By Juhi Bansal & Team CB
Disclaimer: This is NOT a sponsored post.
We think twice before we let our kids eat outside food right? Why can’t we do the same with our skin. Just because a former beauty queen endorses a soap brand or a top actress claims to use some face cream you think it’s good for you as well? The chemical laden products that you use on your skin and hair are more damaging than you can ever imagine.
So, does that mean you stop using beauty products altogether or should you start whipping up face creams at home? No, I am not suggesting either. Just be a little mindful of the ingredients before you pick up a beauty product and buy “natural” as much as you can.
But, first things first. What is a Natural Product?
In the simplest of words, a natural product means something that has been made using products or extracts found in nature in their purest form. There are no chemicals or synthetic additives.
How do you select a Natural Brand? Or how do you know it’s truly natural?
Here are some simple key words for you to be able to differentiate between a natural and not-really-natural product. Be on the look out for these words on the packaging and other media and you should be good to go.
Homemade, handmade, small batch production, vegetarian/vegan, no preservatives, paraben and SLS free, no alcohol, 100% cruelty free, no artificial fragrance, no silicones, no synthetic colours, no animal testing etc. It’s not a real natural product if it’s not good enough to eat!
But, the market is flooded with so called “natural brands” so how do you know which one is right for you?
CB decided to invite brands to participate in the “Best Natural Brands in India” article. We received an overwhelming response with over 40 brands participating. We’ve excluded brands like Forest Essentials, Fab India, Lotus, Biotique etc from the survey. As much as I love some of them, we truly wanted brands that do – handmade and small batch production.
I would like to mention again that this article is NOT SPONSORED by any one. The CB Team and I have had a busy last several weeks trying out over 120 products across 35 plus natural brands! Yes! We’ve tried every single product before we shortlisted it for the mention. Believe me it was very difficult to arrive at the final list. We started with a story of 3, made it 5 and then settled on 7. There are still many brands which deserve a mention and we might do a Part 2 soon but right now here’s our list of the BEST NATURAL BRANDS in INDIA.
Some of these are well known and some names you would read for the first time. That’s the thing with handmade products. They don’t have huge budgets to advertise but we’re not complaining. They qualify on almost all of the parameters above. Some even go a step ahead by following Ayurveda recipes and using biodegradable packaging (I kid you not!).
Here are some of my favourites (in alphabetical order):
- Hedonista
What I like most about them is that each product is decadent and luxurious yet guilt free. Their products include exotic ingredients like Oudh, Night Blooming Jasmine, Wine, Chocolate, Argan Oil etc.
Price Range: Rs. 500-Rs.2000
What we recommend:
Argan oil: I have been using it on both my hair and face
Gourmet Salt Soap: Indulgent and heavenly
Hair Perfume: Very innovative. I never realized I could get by one more day of washing my hair by just spraying this 🙂
Estore: http://hedonista.in/
- KAMA Ayurveda
You’ve probably heard of them. They are quite popular globally and are used by some of the world’s leading hotels and spas. Their products are created using authentic Ayurveda prescriptions and are both safe and gentle.
Price Range: Rs. 200- Rs. 3000
What we recommend:
Mridul Soap Free Cleanser: Doesn’t dry out your face like regular facewash.
Neem Cold Pressed Oil: Good for both hair and skin. Have been using it along with the Hedonista Argan Oil on myself.
Insect Deterrent Body Spray: The little one also uses it. Very effective.
Estore: https://www.kamaayurveda.com/
- OMORFEE
Don’t you just love the packaging?
Apart from the goodness of herbal and organic ingredients, their packaging is out of the world too! Their products are stringently packaged in pure bamboo jars and eco- friendly recyclable plastics.
Price Range: Rs. 350 –Rs. 2000
What we recommend:
Melting Hand Moisturizer: It actually melts the moment you put it in your hand! And leaves them feeling softer for a long time.
Body Softening After Shower Oil: A concoction of some of the best body oils (jojoba, olive, lavender, lemongrass, rosemary and sweet almond). Have been using it after shower everyday. Skin feels as soft as silk! Psst: I cheat and use it on my face as well.
Estore: http://www.omorfee.com/
- Tvam Naturals
Tvam means “you” in Sanskrit. Founded by Crisy Vasan who is a Computer Engineer, they use natural ingredients that pamper your skin and nurture your soul.
Price Range: Rs. 500- Rs. 2000
What we recommend:
Woody Sandalwood & Honey Shower Gel : The natural fragrance makes the start to your day very pleasant.
21 Herbs Anti-Stress Hair Oil: Instantly helps you let off some steam.
Estore: http://www.tvamnaturals.com/
- Vana Vidhi
Love the potli the products came in
Vana Vidhi skincare luxuries encapsulate the essence of the forests. Their collection goes much deep and beyond Buddhist, Zen, Yogic, Spa and Forest inspirations.
Price Range: Rs. 250-Rs.3000
What we recommend:
Romantic Rosa Flower Breast & Body Massage Oil: Packed with Rose & Geranium Oil this is Vana Vidhi’s signature formulation. Also contains sesame, almond and cotton seed oils.
Wild Harvest Aloe Vera Intimate Wash: I was surprised to see this. I did not know you could get an organic intimate wash. This is definitely a wish come true!
Estore: www.vanavidhi.com
- Votre
Researched and developed in association with ace-laboratories in France & Tokyo; VOTRE has always harnessed ingredients both rare and effective,with cutting edge Bio- technology and patented molecules and finest botanical extracts and blends.
Price Range: Rs. 500- Rs. 4000
What we recommend:
Multivitamin day and night crème– perfect to end my CTM routine with. I’ve been religiously using both the day and night creams every day since I got them. An organic night cream- yes yes yes!
Face Toner Mist: Been using it for my CTM routine right before the night cream.
Face Serum: Gives an instant glow! I’ve been using it as a make-up base.
Estore: http://www.aplava.com/brand/votre.html. Psst: Votre is now also available at select Sephora stores in the country!
- Wild Earth
Founded by Shabia Ravi Walia, ‘Wild Earth’ was born out of her attempt to provide natural quality products which young, old and babies can use without any fear of side effects of harsh chemicals.
Price Range: Rs. 175- Rs. 550
What we recommend:
Refreshing Ginger Lemongrass Body Scrub: Because the body needs scrubbing too. It’s smells heavenly!
Grape Shea Butter Lip Balm: made with a blend of shea butter, cocoa butter and kokum butter, it leaves my lips feeling softer.
Estore: https://wildearth.in/
These were some of my/Team CB’s favourite picks. Each of these products has been personally tested by us before it was shortlisted.
Organic/Natural products are not a fad. Apart from being gentle on the skin, they’re also better for the environment. Having said that, it doesn’t mean they are allergy free. If you are prone to allergies please read the ingredient list carefully and do a patch test before going all in with the product.
Let us know if you have any suggestions of your own to add to the list.
Stay Gorgeous xx
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