As part of Vogue’s 5 Days of Beauty 2022, I had the opportunity to attend an informative and inspirational event with Dr Barbara Sturm. After an engaging panel, with an interactive Q&A, we entered an experiential space where we were able to try on Dr Sturm’s signature products and receive advice and recommendations from the Mount St Spa Team. It was a truly magical experience, and I’d recommend seizing the opportunity next year!
Creator of the vampire facial, and blood cream, Dr Sturm’s science-backed products are loved by the A-list and social set. From Kim Kardashian to Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Em Rata to Hailey Bieber, the results speak for themselves. Sturm’s products work on a molecular level to reduce inflammation, slow down the ageing process and give you that #SturmGlow.
DR STURM’S ETHOS
Dr Sturm’s products work on a cellular level and are powerfully anti-aging. Why?
1-ANTI INFLAMMATORY
Inflammation can manifest itself in pimples, redness, large pores and itching. It’s caused by a multitude of reasons from UV light, constant and intense bouts of stress and excessive blue light. No, Netflix, I am *not* still watching… please let me sleep and look after my skin!
2-HYDRATING
Skin hydration is essential to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Dr Sturm creates the optimal combination of long chain HA and short chain HA
- Short chain HA- penetrate deep into the skin, hydrating the skin for 6-8 weeks
- Long chain HA- provides instant hydration to the surface layers
3-TELOMERES ACTIVATION
Dr Sturm uses Purslane in order to activate telomeres. Telomeres are found at the end of chromosomes, and they shorten with age. Purslane activates telomeres to reduce this shortening process.
SKINCARE FAVOURITES
HYALURONIC ACID
“The white T-shirt of skincare”
Dr Sturm exclaims!
Make sure to put clear serums on first!
Dr Sturm’s Tip
These magical drops contain the optimal combination of short chain HA and long chain HA to ensure short term and long term hydration.
- Short chain HA: penetrate deep into the skin, hydrating the skin for 6-8 weeks
- Long chain HA: provides instant hydration to the surface layers
HYDRATING FACE MIST
Key magical ingredients
- HA molecules: This refreshing hydrating face mist uses an optimal formulation of low and high weighted Hyaluronic Acid molecules in order to ensure hydration
- Purslane: powerful anti-aging properties and helps to calm the skin
- Lemon, Aloe Vera & Broccoli extracts: refresh and soothe
- Prickly pear extract: rich in vitamin E to soothe stressed and sensitive skin
What I love about this face mist
- As soon as you spray on this hydrating face mist, you will feel refreshed and revitalised
- Provides an instant subtle ’glow’
- I like to use mine in the mid-afternoons (when we all are prone to little slumps) as a quick ‘pick me up’ to refresh, rather than being automatically drawn to yet another coffee
HAIRCARE
Through her haircare range, Dr Strum “brings science to our scalp”. As a skin doctor, Dr Sturm focuses on ensuring a healthy scalp, to help to nourish the hair follicle and strengthen hair from the root.
Typical high street hair products tend to contain harsh ingredients which can lead to dandruff, redness and excessive oiliness. However, Sturm’s anti-inflammatory haircare products help to preserve the scalp’s microbiome and focus on nourishing the scalp to ensure healthy hair follicles.
The hair products also contain glycerin which is important in locking in moisture for the scalp and hair.
“The better the soil, the better the vegetable”
Dr Sturm exclaims. Indeed, the vegetable analogy summarises the importance of a healthy scalp for nourished hair.
DR STURM’S BLACKLIST
Our skin is an ORGAN, and like with any organ, we need to treat it with respect. Whilst most of us are aware we have a microbiome in our gut, we also have a microbiome on our skin.
Certain ingredients destroy this precious layer. Such offenders are retinol and acid peels.
Acid peels dry the skin, reducing the skin’s ability to function and is not healthy for anti-aging.
A note on VITAMIN C
Many skincare brands which are based on marketing principles, rather than backed by science, tend to use a high concentration of Vitamin C in their products, >5%. This disrupts the skin barrier so it cannot function as intended.
Dr Sturm formulated her own Vitamin C with the right concentration to ensure that the skin barrier is minimally damaged. It also helps to stimulate collagen production.