The concept of clean beauty and organic beauty was quite foreign to the Indian consumer a few years back. However, a blooming narrative in the industry: skincare is the new self-care took over when women entered the space and revolutionized the demographic of the industry.
Concocting traditional beauty remedies derived from ayurvedic practices and natural ingredients female founders have approached inclusive and sustainably rich beauty practices. With one product at a time, these women entrepreneurs are redefining the definition of beauty and skincare. Take a look at some of the homegrown beauty brands that are bringing back Indian roots in the international markets.
Deepika Padukone – Ashwagandha Bounce (82°E)
Global Indian icon Deepika Padukone recently introduced “Ashwagandha Bounce” moisturiser and “Patchouli Glow” sunscreen drops, as the inaugural product line of her recently launched self-care brand, 82°E. In line with the brand’s core philosophy, these products have been rigorously sourced, carefully crafted and clinically tested to make skincare a simple, effective and enjoyable self-care ritual. Ashwagandha Bounce moisturiser is a rich yet lightweight moisturiser that is enriched with ashwagandha to restore skin elasticity and sodium hyaluronate for long-lasting hydration. Patchouli Glow sunscreen SPF 40 broad spectrum PA+++ provides protection from the harmful radiation of the sun in addition to protecting the skin’s barrier by combining Patchouli leaf extract with ceramides.
Deepshikha Deshmukh – Kumkumadi Saffron Gold Tailam (Love Organically)
Deepshika Deshmukh who is the founder of Love Organically and producer at Pooja Entertainment, created this brand 5 years ago purely because there was a huge void in the market for good quality Indian clean beauty, sustainable and wellness products. She wanted her Products to fill that gap and gravitate into doing something bigger and be part of a movement where skincare not just does good to the skin but also helps Mother Earth. The entire Ayurvedic Kumkumadi range – especially the Saffron Gold Tailam, the product from Love Organically has been the most premium and everyone’s favourite product. Kumkumadi oil is a blend of 21 ingredients all in their most potent form. In ancient times SAFFRON was coveted as it did not grow freely and large amounts of the flower were needed to obtain the herb. Truly the Gold of the Skincare world. Till today it remains a precious ingredient, it’s oil extraction even more so. This concentrated oil has been mixed with over 21 herbs all with the ability to bestow good skin health. The concoction promises healthy, younger-looking skin and the effects of which are long-lasting.
Nikita Mehta- HoliRoots Hair Oil (Fable & Mane)
Nikita is the Creative Director, Storyteller & Product visionary behind Fable & Mane. With a passion for Ayurvedic ingredients, product innovation and conscious rituals. Her mission is to bring consciousness into beauty and awaken our roots with wild wisdom. Her product HoliRoots Hair Oil is a pre-wash hair and scalp treatment oil to massage dry hair and scalp before shampoo. Designed to be part of your weekly hair ritual. Ashwagandha helps to thicken fine hair and strengthen the scalp, while Dashmool promotes healthy scalp circulation to encourage hair growth. It has a sublime scent that transports you to Incredible India. This product is an award-winning root treatment oil to grow stronger, healthier hair. Akash Mehta is the CEO, growth & digital marketing specialist for Fable & Mane. While Nikita is a committed philanthropist, her respect for big cats led to the creation of the Fable Fund which helps secure a future for our planet’s wildlife.
Diipa Büller – Khosla – PM Sunset Restore Serum 1% bakuchiol (IndeWild)
Diipa Büller-Khosla is an entrepreneur and describes herself as a Global Indian. She has a great following on social media, who have followed her skin journey as she’s worked to clear her acne. Her mother, Dr Sanghita Khosla, is an Ayurvedic doctor and dermatologist. This combination of factors made her feel that creating her own brand was not a matter of if, but when. Then when it turns out, is now, after a 2-year product development and brand-building process. One of her most revered products is the PM Sunset Restore Serum 1% bakuchiol, the night time skincare routine can be simplified with a plant-based retinol alternative (Bakuchiol) together with other highly potent ingredients work overtime while one rests, for overnight repair and rejuvenation. The Sunset Restore Serum has all PM-routine needs in a single bottle. With a plant-based retinol alternative (Bakuchiol), this overnight serum is safe for all skin types, tones and sensitivity. Their blend of science-backed ingredients like Squalane and Tripeptide Complex and tradition-rooted ingredients like Amla work together in perfect harmony for optimal overnight restoration and de-stressing.
Mira Kulkarni, Coconut Oil (Forest Essentials)
Mira Kulkarni had been exposed to the Ayurvedic way of life early in life having a home in the Tehri Garhwal region of Uttaranchal which is the Ayurvedic hub in India. She had realized a gap in the market for user-friendly Ayurvedic products as against the traditional Ayurvedic products available, which were too strongly scented and though effective, not very pleasant to use, hence she worked with Vaids and modern Biochemists to produce a range of products, which while keeping the inherent properties of Ayurveda intact, are wonderfully scented and pleasurable to use. In this way, she created Forest Essentials as an Authentic traditional, Luxury Ayurvedic skin care Brand with its foundations in the ancient science of Ayurveda. Amongst the many products they have, The Forest Essentials Organic Cold Pressed Virgin Coconut Oil is among the top products. This oil is extracted from the fresh grated white flesh of strictly graded high-quality Coconuts to procure the richest extract. The creamy flesh of the coconut is separated through a meticulous series of centrifuges at low temperatures. An old-fashioned cold press method is then used to distil the oil into traditional wooden Kohlus, without the application of heat so as to retain the oil’s nutrients and its superior quality. A regular massage with these tones relaxes and nourishes the skin and muscle tissue as well as flushes the toxins from the body to give lustre to the skin. This multi-purpose oil can also be applied to the hair for its nourishing and conditioning qualities.
Prasanthy Gurugubelli – Serum Absolut with Bakuchiol ( Daughter Earth )
Prasanthy Gurugubelli in 2018, took upon the need to embrace modern science with Ayurveda in its true and authentic form. With Daughter Earth she aims at harnessing the purest ingredients and the traditional wisdom of herbs along with cutting-edge scientific innovation. Using ancient ayurvedic techniques like taila paka vidhi (a process used to prepare ancient essential oils) she introduced her most challenging product, the Serum Absolut- A powerful facial treatment serum with the goodness of a plant-based retinol alternative, 18 sources of soothing and healing herbs and 39 sources of antioxidants that combat signs of pigmentation, irritant skin, dryness & improves the look of facial contour and elasticity.
Rajhi Ohri – The Kansa Wand (Ohria Ayurveda)
A London-trained aromatherapist, Rajhi Ohri founded Ohria Ayurveda in 2018. The brand’s principal philosophy revolves around the five basic elements, Panchamahabhutas of ancient science. It sources all its herbs from the Himalayas and other reliable sources. The brand uses “secret formulations” inherited from her guru. The most revered product of the brand is – the Kansa wand. The Kansa Vataki is a healing metal from the Harappan culture, that revitalizes & plumps skin, softens fine age lines, de-puff eyes, firms the jawline & cheekbones, and tones facial muscles, promoting collagen. Don’t forget the Moringa and Ylang Ylang Hair Serum a natural hair serum for your hair made with flaxseed, vitamin B5, moringa and grapeseed oil.
Amritha Gaddam- The Organic Hair Cleanser with Hibiscus, Shikai and Amla (the tribe concepts)
With the idea of taking her mother’s unique combination of ayurvedic recipes to a larger audience, Amritha Gaddam launched TheTribeConcepts. With the right combination of ingredients like Turmeric, Ginger, Sandalwood, and Saffron every Indian household swears by Amrita moved ahead to create herbal and toxin-free products ideal for daily use. The Organic Hair Cleanser, made with Hibiscus, Shikakai, Soapberries, Fenugreek, and Amla is a researched formulation that effectively cleanses the scalp naturally keeping the hair volumized and manageable. Other well-curated products include – Face Brightening Cleanser made with a combination of 12 organic herbs, 24k Kumkumadi Thailam and the 90 Day Miracle Oil, which claims to eradicate the problems pertaining to hair loss or damage.
Krishna Tamalia Vohra – Black sesame seeds (Mom’s Therapy)
Mom’s Therapy Founded by Krishna Tamalia Vohra is a homegrown and authentic Ayurvedic hair and skincare brand with a deep reverence for ancient tradition but firmly rooted in the present. The brand offers the finest, purest, organically grown, highly vibrant oils and herbs for the skin. The products are non-toxic skincare and are free of chemicals, parabens, and synthetics with Black Sesame Oil as one of the key ingredients. The range of haircare and skincare – especially the body oil made of First Cold Pressed “Black Sesame Oil”, Vitamin E Oil & Essential Oil has been a favourite amongst all. Mom’s Therapy comprises an extensive range of products that include herbal hair oil, body oil, eyebrow oil, cuticle oil, nail oil, coffee body scrub, rose water, lavender water, makeup remover, handmade wooden comb, and travel kits.
Shonali and Karishma Bedi – Cocoa Butter (Gulnare)
The Mother-daughter duo and co-founders of Gulnare, Shonali and Karishma Bedi gave shape to the socially conscious brand that is natural, eco-friendly and cruelty-free. Gulnare has a wide range of gender-neutral skin and hair solutions. With specific categories for Face products, Bath & Body, Anti-Ageing, Baby Care and Mineral Makeup, the brand even caters for Health and Wellness, which includes herbal and aromatherapy oils and mosquito solutions. Recognized as one of the best body creams, the Gulnare Cocoa Butter and Wild Honey use a rich blend of skin-nourishing plant-based oils to revitalize the skin for a healthy, radiant glow. The natural ingredients repairs and restores the skin and natural extracts of wild honey and Vitamin E leave you with soft and baby skin.
