Beauty’s middle path
The Hindu
Taking on the clean beauty vs pharma skincare debate, this columnist makes a case for having the best of both
This month, I felt like a celebrity after discovering a Reddit thread about myself. ‘What’s the tea on Vasudha Rai?’ someone asked. In the comments there was a discussion about why — after talking about wellness and natural remedies — would I make the switch to tretinoin, a prescription-strength retinol? It’s a question that highlights our highly-polarised digital landscape, which leaves little room for transformation. In my opinion it would be most unfortunate to be rigid, especially in beauty routines, which must evolve in order to be effective. Also, why should we paint ourselves into a corner and prevent ourselves from enjoying the current beauty boom? Today, we’re blending ancient herbs with scientific formulations, rediscovering old tools, while also bringing doctor’s office treatments into our homes. Cosmetic aisles are bursting with green beauty products, cosmeceuticals, high-end luxuries, budget buys, DIYs, collagen powders, LED masks, micro-current tools, traditional massagers — all a blend of the old and new. So why settle for one thing when we can have it all?
“I’ve never even been to these places before,” she laughed, “and suddenly I have memories in all of them.” The dates, she added, were genuinely good — long walks, easy conversations, and meals that stretched late into the evening — and the best part was that none of it felt heavy. The boys she met are all planning to visit her in Mumbai soon, not under without any pressure but with a sense of pleasant continuity. “I’m great,” she said, and she meant it.
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