For the legions of consumers that are looking for a skincare product that’ll work for them, the fact that beauty has become liberated is key.

Voting in an efficient democracy means casting a ballot for the people that’ll give you what you want and do what’s best for you. You want to trust that they’re representing your ideas, supporting your interests and working to find solutions to your problems. You probably want the same from your beauty products. After all, this is the cleanser you’re relying on to get rid of any post-workout sweat, the serum you’re hoping hydrates and brightens and the exfoliator that you’re counting on to get rid of your hormonal acne.

Democratising beauty

A real democracy is inclusive too. It’s not about sameness. A real democracy welcomes different, varied opinions and is able to say “let’s include everybody in this conversation so we can hash it out and reach a happy medium.” For us, that means recognising that there isn’t one beauty standard. Consumers can determine what makes them feel good, what they love and what they want to add to cart. A real democracy is also about community: everyone has something to say, and we’re excited to take the conversation forward. There’s no limitations, censorship or interruptions, and there won’t be any here either. This is a space where you can comment, compare products, and share tips with each other.

Furthermore, we are focused on being honest, open and transparent. Things you want from a ruling party, and from the makers of the skincare products you’re trusting to hydrate your dry skin or soothe your red zit. We’re telling you what we’re making our products with, who we’re doing it with, why we’re doing it, and what you’re actually going to get out of it. This means the truth, and then nothing else. If you’re relying on something day in and day out, you’ll want it to be easily accessible. That’s what we’re promising.

Reaching your skin goals—whatever they may be for you—doesn’t have to be insanely expensive, confusing or scary. Your skincare goals shouldn’t be about being told what you need, but rather about asking you what you want. If you’re a skincare newbie, you might not know how to read an ingredient label. Terms like Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 and matrixyl-3000 may sound like a foreign language. We’re trying to change that. We want you to understand what’s in your product, so you know what’s good for you, and what’s really working. Good skin—skin you feel comfortable in—is the great equaliser, and that’s a manifesto we can all get behind.

Tell us what you think about equal rights for all skin types! Talk to us anytime on WhatsApp!

When she looks back at herself a decade ago, skinfluencer Ria Biyani (@rithink_skin) wishes she could give her younger self two major tips. First and foremost: it’s okay to have acne. Your acne doesn’t define who you are as a person. Next up? When you do, keep your hands off. “I wish I knew that picking, popping & scrubbing at my face would not make my acne disappear overnight or ever. And I wish I knew that it was a better idea to get the right kind of help from the right person instead of being my own doctor.” Now, after learning the hard way, the beauty influencer takes the same approach to the skin and portrays it through her content—keeping things real through every reel, photo and video she shares. Ria spoke to Foxtale about how she does that, why she relies on her skincare routine and what her favourite beauty wishes would be.

“For me, beauty means happiness and growth, being able to respect yourself and empathise with others and finding pleasure in the little things,” she says.

I think about __ a lot.

The impact of the unachievable beauty standards we have grown up with, about the mental & social impact these beliefs and taboos have had on young impressionable men & women and continue to have today. I also think about how I can facilitate change for the future generations so they can grow up to be kinder & more accepting of everyone around them.

What place does skincare have in your life?

Skincare is my place of solace. When I’m doing my skincare routine, it’s where I feel most connected with myself and my thoughts. Taking those few minutes out of my day to pamper and love myself gives me the confidence I need to be myself. I’ve had a full 360 degree journey with my skin, and I was ashamed of it for years. I thought I needed to hide it from the world because it made me feel ugly. So when I finally found the mental acceptance & the right combination of products that actually worked to keep my skin healthy, it changed how I perceive myself & gave me this confidence that I never knew I had.

What is your AM skincare routine?

My routine is always focused around protecting and hydrating my skin. I usually cleanse in the shower, with a gel-based non-stripping cleanser. Then I use a mist or a toner to rehydrate. Next, I apply an antioxidant-rich serum (I like Vitamin C!) because it helps with pigmentation, which is one of my biggest skin concerns and then go in with a lightweight, gel moisturiser. And I never skip sunscreen—3 finger lengths of the product to cover my face and neck, and then an SPF-based lip balm on my lips. I love using ice rollers in the morning to wake myself up. I always have one in the freezer and on days I feel puffy, tired or sleepy, I use it for 2-3 mins on my face.

Hyperpigmentation is one of the most common skincare issues faced by Indian women and women of colour – read what we have to say here!

You have just a minute to grab your 5 favourite beauty products before you leave for a month-long vacation. What are you carrying?

Sunscreen, cleanser (a 2-in-1 cleanser that removes light makeup & gives a deep cleanse), moisturizer, concealer and a lip tint.

Instagram is a treasure trove for the newest products and trends. What are you obsessing over right now?

An Instagram famous product I really want to try is the Glow recipe Niacinamide Dew Drops. It looks like the perfect mix of skincare and makeup with beautiful packaging. A trend I’ve tried—but still haven’t mastered—is the bold coloured graphic liner look. I feel like they’re simple but still so playful, and can instantly switch up a look.

If a genie could grant you three beauty wishes, what would you wish for?

A lifetime supply of sunscreen, for my skin to always look healthy and dewy, and for my hair to never be frizzy & always look blow dried with zero effort.

If you had to create a skincare product (that doesn’t exist yet!) what would it be?

I’d create an all in one hydrating tinted moisturizer/ serum/ essence which intensely hydrates each layer of your skin. It should have brightening + anti-aging + barrier supporting ingredients and must have a lot of antioxidants too. The texture would be a creamy lightweight gel-cream that absorbs easily and doesn’t feel tacky or sticky. It should have an almost non-existent but subtle fresh scent that disappears quickly. I’d choose a dual pump type packaging. One side would be tinted with SPF, and the other side would be un-tinted and could be used as an eye cream as well.

What’s your evening skincare routine like?

My evening skincare is where I like to use my actives and focus on repairing & regenerating my skin. I usually always double cleanse—an oil based cleanser followed by a water based cleanser. I examine my skin and see if there are any concerns I specifically want to target and pick products based on those concerns. Then I apply 2-3 layers of toner depending on the consistency, and next, I apply a hydrating/ barrier supporting serum. Then I apply my active if I am using one that night—usually an AHA, BHA, retinoid or acne treatment.

I only use one active on any given day to avoid overwhelming my skin. And there are days where I skip this step altogether. Next I use a thicker barrier-supporting moisturizer mixed with a lightweight oil. I like to follow some kind of weekly timetable at night, so I’ll exfoliate 2 times a week, use a retinoid 2 times a week and for the remaining days I focus on hydration & moisture.

You have just one skincare tip to share with your best friends. What are you telling them?

Wear your damn sunscreen. Everyday. Rain or shine, indoors or outdoors. It’s important to get into the habit of applying sunscreen regularly so you don’t have to think about it everyday and it just comes naturally to you.

Follow Ria on Instagram:

Want to know how to add Ria’s tips in your routine in the best way possible? Do you have more questions about how you can create a routine just like hers? Click on the WhatsApp icon to chat with us!

Your version of normal skin is individual to you. Everything your skin is experiencing may be part of a bigger picture, and it might be more complex than checking a box.

Normal skin is most accurately characterized by what it’s not—not too oily, not too dry and just balanced enough. On the other hand, if you have a zit or congestion, doctors will refer to it as a problem. Products will promise to reverse it. People will tell you they know how to get rid of it. They’re talking about acne, wrinkles, texture, pores, scars, pigmentation and discoloration. All of these are classified as symptoms of skin that isn’t normal. That brings to question what normal even is. In a world where acne, texture and pigmentation is so pervasive, considering oily or acne-prone skin to be abnormal may be a part of the problem in the first place. We discuss where the term came from, what it means and whether it really exists.

Why are skin type segregations so popular?

Normal skin is a descriptor that I’ve seen everywhere. On billboards, on the backs of beauty products, in magazine articles, on TV advertisements. But I don’t know a single person that actually identifies this way. Normal isn’t descriptive—like oily, dry, sensitive or combination is—so the subjective word doesn’t actually mean anything. Plus, is getting zits or having dry patches not normal?

People might like categorization—it can sometimes be easier to pigeonhole yourself into a type based on a few tick-markable characteristics. In reality, nobody is just one skin type. Most people may have pigmentation on one part of their face, dry patches on another, and an oil slick when the temperatures increase. Plus, most people’s skin will change with the seasons, and with different periods in their life. Stress can render otherwise dry skin into a greasy and congested visage. Whereas ultra-low temperatures can leave oily skin into a sensitive, redness-prone type overnight. It’s not just major changes—your skin might be a hormonal zit-magnet on your period, but it may be dehydrated through the rest of the month. So sweeping on a strong exfoliating toner on the dry patches can only sensitize it further, while massaging in coconut oil on a greasy T-zone could only make the congestion worse.

How should you treat your skin now?

Things have been switched-up, though. Over the last decade, our approach to skincare has changed. Traditional beauty standards have been replaced by inclusivity and diversity. A wide array of tones and types are demanding a seat at the table. Yet, in a world of selfies, Facetune and Zoom, it can be all too easy to strive for a complexion that looks “normal”—glowing and lit-from-within, with nary a blemish nor flaw in sight.

We spoke to leading dermatologists and experts and they dialed in on the same concept. Referring to a normal skin type may be an old-fashioned way of looking at things. Not assigning morality to skin—abnormal or normal—can help reduce the shame that can come with blemishes, pigmentation or redness. Instead, it might be best to consider your base skin type (the kind that actually have descriptions!) and then treat the conditions you might be facing. For example, if your skin type is traditionally dry, but you have a random zit, keeping both in mind can help you find the right regimen that’ll work for you.

Skin is a living organ that interfaces with the outside environment to protect—its primary role is to be a physical barrier against foreign organisms. A glow is just a bonus. Ask a dermatologist, and they’ll tell you to stop putting yourself in a skin type box, and listen to your skin instead. This kind of intuitive beauty—where products are in a looser rotation rather than a sure-shot lineup—is a better idea, because you’re actually catering to what your skin needs in the moment—hydration, exfoliation or a little extra TLC. Oh, and that little spot you have on your chin? That’s 100% normal.

We think a simple and effective skincare routine is all you need to be on your way to its healthiest, most balanced version! Read more about how to build a basic skincare routine here

Have more questions? Reach out to us through WhatsApp and we are always happy to chat!