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.
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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.
Cheap, iconic and oddly chic in that retro way India does so well. This soap is made with real sandalwood oil from Mysore, and the scent is soft, creamy and lingering. I use it in the shower, but I also stash bars in my drawers so that everything ends up being delicately perfumed with beautiful sandalwood.
Illuminating Body Oil Soundarya
If you want one product that captures how luxurious Indian beauty can be, it’s this. Forest Essentials does Ayurveda-inspired beauty in an elevated way, and the Soundarya range smells of the most evocative saffron and florals. This oil sinks in quickly and leaves skin glossy with the softest hint of shimmer.
Kama Ayurveda New Brand Kumkumadi Revitalising Facial Oil
This brand is a family favourite (their hair and body care are excellent), but I’ve been converted to this traditional Ayurvedic blend, typically with saffron, sandalwood and a mix of herbal extracts. It’s designed to brighten, even tone and nourish the skin and I use it at night when my skin looks tired or needs a little TLC.
Kay Beauty Eye Kanvas Eyeshadow Palette
Founded by Bollywood star Katrina Kaif, Kay Beauty is one of the most accessible entry points into modern Indian make-up. The eyeshadow palettes lean into wearable, warm tones that mimic the shades of Indian clothing beautifully. And the glittery shades in this rose-hued palette catch the light beautifully.
Indē wild Dewy Lip Treatment 15ml Dewy Lip Treatment
Founded by Indian influencer Diipa Khosla, this brand blends Ayurvedic inspiration with modern textures. These lip balms are a standout – cushiony, hydrating and just glossy enough. They’re the kind of thing you throw in every bag.
Dabur is one of those brands that lives in your memory if you grew up around Indian beauty. This jasmine oil smells exactly like my childhood – my parents massaging it into my scalp, being told to sit still for once. Hair oiling is a cornerstone of Indian beauty culture, and this is an easy, affordable way to try it.
Khadi Natural Amla Hair Mask
This mask uses ingredients all known for hair strengthening and growth in Ayurveda, like amla, bhringraj and neem. It’s brilliant if your hair is feeling dry or over-processed (or scorched from the beaches of Goa) – and it taps into those traditional herbal blends India excels at. Mix the powder with water and apply it for 20-30 minutes.
Satya Nag Champa Incense Sticks
In the West, this is used as room fragrance, but in Asia, incense is used as a way to focus, connect to your spiritual power and as a meditation aid. Satya’s Nag Champa is one of the most recognisable scents in the world, but it smells better – and is way cheaper – in India. I always bring back boxes as gifts – it makes any space feel calmer, slower, more grounded.
Nat Habit Rosemary Hair Jal
Nat Habit is part of a new wave of Indian brands reworking traditional recipes into fresher, more usable formats. This rosemary hair jal (a lightweight, water-based treatment) is brilliant for scalp health and growth. Think of it as a less greasy way to oil hair.
Indian supermarkets are filled with aisles of herbal toothpastes, and it’s one of those small switches that feels surprisingly impactful. They’re typically formulated with ingredients like neem, clove and other Ayurvedic herbs known for supporting oral health, leaving your mouth feeling clean and balanced rather than overly minty or stripped.
Cosmix Beauty Supplements
Cosmix sits at the intersection of Ayurveda and modern wellness. Their powders – for gut health, skin, stress – are genuinely effective and easy to incorporate into daily routines. The “My Happy Gut” blend is the one I always bring back.