You heard it here first — Dr. Barbara Sturm quietly swapped the formula on her cult Glow Drops, and the internet is fighting in the comments. Old bottles vs. new bottles — it’s giving skincare civil war.
The new version dropped the original’s signature ingredient, and that’s not a small deal when you’re paying luxury prices. I tested both side-by-side for three weeks so you don’t have to pick a side blind.
It’s a $120 face oil that claims to give “instant radiance” without glitter or shimmer. The old formula was basically a liquid highlighter in a lab coat — pretty, but superficial.
New Texture
Thinner, silkier, sinks in like a serum — not the greasy veil the old one left behind.
Scent Situation
Almost gone. The old version smelled faintly of play-dough; this one’s basically neutral.
Bottle Design
Same glass dropper — but the dropper now dispenses less per pump, which is either smart or stingy.
Photo: Alexandra Tran / Unsplash
The original leaned on **purslane extract** — Sturm’s signature anti-inflammatory. The new formula swaps in **bakuchiol** and a different antioxidant complex. It’s a shift from “glow on top” to “glow from within,” but purists are calling it a betrayal.
- Bakuchiol: plant-based retinol alternative — smoother texture without the purge
- Skylarone: synthetic antioxidant that’s more stable than vitamin C
- Squalane: lightweight moisture that doesn’t clog
- Phytic Acid: gentle exfoliant that actually brightens over time
Photo: Rosa Rafael / Unsplash
First pump: it’s **watery**, almost disappointing. But rub it in and there’s a soft, lit-from-within sheen — not the disco-ball sparkle of the old one. It absorbs in about 15 seconds flat, which is a win if you hate waiting between steps.
By week two, my skin looked *rested* — not dewy, but genuinely calmer. The unexpected part? My makeup sits better over it. The old formula pilled under foundation; this one acts like a primer.
Photo: yunona uritsky / Unsplash
My redness dialed down about 30% — visible but not miraculous. Fine lines? Same. The glow is real but *subtle*, like you slept 8 hours, not like you facetuned your face.
Photo: Ayo Ogunseinde / Unsplash
The reformulation is better if you want *skin health* over *instant Instagram*. If you want a highlighter, buy a highlighter.