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TAKING THE WORLD BY STURM
She is the skincare guru beloved by Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Moss and is the founder of one of the most sought-after skincare brands in the world - just landed in Brown Thomas. We talk to Dr Barbara Sturm about her childhood inspirations, her anti-inflammatory philosophy and how she is no ordinary doctor…
Skincare guru Dr Barbara Sturm.
NO ORDINARY DOCTOR
As with so many entrepreneur’s Dr Barbara Sturm’s childhood laid the foundations for her future. Growing up in Bad Salzungen, East Germany with strong female role models, she says “My passion, and my inspiration, comes from my mother and my grandmother. My mom was a chemist and her mother was a pharmacist and they both loved milk baths and dry brushing and would always mix creams for us as children – we would often go into the forest during my childhood and pick medicinal herbs and roots. My mom and my grandmother helped me with ingredient science and formulations and are hugely inspirational to me.”
Being close to nature in Bad Salzungen, East Germany was part of Dr Barbara Sturm's education as a doctor and scientist.
SCIENCE MEETS NATURE
This early introduction to the healing power of nature is central to Dr Barbara Sturm's philosophy. She does not use toxic, harmful or aggressive ingredients but uses advanced science ingredients that are healthy, healing and safe and which nurture, rather than attack living skin. Her science-meets-nature background is also part of her innovation, with so many of her products using a high concentration of active ingredients adhering to Germany’s rigorous skincare ingredient laws. Dr Sturm’s philosophy is centred around skin healing, striping things back to basics and staying away from substances and ingredients that are both unnecessary for the skin and may promote inflammation.
Dr Barbara Sturm Anti-Pollution Drops are formulated to protect your complexion from pollution and the often-overlooked danger of blue light from our electronic screens.
A HOLISTIC APPROACH
Top of Sturm's agenda as a doctor and a skincare brand is the idea of combatting inflammation. She explains, “Inflammation is the root cause of much of the body’s and skin’s dysfunction and disease, from acne to rosacea, and inflammatory influences are everywhere – everything we ingest or touch, including the air and the water, contains inflammatory triggers. We need to reduce these influences both externally and internally. So it is not just about putting a topical cream on; there is a holistic approach to reducing inflammation and achieving wellness, which includes adopting a simple, anti-inflammatory lifestyle. Adequate sleep, getting daily exercise, avoiding excess alcohol, sugar, fried and processed foods, and flour while eating anti-inflammatory foods like avocados, salmon, olive oil, tomatoes, nuts, dark berries and green tea should be constants for daily self-care and have the ability to change your skin and overall health.”
Inflammation is the root cause of much of the body’s and skin’s dysfunction and disease, everything we ingest or touch, including the air and the water, contains inflammatory triggers. We need to reduce these influences both externally and internally. So it is not just about putting a topical cream on; there is a holistic approach to reducing inflammation and achieving wellness, which includes adopting a simple, anti-inflammatory lifestyle.
Dr Barbara Sturm
A selection of skin-healing serums from Dr Barbara Sturm.
EMBRACING CHANGE
Over the last year Sturm notes there has been great change in the beauty business, but emphasises how it has enabled her to be even more creative. She says, “Over the last year, as a doctor, I wanted to provide education and information, and to talk to my customers about self-care, their skin and their overall health. I wanted to feel connected with my patients, so it was a perfect opportunity for me to speak to so many of them virtually. This past year has reminded me that life really comes down to our human connections and how important spending time with your family is. For 2021, we continue to strive to be as close to our customers whenever and wherever we can so that they can experience the #SturmGlow conveniently no matter where they are.”
SKIN WINS
"Skin is interesting and complex, and I have been engaging in a dialogue for years with my daily patients on what the skin needs to function at its best. So in 2021 I will continue to make ingredient science, product knowledge, anti-inflammatory advice and wellness tips available to empower women and men with the right insights and education on their way to total skin health."2000182476
DR. BARBARA STURM’S TOP SKINCARE TIPS
On the two most common skincare mistakes…
There are two mistakes that I see most often; firstly, when people zig-zag between products and brands, this can cause the ingredients to work against each other. Secondly, I believe quick fix anti-aging approaches like acid peels and harsh lasers create inflammation and harm rather than heal your skin. The goal with skincare is to soothe and reduce inflammation, not cause it - skincare should never cause any discomfort.
The goal with skincare is to soothe and reduce inflammation, not cause it - skincare should never cause any discomfort.
Dr Barbara Sturm
Dr Barbara Sturm Sun Drops SPF50.
On skincare to use during pregnancy…
All our products are suitable for pregnancy, a lot of people get hormonal breakouts during pregnancy and melasma so I always recommend the DST line combined with the BRIGHTENING line which also helps brighten and even the skin. And of course, SUN DROPS SPF50 – this you should use daily as your skin is more vulnerable to the sun when pregnant.
Dr Barbara Sturm Glow Drops, Sturm uses these instead of makeup for a natural and healthy glow.
On the Dr Barbara Sturm products you should always have in your handbag…
I always carry the HYDRATING FACE MIST in my bag to refresh and replenish my skin throughout the day. It contains Hyaluronic Acid serum for a powerful hydration drench and Purslane, an ingredient that has been widely studied for both its anti-aging and healing properties. I also added Aloe Vera and Prickly Pear Extract for hydration and skin soothing. And of course, I always carry my GLOW DROPS – I like to use them instead of makeup for a natural and healthy Sturm glow - and my LIP BALM. If I’m somewhere warm, I also always make sure I carry my mini-sized SUN DROPS SPF50 too.
GET THE STURM GLOW
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