Can’t tell your AHAs from your BHAs? Would love recommendations for sensitive skin? Hunting for a sunscreen that doesn’t leave you looking ghostly? Well, you’re in luck.
Make way for a new crop of skincare influencers, who, armed with detailed reviews and catchy reels that break them down, is here to save the day. Whether you’ve just got bitten by the skincare bug or are a seasoned enthusiast, there’s a desi skinfluencer on this list for all your skin needs.
Komal Basith | @komalbasith
If you have: combination skin
A former beauty editor and entrepreneur, Bangalore-based Basith’s mantra for skincare is simple—it has to work. Be it K-beauty, luxury labels, or green brands, as long they’re effective, they get a thumbs-up from her. Scroll through her Instagram feed for no-nonsense product reviews and comprehensive beauty guides that cover everything from tips on fixing your dark circles to deep dives into ingredients like niacinamide and vitamin C.
Vasudha Rai | @vasudha.rai
If you have: dry and mature skin
Is holistic skincare more your jam? Then give Rai a follow for clean beauty recommendations to add to your routine. The author and former beauty director has been writing on health and beauty for over 15 years and brings all of that expertise to her feed. Her account is chock-a-block with traditional tips (did you know milk and honey are double cleansing powerhouses?) and au naturel products that deliver. Bonus—you’ll also discover healthy snack ideas that double up as skin saviours!
Yashwant Singh | @yashwantsngh
If you have: combination and sensitive skin
Crowned Cosmopolitan India’s upcoming beauty influencer of ’20-21, Singh breaks down complicated skincare terms into easy-to-digest reels. As someone who has suffered from cystic acne in the past, he’s a big advocate for male skincare and the importance of having a healthy skin barrier. If you like your skin tips with a dose of soothing aesthetics, you’ve come to the right account. From the best Japanese sunscreens in the market to trends like slugging, get ready to have all your burning questions answered.
Raisa Ibtasam and Rehan Gulam | @letthatserumsinkin
If you have: dry and combination skin
Hyderabad-based medical students Ibtasam and Gulam are on a mission to make skincare gender-neutral, and strongly believe that healthy skin is the way to go instead of chasing perfection. Both have different skin types, so the account benefits from tips for both dry and oily-combination skin. Their feed features a mix of homegrown and K-beauty brands with a Gen-Z point of view that will surely appeal to the younger audience. Looking for quick suggestions without having to scroll for ages? Then don’t miss the mini reviews on their story highlights and skin type-based recommendations in the guides section.
Sreeja Shreshtha | @skinoreal
If you have: normal skin
An aesthetician and cosmetologist, Shreshtha’s aim is to make skincare simple and accessible. Her professional background translates into a feed that has recommendations for all skin types and conditions—from irritated to dry and acne-prone. Apart from suggestions on what to do for better skin, Shreshtha also highlights common mistakes we make as beginners. If you’re wary of starting retinol or other strong actives, don’t forget to check out her extensive posts on the topic.
Aishwarya Kandpal | @indianskinblog
If you have: oily and acne-prone skin
From the best shampoos for curly and frizzy tresses to water-resistant sunscreens that withstand the monsoon humidity, Kandpal’s feed is a gold-mine of recommendations. She encourages you to get your mane in on the fun with her tips on hair care and easy-peasy routines that you can actually get behind. Kandpal also shares no-filter selfies through the hashtag #filterfreeproject, which encourages others to embrace their unfiltered, flawed skin in its natural state without subjecting it to the unrealistic filters that have become the norm on social media.
Divya Agarwal | @happyskincaringg
If you have: hyper-pigmentation
Agarwal’s no-holds-barred account spotlights potent products that get the job done, and well. With a focus on building long-lasting skincare habits, she is frank in sharing her journey with hyper-pigmentation and how she treated it. Scroll through Agarwal’s handy guide on sunscreens that details the makings of a good sunblock, the Indian brands that survive oil testing, and if we should be wearing sunscreen on cloudy days.
Lead image collage: Aishwarya Kandpal/Instagram & Yashwant Singh/Instagram