This Skincare Routine Is Made Only For You
Is customised skincare the way to go?
Most of the skincare we use today is heavily driven by trends. We see something on Instagram or read an article about the "best moisturisers" or hear a friend extol the virtues of a serum they picked up from another friend, without really stopping to ask ourselves whether they work for us. What we don't realise is that a lot of skincare is formulated with a specific customer base in mind. This could explain why a viral French pharmacy product that works beautifully in the cold of England could spell disaster in a humid climate like Mumbai.
The same cleanser-toner-serum-moisturiser-eye cream-sunscreen routine that you follow in Michigan with great results could lead to you breaking out in Delhi. The product or the routine may not change, but your skin and the environment it has to deal with are very different, not to mention its unique needs based on your medical history, genetics and constitution.
This is what Forest Essentials tries to address with its customised skincare offering, which is adapted from ancient Ayurveda. The process begins with a detailed form that you must complete, followed by a one-on-one video session with one of their Ayurvedic doctors, who takes the time to understand your Prakriti (inherent nature) and Vikriti (current imbalances). They then dive into your existing skincare routine, your specific concerns and, most importantly, your lifestyle. This is what struck us the most: the doctors do not claim to create any miracle skincare routine that will magically remove all your concerns, but take time to explain that what shows on your face usually begins much earlier in your gut and other organs.
The doctor we spoke to was refreshingly honest and spoke at length about the importance of a balanced diet and lifestyle, depending on whether your Vata, Pitta, or Kapha is elevated. Three to four weeks after this call, we received our personalised formulations along with a detailed letter explaining why they were created the way they were, and the ingredients within each jar.
Following our session and their internal discussions, the brand's skincare experts deemed that, besides a customised serum and cream, an essence would also do us good. The letter went on to share how each of the skincare products should be used, with explanations as to why. For instance, unlike videos online which show serums being applied directly to the skin with a dropper, the letter advises that we pour a few drops of the essence into our palms, gently press our hands together and then pat it onto our face because "this delicate pressing motion awakens the skin, restores balance, and prepares it to receive the benefits of the treatments that follow".
The essence was our favourite, especially because of its non-greasy and lightweight nature, which we found incredibly suitable for Mumbai's humidity. One of the ingredients used in the essence was Tejas Water, which was prepared through the ancient Ayurvedic Aaswan method. The brand states that in this process, the pure satva of complexion-enhancing herbs, i.e. sandalwood, saffron, mulethi and manjistha, is infused into the water, making the essence exceptionally effective.
The customised cream was a heavy hitter with over 35 ingredients in its formulation, ranging from usual suspects like Bakuchiol, olive oil, jojoba oil, Pro-Vitamin B5, and rose water to desi hits like Rajat Bhasma, Mukta Pishti, Manjistha Extract and Saffron Extract. The cream smelled absolutely divine, but for Mumbai, it can get a little too heavy if used daily, so we decided to apply it every other day and only at night. The serum, like the essence, was light and worked perfectly with the weather, without leaving a sticky shine on the face. Together, the three products did a good job of leaving the skin feeling fresher, more supple and hydrated after using them for three weeks, which in turn made the skin appear more youthful.
What's great is that should these products work for you, you can connect with the brand again with your formulation code without the need to book another consultation. There is no fixed cost – since the products are customised based on each person's unique concerns, the cost depends on the final formulation.