Blending formulas handed down by the ancients for a beautiful you, these companies are on the path to heal with Nature

Some things are a must carry in your beauty kit. As chemicals are out of my beauty bag, here are some of the herbal brands that I have tried over the years. With the promise of chemical-free products, they believe in helping us retain our natural beauty, are ‘Made in India’ and suitable for all skin types:

1. Shahnaz Husain

Almost five decades ago, Shahnaz Husain adopted the principle of Ayurveda, based on an integrated system of clinical treatments and product ranges. She has evolved nearly 375 formulations for general beauty care, treatment of skin and scalp disorders, health and fitness.

What I used: Shaeyes Herbal Kajal with trifala, castor oil and almond oil to improve eyesight and nourish skin around eyes. Shaline Plus Herbal Eyeliner with amla, almond oil, castor oil, camphor and neem. Shalips Plus Lipstick contains sandalwood, liquorice, jojoba oil and castor oil for soft glowy lips and comes in 63 shades.

2. neoVeda

This skincare range uses the ancient art of Ayurveda to make soft creams that balance the three doshas of pitta, vata and kapha. neoVeda products are PETA-certified as they are cruelty-free products. 

 What I used: Face Young & Bright–marine collagen and Macadamia cream with passion fruit and sunflower. Foot Care  cream laced with neem, tea tree oil, and kokum butter. Lip Soft balm with Rose and shea butter to make the lips soft and pink. Acne Reduce oil is a blend of grapeseed, almond, lavender, and tea tree oils.

3. Himalaya

The journey of this giant began in 1930 when the founder, M. Manal, saw the villagers in Burma feeding roots of a local herb to calm a herd of agitated elephants. This root was Rauwolfia Serpentina. Since then, the company has been harnessing Nature’s healing powers and created a full range of skincare, babycare, animal health, nutrition and other healthcare products.

What I used: Himalaya FootCare cream. This has a 3-way deep moisturizing effect with ingredients such as turmeric, honey, fenugreek. 

4. Mama Earth

Dermatologically tested, FDA-approved and Made Safe Certified, this brand has a wide range of skincare, personal care and hair care products.

What I used: Bye Bye Blemishes Face Cream for Reducing Pigmentation & Blemishes with Mulberry Extract & Vitamin CandNatural Radiance day cream. The products are non-greasy and free from harmful toxins.

5. Soul Tree

The botanicals used are organically farmed, ethically sourced, does not have harsh chemicals, are freshly mad in-house, have been innovated through German know-how and certified by European Certification Agency BDIH of Germany. SoulTree does not test on animals and supports the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. 

What I used: The travel kit (30ml bottles) with Indian Rose Face Wash with Turmeric & Honey, Indian Rose & Cooling Vetiver Shower Gel, Apricot Moisturiser with Honey & Kokum Butter, Lotus & Kokum Butter Lip Balm (3gm), Hand & Foot Cream – Kokum & Honey with Mountain Rosemary (25gm). The kit comes in a brown, washable and easy-to-carry pouch. Added to this, Hibiscus Shampoo With Honey And Aloe Vera (250ml).

6. Precious Nature

Precious Nature has been in the beauty business for 20 years. The range is certified organic, sulfate-free, paraben-free, cruelty-free

What I used: Hibiscus, Amla, Brahmi & Bhringaraj Oil. The ingredients have been chosen to control dandruff, hair fall and breakage, repair split ends and condition hair, stimulate hair growth, reduce premature graying and relieve stress and improve brain function.

7. Inveda & Vedic Line

Inveda is a sister company of Vedic Line, launched by HVM group. The foundation of Inveda is infusing natural ingredients with the beauty secrets from the Vedas. The healthy range is formed with natural ingredients, blending modern research and rejuvenating essence of nature with ancient beauty secrets.

What I used: Anti-ageing night cream by Inveda has the power of saffron, cardamom, cocoa and strawberry. Packed with saffron and cardamom, it could be used over long-term for lasting results.

Choco Strawberry Lip Balm by Vedic Line- Cocoa is said to be packed with antioxidants that help repair skin cells and neutralize harmful free radicals. It also has Vitamin E. Strawberry is the queen of fruits with vitamin C, antioxidants and exfoliants.

8. Alanna

Started in 2015, the company offers handmade natural skincare products. These are sulphate-free, paraben-free and the brand refrains from animal testing, therefore cruelty-free and vegan too.

What I used: Wild Rose Body Butter is a rose-infused body butter cream with SPF 25-30. Mosquito Repellant is a blend of calendula, garlic, amla and reetha extracts, it was in a spray bottle. Lavender and Face Mist works well in the sun, more so on sensitive skin. Lemongrass soap as it has anti-microbial properties, helps in minimizing pores and acts as an anti-pigmentation agent. Lemon Lip Balm.

9. IHA

All the products are based on the basic principles of panchtatva (Earth, Water, Fire, Air & Ether), Tridoshas (Vata, Pitta & Kapha) and establishing a balance between macrocosm and microcosm.

What I used: Kerasoft Hair Conditioner, Papaya Panache Fruit Facial Cleanser Gel, Gold Fluoresce Turmeric & Saffron Face Massage Cream

10. St Botanica, Oriental Botanics & Mom and World

All the three companies are under one umbrella. A quality-driven, premium brand, St Botanica specializes in innovative products. A member of PETA’s Beauty without Bunny Campaign and certified by PETA as a cruelty-free and vegan brand, Mom and World has a wide range of products for moms, pregnant women and babies.

What I used: Oriental Botanics Activated Charcoal 3 IN 1 Clay Mask, St Botanica Vitamin C SPF 50 Sunblock Face & Body Mist Sunscreen,  Mom & World Massage Lotion For Stretch Marks

11. Indus Valley

The products are designed to combat pollution and stress. Using certified organic herbs, Indus Valley products are made with formulas given in Ayurvedic texts. The hair colour is based on the treatise written by 11th century saint Chakrapanni Dutta.

What I used: Premium Weekend Winter Care and Spa Kit, which comprises skin care oil with herbs, cold pressed Almond oil, extra virgin and cold pressed coconut oil, Argan hair care oil and shampoo, a hair spa mask with herbs, olive massage oil and a night cream too.

12. Organic Harvest

Organic Harvest has ECOCERT certified products that are free of chemicals, fertilisers and herbicides. With a stringent, Earth-friendly, quality control process, the products are manufactured on the Himalayan plateaus. There is a hair care, skin care and personal care range along with oils.

What I used: Organic Harvest Body Lotion, Organic Harvest’s Sunscreen with SPF 60 and Under Eye Gel . The products are water resistant and light weight. They do not leave a greasy touch to the skin.

13. APS Cosmetofood

If you can eat it, you can definitely put in on your skin—that’s APS Cosmetofood organic skincare for you. With a manufacturing unit located in the lush valley of Nalagarh in Himachal Pradesh, the skincare range comprises serums, spring water, creams and masks.

The products are made from ECOCERT Certified organic ingredients, the products are tasteable, not tested on animals and vegan, free of paraben or any animal by-products, and any other harsh chemical. There is a professional and home care range.

The range also has a Gaspacho Vitality Serum which is an anti-burn tomato serum and quite apt for the Indian summer, Basil and Mint Mojito Serum, Green Tea and Aloe Vera serums again work best for the Indian weather, giving the skin a cooling effect. There is a Refreshing Whey Protein Eye Mask too for tired eyes.

14. Vért Natural and Handmade

Fresh, handmade and natural—these three things define this range of beauty care products. The USP: customized range and there are products for men and women. Products do not have any animal fat, are not tested on animals, no paraben, as preservatives and packaging is simple, minimal and recyclable.

What I used: Customised face pack, Cafe Walnut and Grapefruit Neem foot scrub, handmade soap with rose petals and the perfume. The Cafe Walnut foot scrub has cocoa powder, lemon and soya oil. The blend of coffee and walnut powder exfoliates the dead skin. As it is rich in antioxidants, it repairs the damage caused due to sun and pollution. Fresh lemon juice lightens, tightens and brightens the feet.

Grapefruit Meem foot scrub is made fresh lemon juice, neem powder, walnut powder, sea salt, soya oil and lemongrass.  #Vertcosmetic #Vertcommunity #Vertlove

15. Banjara’s

It was started by Vishal Personal Care Ltd in 1993.Currently Banjara’s has over 60 products in 12 product segments. It is one of the competitive players in the personal care industry in the southern India. 

What I used: Multani Mitti and Aloe Vera face pack. Multani Mitti, known as Fuller’s Earth, cleanses the skin, absorbs the excess oil, opens up the pores, reduces pimples, marks and counteracts the effect of tanning. Aloe Vera effectively softens and moisturizes the skin.

Recommendation: It’s always better to do a patch test on the wrist before using on the face. For best results, one needs to use regularly and over a long period of time.