When it comes to beauty, keeping it clean is important - for your own health and for the sake of the environment. There are plenty of options out there for ‘non-toxic’ beauty and personal care and it gets pretty confusing. The clean beauty market is booming in India right now - there are some great brands out there, and then there are also some that call themselves ‘natural’ or ‘organic’, but the list of ingredients tells another story. A lot of us are guilty of trying out all sorts of products only to have our skin or hair show signs of protest. I was in the same boat at one point - trying out a range of all sorts of natural beauty products, particularly by non-commercial homegrown brands. But over the last few years of trial and error, there are literally a handful of clean beauty brands and products that find their way back to my dressing table.

The three homegrown brands mentioned below are my favourites. All three of them are clean, non-toxic, cruelty free, natural and sustainable (from their ingredients to their packaging) and, interestingly, founded by women entrepreneurs! They deserve all the attention and support - your skin and hair will thank you for it!

Raw Beauty Wellness

Anyone who has followed us on Instagram for a while would know that this is a clear favourite when it comes to skin care. I’ve tried almost all their products that work for my skin and have narrowed down to a few favourites that I keep re-ordering. I regularly use their baby-safe products for my children too - Raw Beauty has always lived up to its expectation. Their products are organic, the ingredients are clearly listed on the label, and their packaging is sustainable all the way - the products are in glass jars or bottles and the courier in which they are sent have zero plastic or bubble wrap. Their serums and face oils are light and gentle on the skin, their lip balm is super moisturising and literally lasts forever, their hair conditioning spray really makes your hair soft and smooth. The founder of Raw Beauty is very helpful if you have any doubts about what to get for your skin type.

Our personal favourites - Lip Lock (lip balm), Reshmi Zulfein (conditioning spray), Soak in Love (face oil), Magic Salve (all-purpose healing ointment)

You can place orders through their Website. The website lists out products for different skin-types, but if you’re confused, you can even consult with them on Instagram - they’re always happy to help.

Blended Botanica

Blended Botanica has limited but extremely effective products. The raw ingredients for the formulations are all sourced locally from the founder’s other venture called Blend It Raw Apothecary - which, by the way, is a great source to get basic raw botanical ingredients like unadulterated oils, dried flowers, essential oils, hydrosols etc. The formulations are unique (they have a powdered cleanser that foams when mixed with water) and serve whatever purpose they’re made for. The limited edition winter body butter (called ‘Ground’) from this brand is the best I’ve used so far and smells absolutely divine. I’ve tried other natural body butters and I have always had an issue with consistency - they’re either to hard to use in the winters or melt completely in the summers. This one has a smooth pasty consistency (even when it’s freezing outside) that melts as soon as its rubbed between your hands. It has quickly become a winter essential.

Our personal favourites - ‘Ground’ - Body Butter (available only in the winter) ‘Wild’ -Matcha Foaming Cleanser

You can explore their products on their Instagram Page and message them there to place an order.

Mud and Moon

This brand only makes soaps - but they’re all you’ll need as a body cleanser. The soaps are literally a work of art - they look too good to use! It’s not just aesthetics though - these soaps are clean and made using organic ingredients, naturally derived colours and pure essential oils. They also happen to be vegan. The best part is that the soaps don’t end up in a gloopy mess in the bathroom (which is a problem that I have faced with some other natural soaps) - they retain their shape and form and in fact last a really long time.

We have liked everything we have tried so far - we particularly like the ones with a refreshing peppermint aroma. They keep changing their catalogue so it’s best to explore and see what’s new.

You can explore their catalogue on Instagram and place orders on their Website.