Dermatologists React to Bella Hadid's Morning Skincare Routine

Dermatologists React to Bella Hadid’s Morning Skincare Routine

Original Publish Date: May 13, 2025, 06:15 PM

Last updated: May 13, 2025, 06:17 PM

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Bella Hadid moning Skincare routine — Vogue

Mornings aren’t always forgiving, especially if you’re not sleeping well or dealing with chronic inflammation. Bella Hadid recently shared her morning skincare routine in a Vogue video, showing exactly what she reaches for when her skin feels dull, puffy, or just off.

Some of the products she uses have a cult following. Others are drugstore staples she buys in bulk. To understand how much of it holds up beyond personal comfort, we asked a few experts to weigh in—where the science backs her up, and where the results are more subtle than they look.

She always starts with an ice bath, even when she’s anxious or flaring up

Bella swears by a 30-second plunge into her ice bath when she’s feeling off—mentally, physically, or both. It’s the first thing she reaches for when inflammation flares up or when she just doesn’t look like herself in the mirror. According to her, it’s not just a cosmetic step. It clears her head, sharpens her eyes, and helps her feel more present in her own body.

Dermatologist Dr. Alexis Stephens says there’s actual science backing that part up. “Because ice is a vasoconstrictor, it is amazing for decreasing inflammation, pain, swelling, and puffiness,” she explains. That makes it especially useful for morning puffiness or calming flare-ups like cystic acne. The catch? The effects are short-lived. Stephens stresses that while it can visibly reduce redness and calm the skin, “these are all very temporary effects.” As for those claims about shrinking pores or balancing oil production? Those, she says, are “definitely a stretch.”

An electrocurrent device to help with puffiness and lymphatic drainage

This is one of Bella’s non-negotiables, especially when she’s dealing with inflammation that doesn’t go away on its own. The device she uses sends a low-grade electrical current into the skin to stimulate circulation and facial muscles—something she says helps move fluid and bring her features back to life after a rough night or a flare-up.

But not everyone is sold. Dermatologist Dr. Dray, who actually tested the NuFACE Trinity herself, remains skeptical. “In my experience using it personally, I found the results to be very, very, very subtle—and very temporary.” While she did notice a bit of lift and improved definition in her cheek immediately after use, she stresses that those changes don’t last beyond a few hours.

The mechanism behind these devices isn’t new—it’s the same tech used in physical therapy TENS units—but there’s still no peer-reviewed research proving it boosts collagen or improves skin elasticity. “There have never been any clinical studies on any kind of electrical current device to support these claims,” she says. That said, Dr. Dray admits she found the process surprisingly relaxing and did see an immediate reduction in under-eye puffiness—just don’t expect dramatic or lasting results.

Biologique Recherche is her go-to for toning, hydrating, and repairing

Strangely, Bella doesn’t wash her face in the morning—and that might not be as wild as it sounds. Some people with dry or sensitive skin can actually benefit from skipping cleanser in the AM, especially if they’re not waking up with oily buildup. As dermatologist Dr. Dray notes, “There are definitely people out there who go through life perfectly happy and content… and they don’t use a facial cleanser.” It’s not a universal approach, but in Bella’s case, her skin seems to handle it just fine—especially with what she uses next.

She goes straight in with Biologique Recherche’s Lotion P50, pressing it into her face and neck with a cotton pad. It’s not a lotion despite the name—it’s a cult liquid exfoliant that uses a mix of lactic acid, salicylic acid, niacinamide, and sulfur to smooth texture, reduce redness, and keep breakouts in check. “This product probably is not going to be well tolerated for those of you with very sensitive skin or rosacea,” Dr. Dray warns, “but I actually think it’s a very gentle exfoliant in comparison to what else is available.”

Bella discovered their Sérum Colostrum VG on a work trip after forgetting her whole skincare bag—and it’s been a staple ever since. She layers it lightly over her face, skipping the under-eye area, which she now treats with Liposmose from the same brand. The combo keeps her skin dewy and calm without overwhelming it.

Dr. Dray’s take? P50 is a solid product—well-formulated, effective, and intentionally free of fluff. But she’s clear that it’s not magic. “Do I think that it works any better than any other AHA-BHA product out there on the market? No, not at all.” What makes it different is the experience—its strong smell, its exclusivity, and its reputation. Bella seems to like it for how it fits into her routine, and that might be reason enough.

She doesn’t skip eye serum anymore, and it’s another Biologique pick

Eye care wasn’t always part of Bella’s routine—but lately, she’s been trying to “do adult things” and take prevention seriously. She started using Biologique Recherche’s Liposmose, which she describes as light and easy to apply. It’s her go-to now for mornings when she’s feeling puffy or overtired and wants to take that down before makeup.

Dermatologist Dr. Scott Walter says that while not everyone needs a separate eye cream, it can make sense if you’re targeting specific concerns like puffiness or dark circles. “If you’re dealing with puffiness, the key is caffeine because that’s a vasoconstrictor,” he explains. Liposmose contains caffeine along with peptides, which makes it a smart pick for the kind of subtle swelling Bella deals with during travel or immune flare-ups.

Her moisturizer is a $15 CVS classic

Bella doesn’t pretend this part is glamorous—she uses Weleda Skin Food, and she goes through nearly eight tubes a month. It’s what gives her that slightly dewy, pre-makeup finish, and she keeps both the full size and the travel tubes around. For her, it’s less about fancy ingredients and more about what actually feels good on her skin.

Dr. Johanna Ward describes Skin Food as a “very rich and intensive skin balm,” ideal for dry or inflamed areas. It’s loaded with sunflower oil, chamomile, and marigold extract—each bringing anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. While Dr. Ward personally wouldn’t recommend it for the face because of its heaviness and strong fragrance, she acknowledges its effectiveness: “The marigold extracts help to brighten the skin and trap moisture.”

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