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But she couldn’t find the same quality of ingredients in the United States.
Soleil Summer /Allure
“I was picking and packing orders…
I literally grew up [there],” she tellsAllure.
A science-obsessed teen, Ranavat ended up receiving a degree in industrial engineering.
Michelle Ranavat, founder of Ranavat
First, Ranavat and her father went to an Ayurvedic conference.
“I want[ed] to put my own spin on it.
I want[ed] to make this something that represents who I am.”
After the conference, Ranavat started to learn how to recognize and source ingredients for a potential beauty line.
When she stepped out onto her first production factory floor, she felt “very at home.”
With that, Ranavat began her eponymous brand in 2017.
This month, it will become the first South Asian-founded Ayurvedic skin-care brand to launch onsephora.com.
Ranavat’s versions of some Ayurvedic recipes tweak the quality of active ingredients.
Take, for instance, theRadiant Rani Brightening Saffron Serum.
Ranavat also addded a tinge of rose to harmonize the scent profile.
But she didn’t change the meditative way in which the oil is brewed.
This infusion is then hand-stirred by experienced artisans over the period of 10 days.
“Made in India, to me, represents something incredibly luxurious,” Ranavat says.
I typically only useunscentedskin-care products because fragrance often triggers itching or burning in mysensitive skin.
But I made an exception for this serum, which I did not find to be irritating at all.
Plus, the saffron and rose scent unfailingly brings indulgent Indian desserts to me and that makes me smile.
As she says, “Crocus sativusflower extract offers antioxidant and UV protection benefits for the skin.”
This is important because saffron is theworld’s most expensive spice, which inevitably means fakes abound.
Kiran Mian, M.D.
a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, also highlighted one of the formulation’s other skin-brightening ingredients.
“Licorice root is known for its anti-pigmentation and anti-inflammatory properties,” she notes.
“It’s also the perfect ingredient to lighten dark spots associated with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.”
(Both Dr. Mian and Iyer helpedAllureevaluate Ranavat’s product lineup.)
Dr. Mian says turmeric in the formula is an anti-inflammatory and an antioxidant with skin-brightening properties.
She added that papaya enzyme, a chemical exfoliant, sloughs off dead skin without friction or irritation.
It efficiently dissolves oil and makeup, but it washes off clean without any residue.
Dr. Mian is also a fan.
Iyer name-checks the cleanser’s antibacterial and antioxidant Ayurvedic herb manjistha, saying it could help with acne.
According to Dr. Mian, the herb ashwagandha exerts antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties to fight acne.
She also likes the addition ofglycerin, a substance that holds onto water and keeps skin hydrated.
Mighty Majesty Fortifying Hair Serum
Finally, there’s amla oil.
I found it to be the perfect gateway product for hair-oiling amateurs.
So the impact of her brand’s inclusion on Sephora’s shelves isn’t lost on Ranavat.
Ranavat is available atsephora.combeginning February 15.
