What do you do first upon waking?
I love the mornings, I’m an early bird so I always get up early. If I get up before my kids I try to watch the sunrise or be mindful. I’ll then cuddle my kids, put my FACE MASK on, have a coffee, go through my emails and get the day started.
What is your morning skincare routine?
I like my skincare routine to be simple. My morning routine goes like this: I apply my hydrating FACE MASK first thing in the morning. Twice a week, I’ll either use the FACIAL SCRUB or ENZYME CLEANSER in the shower on my face and body to remove dead skin cells, boost circulation and encourage skin renewal. The rest of the time I use my CLEANSER. Immediately after showering, I apply my BALANCING TONER, then HYALURONIC SERUM and ANTI-POLLUTION DROPS, (more important than ever with extra-heavy digital screen exposure) and FACE CREAM. For Zoom calls and IG Lives, I use GLOW DROPS instead of makeup and my LIP BALM which is deeply hydrating and also gives a light sheen to the lips. Not counting the FACE MASK, my entire routine takes only two minutes.
What do you eat and drink in the morning, and do you take any supplements?
I always eat breakfast, for energy and to correct the blood sugar levels. I have my own Bircher Muesli recipe that I make the night before with my girls and I’ll have that with some fresh fruit and a single latte macchiato (no sugar). You can find the recipe for it on my website Dr.Sturm.com here. With breakfast I take one each of my SKIN SUPER ANTI-AGING, SKIN RECOVERY, and SKIN PROTECTION supplements.
Do you have a morning exercise routine/if so what is it?
I try to fit in a quick work out, usually while I am on calls. I love to keep active - movement is essential for releasing inflammation-reducing hormones in the body.
Do you have any special morning rituals with your children?
Pepper and I like to cuddle in the mornings and eat breakfast together before starting our day.
What are your favourite remedies if you wake up feeling under the weather/hungover/seasons changing?
My FACE MASK and a good night’s sleep.
What are your 3 hero products?
My products are like my children - I can’t choose a favorite - but if I had to it would be my SUPER ANTI-AGING FACE CREAM. It’s my ultimate one-stop-shop if I’m on the go and provides hydration, protection and anti-aging properties based on advanced ingredient science and years of formulation development. Then there is one popular product that I call the “white t-shirt” of my skin care regimen because it is so fundamental to skin health, and that is the HYALURONIC SERUM. It applies viscous, like a light syrup, and within seconds absorbs entirely into your skin. The improvement in the quality of the skin matrix is instantaneous. It promotes skin barrier function and replenishes both superficial and deeper moisture reservoirs. And I couldn’t live without my FACE MASK, which is a skin saviour when skin is struggling and a skin perfector when it’s not.
Do you look at your phone first thing in the morning?
Yes - my team is spread from Los Angeles to Hong Kong, so I need to get in touch with everyone in the morning.
Where is your favourite place in the world to wake up?
In the snow…it was always my childhood dream to live the winters in the mountains, so now whenever I am anywhere like this, alongside my family, I am at my happiest.
What are your top tips for great sleep?
Sleep is a non-negotiable part of my beauty regime. Hormone levels and other changes that occur while we sleep make this a critical period for cellular rejuvenation and related processes. Getting a good night's sleep is much simpler than people make it. I don't drink much, I don't eat big, heavy meals close to bedtime and I do not look at a digital device close to bedtime - the blue light emitted from screens triggers the fight-or-flight hormone Cortisol that keeps you awake.
Just before bed I'll cleanse my skin and apply my NIGHT SERUM to boost its renewal processes while I sleep, and I also take my GOOD NIGHT supplements before bed, especially after a stress-filled day. It's a blend of natural active ingredients that relax the body and mind and helps you fall asleep sooner and deeper.
Please visit Dr Barbara Sturm’s website here