5 Indian Skincare Brands That Need To Be On Your Radar
It’s no secret that India has a centuries-old heritage of skincare, beauty and wellness; and this wisdom has been passed down for generations often in the form of home remedies, care rituals and insider secrets across households. However, the past few years have seen a rise in homegrown Indian skincare brands bottling this repository of knowledge and knowing to create products tailored for South Asian skin and global aficionados alike.
From brands focused on Ayurveda (the 5,000-year-old traditional system of Indian medicine) to those driven by ethical practices or led by female founders, this an exciting time for the homegrown skincare market. We’ve test-driven five brands that deserve space on your shelves.
1. Forest Essentials
This luxury Ayurvedic skincare brand was founded by Mira Kulkarni in 2000, and ever since, has gone on to become one of those brands that changed the Indian skincare landscape with its approach and roster of offerings. You can call it the OG, go-to for so many, owing to its sustainable and cruelty-free products steeped in ancient wisdom reimagined for the modern world. Think ubtans (Indian face packs), cleansers, body and hair care, and even make-up using ingredients such as saffron, neem, sandalwood and sanjeevani herb, among others.
Try: Soundarya Radiance Cream: a glow-boosting blend of 24 karat gold, SPF25, herbs, pure ghee (clarified butter) and cow’s milk.
2. Purearth
This artisanal skincare brand by Kavita Khosa is all about sustainable practices and positive social impact. Its mists, serums and oils are made with ethically sourced ingredients harvested in the Himalayas by the region’s women self-help groups, and then produced in small batches to ensure zero waste.
Try: Using the Kwansha Beauty Coin (like a gua sha, but better) to massage and sculpt the facial skin, using the vitamin-rich Wild Rosehip Supercritical Oil for added slip.
3. Kama Ayurveda
This Indian skincare and wellness brand, which marries traditional Ayurvedic practices with modern science, recently launched in the UK, with a flagship store in Notting Hill and a concession in Harrods. In over two decades, it has garnered a cult following in India for offerings that tackle both skin and hair concerns; especially the Kumkumadi (saffron) range for glowing skin and the Bringadi range – a four-step regenerative haircare ritual.
Try: The multipurpose Kumkumadi Mask-Scrub – perfect for your Sunday self-care routine.
4. D’you
Less is more at this brand, which offers a repertoire of four (viral) products: a multi-active serum, a cleansing balm, a ceramide moisturiser and a sunscreen that skincare aficionados and Indian celebrities swear by. Led by a young all-women team helmed by founder Shamika Haldipurkar, the focus is on forward-thinking, innovative formulas to create hardworking products.
Try: Hustle Multi-Active Serum, which packs in niacinamide, vitamin C, panthenol and peptides in one hero product.
5. Pahadi Local
This conscious beauty and wellness brand from the Himalayas has just gotten back into the beauty game after a two-year hiatus. The new range is centered around the previously beloved Gutti Ka Tel (apricot kernel oil), which has been reimagined as a range of body oils, balms and facial mists. The end goal of this woman-founded skincare brand by Jessica Jayne is about consciously working with ingredients from the Himalayas (‘pahadi’ means ‘those living in the mountains’ in Hindi) while safeguarding local women’s groups.
Try: The Apricot Kernel Shower Oil to elevate your shower (or bath) routine.
Praachi Raniwala is a Mumbai-based journalist whose work has appeared in the Financial Times, The New York Times, The Business of Fashion, Condé Nast Traveller and Vogue India
