Dr. Barbara Sturm On Aging: Her Skin Care Hacks, Nutrition Tips & More

The first time I met Dr. Barbara Sturm, we celebrated the launch of The Better B Niacinamide Serum with a bowl of her famous bircher muesli. 

This might sound irrelevant to the average skin care devotee, but if you're familiar with the leading aesthetic physician and her eponymous line, you know Sturm approaches skin health from the inside out. Filling your belly with fiber-rich grains and anti-inflammatory spices is just as important as slathering on antioxidants—it's why she offers tea blends and vitamins right alongside her famously potent serums. 

Sturm constantly evolves her brand with the latest science and innovations (her latest enterprise? exosomes), but a simple, whole-body approach remains the bedrock of her own beauty routine. "My grandma was a pharmacist, and my mother was a chemist, so I learned a lot about herbal medicine and ingredient science from them when I was growing up," she tells me. 

"The core mission of my brand and my skin care philosophy is to respect and heal your skin. My skin care regimen's reverence for ingredient science and efficacy are key differentiators.

"My approach has always been focused on healing the skin with advanced ingredient science. Inflammation is the body's response to irritation and injury, and it is a trigger for acne, premature aging, redness, enlarged pores, and other disease and dysfunction including psoriasis, rosacea, and perioral dermatitis. 

"I've been researching exosomes for over 20 years. Exosomes are membrane-bound spheres inside a cell, which contain a complex variety of contents derived from the original cell, including proteins, lipids, and genomic DNA. 

"They are key mediators in cell-to-cell communication and have been shown to play pivotal roles in reducing inflammation during aging1, encouraging skin regeneration for a healthy, youthful-looking complexion. 

"My grandma was a pharmacist, and my mother was a chemist, so I learned a lot about herbal medicine and ingredient science from them when I was growing up. My grandma used to mix everything and make medicine for us when we needed it. When we got sunburned, she would give us this panthenol foam, and it would heal our burns. 

"One thing I always try to do, wherever I am, is use a sauna a few times a week. A sauna is a tremendous tool for skin and overall health and well-being, and it also feels great. 

"Clinical studies have shown its therapeutic benefits in supporting the skin barrier function2, regulating sebum flow, detoxing and improving cardiovascular and muscular health.

"There is a holistic approach to reducing inflammation and achieving wellness, which includes adopting a simple, anti-inflammatory lifestyle. The first step is to avoid inflammatory ingredients in skin care. Fragrance, mineral oils, retinol, Retin-A, and glycolic acid can all cause inflammation, which leads to the biggest problems for our skin, including hyperpigmentation, aging, breakouts, and acne.

"Next, prioritize movement—exercise is one of the most important anti-aging devices of all. I love sports, and on holiday you will always find me in the ocean with my 8-year-old doing water sports and swimming. I also love to play tennis, go hiking, and follow Pilates classes online—it's a great and relaxing way to keep fit and flexible. 

"I'm also passionate about following a [balanced] diet, and I avoid substances such as alcohol, sugar, excessive salt, and processed or fried foods. However, our bodies do not always get everything we need for healthy, glowing skin from our diet and lifestyle, which is why I created my supplements, STURM INSIDE, to address any [gaps].*

"If I'm by the beach or in the woods, I'll also try and spend time grounding or earthing by walking barefoot. Having direct contact with the earth evens out the positive charge that builds up in the human body, which has amazing antioxidant effects and can help reduce inflammation, improve sleep quality, and enhance your mood and well-being.