Long-time Sturm stans are *furious* about the new Face Cream Rich formula. Like, Reddit-thread-drama furious. The old version had a near-cult following — the new one swaps out a key ingredient that made it feel like actual luxury, not just expensive lotion.
This isn’t about nostalgia. The texture changed. The finish changed. And if you paid $200 for a jar, you have a right to be pissed when it suddenly performs differently.
⚠️ **What You’re Actually Paying For**
Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Rich — $220 for 50ml. The old formula was built around *purslane extract* (anti-inflammatory, calming). They still have it, but it’s lower on the list now. The claim: “deep moisture without heaviness.” The reality: that heaviness was part of the charm for dry skin types.
Texture Shift
Old version: thick, balmy, melt-on-contact. New version: thinner, almost lotion-like. Dries down faster.
Scent Change
Used to smell faintly herbal, like a spa. Now it’s more neutral — borderline unscented. Some miss the ritual.
Finish
Old: dewy sheen that lasted hours. New: matte-ish, sinks in within 60 seconds. Great for oilier skin, bad for dehydrated complexions.
🧴 **What’s Actually Inside**
They swapped out some fatty acids and added *shea butter* higher up — which makes it feel less greasy but also less occlusive. Hero ingredients: purslane (still there, just demoted), shea butter, avocado oil, and a new peptide complex that does… not much, honestly.
- Purslane Extract: anti-redness, calming
- Shea Butter: barrier support, but lighter than before
- Avocado Oil: fatty acids, medium absorption
- Peptide Complex: marketing bullet point, negligible effect
📋 **Texture & First Impressions**
First pump: it’s runny. Like, “did I leave it in the sun?” runny. Spreads easily, absorbs in 10 seconds flat — no more that satisfying 20-second massage window. My face felt… fine. Not special. Just fine.
Week 2: my skin stopped looking plump. The new formula doesn’t lock in moisture overnight like the old one. Woke up with fine lines more visible. That’s when I got mad.
💬 **Real Results, No Fluff**
Redness: slightly reduced, same as before. Hydration: worse — I needed a sleeping mask on top. Breakouts: none, which is good. Glow: gone. It’s more of a “your skin but less angry” look now.
⭐ **Final Call**
This is a downgrade for loyalists, but a decent entry point for oily types who found the original too heavy. If you’re a dry-skin devotee, mourn the old formula and move on.