We caught up with the doctor and skin care expert at her latest pop-up shop in the capital.
I'm stumbling around the narrow, cobblestone streets of Seven Dials in London on a very chilly morning in late January in quest of solutions. For only one weekend, Dr. Barbara Sturm will be in town to teach attendees at the Anti-Inflammatory Sturm Haus pop-up how to get glossy, magazine-cover skin. Londoners who like wellness have been drawn to this two-day event, and many of the speeches and workshops were sold out before my preview session.
There's a juice bar with bottles in bright hues of pink, green, and orange; professionals are scanning the skin of equally inquisitive participants using cutting-edge equipment; and there's a woman below with a tray of needles at her side. Despite the encouragement of the "influencers" I am surrounded by, I decided against taking the B12 shot. When I leave, Sturm's devoted fans wait in line for quick facials, in-depth skincare advice, and meet-and-greets with the celebrity.
Sturm may not have set out to build a multibillion-dollar skincare business when she began her medical career, but millions of her fans undoubtedly are happy that it did. She is credited for creating customized anti-inflammatory lotions made from blood proteins, the vampire facial trend, and other products as a result of her training, which serves as her inspiration. It appears that she will be adding to her skincare line shortly as it continues to grow.
After her well-received London pop-up, we met up with Sturm to discuss her go-to spots in the city, holiday fashion, and, of course, skincare essentials.
Your path toward certification as an aesthetics physician began in your native Germany. What places and activities should visitors include on their bucket lists?
Düsseldorf's historic opera theater, Oper am Rhein, is home to an impressive modern art collection, and the Königsallee, a famous, traditional German main street steeped in history, is lined with some of the country's finest retailers. I enjoy riding my bike along the Rhine and seeing the stunning sunsets with my daughter Pepper.
Now, you are in London supervising the intriguing Sturm House pop-up. What's your background?
Before that, I was in Gstaad, Switzerland.
Which restaurants and hotels in the city are your favorites? What items are on your "bucket list" for Britain or London?
I always stay at The Corinthia while I'm in London since it's lovely and has the ideal location, in my view. I conduct meetings at Maison Estelle because of the lovely decor and lively environment there, or I meet at The Connaught to have coffee with my colleagues at a terrific location.
When I go to my spa, I always stop at Hideaway on Mount Street for breakfast because they have excellent granola. I usually have lunch at Roka, Scott's Mayfair, or Kai (I've been going to all of these places for years and still adore them) and dinner at China Tang because the cuisine is incredible and I adore the decor, which is influenced by the Art Deco style of the 1930s.
What's next on your crammed travel schedule for business and pleasure?
During the next month, I'm going to stay put at home and avoid all travel; after that, I'll be in attendance at the Oscars and Paris Fashion Week.
You suddenly find yourself without any obligations for the next two weeks. What's your destination?
Whether it's in the mountains, by the river, or in the forest, nature is where I feel happiest since it's where I grew up. If I had two weeks, I would spend it completely outside, perhaps half in the mountains because I love to ski and the other half on a beach.
Where was your favorite restaurant?
For my birthday, Nobu catered an incredible meal at home.
What would you bring to a desert island if you could only bring one product?
It's hard for me to pick a favorite because I adore every one of my items and I made them all for a purpose. My amazing anti-aging face cream, a moisturizer scientifically formulated with components that target all the symptoms of aging for fresher, vibrant, and young skin, would be my choice if I had to choose just one. It uses an anti-aging chemical that promotes the physiological mechanism through which the skin gets younger and has a special biomimetic formulation that replicates the skin's natural barrier. It's very great.
What would be in your beach bag, exactly?
First and foremost, my SPF 50 sun drops for the best UVA and UVB protection, my moisturizing face sprays with prickly pear extract to help relax and cool the skin in the heat, and my lip balm to keep my lips moisturized after being in the sun or the water. In addition, you'll find the drink to keep me hydrated, sunglasses, and a different bathing suit.
How do you take care of your skin on a lengthy flight?
Maintaining a proper skincare regimen when traveling is crucial since sleep loss, stress, changing climates, germs, and dry, cold air on the plane all provide distinct skin irritation factors. If it's a daytime flight, I'll reapply my hyaluronic serum, my ultra-anti-aging face cream, and my moisturizing face spray during the journey to keep my skin feeling fresh. I use sun drops SPF 50 when the shades are open, which is not recommended because UVA rays may pass through windows.
For a night flight, I'll bring my night serum, super anti-aging night cream, and good night supplements to help support the skin's regeneration processes even while in transit. For an extra boost of moisture and skin calm, I always apply my face mask before and after the trip.
What would you say about your holiday wardrobe?
My style is straightforward and timeless. Even though I may be sporting a white t-shirt and jeans, I prefer to accessorize with great jewelry, a chic handbag, and fashionable shoes. For nights, choose easygoing, elegant items that are yet seductive, like slips from Galvan London. The style for me is being at ease but still feeling feminine and attractive, and whether I'm on vacation, that doesn't alter.
What are the most common skincare errors you observe people making?
There are two things I notice most frequently. The first is when people self-curate their skincare by switching between products and brands, which might result in the components working against each other. Second, employ anti-aging fast fixes like acid peels and harsh lasers that irritate your skin instead of healing it. Skincare should never be uncomfortable; its purpose is to soothe and relieve inflammation, not to aggravate it.
https://t.co/5LWCYy5Jry - Dr Barbara Sturm on her London hotspots, in-flight beauty
— Kimmy (@kimmyhotness) February 17, 2023
routine ... - Condé Nast Traveller - Dr Barbara Sturm on her...
What is the wisest counsel you've ever heard?
My mother taught me that healthy, well-hydrated skin is attractive and doesn't need any additional cosmetics. And it underpins my skincare brand and my anti-inflammatory treatment philosophy as a physician.
What will happen to Dr. Barbara Sturm as a worldwide brand next?
I have a ton of upcoming events. In addition to always developing new ideas, I also look for fresh approaches to connect and communicate with every one of my clients and consumers, whether it be in person or through fascinating technical developments. Keep checking back because there are many more wonderful pop-ups planned, like my Anti-Inflammatory Sturm Haus in London, which we recently finished.
The whole Dr. Barbara Sturm product line is available at drsturm.com, including the recently released powerful anti-aging body serum and growth cycle hair supplements.