I first encountered the Dr. Barbara Sturm brand in the Hamptons during the summer of 2018 after taking The Class at The Barn in Bridgehampton. The Sun Drops SPF 50 were in the studio’s perfectly curated boutique; the simple packaging was so chic, I bought them without any knowledge of the line. Soon after, I started noticing Dr. Sturm products everywhere and realized the German aesthetics doc was already the industry’s not-so-secret skin guru.
Fast forward to summer 2021, and the Dr. Sturm brand is even more ubiquitous: There are full-service spas in Dusseldorf, London, Los Angeles, and Miami. There are more on the horizon. Meanwhile, the science-based products are sold everywhere from Dr. Sturm’s own studios to Saks Fifth Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman, along with Onda Beauty (co-owner Naomi Watts is a fan of the Sturm line), Sephora, and Rescue Spa. An impressive line of products includes the in-demand Sun Drops, Enzyme Cleanser, Face Cream, and Hyaluronic Serum. The brand-new Aloe Vera Gel just debuted this summer and a Molecular Hair and Scalp launch is in the works.
“I began my medical practice in anti–aging orthopedics, with a focus on anti-inflammatory treatments,” Dr. Sturm tells GRAZIA. “I later translated some of the science and approaches into skin and my aesthetics practice. In 2002, I invented anti-inflammatory medical treatments using a patient’s own blood plasma and soon after, I created a prescribed, blood plasma-based cream for my patients.”
The cream—officially named MC1 Cream and unofficially dubbed “blood cream”—won Dr. Sturm major props. Fast forward nearly a decade and she is respected and renowned for her nonsurgical anti–aging methods and treatments. After the success of the MC1 cream, Dr. Sturm launched the brand’s first “off the shelf” skincare line in 2014; the products are now available in 52 countries.
So just how did Dr. Sturm, whose posttreatment results have been given the moniker #SturmGlow, gain cult status as the most sought-after skincare expert for the fashion industry, top models, A-listers, and anti-aging enthusiasts?
“Beauty and wellness are a huge, competitive industry and within that I have been outspoken about the approaches that I believe are good for your skin,” Sturm continues. “I never planned on fame or status; my ultimate goal was to create a product that worked. The MC1 cream became very popular in the circles of my patients, especially in Hollywood, and I would receive a lot of questions about which other products should be used for the daily skincare routine. The results and ingredient science have spoken for themselves.”
Not surprisingly, Dr. Sturm has the most perfect, glowing complexion ever, so I had to know: What is her daily skincare routine?
“I use my face mask every day,” Dr. Sturm shares. “Twice a week, I’ll either use the facial scrub or enzyme cleanser in the shower on my face and body to remove dead skin, boost circulation, and encourage skin renewal. The rest of the time I cleanse with my cleanser. Immediately after showering I apply my balancing toner, then hyaluronic serum and anti-pollution drops, super anti-aging face cream, and eye cream.”
A few of her recently released products are also in the rotation. “My face cream is my absolute must-have, followed closely by my hyaluronic serum, which is so fundamental to skin health, I call it the “white T-shirt” of my skincare regimen,” says Dr. Sturm. “It applies viscous, like a light syrup, and within seconds absorbs entirely into your skin. The improvement in the quality of the skin matrix is instantaneous. It promotes skin barrier function and replenishes both superficial and deeper moisture reservoirs. I couldn’t live without my face mask, which is a skin savior when skin is struggling and a skin perfector when it’s not. I am also currently obsessed with my new hand wash and body wash, and my aloe vera gel has been a skin savior this summer.”
It’s clear that Dr. Sturm’s passion is helping her clients achieve their ultimate skincare goals.
“I love interacting with my clients and customers and educating them about skincare and my anti-inflammatory philosophy,” Dr. Sturm reveals. “Helping each and every customer have the best and healthiest skin possible is one of the driving principals of my work and inventions.”
Still, despite all she has achieved, for Dr. Sturm, there is always more to learn and build on.
“I am deeply interested in innovation, and closely monitor the innovations in ingredient science and approach and scientific advances,” Dr. Sturm explains. “I have some interesting new inventions coming out—new delivery methods for potent ingredients and new compounds, increasingly tailored products, and advanced procedures. We have lots of exciting things in store, so stay tuned.”
