I stumbled upon this brand Murshmallow while (obviously) geeking out on (researching/trying to find) rose waters because I had not found one which I loved, yet! But then I did and here I am writing about it so you get one too!
By far it is the best, quote me in capslock, "THE BEST" rose water I have used! The formulation is so mindful, it impressed me waaaaaay before I started using it. I wrote to the brand after reading the description of this product and they happily agreed, rather swiftly sent the product to me!
I have to confess, from the day I received the product till today, I religiously use it in my AM and PM routine, sometimes even during the day just to refresh my senses! What can I say, you have to use it to believe the subtlety of its magic.
The ingredients really wooed me! Consciously formulated with a coconut water base, topped with super-healers like lavender and damask rose. But Murshmallow didn't stop at that, they took it up a notch by adding the ultimate hydrator - hyaluronic acid. Their decision to add niacin amide(brightening and pore minimising), witch hazel(astringent) and willow bark (excellent alternative for salicylic acid) makes this nothing short of an award winning formulation for me! It is soothing, clarifying, brightening and above all refreshing!
The second most impressive thing is, and imma copy this line from their website, read on..
NO GMO’S, NO Parabens, NO Propylene Glycol, NO Synthetic Fragrances, NO Artificial Dyes, NO Aluminium, NO Phenoxyethanol, NO PEGS, NO Animal Derivatives, NO SLS/SLES, NO PEGs, NO Palm Oil, NO Mineral oil, NO Alcohols, NO Formaldehyde, NO BHT. *
Yes, all the ingredients are ethically and sustainably sourced. They are natural, organic and cruelty free. Imagine the thoughtfulness in producing something as simple as rose water. Simply the best!
I would politely request you to drop all the other rose waters and give this one a shot! You will go back for more and will tell more people about it!
I spray it all over my face after a mild cleanser and then layer my serum, moisturizer and sunscreen on that.
P.S. - I am writing this review after diligently using the product for over a month. This is not a paid review.
*If you want to know more about harmful or toxic ingredients, please read the toxin list.
In
Conscious Skincare,
sustainability
Questions to ask before investing in a conscious skincare brand.
Furthering the talk from the previous topic of distinguishing clean from Green from organic and ethical beauty tags, I would like to discuss something equally or more overwhelming!
I go to stores, their shelves overflowing with pretty looking bottles and containers of serums, oils, cleansers, etc. , and I stand there haven't clue of where to begin or what is best suited for me.
As if their tags were not confusing enough, how do we distinguish the good ones from the fakes, the dupes or the hyped?
I have jotted down a couple questions I consider the answers to, before I invest in a good sustainable skin care brand.
1) What skin-type are you?
Know your SKIN - I think, knowing your skin type is imperative before you invest in any skin care at all. It is must to be able to buy products that suit your skin. You can spend a fortune on products which are best suited for some other skin type. Do not blindly follow recommendations by your friends or influencers, your skin could be different than that of the person recommending the product.Visit a good dermatologist, get to know your exact skin type. This is no.1!
2) Why are you buying that specific brand? Is it the public image of the brand? The brand values? The quality of ingredients ?
Know your BRAND - I believe in the principles the brand stands on. I do a thorough research and follow their activity on social media before buying.I prefer to buy from brands which make products with a good intent and a better vision for the brand growth and are equally considerate about impacting people's lives and the environment, in a positive way. Brands that support and act in favour of sustainability are the ones to root for. Make sure the ingredients are organic, the formulation is safe and approved by recognized departments of healthcare.
Of course, expertise and knowledge about the production is important too. That brings me to the next question.
3) How is the founder/formulator? How is their skin? What is their background in skincare? For how long have they been in business/profession?
Know your FORMULATOR - I think, your research is incomplete without truly getting to know the formulator / founder of the brand! Even more, when there is a swarm of green skincare brands, each with their own principles and unique formulations. There are plenty of good formulators out there with great experience but it is important to know about their education about green beauty. Consider how long they have been in business. The tenure of a market presence, the performance history and the client base says a lot about a formulator .Even if it is a founder, they should possess necessary knowledge of green beauty products. And while they may not be available readily, there is always a way to contact them on email or phone! Go out there, ask them what you feel!With a similar intention, I spoke to the founder of Daughter Earth - a conscious skincare brand from India. Prasanthy Gurugubelli was more than happy to answer all my questions, patiently and with a smile. She even shared her own story and how she went on to build this amazing brand.
She gave me the knowledge of how long it takes to develop a product too! I was overwhelmed to know how long it takes and the study, effort, expertize, patience and knowledge of the process required to develop the product before it goes out to the masses.
Last but not the least, ask yourself.....
4) Do you really need the product? Is it exactly what you are looking for?
I do not know why but I feel many are using too many products on their skin now-a-days. Because there are options, they tend to use and confuse many products in a regime. Do not do too much to your skin. Have a few products in your daily skincare regime and let your skin do the rest.Read the ingredients list. Understand what ingredients your skin needs, to be at it's best. Compare products.
Do not forget to give your skin a break from the products. It also needs a detox.
So basically, do the dirty work, research like a geek. I repeat, do not blindly follow influencers, marketing campaigns or trends. Find out what your skin is and what it needs for nourishment.
It is all about finding a brand whose principles of skincare align with yours!
These questions definitely help me in finding my skincare brands to invest in. I hope it helps you too.
Thank you for reading. :)
XOXO
Kimaya
It seems like under the umbrella of “natural skincare” , words like green, vegan, non-toxic, clean are being tossed around, now - a - days, but what do these actually mean?
How do we differentiate between these terms?
There are green products which are not organic. There are organic products which are have toxic elements, while some vegan products not green. Goodness gracious! Choosing the right skincare can be difficult!
To solve this dilemma, I have listed some common certification terms below with their explanations, which will help you differentiate between these terms and help you to choose efficiently.
Organic
This one is a crowd pleaser! Almost every brand in skincare is jumping the ‘organic’ bandwagon. This simply means the ingredients in the product are cultivated with no use of chemical fertilisers, pesticides or artificial enhancers.
Green
Green refers to the impact on environment. It speaks for optimum utilisation of available resources, minimal wastage of natural resources, tackling waste issues, supporting sustainability and fair trade, and eradicating human or animal exploitation.
Ayurvedic
This is based on the age-old medicinal and healing formulas in the Ayurvedas, which is, now, a form of alternative medicine, from India. The ingredients are nature-derived and the formulation is archaic. Many brands are now experimenting a blend a of Ayurvedic recipes and modern science to create the best product suitable for today’s needs.
Vegan & Cruelty Free
As the name suggests, no animals are harmed in the entire process. While ‘Cruelty Free” refers to the products not being tested on animals, during R&D, 'Vegan' means that no animal derived products are used to create the product.
Non-toxic or Clean
Many commercial products have chemicals which, with prolonged usage, are extremely harmful to humans. Thanks to the research & development and the following awareness, we are now informed about these chemicals which have a detrimental effect on human body. When you see the product being tagged as “Non-toxic” or “Clean”, it simply means that the product is free from carcinogens, neurotoxins, skin irritants, hormone disruptors and so on.
Conscious
A conscious brand is the one that includes most of the above mentioned and puts their best foot forward. This is the one to root for!
These are some of the most important and known tags. Most of them are now certified by various governmental bodies. What is commendable is that many conscious brands are now working hard and getting their formulas and products certified, which makes it easier for us to decide and choose the right product which is good for us and the environment!
That is it, for now! I am going to talk about how to select the right skincare by asking the right questions in the next post.
Stay tuned. :)
XO
Kimaya
In
Conscious Skincare,
Interview
Prasanthy Gurugubelli - Founder of the conscious skincare brand 'Daughter Earth®' on Ayurveda and Conscious Skincare.
Here's what Prasanthy Gurugubelli - Founder at Daughter Earth® had to say about the importance of Ayurveda in skincare and talks in depth about the conscious skincare brand.
What led to the conception of the thought of wanting to start an Ayurvedic skincare brand?
Our journey at Daughter Earth® started around 2.5 years ago when I decided to venture into wellness and Ayurveda, specially skincare and supplements. The idea was never just skincare, it just worked out faster with skincare.We wanted to blend the modern green technology with ancient Ayurveda and bring about formulas that are clinically tested and dermatologically proven.
Was Ayurveda a part of your life before Daughter Earth® happened? If yes, tell us about it.
Yes, Ayurveda has always been a part of my life. I am from the South of India. In Andhra Pradesh, in all our families, since childhood it is a part of our lifestyle. We used cleansers made at home, my mother never used a cream in her life and my grandmother would prepare a daily morning and evening skin care ritual. I grew up like that! I am sure lot of other families grew up like that. In every Indian household, Ayurveda, somehow, is interwoven with what we do in our day to day life.
In the past couple of years, when I started exploring myself spiritually, I started investing in myself more, I elevated my lifestyle with a more holistic approach and Ayurveda definitely made it easier for me.
"In India, everything is Ayurveda, we don’t even realise it! We use ginger, we use turmeric, unknowingly, we are using the age-old concepts of Ayurveda. And that’s the beauty of it, in an Indian household it has become a part of our lifestyle rather than calling it science."
In a place like India, where Ayurveda culturally belongs but was mute for all these years, you think it has, now, resurfaced as a possible trend or the need of time?
In a place like India, where Ayurveda culturally belongs but was mute for all these years, you think it has, now, resurfaced as a possible trend or the need of time?
People always wanted something natural, it is not because of a trend. Our elders always preferred natural remedies, so there was always an incline towards naturals products.
Today, our consumers are more aware, thanks to the wide reach on social media and the awareness on sustainable and natural products! They are asking questions, which is great! So, brands like Daughter Earth®, which are backed by science, help the consumers understand the importance of active botanicals and sustainability. I would say, natural skincare is definitely here to stay, not just as a trend.
Daughter Earth products are Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy ) certified. What according to you, is the importance of being approved by a governmental body of India?
Certified by the Ministry of AYUSH, gives us a lot of credibility! If the formula is approved by AYUSH, then that means it has gone through multiple rounds of really strict auditing of the entire formula. It is different from cosmetic formulation. There are many boutique skincare brands in India, who do not even have any registration, not questioning their great intentions though, it is a fact. At Daughter Earth®, the licensing would take us months for one formula. The bureaucracy is not delaying it but every ingredient is compared and verified. That is why it takes a while to get a license. With newly introduced tests, like heavy metal testing, etc in AYUSH, the formulation has become tighter. The procedure is elongated but now when it is AYUSH certified, you know what you are getting! We disclose the actives that we add too. So, people also would know how much actives they get, obviously, the base is also equally important. In this way, Ministry of AYUSH is promoting transparency in the labels with consumers.
We go a step ahead and get it dermatologically tested as well. It is an expensive one, but we do it anyway, especially for our leave on products! Just to be sure, they suit all types of skin.
What is the importance of honest pricing, when it comes to a brand that promotes sustainability? Would that help consumers choose more of clean/sustainable options over the toxic ones?
There are couple of things. The pricing also depends on the amount of actives sourced. The herbs are expensive. We also need to account for seasonality, not all herbs are available throughout the year, we take what the nature gives us. We need to, also, make sure they are sustainably sourced. If the sourcing is fair trade , they are accounted for. The entire formulation cost goes up. Overheads are also expensive. The retail cost also adds up.
From day one, we wanted Daughter earth to be a conscious brand .
"We are not perfect, we agree but everyday, even if we take one step towards being a bit more sustainable than yesterday, we do it! "
That’s why we decided we would not open a retail store, at least not for the first couple of years. We are a digital native brand. The entire experience is online driven. We are not passing costs to our customers. So, the cost of the formula is primarily ingredient driven.
"We are not perfect, we agree but everyday, even if we take one step towards being a bit more sustainable than yesterday, we do it! "
The true cost of a product is derived by equal consideration of the manufacturing material and the way the product is manufactured, without harming the planet or the people. I think, if we keep this perspective, we will understand the value of the product, than merely looking at the cost.
I recommend you to watch this documentary called the ‘The True Cost’, for a change of perspective.
Do you think if all companies had an approach of being mission driven, it would change our current scenario of consumerism? Can effective law enforcement help bring that change?
(the approach of being mission driven) It has to come from within! No amount of moral policing will help us! The government can, however, support businesses.
It has to be consumer driven, than government driven. The moment people start becoming more aware and change their demands, is what could change the scenario of consumerism.
It helps when it becomes a trend. :)
"Coming with a history of sensitive skin, if something suited me I would share it with people with similar allergies. In the same way, every product has an amazing story, some are mine, some of my loved ones and some of our loyal customers. Someone who had hormonal acne wrote to us, saying the Rejuvenating Serum really suited her but it wasn't enough. On some days, she needed something more. Research and development on the same led to the making of the Wild Walnut oil. So, at Daughter Earth®, every product, after the first 4 products, is customer-driven, including the upcoming set of products as well."
"Coming with a history of sensitive skin, if something suited me I would share it with people with similar allergies. In the same way, every product has an amazing story, some are mine, some of my loved ones and some of our loyal customers. Someone who had hormonal acne wrote to us, saying the Rejuvenating Serum really suited her but it wasn't enough. On some days, she needed something more. Research and development on the same led to the making of the Wild Walnut oil. So, at Daughter Earth®, every product, after the first 4 products, is customer-driven, including the upcoming set of products as well."
One Tree Planted, World Wildlife Fund and Plan India. Tell us more about your association with these NGOs and why are they special to you?
A portion of what we earn is invested in two causes we care deeply for: making the planet greener by planting more trees and making the world a better place by educating our girl children. Frankly, this is what makes us wake up every day and strive harder to make products that are good for the skin and good for the planet. Some of the organisations we work with are: One Tree Planted, Project Greenhands, Plan India for girl child education, World Wildlife Foundation on their Save the Tigers project, PETA India and Vipassana meditation centers.
Your message.
Your message.
Start small. Take Mother Teresa’s words, “We know only too well that what we are doing is nothing more than a drop in the ocean. But if the drop were not there, the ocean would be missing something.” Even if you are starting small, think of it from a wellness point of view, elevating your lifestyle point of view. Every moment, think of investing in yourself. Be calm, walk for five minutes at least and meditate. Go easy on yourself.
"As long we are moving forward, as long as today is better than yesterday, in terms of effort, you’ve made it!"
"As long we are moving forward, as long as today is better than yesterday, in terms of effort, you’ve made it!"
