Minimal by Hadaa's simple self-care rituals are so inspiring
In this series, Bazaar’s multiplatform beauty director speaks to inspirers in the world of wellbeing about the routines and rituals that work for them. Here, Bridget March meets Hadda Akrim – the facialist fusing the holistic and the advanced, with an inside-out wellness philosophy honed from treating the skin.
Spend an hour in Hadda Akrim’s care and it’s clear that she’s no average beauty therapist. A skin magician, employing meticulous massage alongside ritualistic tools, a ‘Minimal by Hadaa’ facial leaves you looking vastly brighter and tighter. But beyond the surface, her deep-dive consultation and eye for inflammation informs the holistic advice she imparts, which helps maintain the results. The more clients she sees, the more patterns she spots between what goes into the body that then shows on the skin, because – she believes – “it all really starts from within”.
So how does this look for her own lifestyle? “It's really learning how the skin reacts,” she says. “For example, I'm very acne-prone, so I learned from a very young age that with diet and habits that you can change so much. And I can get migraines and breakouts around my cycles, but hormone-balancing meals and using certain supplements have tremendously helped me.”
Here Akrim shares the health habits and daily routines she’s honed to feel (and, in turn, look) her very best.
On what ‘self-care’ really means…
Self-care for me is allowing myself to take a step back. As a mum that works full time, whenever I had some space in my calendar, I would feel guilty for allowing myself to do something that made me happy without trying to be productive or spend time with the kids. But now I realise that checking in with myself is really important, whether that's booking a workout, sitting in a cafe and reading a book or going for a walk.
On her non-negotiable morning routine…
I've got two kids, so I make sure that I'm up before them if I want to have any time to myself. I try to wake around 5:15 and the first thing that I do is hydrate with hot water, lemon and apple cider vinegar. That's one thing that is a non-negotiable for me; I've done it for years and it helps my digestion so much. And after that I either go for a HIIT workout, or I do a yoga or Pilates at home. Then I’ve made it a habit to have breakfast – either a protein smoothie that I pack like oats and healthy fats and protein, or a porridge with Greek yoghurt. Then I shower and do my skincare routine.
On her skincare routine and favourite tools…
In the morning, I focus on protecting and nourishing my skin. I do a bit of a de-puffing massage routine during cleansing, using my hands for lymphatic drainage, making sure that all my lymphatic nodes are stimulated. For this I use the Dior La Mousse Off / On that gives me a nice glide and leaves my skin supple and hydrated. Another staple of mine is the Dior Capture Totale Le Sérum. It is full of ceramides which really builds that structure for my skin and gives me enough nourishment to go straight to my SPF protection. At the moment I’m using the SkinCeuticals Advanced Brightening UV Defense SPF 50.
For my evening skincare routine, I prioritise balancing and rejuvenating skincare, because your skin resets overnight. I like to deep cleanse, then use nourishing products. I’m hooked on the Dior Prestige Midnight Balm, it's such a beautiful formula which has ceramides and peptides and I literally wake up with glowing skin the next day.
My staple skincare tool is my gua sha. I tend to use it more in the evening to increase blood flow, release tension and any constricted fascia – and it also really improves my sleep. My LED face mask from Current Body is another tool that I really swear by. Red light therapy has so many amazing benefits for the skin: it’s super anti-inflammatory, produces collagen and elastin – and helps you relax.
On her daily diet and star supplements…
I honestly feel that beautiful skin starts from nourishing within; what you eat has so much impact on how you look and feel. So having balanced meals are key, and trying to focus on healthy fats, colourful veggies, quality protein, and carbs with lot of fibre in. I also find that if I have enough protein in my meals, it keeps me from snacking.
Within my breakfast smoothie or porridge, I add a scoop of the Form Nutrition protein powder. Often protein powders bloat me, but this is so clean. I also take a probiotic by Seed, and the Vida Glow liquid collagen every day. Collagen is great for increasing dermal thickness and as well as improving my skin it’s also helped me with my joints.
My favourite dinner is baked salmon with quinoa and asparagus or broccoli, and for lunch I like a chicken salad. I find Atis such a good healthy takeaway option if I’m on the go.
I stick to one coffee a day, after breakfast. I used to have oat milk lattes, but I’m back to flat whites with full-fat cow’s milk, which has made all the difference to my glucose spikes. I like a matcha at around four in the afternoon – especially if I'm working late. Matcha Union is my go-to, and I have it just with hot water.
On prioritising workouts and bodywork…
I do F45 Training because they have classes by my house at 5:45 am, and they only lasts for 45 minutes which gives me enough time to get back before my kids wake up. I try to alternate that with at-home exercise, and I love to follow Pilates By Bryony. I alternate between her Pilates, breathwork classes and soundbaths which set me up for the day feeling super relaxed yet ready.
I also try to do at least 10,000 steps by either walking to work or getting out of the treatment room when I have a slot to move and soak up some sunlight.
My favourite treatments to have are either deep tissue body massage when they incorporate the scalp, or lymphatic drainage massage for the body. I go to Ricari Studios.
On her restorative evening routine…
After putting my kids to bed, I try to do my skincare as soon as possible. I'll dry brush my body first then shower and use my products; when I start early, I will do literally all the steps.
Then I like to wind-down with peppermint tea and a book – which is usually related to skincare! I’ve started sleeping with the silk eye mask by Slip, it sits really nicely on your eyes and is not too heavy.
I also take magnesium last thing which has completely improved my sleep. I not only fall asleep easier, but I just have this deep sleep and when I wake up I'm refreshed.
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