I Hate To Admit It – But This Uber-Luxury Anti-Aging Serum Is Worth Saving Up For

Let me be frank: I’m a firm believer that no one needs to spend loads of money on skincare. Pricey doesn’t always mean better, and many of the best formulas don’t need to break the bank. I’ve had lengthy conversations with facialists who agree that some of the core elements of your routine—think cleansers, moisturizers, and masks—can be perfectly effective without costing a fortune. My daily cleanser costs less than a tenner, my moisturizer isn’t much more, and one of the best face masks I’ve ever used set me back a mere £2.50.

But now that I’m approaching my mid-thirties, things are changing. My skin has more specific needs that demand a bit more gusto. And as much as I’d love to say budget-friendly options still always cut it, when it comes to serious anti-aging promises, sometimes you really do get what you pay for. Trust me, I’ve been let down by high-priced products before so I don’t take an eye-watering price tag lightly. But formulating an industry-leading product that actually works requires huge amounts of research, resources and know-how - and that doesn't come cheap.

Enter Dr. Barbara Sturm—a brand that falls firmly into that category and one of the few brands I’ll put my money where my mouth is and say - begrudgingly - it’s worth investing in, particularly when it comes to her latest launch.

Renowned for her non-surgical glow-boosting, age-defying treatments, Dr Sturm counts virtually every glowy-skinned celeb in Hollywood as a client. She became a household name in the US after pioneering the now-iconic “vampire facial” (yep, the one that made headlines thanks to Kim Kardashian). Soon after, she launched her own line of products (to a ridiculous wait list) promising to deliver her clinic-level results at home. A German aesthetics doctor trained in orthopaedics, Sturm’s background is defined by medical precision which she complements with a holistic, anti-inflammatory philosophy that is represented in her beauty line. Bottom line? These products contain ingredients which are all killer, no filler, with clinical results to back them up.

Now, Dr. Sturm has released what might be her most luxurious product to date: the Super Anti-Aging Dual Serum. Let me break it down. This two-phase serum is designed for visible age reversal and long-term skin health, and it's truly unlike anything I’ve used before. Inspired by the skin’s lipid-rich properties (key for its structure and function), it combines powerful antioxidants, hydration-boosting ingredients, and skin-identical ceramides, fatty acids, and peptides. Phase one, the brand's best-selling hyaluronic acid-based serum, which works to deliver deep hydration, protect against oxidative stress, and help delay skin cell aging. Phase two is a lipidic, oil-soluble serum that repairs the skin barrier and boosts collagen and elastin production. Together, they combine for skin that looks visibly firmer, smoother, and fresher, with reduced fine lines and wrinkles – confirmed by 95% of those who trialled it.

I wish I could tell you it wasn't worth it, but just look at those results!

Sounds like a dream, right? Well, dreams come at a price - £340, to be exact. Yes, I had a hard time digesting that number, too. It’s over twice the price of anything else in Dr. Sturm’s collection. And yet, after just a few weeks of using it, it pains me to say that it works, it's worth it, take my money. To put it into perspective, a facial in London can cost anywhere between £100 and £250 for a luxury experience, and the results are fleeting. After using this serum, my skin looked better than it has after any facial, and the effects have lasted far longer.

If I had to justify it? I’d turf every product in my routine over £20 just to keep this one in rotation. Painful as it is on my bank balance, this serum is a game-changer. Bin off the beauty advent calendar and add this to your Christmas request list as a priority.

Look, it's a lot.

So if you want to trial other products from the brand first before taking the leap, add any one of these best-selling hero products to your routine and see the difference for yourself.