Dr. Barbara Sturm The Peptide Serum: Review with Photos

It's supposed to smooth and firm, but I had one question: Would my skin cooperate?

Apr. 6, 2026 at 3:55pm

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An abstract, impressionistic image of blurred, overlapping shapes and pools of warm, soft light in shades of pink, peach, and gold, evoking the calming, nourishing experience of using a peptide-infused skincare product.The gentle, soothing nature of peptide-based skincare offers a calming respite for those with sensitive complexions.Chicago Today

Christa Joanna Lee reviews Dr. Barbara Sturm's The Peptide Serum, a skincare product that uses peptides to stimulate collagen production and skin repair. Lee, who has sensitive skin, was surprised to find that her skin fully cooperated with the serum despite her usual reactivity to certain ingredients.

Why it matters

Up to 71% of adults worldwide report some level of skin sensitivity, and finding skincare products that can effectively address skin concerns without causing irritation is a common challenge. The review of Dr. Sturm's peptide serum provides insight into how peptides can offer a gentler alternative to ingredients like retinol for those with reactive skin.

The details

Lee went straight into using the peptide serum without pacing herself, and her sensitive skin was fully on board. Peptides are strands of amino acids that act as messengers, telling skin cells what to do. They can stimulate collagen production and skin repair like retinol, but with far less irritation. This makes peptides a gentler option for those with reactive skin that tends to be personally offended by retinol.

  • The review was published on April 6, 2026.

The players

Christa Joanna Lee

The author of the review who has sensitive skin that tends to manifest as redness, hives, and itchiness when trying new skincare products.

Omer Ibrahim, MD

A board-certified dermatologist based in Chicago who explains how peptides work as messengers to skin cells.

Maryam Safaee, MD

A board-certified dermatologist based in Los Angeles who adds that peptides can stimulate collagen production, slow its breakdown, and support skin repair over time, which tends to be appreciated by sensitive skin.

Dr. Barbara Sturm

The creator of the peptide serum reviewed in the article.

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What they’re saying

“Peptides are strands of amino acids that act as messengers, telling skin cells what to do.”

— Omer Ibrahim, MD, Board-certified dermatologist

“They can stimulate collagen like retinol, just with far less irritation.”

— Omer Ibrahim, MD, Board-certified dermatologist

“Peptides can stimulate collagen production, slow its breakdown, and support how it repairs itself over time—all things sensitive skin tends to appreciate.”

— Maryam Safaee, MD, Board-certified dermatologist

The takeaway

The review of Dr. Barbara Sturm's peptide serum suggests that peptides can offer a gentler alternative to ingredients like retinol for those with sensitive or reactive skin, stimulating collagen production and skin repair without the irritation often associated with other anti-aging skincare products.