Shop My Shelf: Sabah Riaz, Khuze Nutrition
Written By Sabah Riaz
In this edition, we asked nutritionist Sabah Riaz, founder of Khuzé, to share her journey, wellness philosophy, and insights on healthy eating with us.
READ TIME: 8 minutes
What sparked your interest in holistic health and nutrition? Can you recall your earliest memory related to wellness?
My journey into holistic wellness began in 2019 after an ACL injury ; a turning point that didn’t just impact my body but completely shifted how I approached health. What started as physical recovery slowly exposed deeper imbalances: chronic bloating, hormonal disruptions, fatigue, and emotional heaviness I could no longer ignore.
I was forced to pause, listen, and relearn the body’s signals. I immersed myself in functional nutrition, gut science, and hormone healing not to manage symptoms, but to uncover root causes.
But if I look back, the seed was planted in childhood. My earliest memory of wellness is watching my grandmother start her day with soaked herbs, ghee, and prayer : a blend of nourishment and intention that I now recognize as sacred self-care.
As a nutritionist, what's a personal wellness routine or skincare practice that you consistently follow? Are there any specific practices that are non-negotiable for you?
Wellness for me is about rhythm, not perfection, building habits that support my body daily. I start with green papaya juice for gut health, followed by soaked goji berries, red date, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, and a Brazil nut for antioxidants and minerals.
My morning skincare ritual is simple but intentional: Tatcha Rice Wash Cleanser, Sesderma Vitamin C and Hyaluronic serums, and Heliocare SPF 5. Internally, I focus on anti-inflammatory, hormone-supportive meals and exercise 4-5 times a week (weights, Pilates, boxing) for lymphatic flow and mental clarity.
Evenings involve cleansing with Biologique Recherche P50, targeted serums (Dermapore & Extraits Tissulaires), Furtuna nourishing serum and eye cream, Tatcha Silk serum or Biologique Recherche Crème VG DERM, and a gua sha massage with almond oil. My non-negotiables are rest, hydration, blood sugar balance, and rituals that keep me present in my body.
The motto "BUILD YOU FOR YOU" carries a powerful message. How does this motto personally resonate with you, and how has it become the driving force behind Khuzé's philosophy, especially when it comes to skincare and wellness?
“Build You For You” is more than a motto : it’s a reclamation! It speaks to the idea that your health, your body, your skin, your energy, should first belong to you, not to an external ideal, trend, or standard. It’s about turning inward, listening deeply, and choosing to build a version of yourself that feels aligned, nourished, and grounded in your truth. At Khuzé, “Build You For You” guides everything, especially when it comes to skincare and wellness. We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all. Instead, we look at the body as a whole ecosystem. Healthy skin doesn’t just come from misguided half information or choosing random skin care products. It first starts from within in the form of balanced hormones, regulated blood sugar, nervous system calm, and daily rituals that feel nourishing, not punishing. Which then with guided skincare regime leads to an overall healthy and holistic wellbeing and skin. Your skin & hair tells everything that you consume and how you live.
Reflecting on Khuzé's emphasis on nurturing the mind, body, and soul, how do you feel your KOSA experience contributes to your overall holistic well-being?
KOSA’s treatments do more than just enhance skin on the surface, they activate lymphatic pathways, improve circulation, and calm the vagus nerve, which plays a direct role in gut and hormone function.
I regularly alternate between three of KOSA’s most advanced treatments based on my skin’s seasonal needs:
The Fire & Ice superfacial works like a clinical reset using a resurfacing peel to stimulate collagen synthesis, refine texture, and reduce inflammation, while Dermalux Flex MD LED helps promote cellular repair. I turn to this when my skin feels congested or fatigued from travel or stress and have a last minute function or wedding to attend. It's an absolute lifesaver. With zero downtime, My skin feels hydrated , supple and bright.
The Supernova superfacial which combines TriPollar radiofrequency, oxygenesis, ultrasound, and LED therapy is an incredible bio-stimulatory treatment that visibly lifts, hydrates, and revives tired skin. I especially love it post-flight or during high cortisol phases. It's like a lymphatic and metabolic superfacial rolled into one. I get these done once every month.
The Biologique Recherche Bespoke superfacial is my go-to for deep, anatomical skin work. Their use of concentrated botanical and biological actives, combined with sculpting superfacial massage, not only nourishes the epidermis but also contours the fascia. I view it as both a skin therapy and a somatic experience. Where muscle tension is eased and nutrient delivery is optimized. This for me is the ultimate skin rejuvenation therapy.
Each session at KOSA isn’t just a treatment : it’s a bio-intelligent ritual. It mirrors Khuzé’s philosophy that true wellness is multi-dimensional: your skin reflects not just what you apply, but what you absorb, how you detox, how you sleep, and how safe your body feels. These treatments ground me, support my protocols from the outside in, and amplify the skin’s ability to repair, glow, and breathe — naturally.
At KOSA, we speak of 'bare skin confidence'. From a nutritional standpoint, what does achieving this confidence truly mean, and how does Khuzé's philosophy help individuals cultivate skin health that makes them feel comfortable and radiant without makeup?
Bare skin confidence begins at the cellular level. As a nutritionist, I view the skin as a diagnostic canvas. It reflects internal inflammation, hormonal fluctuations, gut health, liver load, and even nervous system dysregulation. At Khuzé, we don’t just chase surface glow ; we address the root biological terrain. That means regulating blood sugar to calm sebaceous activity, supporting the gut-skin axis to minimize breakouts and redness, and optimizing detoxification so that the skin isn’t forced to act as a secondary organ of elimination. Bare skin confidence, to me, is not perfection. It’s being able to show up as you are, without needing to cover, blur, or hide. It’s knowing that your skin is supported from the inside out. And that’s when wellness becomes visible effortlessly.
From your holistic perspective, how do you see nutrition and skincare to achieve truly radiant skin, and are there any products/supplements you'd recommend for someone aiming to improve their skin health from within?
Radiant skin isn’t a surface phenomenon ~ it’s the result of a well-regulated internal ecosystem. When gut health is compromised, detoxification pathways are sluggish, or hormones are imbalanced, the skin often becomes the first outlet for distress. From a nutritional standpoint, I prioritize glycemic balance, anti-inflammatory diversity, and mineral repletion. A typical foundational stack I recommend (and personally use) includes:
Omega-3s by Nutrova to support the skin’s lipid barrier and reduce inflammation
Zinc picolinate or citrate by Wellbeing Nutrition for skin healing, oil control, and immune balance
Magnesium glycinate by Wellbeing Nutrition for nervous system support, hormone metabolism, and better sleep (when most skin regeneration happens)
Glutamine by Cosmix and NAC to strengthen gut lining integrity and support detoxification
Spore-based probiotics to rebuild the microbiome and regulate the gut-skin axis
True skin radiance happens when both internal and external environments are in conversation working together, not in isolation.
What is the biggest misconception you aim to correct about long-term nutrition or organic gourmet food through Khuzé?
The biggest misconception is that nourishment must come at the cost of pleasure — that if it’s healthy, it has to be bland, restrictive, or inconvenient. At Khuzé, we challenge that belief daily. Gourmet and organic aren't luxuries, they’re vehicles for deep cellular nourishment, if curated with intention.
We use functional ingredients ~ adaptogens, clean proteins, healing spices, and seasonal produce ~ to create food that’s as sensorially rich as it is biochemically sound. Whether it’s a millet-based waffle, a hormone-balancing broth, or a blood sugar-friendly dessert, we focus on food that heals without punishing. Longevity doesn't mean giving things up ~ it means upgrading the way we experience them.
Because at Khuzé, we believe wellness can be both elegant and effective.
Given your specialization in gut and hormone health, how do imbalances in these systems directly manifest in skin conditions, and what role does specific nutritional intervention play in achieving clearer, healthier skin?
The gut and hormones are the skin's backstage crew; imbalances often manifest as inflammation, breakouts, dullness, cystic acne, and rosacea. A compromised gut lining can lead to toxins leaking into the bloodstream, triggering immune responses like redness or chronic breakouts, and impairing absorption of vital skin nutrients like zinc, vitamin A, and essential fatty acids.
Similarly, hormonal imbalances (estrogen dominance, insulin resistance, low progesterone) directly affect sebum production, skin texture, and inflammatory responses, often appearing around the jawline, chin, and neck.
At Khuzé, we use functional nutrition to restore balance from the root. This includes gut-repairing nutrients (like glutamine and zinc carnosine), liver support to metabolize excess hormones, blood sugar regulation through fiber and protein, and microbiome rebalance using spore-based probiotics. When these internal systems are calibrated, the skin functions optimally as a glowing, breathable barrier.
What personalized advice would you offer to individuals aspiring to establish a profound connection with their skin, mind, and body?
Begin by understanding that your body is not random ~ it’s rhythm. Every breakout, craving, cycle shift, or digestive discomfort is data. Your skin isn’t just reacting to products; it’s responding to blood sugar imbalances, inflammatory foods, unresolved stress, or a depleted gut lining.
The path to connection is not about perfection ~ it’s about presence. Regulate your nervous system, honour your circadian rhythm, and choose nourishment that stabilizes rather than spikes. Hydrate your cells, support your liver, eat your minerals, and allow your body to feel safe.
When you stop fighting your biology and start syncing with it, your skin softens, your energy steadies, and your mind clears. That’s when beauty becomes effortless; because it’s simply aligned.
“Build you, for you.” — The Khuzé Way
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