5 Indian skincare brands you need to know now

Image credit: Instagram.com/forestessentials

Whether it’s the 10-step Korean skincare routine that got the world talking, or the clean Australian skincare movement known as A-beauty, there is no denying that each country’s beauty industry is distinctly unique.

When it comes to the Indian beauty industry, it’s a cardinal sin to not speak of Ayurveda, the country’s history-steeped system of medicine. Indians have been using at-home concoctions with all-natural blends since India’s inception—ask around and you’ll find four out of five Indian women with a beauty recipe that’s been passed down for generations. Now, the industry is harnessing those trusted ingredients and creating potent blends in chic packaging.

Natural ingredients like rose water, coconut oil, clay, aloe vera, turmeric and apricot kernels are some of the most prevalent ones and you’ll find them in almost every single brand’s offerings, each with its own rendition. Here, Vogue spotlights five Indian beauty brands that deserve to be on your radar, and in your shopping carts.

Image credit: Instagram.com/forestessentials

Forest Essentials

Possibly one of the most popular Indian beauty brands on the market, the brand’s in-store experience is as beautiful as its products. If you find yourself in India, head in store for a customised skin consultation by a Forest Essentials doctor, sip on calming ginger jaggery tea and walk about the aesthetically-pleasing shop as you explore the brand’s offerings. Forest Essentials’s focus is on creating Ayurvedic formulations that come with a pleasant sensory experience, ensuring you enjoy your beauty routine, every single day. Be sure to try the brand’s Soundarya line of face care products with 24k gold to meet your glowing skin needs.

Image credit: Instagram.com/kamaayurveda

Kama Ayurveda

Click Here: Discount Golf Appare

Kama Ayurveda’s products are 100 per cent natural and put together in clean packaging that is Indian, yet minimal—meaning each skincare staple makes for a beautiful shelfie. From beauty editors to influencers alike, Kama Ayurveda has built a loyal customer base across the industry and for good reason; its products are simple, yet effective. Give Kama Ayurveda’s Bringadi Intensive Hair Treatment a shot if hair fall and a flaky scalp are wearing you down.

Image credit: Instagram.com/pahadilocal

Pahadi Local

The Himalayas are a treasure trove of botanicals and no doubt the reason why the residents that live up north have such flawless skin. Pahadi Local harnesses the goodness of apricots and walnuts to create body oils and scrubs that are both therapeutic and effective. If there’s just one product that you try, make it the Gutti Ka Tel, or Apricot Kernel Oil.

Image credit: Instagram.com/purearth

Purearth 

It’s safe to call Purearth one of India’s most luxurious beauty offerings. From turmeric, to walnuts and wild roses, the brand’s portfolio consists of face and body care products boasting ingredients from the Himalayas, each encased in glossy black packaging. Purearth is based in India and Hong Kong, and is spreading the goodness of Indian concoctions around the world. Trust the Turmeric Sand Exfoliant Face Masque for a deep cleanse that’ll leave you with fresh, radiant skin.

Image credit: Instagram.com/drsheths

Dr. Sheth’s

Although this skincare name is the youngest on this list, it’s the country’s foremost dermatologist-owned beauty brand and is formulating the perfect blend of Indian ingredients with modern medicine. The brainchild of dermatologist Dr Rekha Sheth (whose father, the late Dr Sharat C Desai, was the pioneer of dermatology in India) and her son, scientist Dr Aneesh Sheth, the brand’s products are tailored to cater to common skin concerns such as pigmentation and environmental damage. 

Image credit: Instagram.com/sova_care

New Indian beauty brands to watch out for

While the likes of Purearth and Pahadi Local have a rather established consumer base, a few newer names are starting to secure their place on our beauty shelves. Sova is bringing together Ayurvedic formulas in a modernised, science-backed formul, Indulgeo Essentials has made it’s mark as a celebrity make-up artist favourite, and Luaer provides soft matte lipsticks that are hydrating, yet don’t compromise on pigment. There is truly something for everyone.