Latest news with #HyaluronicSerum
Forbes
14-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
The $325 Skincare Serum Defying A Decade Of Beauty Trends
Dr. Barbara Sturm's Hyaluronic Serum Defies A Decade Of Beauty Trends Courtesy of Dr. Barbara Sturm Dr. Barbara Sturm's Hyaluronic Serum has achieved something quite remarkable: the cult skincare item is celebrating its 10th birthday this year and thriving in an industry where new products launch and disappear faster than TikTok trends. At $325 for 30ml, it doesn't exactly scream 'accessible', yet it has firmly remained one of the most coveted and bestselling serums throughout the past decade. Launched as an ampoule initially, the popular formula was later introduced as the Hyaluronic Serum in 2015. The beauty landscape looked vastly different then: social media wasn't where one'd get skincare tips from, K-beauty hadn't yet conquered Western markets, and the idea of spending over $300 on a single serum seemed almost absurd to most. ''I wanted something that mimicked what we could inject into the deeper layers of the skin — but in a form you could also apply topically,' Sturm recalls. 'There was no Hyaluronic Serum on the market at the time... so I created it.' In fact, no one had even heard about the active ingredient — hyaluronic acid — before, so she often had to explain what it was, why it mattered and how it worked. Fast forward to 2025, the beauty industry has exploded into a $600 billion global market, the DTC boom has brought us everything from $20 hyaluronic acid serums to personalized skincare protocols generated by either real practitioners or AI, and countless products can be found in Space NK or Sephora promising similar benefits, often at a fraction of Sturm's price point. Yet despite this fierce competition and economic pressures that have made consumers increasingly price-conscious, Sturm's original formula continues to command premium prices and unwavering loyalty. Dr. Barbara Sturm's Summer Kit 2025, including the brand's bestselling Hyaluronic Serum that turns 10 this year Courtesy of Dr. Barbara Sturm 'Not all hyaluronic acid is created equal,' says Sturm, noting that now she focuses more on helping people understand quality: '...the importance of different molecular weights, the formulation around it — all of that determines how well it works and how your skin responds.' While most beauty companies chase seasonal trends or upgrades, Sturm does it differently. Dr. Barbara Sturm as a brand doesn't reformulates for the sake of generating buzz or creates limited editions to drive urgency. 'The truth is the Hyaluronic Serum hasn't changed in any significant way [from a decade ago],' Sturm says. She has maintained her 'white t-shirt' philosophy and says the serum is 'foundational — something every skin type needs, every day.' That consistency has proven to be both a strength and a testament to the original formulation's quality. In a recent consumer study, 96% of participants agreed it was 'the best serum they have ever used'. The clinical results released to mark the serum's 10th anniversary reiterate the reason behind the product's lasting power: a 23% reduction in fine lines, 28% improvement in hydration, and 43% boost in skin vitality. The serum's resilience also reflects broader changes in consumer behavior that have emerged over the past decade. The rise of 'skinimalism' and the shift toward investing in fewer, higher-quality products has played directly into Sturm's philosophy. While 10-step routines had their moments back in the early 2010s, today's consumers are increasingly seeking products that deliver multiple benefits in a single step. Dr. Barbara Sturm's recent Anti-Inflammatory Haus townhouse takeover in New York City Neil Rasmus/ Katie Holmes with Dr. Barbara Sturm at the Anti-Inflammatory Haus townhouse takeover in New York City Neil Rasmus/ Consumers' ever-rising expectations around transparency and education also contributed to the brand's stable growth in popularity. Sturm's medical background — she's an orthopaedic surgeon who developed innovative treatments for inflammatory conditions before entering skincare — has become increasingly valuable as consumers demand more scientific integrity from their beauty brands. Her recent Anti-Inflammatory Haus townhouse takeover in New York City, featuring expert-led panels and scientific workshops, shows the brand's consistent strategy in education-driven marketing. When asked what's next for herself and her brand, Sturm hints at 'something very exciting' coming this fall, though she remains focused on long-term innovation rather than quick wins. 'As a doctor, I'm constantly collaborating with leading scientists around the world to find new ways to improve health and longevity at every level,' she explains. In a market obsessed with the next big thing, sometimes the most disruptive approach is simply creating something that 'works' — and then having the discipline not to mess with it. As beauty brands continue to launch and fold at speed, Sturm's serum stands as a quiet testament to the power of staying the course, even when that course comes with a $325 price tag.
Emirates Woman
04-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Emirates Woman
Dubai-based fashion entrepreneur Rahil Hesan shares her beauty routine
Dubai-based fashion entrepreneur Rahil Hesan shares her morning to evening beauty routine. Talk us through your morning routine. My mornings begin with intention and calmness. I wake up for a morning prayer, after my prayer, I do yoga and start with deep breathing to ground myself. I drink warm water with lemon to hydrate and detox. Then I go into my skincare ritual – gentle cleanser, a vitamin C serum, a cooling jade roller, and of course SPF. I keep my makeup minimal for the day: tinted moisturiser, brow gel, a bit of blush, and lip balm. Then I get dressed into something that makes me feel empowered – often, in one of my own designs. How does your evening routine differ? Evenings are more about winding down and repair. I double cleanse to remove every trace of the day, follow with a retinol serum or a nourishing oil, and sometimes a mask depending on my skin's needs. I light a candle, journal for a few minutes, and disconnect from screens at least 30 minutes before bed. It's my time to slow down and reflect. What are your go-to skincare products? I'm loyal to products that blend science and nature. Dr. Barbara Sturm's Hyaluronic Serum is my holy grail. I also love Tatcha's Dewy Skin Cream and La Mer's Eye Concentrate. For cleansing, I alternate between Elemis and Tata Harper depending on my skin's mood. Are you a fan of masks? Absolutely. I consider them my skin's little reset button. I use a clarifying clay mask once a week, and on days when I need hydration or glow, I opt for a sheet mask infused with collagen or rose essence. How would you describe your approach to makeup? Refined, feminine, and clean. I love enhancing natural features with a dewy finish, defined brows, soft matte lips, and extension of my mood, some days I'm a soft rose, and others, a power red. What can always be found in your makeup bag? A tinted lip balm in a dusty rose shade, a travel-sized highlighter, a brow brush, and a skin mist with neroli water. Also – a small handwritten quote I carry for strength. Beauty comes from within, and I like to be reminded of that. Which fragrances are your current favourites? Fragrance is my invisible armour. I'm deeply drawn to Bouquet from YSL, it's opulent yet poetic. On lighter days, I wear Chanel Chance, and for evenings, Bvlgari-Le Gemme Yasep and Tom Ford Fabulous. They each tell a different story – just like every woman does. Talk us through your hair routine. I treat my hair like fabric – delicate, luxurious, and worthy of care. I cleanse with sulfate-free products, use a rosemary and mint scalp treatment weekly, and massage in argon oil to maintain shine. Most days, I wear it in soft waves or a polished low bun – timeless and elegant. What is the most unusual item in your makeup bag? A small rose quartz gua sha. it's both functional and symbolic. It de-puffs, sculpts, and reminds me to breathe. Beauty isn't just about how you look, it's about how you feel in your own skin. This is The Summer Escape Issue – where are you travelling to this summer and what's in your beauty kit? This summer, I'm escapingto the Italian coast. Positano and Capri, a dreamy contrast of sun, salt, and slow living. My beauty kit is tailored: mineral SPF, aloe-infused mist, tinted moisturiser, silk scrunchies, waterproof mascara, and a coral lip stain. Also, always a signature scent that lingers in the air like a memory. The Hero Buys – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram Images: Supplied
Times
28-05-2025
- Business
- Times
Beauty heroes: Dr Barbara Sturm
There are few names as well known in the beauty world as Dr Barbara Sturm. The German doctor has spent her career redefining the skincare world with her products, concentrating on formulas that target common skin concerns with her pioneering anti-inflammatory techniques. Sturm began her career as an orthopaedics specialist, studying at Heinrich Heine University in Düsseldorf where she learnt about treatments to alleviate the inflammation caused by osteoarthritis. Together with her team she focused on finding ways to use the body's own proteins and healing factors to lower inflammation markers and tackle joint pain. This research led Sturm to consider how some of the techniques she'd been studying might be beneficial in the aesthetics world. She also concluded that inflammation was the biggest enemy of an anti-ageing routine. By 2014 Sturm had launched a full skincare line and in the years that followed she opened spas in London, New York, Miami and LA, which feature the brand's 300 products, all of which are available over the counter and formulated in such a way that each customer can find the right combination for their skin's needs. Sturm's line has a focus on 'molecular repair', which means that the products are designed to work on a cellular level to heal and repair the skin. The one she is possibly the most passionate about is her Hyaluronic Serum formulation. 'It is basically the 'white T-shirt' of your skincare routine. This is because it's the product you use every morning and every night, like your basics,' Sturm explained. 'We make [our Hyaluronic Serum] with the highest possible integrity, quality and efficacy.' Watch how Sturm and her team make her hero Hyaluronic Serum at their laboratory. Direction: Mona TehraniDOP: Camille GuillemainEdit: Laurène VanackerProduction: Sarah Barnes
