I'm a Celeb Facialist and Dior Beauty Ambassador—26 Products I Recommend to My Clients

The Lineup is a monthly series where we're giving you an inside peek at the beauty lineups of the most sought-after experts and tastemakers in the industry. Get ready for a behind-the-scenes look at all the can't-live-without products that make their worlds go 'round.
As is true for many beauty lovers (myself included!), Sarah Akram's love for skincare started early. At just 14 years old, the D.C.-based master aesthetician worked as a shampoo girl at a local salon and was instantly intrigued by the glamorous woman who gave facials there. "I mustered up the courage to ask her, 'What is a facial?' and she offered to give me one," she recounts. "From that experience, I was hooked. When I turned 18, I got licensed and started on my skincare journey." Akram went on to found her eponymous skincare brand and clinic, Sarah Akram Skincare, where she treats top-tier clientele, including Mindy Kaling, Vanessa Hudgens, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Nina Dobrev—just to name a few. Beyond her work with celebs, Akram is also the skincare expert and ambassador for Dior Beauty.
Let's dive into the specific approach that helped Akram garner so many accolades, because it's probably not what you'd expect. "I trained in medical esthetics and the science of skincare," she says. "But I never enjoyed how invasive these procedures are, not to mention the downtime. I really believe in a non-invasive approach to skincare, and it's what really drove me to develop my own holistic skincare ethos that focuses on the highest-quality, most effective skincare products, expert hand techniques, and non-invasive skincare technologies." Curious what that looks like in practice? Akram filled me in on her signature service, the SA Luxury Treatment. "It incorporates a cocktail of different non-invasive skincare modalities," she explains. "It includes microdermabrasion, sonophoresis (low-frequency ultrasound), iontophoresis (electrical current), microcurrent, LED therapy, thermal shock therapy, and more—all of which work to sculpt, hydrate, and smooth the skin." It's truly a holistic beauty lover's dream.
And for those who want to get a celeb-level facial at home, Akram was kind enough to share her go-to skincare products for you to shop below. Keep scrolling for her list of must-haves, including luxury skincare, her three-step haircare routine, and her favorite $12 lashes.
"For people who travel a lot, a game-changing product I love is the Skinsheet Cleansing Coins. With a few drops of water, these one-inch coins expand into 10x10-inch cloths, and their woven texture allows for daily use to gently cleanse and unveil a radiant blank slate. I've been giving these out to my globe-trotting clients, and they can't get enough of them."
"So simple but so incredibly effective. Keep them cold in your freezer, and when you take them out, pair with your favorite cream mask for a little slip. They improve blood flow, circulation, and help depuff and contour your face."
"This bag is a game changer. It's a stylish vanity case crafted from vegan Saffiano leather. What makes it unique is that it's lined with Pristinium, which allows your coveted beauty products to remain at a safe temperature and in pristine condition. I've brought this to the beach a couple of times, and my products were kept cool and intact."

Emma is a beauty editor on the branded content team. She’s a passionate writer who loves all things beauty, wellness, and personal growth. Before pursuing writing, she worked in influencer marketing at Gallery Media Group, which owns digital brand PureWow. She lives in New York City, where you can usually find her running to a Pilates class or sipping on a green juice in the park.
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