ABOUT NATHIFA AKBAR

I’ve always had a good relationship with my skin since adolescence. I learned it from watching my mom with all her beautiful jars and containers. Sitting on the toilet seat, I asked about her potions and homemade remedies. She talked about skin and health and her belief that sugar was the devil.

Fast-forward to my teenage years. I had candy hidden in my pillowcase, peanut M&M’s stashed in my closet. Naturally, teenage acne and a pH imbalance followed. I quickly remembered my mother’s words: cut back on the sugar and drink lots of water. I did a clay mask and peel-off once a week and used Noxzema to clean my skin. It quickly became a ritual I enjoyed—time to myself in a house where I was the oldest girl of six siblings. My time wasn’t always my own.

Then there are those moments when, as my 19-year-old son will say, “life be ‘lifeing.’” Meaning life happens, and sometimes it’s hard. You wake up one morning and don’t recognize the person looking back at you. Those are the times when it takes real effort to get out of bed and keep going, whether it’s relationships, horrible jobs, financial stress, family, depression, low self-esteem—well, just life. I have had all, if not a combination, of these situations. When I lacked stability, I turned to my skincare practice to find some normalcy and self-love.

The most challenging time for me was during COVID. I’d just been laid off, moved to a new city, and was home with my 16-year-old son. He has ADHD, and he was also displaying anxiety and depression. I’m a single mom, and my ex-husband is not involved in his life; this was a mentally taxing time for both of us. He lashed out in anger, and it’s easy to neglect yourself when faced with life’s challenges. I woke up one morning and realized no one was coming to rescue us, and I needed to love myself. I needed to show up for myself and my son.

My skincare practice created a mental shift and then a habit. It takes 21 days to develop a habit; if I can commit to that, maybe I can start going for daily walks, a workout, and so on. I found my skincare routine vital to my overall wellness, peace, and showing up differently.

I’ve worked in advertising, fashion, and skincare. Nothing has given me more happiness than helping others on their skincare journey. This is why I’m here—because skincare is more than just a routine; it’s a pathway to self-love and resilience. Welcome to "More than the Glos", where we embrace the journey together.