If I could summarize my skincare routine in just a few words, it’d be a constant struggle and years of trial and error. I’ve tried pretty much all of the skincare hacks, medications, devices, and routines to combat adult acne, except for Accutane. What was excruciatingly annoying about my acne was it was never full-blown inflammation. When you have hormonal acne or are a teenager, you get red pustules that are filled with yellowish pus. They tend to respond pretty well to topical acne medications like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. But mine was much more insidious and chronic. I used to get these tiny, bumpy whiteheads that I could squeeze out. They are super visible under the bright sunlight and create an overall uneven texture that no makeup can conceal. I’ve spent a fortune trying “clean”, “vegan” and otherwise “conscious” products that do not contain questionable ingredients per several popular Youtubers’ recommendations. They actually backfired. Most brands nowadays are trying so hard to keep the ingredients “clean”, they just use alternative ingredients that are not fully tested, so that they could label the products “clean”. And in so doing, some brands sacrifice the chemical ratios that make skincare products stable or effective.
If I could summarize my skincare routine in just a few words, it’d be a constant struggle and years of trial and error. I’ve tried pretty much all of the skincare hacks, medications, devices, and routines to combat adult acne, except for Accutane. What was excruciatingly annoying about my acne was it was never full-blown inflammation. When you have hormonal acne or are a teenager, you get red pustules that are filled with yellowish pus. They tend to respond pretty well to topical acne medications like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. But mine was much more insidious and chronic. I used to get these tiny, bumpy whiteheads that I could squeeze out. They are super visible under the bright sunlight and create an overall uneven texture that no makeup can conceal. I’ve spent a fortune trying “clean”, “vegan” and otherwise “conscious” products that do not contain questionable ingredients per several popular Youtubers’ recommendations. They actually backfired. Most brands nowadays are trying so hard to keep the ingredients “clean”, they just use alternative ingredients that are not fully tested, so that they could label the products “clean”. And in so doing, some brands sacrifice the chemical ratios that make skincare products stable or effective.
When I browsed the reviews for the Sturm products, most negative reviews had to do with the price, rather than the quality or efficacy of the products. I could not find negative reviews due to allergic/bad reactions (at least from the reviews I’ve read). Barbara Sturm’s products have premium beauty price tags, and I was wondering if their quality was also premium.
All of the Sturm products are fragrance-free, which is great for sensitive and acne-prone skin types.
It’s been several months since I started using her products, and my bumpy whiteheads are mostly gone. I’ve also extended my Sturm products, and most of my skincare products now consist of Sturm products. They are so worth the price, especially if your skin is as sensitive as I am. These are the Sturm products I’m currently using, and I know I’m going to repurchase them.
If you’ve used enzyme cleansers from other brands, this should feel very similar to them. I’ve been using an enzyme cleanser from a Japanese brand, and this feels almost identical.
The prices for both were comparable, so I think I’m going to be repurchasing this enzyme cleanser as it is more easily assessable.
This is probably one of the most controversial hyaluronic serums in the market, as Sturm charges an outrageous $300 for an ounce of hyaluronic acid, a relatively cheap ingredient. It does not promise any anti-aging potency or cutting-edge technology that usually warrants a higher price tag.
The serum does feel very luxurious, and a little goes a long way. I either put the serum directly on after the toner or mix a drop or two with my moisturizer that I’ll be mentioning down below.
I love this face cream. Seriously – this is my favorite Sturm product. This cream does not clog my pores and cause me whiteheads, which has been the case with so many gentle and sensitive moisturizers in the market.
The cream is unscented, but frankly, it’s not the most pleasant-smelling cream, lol.
But there’s a reason this is going to be my forever skincare staple – no breakouts!
When my skin’s feeling dry due to colder weather, I dab a little bit of the richer cream. This goes on so smoothly and feels like such a treat.
And one final note on the price – If you do well on most skincare products and do not break out easily, I don’t believe these products are necessary. There is a plethora of hydrating and moisturizing products that are much more competitively priced. So if you’re happy with whichever skincare products you’ve been using, I’d say stick to them and continue enjoying them. If, however, you are dropping thousands of dollars on acne medication, skincare gadgets, or spa facials because you’re constantly breaking out, I recommend giving these products a try. If they agree with your skin, as mine did, you’ll actually be saving money by investing in these products.
If your skin’s sensitive and prone to breakouts, it’s best to limit the number of skincare products you use. This has been my experience. Don’t fall into influencers’ skincare routines with a laundry list of products. Chances are, they’re sponsored.
If I could summarize my skincare routine in just a few words, it’d be a constant struggle and years of trial and error. I’ve tried pretty much all of the skincare hacks, medications, devices, and routines to combat adult acne, except for Accutane. What was excruciatingly annoying about my acne was it was never full-blown inflammation. When you have hormonal acne or are a teenager, you get red pustules that are filled with yellowish pus. They tend to respond pretty well to topical acne medications like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. But mine was much more insidious and chronic. I used to get these tiny, bumpy whiteheads that I could squeeze out. They are super visible under the bright sunlight and create an overall uneven texture that no makeup can conceal. I’ve spent a fortune trying “clean”, “vegan” and otherwise “conscious” products that do not contain questionable ingredients per several popular Youtubers’ recommendations. They actually backfired. Most brands nowadays are trying so hard to keep the ingredients “clean”, they just use alternative ingredients that are not fully tested, so that they could label the products “clean”. And in so doing, some brands sacrifice the chemical ratios that make skincare products stable or effective.
If I could summarize my skincare routine in just a few words, it’d be a constant struggle and years of trial and error. I’ve tried pretty much all of the skincare hacks, medications, devices, and routines to combat adult acne, except for Accutane. What was excruciatingly annoying about my acne was it was never full-blown inflammation. When you have hormonal acne or are a teenager, you get red pustules that are filled with yellowish pus. They tend to respond pretty well to topical acne medications like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. But mine was much more insidious and chronic. I used to get these tiny, bumpy whiteheads that I could squeeze out. They are super visible under the bright sunlight and create an overall uneven texture that no makeup can conceal. I’ve spent a fortune trying “clean”, “vegan” and otherwise “conscious” products that do not contain questionable ingredients per several popular Youtubers’ recommendations. They actually backfired. Most brands nowadays are trying so hard to keep the ingredients “clean”, they just use alternative ingredients that are not fully tested, so that they could label the products “clean”. And in so doing, some brands sacrifice the chemical ratios that make skincare products stable or effective.
When I browsed the reviews for the Sturm products, most negative reviews had to do with the price, rather than the quality or efficacy of the products. I could not find negative reviews due to allergic/bad reactions (at least from the reviews I’ve read). Barbara Sturm’s products have premium beauty price tags, and I was wondering if their quality was also premium.
All of the Sturm products are fragrance-free, which is great for sensitive and acne-prone skin types.
It’s been several months since I started using her products, and my bumpy whiteheads are mostly gone. I’ve also extended my Sturm products, and most of my skincare products now consist of Sturm products. They are so worth the price, especially if your skin is as sensitive as I am. These are the Sturm products I’m currently using, and I know I’m going to repurchase them.
If you’ve used enzyme cleansers from other brands, this should feel very similar to them. I’ve been using an enzyme cleanser from a Japanese brand, and this feels almost identical.
The prices for both were comparable, so I think I’m going to be repurchasing this enzyme cleanser as it is more easily assessable.
This is probably one of the most controversial hyaluronic serums in the market, as Sturm charges an outrageous $300 for an ounce of hyaluronic acid, a relatively cheap ingredient. It does not promise any anti-aging potency or cutting-edge technology that usually warrants a higher price tag.
The serum does feel very luxurious, and a little goes a long way. I either put the serum directly on after the toner or mix a drop or two with my moisturizer that I’ll be mentioning down below.
I love this face cream. Seriously – this is my favorite Sturm product. This cream does not clog my pores and cause me whiteheads, which has been the case with so many gentle and sensitive moisturizers in the market.
The cream is unscented, but frankly, it’s not the most pleasant-smelling cream, lol.
But there’s a reason this is going to be my forever skincare staple – no breakouts!
When my skin’s feeling dry due to colder weather, I dab a little bit of the richer cream. This goes on so smoothly and feels like such a treat.
And one final note on the price – If you do well on most skincare products and do not break out easily, I don’t believe these products are necessary. There is a plethora of hydrating and moisturizing products that are much more competitively priced. So if you’re happy with whichever skincare products you’ve been using, I’d say stick to them and continue enjoying them. If, however, you are dropping thousands of dollars on acne medication, skincare gadgets, or spa facials because you’re constantly breaking out, I recommend giving these products a try. If they agree with your skin, as mine did, you’ll actually be saving money by investing in these products.
If your skin’s sensitive and prone to breakouts, it’s best to limit the number of skincare products you use. This has been my experience. Don’t fall into influencers’ skincare routines with a laundry list of products. Chances are, they’re sponsored.