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Ria Bhatia profile imageRia BhatiaPublished on

Ayurvedic products have resurfaced as the ‘it’ thing in the beauty and cosmetic industry for a good reason.

#TheEstablishedReviews: 8 Ayurvedic beauty products worth considering even if natural ingredients aren’t your thing

Ayurvedic products have resurfaced as the ‘it’ thing in the beauty and cosmetic industry for a good reason

Despite the soaring popularity of chemical active ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, salicylic acid, retinol and so forth in the past decade or so, traditional Ayurvedic ingredients have ceaselessly held their position in the Indian beauty market, and have now become one of the coolest trend globally too. The consumption of Ayurvedic products in Indian households has, therefore, only been on the rise—from 69 per cent in 2015 to 77 per cent in 2017 and 89 per cent in 2020. The beauty industry has rightfully taken notes; a myriad of cult and nascent beauty brands have churned out result-driven products that champion the wisdom of Ayurveda by using tried-and-tested ingredients in the making of face creams, masks, cleansers and much more. So what’s the difference between new-age Ayurvedic products and the “herbal” products that were sold profusely in the market two decades ago? Products introduced today are transparent about the ingredients used, take more responsibility towards the claims they make, and can actually prove to be beneficial for your skin and hair, making them at par with modern skincare approaches. Thus, even if you aren’t an avid user of Ayurvedic beauty, these products could make for worthy candidates on your beauty shelf. 

Manjistha Mud Mask, 82°EWhat it is: A clay-based face mask.What it does: Detoxifies and clarifies the skin to alleviate congestion in the pores.Best suited for: All skin types, especially combination/oily skin.The plus: You seldom come across a clay-based face mask that doesn’t dry out your skin even one bit—this mask is exactly that. Formulated with manjistha, kaolin, papain enzymes, aloe vera, salicylic acid, and antioxidant-rich bioflavonoids, this mask can be used on acne-prone skin as well, since the ingredients help with exfoliation, bacterial mitigation, and skin cells renewal. It works as a great pick-me-up before an occasion since it offers all the benefits of a clean-up in one jar. Despite the seemingly strong ingredients, it doesn’t feature an overpowering fragrance and is gentle on the skin, even if you forget to rinse it off within 10 minutes.The minus: The mask is a tad more liquidy than typical clay-based masks, which is why you might have to use some more to evenly apply it on your face.Available at: 82e.comPriced at: ₹1,800

Manjistha Mud Mask, 82°E

What it is: A clay-based face mask.

What it does: Detoxifies and clarifies the skin to alleviate congestion in the pores.

Best suited for: All skin types, especially combination/oily skin.

The plus: You seldom come across a clay-based face mask that doesn’t dry out your skin even one bit—this mask is exactly that. Formulated with manjistha, kaolin, papain enzymes, aloe vera, salicylic acid, and antioxidant-rich bioflavonoids, this mask can be used on acne-prone skin as well, since the ingredients help with exfoliation, bacterial mitigation, and skin cells renewal. It works as a great pick-me-up before an occasion since it offers all the benefits of a clean-up in one jar. Despite the seemingly strong ingredients, it doesn’t feature an overpowering fragrance and is gentle on the skin, even if you forget to rinse it off within 10 minutes.

The minus: The mask is a tad more liquidy than typical clay-based masks, which is why you might have to use some more to evenly apply it on your face.

Available at: 82e.com

Priced at: ₹1,800

Sun Fluid Tender Coconut Water with Turmeric & Basil Leaf, Forest EssentialsWhat it is: A serum-textured sunscreen fluidWhat it does: Protects the skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays, reduces redness and inflammation, and hydrates the skin.Best suited for: All skin types.The plus: A constant disclaimer that comes along with sunscreen application is to go overboard with the quantity you use for best protection. However, many sunscreens make that a messy affair, courtesy of the goopy formula that leaves behind a white cast on the skin. This sunscreen does everything but that—the watery, serum-like consistency makes layering it convenient. Ingredients like aloe vera, tender coconut water, green tea, turmeric, hyaluronic acid and marigold make this a soothing and calming concoction for the skin while keeping sun damage away. Alongside its seamless blending, the sunscreen also leaves behind a dewy finish. The minus: Since the product contains coconut oil, it could promote sebum secretion on oily skin, if applied copiously. Available at: forestessentialsindia.comPriced at: ₹1,275

Sun Fluid Tender Coconut Water with Turmeric & Basil Leaf, Forest Essentials

What it is: A serum-textured sunscreen fluid

What it does: Protects the skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays, reduces redness and inflammation, and hydrates the skin.

Best suited for: All skin types.

The plus: A constant disclaimer that comes along with sunscreen application is to go overboard with the quantity you use for best protection. However, many sunscreens make that a messy affair, courtesy of the goopy formula that leaves behind a white cast on the skin. This sunscreen does everything but that—the watery, serum-like consistency makes layering it convenient. Ingredients like aloe vera, tender coconut water, green tea, turmeric, hyaluronic acid and marigold make this a soothing and calming concoction for the skin while keeping sun damage away. Alongside its seamless blending, the sunscreen also leaves behind a dewy finish. 

The minus: Since the product contains coconut oil, it could promote sebum secretion on oily skin, if applied copiously. 

Available at: forestessentialsindia.com

Priced at: ₹1,275

Champi Hair Oil, indē wildWhat it is: A lightweight hair oil (best for massages, or champis)What it does: Nourishes the scalp and hair, mitigates dandruff and prevents scalp infections, heals a dry scalp, and helps with attaining longer and thicker hair.Best suited for: All scalp and hair types.The plus: The act of hair oiling has prevailed in Ayurvedic beauty traditions for centuries, and currently, it’s having its moment again. If you wish to sign up for hair oiling, give this product a shot. it is super lightweight despite containing coconut and sesame oils and smells like a bouquet of fresh jasmine flowers. Dandruff, dryness, flakiness, and unhealthy, brittle and lacklustre hair is what this hair oil will effectively target over regular use, courtesy of its botanical ingredients.The minus: Since the product comes with a dropper applicator, reaching the end of the bottle when the product is about almost used up could be a little tough. Secondly, it contains coconut oil which might be a problem for those who have active forehead acne.Available at: indewild.comPriced at: ₹949 onwards

Champi Hair Oil, indē wild

What it is: A lightweight hair oil (best for massages, or champis)

What it does: Nourishes the scalp and hair, mitigates dandruff and prevents scalp infections, heals a dry scalp, and helps with attaining longer and thicker hair.

Best suited for: All scalp and hair types.

The plus: The act of hair oiling has prevailed in Ayurvedic beauty traditions for centuries, and currently, it’s having its moment again. If you wish to sign up for hair oiling, give this product a shot. it is super lightweight despite containing coconut and sesame oils and smells like a bouquet of fresh jasmine flowers. Dandruff, dryness, flakiness, and unhealthy, brittle and lacklustre hair is what this hair oil will effectively target over regular use, courtesy of its botanical ingredients.

The minus: Since the product comes with a dropper applicator, reaching the end of the bottle when the product is about almost used up could be a little tough. Secondly, it contains coconut oil which might be a problem for those who have active forehead acne.

Available at: indewild.com

Priced at: ₹949 onwards

Eladi Hydrating Light Cream, Kama Ayurveda What it is: A lightweight moisturiser. What it does: Softens and hydrates the skin without overwhelming it. Best suited for: All skin types, mostly normal to combination/oily skin.The plus: If using heavy and oily moisturisers is your biggest pet peeve, this runny, lotion-like rendition of the brand’s OG Eladi face cream is what you need. Besides the pleasant floral fragrance and skin-enriching ingredients, what makes this cream a must-have is that you won’t skip moisturisation even in the summer. It’s weightless yet supports the skin with hydration, and also doubles as a primer for seamless foundation application. The minus: You might need to use a bit extra for adequate moisturisation considering how watery its consistency is. Available at: kamaayurveda.inPriced at: ₹1,595

Eladi Hydrating Light Cream, Kama Ayurveda 

What it is: A lightweight moisturiser. 

What it does: Softens and hydrates the skin without overwhelming it. 

Best suited for: All skin types, mostly normal to combination/oily skin.

The plus: If using heavy and oily moisturisers is your biggest pet peeve, this runny, lotion-like rendition of the brand’s OG Eladi face cream is what you need. Besides the pleasant floral fragrance and skin-enriching ingredients, what makes this cream a must-have is that you won’t skip moisturisation even in the summer. It’s weightless yet supports the skin with hydration, and also doubles as a primer for seamless foundation application. 

The minus: You might need to use a bit extra for adequate moisturisation considering how watery its consistency is. 

Available at: kamaayurveda.in

Priced at: ₹1,595

Farm Fresh Radiance Ubtan, RAS Luxury OilsWhat it is: A powder-based three-in-one cleanser, scrub, and mask.What it does: Deep-cleanses the skin to reveal brighter, softer, and fresher skin.Best suited for: All skin types.The plus: A multitasking beauty product that saves time and money is always a fruitful investment. This product takes care of your skin’s cleansing, exfoliation, and masking needs at once, since the formula is gritty and contains clarifying and detoxifying ingredients. With kitchen staples like saffron, masoor dal (horse gram), almond flour, oat flour, turmeric, rose and more, this pulverised blend contains a mix of antioxidants and fatty acids in the best interest of your barrier and pore health.The minus: The application can get really messy, considering you have to mix the coarse powder with water till you get a paste-like consistency. Subsequently, taking it off can also lead to the product’s accumulation in the wash basin.  Available at: rasluxuryoils.comPriced at: ₹990

Farm Fresh Radiance Ubtan, RAS Luxury Oils

What it is: A powder-based three-in-one cleanser, scrub, and mask.

What it does: Deep-cleanses the skin to reveal brighter, softer, and fresher skin.

Best suited for: All skin types.

The plus: A multitasking beauty product that saves time and money is always a fruitful investment. This product takes care of your skin’s cleansing, exfoliation, and masking needs at once, since the formula is gritty and contains clarifying and detoxifying ingredients. With kitchen staples like saffron, masoor dal (horse gram), almond flour, oat flour, turmeric, rose and more, this pulverised blend contains a mix of antioxidants and fatty acids in the best interest of your barrier and pore health.

The minus: The application can get really messy, considering you have to mix the coarse powder with water till you get a paste-like consistency. Subsequently, taking it off can also lead to the product’s accumulation in the wash basin.  

Available at: rasluxuryoils.com

Priced at: ₹990

GheeSutra Face Emulsion, Shankara Naturals What it is: A deeply nourishing face moisturiserWhat it does: The moisturiser reaches the deepest layers of the skin to provide intense nourishment for a visibly soft and supple visage.Best suited for: Normal to dry skin types.The plus: Created with the age-old recipe of “Shata Dhauta Ghrita”, which refers to “100 times washed ghee”, this face cream targets dryness and dehydration to unveil smoother and healthier skin. The formula is whipped along with vitamins C and E, hibiscus, green tea, sandalwood, patchouli, and rose oil, making it a powerhouse of natural ingredients that also tackle pigmentation, uneven skin tone, dark spots, fine lines, and wobbly skin. Thanks to its rich formula, a little goes a long way.The minus: Due to its composition, the product does exude a typical smell associated with ghee upon application.Available at: shankara.inPriced at: ₹2,550

GheeSutra Face Emulsion, Shankara Naturals 

What it is: A deeply nourishing face moisturiser

What it does: The moisturiser reaches the deepest layers of the skin to provide intense nourishment for a visibly soft and supple visage.

Best suited for: Normal to dry skin types.

The plus: Created with the age-old recipe of “Shata Dhauta Ghrita”, which refers to “100 times washed ghee”, this face cream targets dryness and dehydration to unveil smoother and healthier skin. The formula is whipped along with vitamins C and E, hibiscus, green tea, sandalwood, patchouli, and rose oil, making it a powerhouse of natural ingredients that also tackle pigmentation, uneven skin tone, dark spots, fine lines, and wobbly skin. Thanks to its rich formula, a little goes a long way.

The minus: Due to its composition, the product does exude a typical smell associated with ghee upon application.

Available at: shankara.in

Priced at: ₹2,550

Sea Buckthorn, Berry & Calendula Oil, DearistWhat it is: A skin-repairing facial oil.What it does: The facial oil moisturises, repairs, and de-pigments the skin.Best suited for: All skin types.The plus: While this may not be a 100 per cent Ayurvedic product, it stands strong amongst the few facial oils that actually provide transformative results over regular use. It goes above and beyond to repair and heal the skin; it calms the redness and irritation caused by daily exposure to environmental aggressors, diminishes acne scars and dark spots, aids in achieving an even skin tone, and adds a lasting glow. It boasts 75 per cent sea buckthorn oil, and yet, is lightweight, non-comedogenic and doesn’t add to the congestion of your pores. Plus, it pairs really well with most moisturisers and sunscreens—no pilling whatsoever. The minus: The oil features a robust hue which could stain your clothes.Available at: thedearist.comPriced at: ₹1,980

Sea Buckthorn, Berry & Calendula Oil, Dearist

What it is: A skin-repairing facial oil.

What it does: The facial oil moisturises, repairs, and de-pigments the skin.

Best suited for: All skin types.

The plus: While this may not be a 100 per cent Ayurvedic product, it stands strong amongst the few facial oils that actually provide transformative results over regular use. It goes above and beyond to repair and heal the skin; it calms the redness and irritation caused by daily exposure to environmental aggressors, diminishes acne scars and dark spots, aids in achieving an even skin tone, and adds a lasting glow. It boasts 75 per cent sea buckthorn oil, and yet, is lightweight, non-comedogenic and doesn’t add to the congestion of your pores. Plus, it pairs really well with most moisturisers and sunscreens—no pilling whatsoever. 

The minus: The oil features a robust hue which could stain your clothes.

Available at: thedearist.com

Priced at: ₹1,980

Mitti Raw Masque, PurearthWhat it is: A detoxifying clay-based mask.What it does: The clay-based mask brightens, clarifies, decongests, and refreshes the skin without drying out. Best suited for: All skin types.The plus: If luxury skincare is what you’re looking for, this mask will swiftly make it to your favourites, courtesy of its efficaciousness within a single use. With honey and skin-friendly kaolin clay as the hero ingredients, the creamy formulation also includes licorice, aloe vera, Centella Asiatica, cinnamon powder, manjistha, and a mix of botanical oils that allow the mask to provide the benefits of an express clean-up within a couple of minutes. The award-winning mask fits into your skincare regime seamlessly, by playing the weekly masking ritual that your skin needs.The minus: Purearth is a luxury beauty brand, which is why the generously-sized tubs are rather exorbitantly priced for a wash-off product.Available at: india.purearth.asiaPriced at: ₹1,200 onwards 

Mitti Raw Masque, Purearth

What it is: A detoxifying clay-based mask.

What it does: The clay-based mask brightens, clarifies, decongests, and refreshes the skin without drying out. 

Best suited for: All skin types.

The plus: If luxury skincare is what you’re looking for, this mask will swiftly make it to your favourites, courtesy of its efficaciousness within a single use. With honey and skin-friendly kaolin clay as the hero ingredients, the creamy formulation also includes licorice, aloe vera, Centella Asiatica, cinnamon powder, manjistha, and a mix of botanical oils that allow the mask to provide the benefits of an express clean-up within a couple of minutes. The award-winning mask fits into your skincare regime seamlessly, by playing the weekly masking ritual that your skin needs.

The minus: Purearth is a luxury beauty brand, which is why the generously-sized tubs are rather exorbitantly priced for a wash-off product.

Available at: india.purearth.asia

Priced at: ₹1,200 onwards 

Also Read: 8 new sunscreens that will protect your skin in the harsh weather

Also Read: Does the ‘luxury’ tag for Ayurveda beauty brands make a huge difference?

Also Read: We need to talk about how Ayurveda is being co-opted by the West

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