4 beauty tips for Indian skin to help you get the healthy glow you've been obsessing over

How many zeroes are in 270 billion? Just trying to do the math could give you a new forehead wrinkle. Ironic, because that’s the number the global anti-ageing industry will be worth when the calendar breaches Jan 1, 2024.

But it’s not just vanity and obsessively googling ‘beauty tips for Indian skin’ driving this demand.

“People are now living longer, and we have a lot more older women in the workforce today. They don’t want to feel inferior to their younger work colleagues,” says holistic aesthetician Margaret Beales.

She adds, “I myself want to keep working because I have a lot to offer, but I don’t want anyone to wonder ‘what’s she doing here?’. I want to feel included.”

With over 20 years experience as an international trainer with Spanish brand, Skeyndor, Beales has been demystifying marketing jargon and helping women from Milan to Mumbai make informed choices.

We met the skincare guru at Jean-Claude Biguine to understand how to simplify our beauty routines.

Beauty tips for Indian skin to start trying now

Choose products that marry natural ingredients with modern scientific methods

Sita and Draupadi probably used plants like Centenella Asiatica and Tefrosia Purporia in their beauty routines, but these natural powerhouses are now finding acceptance beyond traditional remedies.

“Our scientists extract the specific ingredient from the herb, and put it in a form that can penetrate into the lower layers of the skin,” Beales explains. “If you apply it in its natural form, it just sits on top and doesn’t have the same effect.”

She adds, “Some people will buy very expensive products and only use it on high days and holidays. But you have to do it every single morning and every single night to see the benefits.”

Parabens are not the devil

Reading about parabens might convince you they’re responsible for your acne, global warming and Mondays. But Beales believes that some ingredients are being demonized for commercial reasons.

“People say that parabens are very bad for your skin and could lead to certain ailments, when in fact, parabens are in most things that we eat in the western world.”

To avoid getting swept up in the mass hysteria, she advises investing in skincare brands that spend big bucks on research and development.

“Before any product is released, it needs to be tested on different skin types in different parts of the world among different ethnic groups. That’s how they decide which formula and delivery system is most suitable. It takes many years for it to get on the retail market because of this process.”

Using too many products could make your skin sensitive

If experimenting with beauty tips for Indian skin has your face behaving like a cranky toddler on a flight, dial back on the products you’re using.

And your 4 pm cutting chai.

“Do a detox for 15 days,” Beales recommends. “Avoid sugar, gluten, fruit and caffeine. Then go on a very simple skincare routine until the sensitivity subsides.”

Start with clean skin

To get your life in order, start with cleaning your face, room and desktop.

“Cleansing is the most important step in the whole process, especially since pollution is proven to be just as damaging for the skin as UV rays,” she insists. “If you skip that, whatever creams and serums you put on top won’t penetrate your skin.”

She also recommends regularly massaging the face in an upward action while cleansing to stimulate lymphatic drainage and get your blood flowing. “Be gentle, never pull or drag the skin.”

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Styling: Divya Gursahani, HMU: Riddhima Sharma, Model: Ishit Yamini/ Toabh