5 Minutes with Barbara Sturm
Words by
Clara Taylor
26th October 2026
Celebrity-favourite Dr Barbara Sturm on the science of anti-ageing, the product she can't live without and what most people get wrong about skincare.
The lightbulb moment came during my work in orthopaedic medicine, where we pioneered a treatment using the body’s own proteins to deliver anti-inflammatory and regenerative effects in ageing joints. I realised: if we could help reverse signs of ageing in joints, why not apply the same anti-inflammatory science to the skin? After all, cartilage and skin are from the same tissue family. That insight ultimately led me to translate my medical knowledge into skincare. The principles from my medical background still shape every innovation today: listen to the patient, take a holistic approach, follow the science, and create solutions that work.
Dr Barbara Sturm. ©Maybourne.
You've partnered with Claridge's. How did that collaboration come about?
Claridge’s has always felt like my London home, and I’ve admired it for many years for its timeless elegance, extraordinary attention to detail and commitment to exceptional, highly personalised service. So, when the opportunity arose to bring my science-led, anti-inflammatory approach to the Claridge’s Spa, it felt like a very natural partnership. We share the same values of quality, precision, personalisation and genuine human connection – principles that are fundamental to how I approach every patient and customer.
Which treatment would you recommend if you could only have one?
If I could recommend just one, it would be our BESPOKE FACIAL – which is completely tailored to your unique skin type and desired outcome. It is the most personalized introduction to my approach and designed to leave the skin visibly refreshed, balanced, and luminous.
Barbara Sturm's collaboration with Claridge's Spa. ©Maybourne.
How do you tailor the bespoke facial?
The treatment begins with an in-depth analysis to identify your skin's individual needs and precisely tailor your treatment. Your STURM Skin Expert then creates an individualised protocol, combining our targeted formulations with advanced facial techniques and spa technologies such as microneedling and red-light therapy to address specific concerns, support the skin’s natural repair and regenerative processes, and promote optimal skin health.
Claridge's Spa swimming pool. ©Maybourne.
What are the most common concerns that people are looking to address?
Many clients come to us with concerns such as signs of ageing, acne, sensitivity, rosacea and hyperpigmentation – and inflammation is the common thread running through many of them. That’s why my treatment philosophy is always rooted in managing inflammation, replenishing hydration and supporting skin barrier function – whatever your skin concern or goals. Across all my facials, the overarching aim is always to support healthy, resilient skin and deliver visible results.
Treatments available at Claridge's Spa. ©Maybourne.
If your lab was on fire and you could save only one product, which product would you save?
My HYALURONIC SERUM. I’ve always called it the “white T-shirt” of skincare because it’s a timeless essential. Hydration is fundamental to healthy skin, and healthy skin is always my goal. I use it every morning and evening to replenish moisture, support the skin barrier and create the ideal foundation for the rest of my skincare routine.
What's a piece of beauty tech you personally rely on that you think is still underrated?
PEMF therapy. I use it to support recovery and circulation, and I think it’s an incredibly interesting technology that people are only beginning to understand in the context of beauty, wellness and longevity. I love combining it with red light therapy – supporting skin regeneration and circulation as part of a holistic approach to skin health and wellbeing.
Dr Barbara Sturm outside of Claridge's in London. ©Maybourne.
What's next for the brand? Is there a category or market you're actively building toward?
What’s next is continuing to push the science forward. My HYDROGEN MOLECULAR TECHNOLOGY H₂MT™ is a perfect example of where we’re heading — after years of research, we’ve achieved a world-first breakthrough in harnessing activated molecular hydrogen for skincare, opening an exciting new frontier in skin vitality, resilience and longevity.
Poultice massage at Claridge's Spa. ©Maybourne.
If someone only had five minutes for a skincare routine, what would you tell them to actually spend it on?
I would focus on the fundamentals: cleanse, hydrate and moisturise. Use a gentle CLEANSER, follow with my HYALURONIC SERUM to replenish hydration, and finish with a FACE CREAM to support the skin barrier — plus SUN DROPS SPF 50 during the day. Consistency is key for healthy, resilient skin.
What does a typical morning look like for you when you're at your most productive?
If I'm home in Gstaad, I'll start with a morning hike or forest walk with my dogs – fresh air and movement are incredibly anti-inflammatory, or I might do a Pilates class. I’ll then put my FACE MASK on, drink an oat milk latte and go through my emails before getting the day started.
Claridge's Spa rain shower. ©Maybourne.
What are you currently listening to, reading, and wearing?
I'm always listening to music, but my taste is quite eclectic – everything from classical to 80s hits and whatever my daughter Pepper is listening to. I’ve been travelling so much that I haven’t had much time to read, but my daughter Charly has just finished The Correspondent by Virginia Evans, which she loved – so I might pick that up next. And day-to-day, you'll usually find me in jeans, a white T-shirt, and a vintage jacket or knit – with Jessica McCormack jewellery, always.
The pink room at Claridge's Spa. ©Maybourne.
What does luxury mean to you?
To me, luxury is being able to sleep well, move my body daily, eat a balanced, anti-inflammatory diet, and make time to meditate and be outdoors. If I can do all those things consistently, that’s the ultimate luxury.
