In the world of skincare, Dr. Barbara Sturm is an icon. The qualified aesthetics doctor turned her medical knowledge into a science-backed skincare line over 10 years ago. The result? A collection of glow-giving products with a cult-like following – from drops and serums to creams, cleansers and mists – that deliver serious results.

Beyond products, Sturm has become renowned for her health-conscious lifestyle, focusing on combating inflammation and wellness, shared through her Instagram account. It’s no wonder she’s got the backing of the likes of Oprah and Victoria Beckham. Nor that she’s about to enter her second decade in the business.

To celebrate International Women’s Day, the brand founder chatted to us about the women who inspire her, creating products for women and the power of beauty (and great skin).

It’s time to get to know Dr. Barbara Sturm.

Love and passion for women shines through the Dr. Barbara Sturm brand. How would you describe the brand’s ethos?

Thank you! My brand’s ethos is centred around helping everyone feel positive, fresh, healthy, beautiful and confident in their own skin. How do we do this? As a medical doctor and scientist first and foremost, my focus is on combatting inflammation, not just with topical skincare - there is a holistic approach to reducing inflammation and achieving wellness - so I advocate a simple, anti-inflammatory lifestyle too. Inflammation can appear on the skin in the form of anything as minor as redness, flaky skin or mild irritation, to more serious conditions like acne, premature aging, redness, enlarged pores, and other skin dysfunctions. If we learn what the inflammatory and anti-inflammatory influences are, we can adjust our lifestyle accordingly and it will have both an immediate and long-term effect on skin aging and your overall health. That’s what we do at STURM.

You’ve said you originally started to create products because you couldn’t find ones already on the market that addressed the issues you and your clients were experiencing. What continues to drive your product development? And what inspires the creation of your products and treatments?

My inspiration comes from everyday life; with family, friends, patients, everybody around me, being in nature and everything I do, see and feel – and it’s also in the least expected moments. I think it’s also important to stay curious and to never stop learning. I talk to scientists every day and I’m always discovering new methods, techniques and research from these conversations.

Your products aren’t just for women, but you clearly have such an engaged female following and have cultivated a huge community, through the success of your products but also through yourself. What do you think your brand – and great skin – has the power to do for women?

I can promise that, if you use STURM, you will transform your skin. No question. And if you have beautiful, dewy, healthy and hydrated skin, you feel positive, confident and happy with yourself when you look in the mirror. I think that’s important to every woman.

What’s been the most important thing for you when creating your products?

If I’m not obsessed with a product, I won’t launch it. The products must be the best in class and sometimes it takes four, five or six years to get there, but that’s how much time we’ll take. I won’t be pressured by timings and won’t abandon my own expectations to meet someone else’s.

Everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Victoria Beckham and Stella McCartney is an advocate… what’s it been like to see the brand develop such a cult following?

When you pour your heart into the creation of products and a brand, and Oprah Winfrey expresses love for that brand, it is thrilling. There is enthusiasm for my work, and not just from celebrities, and I’m excited when anybody comes to me and says I have transformed their skin – that’s literally the best reward for my hard work.

What does beauty mean to you?

Beauty is a combination of 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.

This year marks 10 years since the full Molecular Cosmetics Collection launched… what would you like to see in the next 10 years, both at Dr. Barbara Sturm and in the wider beauty industry?

As a doctor, I am constantly working with leading scientists around the world to develop new ways to improve health and longevity on all levels – not just for the skin, but the body too. We have lots of exciting things in-store – stay tuned.

As a woman working in beauty and business, what advice would you give to young female creatives and entrepreneurs starting out in the industry today?

To be confident and to have the courage of your convictions. Beauty and wellness are huge, competitive industries and like a lot of industries, it doesn’t like the changes it is facing to its old status quo. Some people are prone to telling women “You can’t do or say that” but it’s important to trust yourself.

You have two daughters who you include within your business. What do you hope for them for the future?

My mother and grandmother taught me to have a very strong work ethic and that you can achieve big things with hard work and it's super important that I pass the same learnings down to my own daughters. I want to provide them with the freedom, encouragement and confidence to follow their dreams.

Which women have inspired you most in your life and why?

My mother, who passed away ten years ago, still inspires me in every way, every day. And professionally, I feel fortunate to have met and call friends some amazing entrepreneurial women and, of course, Team Sturm is made up of some of the most badass women.

What do you hope will be your legacy with your brand and beyond?

My number one priority is to be able to educate everyone on making the best decisions for their skin – I am always looking at further opportunities in which I can share my anti-inflammatory philosophy and help each person I meet have the best and healthiest skin possible. It’s oneD of the driving principals of my work and inventions.