Barbara Sturm first trained as a doctor before turning her attention to skin, bringing a clinical eye to the beauty industry.
Once a name passed between beauty editors and an exclusive celebrity clientele, her name entered the mainstream in the early 2000s with her now-mythic blood plasma facial. Then, in 2002, the treatment — which later became known as the “Vampire Facial” — gained global attention, followed by MC1, a prescription-only cream formulated from a patient's own plasma. Available solely via consultation and an enormous waitlist, it signaled a brand new breed of exclusive skincare.
Today her vastly popular skincare line — built on the belief that inflammation not age is the enemy of great skin — props up the shelves of skincare junkies and A-listers worldwide.
As the festive season came to a close we caught up to talk beauty icons, skincare hacks and her happy places…
I’ve just spent the Christmas period at home in the mountains surrounded by family and close friends. We love a super-cozy relaxed Christmas. We eat great food, my girls bake and we spend time outdoors walking the dogs and skiing.
My path into the beauty industry wasn’t traditional - my background is in medicine and molecular orthopedics, and when I was looking for products that met my own skin’s needs — dryness, congestion, irritation — there was nothing on the market that worked. So, I said, "Okay, I’ll create it myself."
I brought my scientific knowledge into skincare, initially developing products for myself and for my patients which addressed inflammation, strengthened the skin barrier, and supported the microbiome.
My mom has always been my beauty icon. She never wore make-up - her skin was always glowing, and she had this natural, effortless beauty that came from within. She was completely herself: confident, stylish, and cool, and she was beautiful, inside and out.
To me ‘beauty’ is inner peace and happiness paired with a good lifestyle, which comes from having a healthy, anti-inflammatory diet and taking time for self-care, sleep and daily movement – it’s all from the inside out.
I think my proudest moment career-wise was when David Olsen (the then Vice President of Beauty at Net-a-Porter) took on my products at NAP. At the time, few online fashion retailers sold beauty products, so it was a huge milestone for me, and I will be forever grateful to have been given that chance.
The beauty and wellness items that I couldn’t live without? My Dr. Barbara Sturm Everything Hydrogel Masks, (£125 for 8, en.drsturm.com) are a gamechanger. They’re hydrating, brightening, tightening, smoothing, plumping, and soothing, so my ultimate go-to for a radiant, refreshed glow. I use my red light bed regularly to support skin regeneration, reduce inflammation, and boost overall cellular energy - it’s an essential part of my recovery and skin health routine. And my Oura Ring (£499, ouraring.com) tracks my sleep quality and recovery - helping keep me accountable and optimising my rest patterns.
Since I have my own skincare line I’ve definitely become high-maintenance in terms of my routine. But it’s simple. I focus on hydration, anti-inflammation, and consistency. My bathroom is a Sturm paradise — I have everything — plus lots of testers for new innovations. Right now, I’m using the Enzyme Cleanser (£60), or Facial Scrub, (£45), and the Anti-aging Body Scrub, (£90, all en.drsturm.com) before showering to boost circulation and renewal. That said, I’m also sharing my bathroom with my 11-year-old, so alongside my routine you’ll find her favorites too. Rhode, Sol de Janeiro, Charlotte Tilbury, and Summer Fridays have definitely all taken over part of the cabinet.
I’m very much a ‘smell’ person but I prefer natural scents like pine, wood, or lavender... those calming, earthy notes appeal. Fragrance-wise, Byredo’s Bal D’Afrique (£150 for 50ml) - is my go-to.
The insider skincare hack that everyone should know? Avoid inflammatory ingredients in skincare. Fragrance, mineral oils, retinol, Retin A, glycolic acid etc. All cause inflammation which leads to the biggest problems for our skin, including hyperpigmentation, aging, breakouts and acne.
If you could own only three Barbara Sturm products? My Hyaluronic Serum, (£265) is the one product I never skip - my daily essential. It’s not just a hydrating product; it’s a treatment that supports skin health on a cellular level. Next I’d have to say my My Esometic Serum (£430), which I use every morning. I’ve researched Exosomes for over 20 years, and this collection is a breakthrough. It mimics the skin’s own regenerative signals and is clinically proven to reverse skin’s biological age by up to 4.5 years in just 28 days. It’s like hitting a reset on my skin. Then my Super Anti-aging Cream, (£270) is my ultimate one-stop-shop if I’m on-the-go, providing hydration, protection and anti-aging properties based on advanced ingredient science and years of formulation development. Especially when I travel or my skin feels stressed, I rely on it to restore balance and vitality.
Joali Being in the Maldives is one of my new happy places. A whole island dedicated to wellbeing, it takes care of your mind, body and soul, so that you leave feeling like a new person. I love Eden Rock in St. Barth’s too, it’s just stunning and surrounded by crystal blue water. They have the most amazing Dr. Barbara Sturm spa too.
In terms of London wellness destinations that I rely on I love Sarah Bradden - her holistic healing approach, from acupuncture to energy work, brings a beautiful sense of balance and calm. I adore how she treats the skin and the whole self. Then of course my Spa & Boutique at 125 Mount Street! I formulate what I truly believe are the best skincare products in the world, and when they’re combined with our advanced facial treatments, the results can be transformative.
