I’ve just come back from India and, once again, most of my suitcase’s weight allowance went on beauty and wellness products. This is not the glossy, export-ready stuff you’ll find stocked at duty-free, but the things that actually sit in Indian bathrooms, are passed between generations, or recommended in hushed, authoritative tones by aunties, pharmacists and salon owners.
My family are from Chennai, and every trip back reminds me how different the relationship to beauty is here. It’s not something you “get into” or “invest in” later in life. Having your hair oiled as a child is the norm. As is being handed a turmeric paste for skin issues. And it goes without saying that kajal (kohl) is part of our birthright. Beauty here is deeply tied to ritual, to family, to heritage and to something that is becoming increasingly popular around the world: Ayurveda.
At its core, Ayurveda is a 5,000-year-old system of medicine built on balance. It takes a whole-body view – digestion, skin, stress, sleep – and sees beauty not as something to fix topically but as a reflection of internal health. That’s why so many Indian products lean on oils, herbs and botanicals, favouring slow, consistent results over quick fixes.
It’s also no longer confined to India, either. “I-beauty” – Indian beauty – is emerging as one of the industry’s next big forces, according to trend forecasters at The Future Laboratory, with its heritage ingredients, ritual-led routines, and holistic approach increasingly shaping global trends. So if you’re tongue scraping, taking ashwagandha, oiling your hair or ordering a turmeric latte, you’re already engaging with it – whether you realise it or not.
When I’m in Chennai, I tend to hit Nykaa, Sephora and Health & Glow. They’re brilliant for discovering modern Indian brands. But some of my best finds still come from pharmacies, tiny heritage shops and supermarket shelves, so it always pays to look beyond the obvious beauty spots. You’ll find active skincare like azelaic acid and tretinoin far more easily available in Indian pharmacies, often at a fraction of the UK price. Azelaic acid is great for calming inflammation, pigmentation and acne, while tretinoin remains the gold standard for skin renewal and collagen production. That said, these are not casual buys, so speak to a doctor before experimenting.
What I bring back is never just one type of thing. It’s a mix of nostalgia, genuinely excellent formulations and products that feel specific to India in a way that’s hard to replicate elsewhere. Below, find the products I make space in my suitcase for every time I visit.
Illuminating Body Oil Saundarya
Kama Ayurveda New Brand Kumkadi Revitalising Facial Oil
Kay Beauty Eye Kanvas Eyeshadow Palette
Indē wild Dewy Lip Treatment 15ml Dewy Lip Treatment
