Twinkle Khanna invited us to join her Ayurvedic adventure in the hills

“I use so much Bhringraj that my kids wonder if I’m oiling my hair or using it to fry pakodas.” Twinkle Khanna’s hilarious confession is one we can all relate to, especially if you’ve borne witness to the magical spell that the ancient Ayurvedic formula can cast on your mane.

The Tweak India founder got an up-close view of the making of her favourite products — and an introduction to a four-legged beauty pageant winner named Radha — when she toured the Forest Essentials factory near Rishikesh. In a world full of convoluted labels and “secret” formulas, this sneak peek into the making of our go-to skincare products comes as a breath of fresh air.

Set amidst the undulating mountains of Uttarakhand, and run entirely on solar energy, the factory’s goings-on are as captivating as its surrounding —  across the property, rooms are filled with workers lovingly churning, mixing, blending the fragrant ingredients. When Khanna claims that “this looks like my dream kitchen”, her tour guide agrees, explaining that they’re “making food for the skin.” All Forest Essentials products are crafted by hand, using age-old techniques that trace as far back as the origin of Vedic scriptures. For example, their oils are extracted using absolutely no external heat, which ensures that they retain the highest nutritive value. Almost everything is made in small batches to maintain the quality of the final product.

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We’ve always admired the way in which @TwinklerKhanna, lovingly known as Mrs. Funnybones, juggles multiple worlds, with her signature twist of wit, a forthright, authentic personality, and always a touch of tradition; mirroring very much the values we hold dear. It only felt natural then to invite her on a quiet Wednesday morning in the midst of verdant greens, to see our world the way it truly is. . Stay tuned to experience the authentic #WorldOfFE through the eyes of @TwinklerKhanna, the ultimate #FEInsider. Revealing tomorrow on 19.11.19! . #WorldOfFE #FEInsider #TwinkleKhanna #LuxuryOfPurity #LuxuriousAyurveda #ForestEssentials

A post shared by @ forestessentials on Nov 17, 2019 at 9:59pm PST

We finally know why using the luxurious Ayurvedic goodies make us feel like we’re using something our nani made with her loving hands —  it’s as close as we will get. From picking the purest of ingredients, right to the packaging, each step is carried out with care and precision within the sublime premises. Practices such as allowing bars of soap to cure for six weeks before they are packaged, and sun-drying ingredients are what add up and result in the culmination of products that the country swears by.

“I feel like I’ve stepped into a universe of wellness knowledge, with a fierce focus on traditional techniques,” Khanna says. “What I experienced today is truly the luxury of purity.”