For most of my life, my skin was something I never really had to think about. I didn’t have a complicated routine, I wasn’t overly conscious of ingredients, and I had never experienced acne in any form. It simply wasn’t something that affected me, which is why what happened next felt so unexpected and, at times, completely overwhelming.
At 27, after moving to Dubai, everything began to shift. What started as the occasional breakout quickly developed into persistent, noticeable acne concentrated around my chin and cheeks. It wasn’t just surface-level; it felt deeper, more hormonal, and far more difficult to control than anything I had experienced before. The kind of acne that doesn’t just affect your skin, but gradually begins to affect how you see yourself.
As the weeks turned into months, I found myself becoming increasingly focused on trying to fix it. I was constantly analysing my skin, questioning what I was doing wrong, and searching for solutions that would give me some sense of control again. Like so many others, I turned to skincare first. I tried new routines, switched products, invested in trending ingredients, and followed every piece of advice I could find. At one point, my routine became so overloaded that it felt more confusing than helpful, yet I kept going, convinced that the next product might be the one that finally worked.
But nothing did. If anything, my skin became more reactive, more inflamed, and more unpredictable. It felt like I was constantly chasing a solution that wasn’t designed for the kind of problem I was dealing with. That’s when I started to realise that this wasn’t just about skincare. The location of the breakouts, the timing, and the way my skin was behaving all pointed towards something deeper. It wasn’t random, and it wasn’t something that could be fixed externally.
This realisation marked a turning point. Instead of focusing solely on what I was putting on my skin, I began to look at what was happening internally. I started researching hormones, gut health, inflammation, and the connection between internal balance and skin clarity. It was the first time things began to make sense. I discovered the role that key nutrients and botanicals can play in supporting the body and plant-based ingredients. I also learned about the importance of prebiotics and the gut–skin connection, something I had never previously considered.
Rather than trying to “fight” my skin, I shifted towards supporting my body. I simplified everything, both in my routine and in my mindset, and focused on creating consistency instead of constantly changing direction. The changes didn’t happen overnight, but over time my skin began to feel calmer, less reactive, and more balanced. Breakouts became less frequent, inflammation reduced, and for the first time in a long time, my skin felt like it was working with me rather than against me.
This journey wasn’t quick or straightforward. It was a year of learning, unlearning, and understanding how my body responds to different inputs. A year of trying too many products, following too many trends, and realising that more doesn’t always mean better. But it was also a year that completely changed my perspective on skin, health, and the importance of looking beyond surface-level solutions.
ALI9NED was born from that experience. It came from recognising a gap in the market for something that felt both effective and considered, a brand that doesn’t rely on harsh ingredients, unnecessary complexity, or short-term fixes. Instead, I wanted to create something that supported the body in a way that felt balanced, intentional, and easy to maintain.
The result is HI SKIN, a vegan supplement designed to support hormonal balance, skin clarity, and gut health in one simple daily formula. Every ingredient has been chosen with purpose, combining clinically backed herbs, minerals, and prebiotics to create something that works in harmony with the body rather than against it. It’s not about overwhelming the system or overpromising results, but about creating a foundation for long-term, consistent change.
For anyone currently navigating hormonal breakouts, especially those stubborn areas around the chin and cheeks, I understand how frustrating and isolating it can feel. It’s easy to believe that your skin is the problem, when in reality it’s often a reflection of something deeper. That shift in understanding is what changed everything for me.
ALI9NED is built on the belief that your skin doesn’t need to be fought, it needs to be supported. It’s about simplifying the process, trusting your body, and choosing an approach that works from within. Because real results don’t come from doing more, they come from doing what actually makes sense.
