Intention. Tradition. Nutrition.

It all started with a little blue jar. My grandmother, Jaya, used very few beauty products, but that little blue container of coconut oil was a constant in her daily beauty routine. I didn’t know it at the time but she was teaching me something that would later be the foundation for my brand.

As the daughter of immigrant parents, my home life was surrounded by rich Indian traditions. My favorite among them was the bountiful garden of fruits, veggies, and herbs right in my backyard. Using that bounty, I watched the women in my life spend hours in the kitchen not just creating meals to satisfy hunger but to nourish, heal, and support the whole body and mind.

Enter my teenage years and the acneic skin that often comes with it. I felt embarrassed and desperate for a cure. I would scour the drugstore, stocking up on every product that promised to “cure my acne” and “make my skin better.” Nothing seemed to help. Until, upon my mother’s encouragement, I started seeing an esthetician who would do at-home facials for friends and family. She was trained in India and would use natural ingredients rooted in Indian culture, and the results were astounding. This was my first skin victory.

Creating JAYA Skincare, brought me back to the kitchen and back to the beauty and simplicity of the garden. Creating products from ingredients familiar to me and my family has allowed me to make skincare a part of my family’s tradition. I can thank my grandmother - Jaya - for rooting my interest in tradition, skincare, and ultimately guiding me to victory. Read More