Long before science-backed skincare became a thing, people in India relied on Ayurveda for their concerns. Ayurvedic skincare has been a traditional practice in India since ancient times and it has slowly received the attention it deserves, not just in India but internationally as well. While niche brands like Forest Essentials and Kama Ayurveda ruled the beauty industry, newer brands like Sadhev and Ananda developed modern techniques that are still rooted in the science. Celebrating India this Independence Day, take a look at some of the accomplished Ayurveda brands in the country.
Ananda in the Himalayas
Photo Courtesy: Ananda in the Himalayas
It comes as no surprise that India’s beloved spa in the hills has its own skincare collection. Ananda in the Himalayas is globally recognised for its holistic Ayurvedic wellness packages that help rejuvenate the body, mind and soul. Branching out their beliefs into skincare, the award-winning wellness retreat launched its own skincare line that further captures the essence of Ayurveda. The skincare line features a range of restorative skincare products that are handmade and blended in small batches. These products meld the rejuvenating effects of aromatherapy and natural plant extracts creating products that are paraben free, non-toxic and 100% natural. Created by the centre’s expert aromatherapists, the products are used in the spa itself for the past 16 years. Some of their bestsellers include their Hydrating Aloe Vera and Rose Face Mask, the Juniper Detoxifying Body Oil and the Sandalwood and Rose Light Moisturizer.
Forest Essentials
Photo Courtesy: Forest Essentials
An authentic and traditional skincare brand with its foundations laid in the ancient science of Ayurveda, Forest Essentials is a pioneer in the luxury Ayurveda segment and a quintessential beauty brand in India. It is also one of the premier luxury Ayurveda skincare brands started over two decades ago. the brand borrows the principles of ancient Ayurvedic formulations combined with a modern aesthetic that emphasizes efficacy and a sensorial experience. The brand takes pride in its all-natural formulations, promoting the tag line “if you can’t eat it don’t put it on your skin”. It is also one of the few brands that is wholly involved in the conception, formulation, manufacturing, bottling and sale of the products through its own boutique stores. The brand also made headlines last year for its debut in London, through the popular European website, www.lookfantastic.com.
Kama Ayurveda
Photo Courtesy: Kama Ayurveda
Another niche Ayurveda skincare line, Kama Ayurveda began its journey with just a selection of nine products that presented the brand as one rooted in Ayurveda. The brand was launched back in 2002 and was developed in partnership with the 75-year-old Arya Vaidya Pharmacy in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, which provided remedies that were developed to help treat existing skin and hair concerns. Twenty years later, the brand is thriving with a selective choice of products all of which use authentic, intricately balanced Ayurvedic formulations leaving behind harmful chemicals like sulphates, parabens, and artificial fragrances. Some of their bestsellers include their face mists, hair treatment oils, serums and scrubs.
Sadhev
Photo Courtesy: Sadhev
A fairly new Ayurvedic brand, Sadhev was founded in 2019 and has over the course of two years carved a niche for itself as a brand for minimalist Ayurvedic skincare. The brand is backed by a team of experienced Ayurvedic vaidyas that create products based on ancient practices. These are then infused with pure ingredients, sourced responsibly and carefully from Sadhevana, Sadhev’s own 80-acre sustainably grown organic sanctuary. For ingredients that aren’t easily available here, Sadhev sources them from organic estates across the world, like Argan Oil from Morocco, saffron petals from Kashmir, butters from Switzerland and rose absolute from Bulgaria, creating pure concoctions for every product. Some of the brand’s bestsellers include their Rose Water, Aloe Vera and Saffron Gel with Kumkumadi Thailam, and Coconut Shower Oil.
Soul Tree
Photo Courtesy: SoulTree
The world’s first certified organic Ayurvedic brand, Soul Tree is by far the oldest brand on the list having been founded in the 1990s. Apart from being the only brand in India to be formally certified, the brand also received certification from the reputed European Certification Agency BDIH of Germany. Grounded in ancient Indian texts, Soul Tree has been a pioneer in delivering holistic Ayurvedic skin care solutions to the Indian market. The brand is based on the idea of balance in body, food and treatment, and uses traditional Ayurvedic recipes and botanicals that are organically grown and harvested without the use of harsh chemicals. The brand recently a Hemp Seed Oil based collection, which is the first of its kind in India. The collection’s Organic Hemp Seed Oil, Ayurvedic Treatment Facial Oil, and Soothing Elixir Facial Serum are among the bestsellers.
