer skin type and struggle with acne, Sturm still has some advice and an array of products to help. "It's a common misconception that skin prone to acne and breakouts should be dried out and treated harshly," says Sturm. "In fact, it is even more important to moisturize and heal it as most breakouts are exacerbated by inflammation and dryness. I created my Clarifying line to target acne-prone skin and strengthen and restore the skin's natural barrier function. It has excellent ingredient science with anti-bacterial properties that help to target inflammation and irritation before it occurs and includes anti-aging ingredients too."
Sturm's Clarifying Serum contains soothing ingredients like purslane and albatrellus ovinus extract to calm inflamed skin along with hyaluronic acid for a boost of hydration.
This moisturizer is ideal for acne-prone skin because it helps to restore the its natural balance and contains zinc to remove excess sebum within your pores.
For a deep clean of your pores, add the Clarifying Mask to your routine. This one contains Sturm's star ingredient purslane along with kaolin clay and zinc to soak up excess oil and mattify the skin.
More Dr. Sturm Products We Love
The Better B is one of Sturm's newest offerings and helps reduce the look of enlarged pores thanks to its star ingredient, niacinamide. It also has vitamin B5 to soothe and hydrate the skin for a more refined texture.
At least two to three days out of the week, I like to go in with a deeper facial scrub like Sturm's. This one is designed specifically to help prevent breakouts and stimulate blood circulation.
Sturm is known for her legendary Hyaluronic Acid Serum (a celebrity favorite), and I'm happy to report there's a version for darker skin tones, too. On top of the youth-enhancing benefits it delivers, it contains Lumicol and purslane to reduce visible irritation on the skin.
Once I heard these Glow Drops are Nina Dobrev's secret to luminous skin, let's just say I smashed the buy button real quick. The formula is also noncomedogenic so it's perfect for acne-prone skin.
Basically, since I ended up loving all the other products I tried from Sturm so I decided to throw in the eye cream as well. It's great for targeting dark circles and puffiness with ingredients like golden root, sugar beet, and yeast.
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