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Two-time cancer survivor and wellness entrepreneur suggests 7 self-care swaps for cleaner, ingredient-conscious living

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The beauty and wellness industry is undergoing a remarkable transformation. Consumers today are becoming increasingly aware of what they put on their skin, into their bodies, and ultimately into their lifestyles. The focus is gradually shifting away from “advertised” beauty standards toward a more holistic understanding of health, longevity, and well-being. Radhika Iyer Talati, a two-time cancer survivor and wellness entrepreneur says people are moving towards “conscious choices” in the beauty sector.

6 beauty and wellness swaps (Pexels)

Shweta Pandey is a Senior Content Writer at Hindustan Times, with over 12 years of experience in beauty and wellness journalism, specialising in makeup, skincare, and hair care.

She began her professional writing journey in 2011, entering the evolving world of digital lifestyle journalism as beauty and wellness content rapidly transformed in India. Over the years, she has worked with reputed digital media houses like India Today, the Times of India and Skymet Weather, steadily building credibility through well-researched features, product reviews, and trend analyses. Her career reflects consistent growth, moving from content contributor to senior writer. She now plays a key role in shaping editorial strategy, social media content, and ensuring high-quality, reader-focused content that aligns with evolving audience needs.

Shweta’s core expertise spans makeup, skincare, hair care, and holistic health and fitness. She specialises in in-depth beauty product reviews, ingredient analysis, skincare routines, and evidence-based wellness advice. Known for her analytical and data-driven approach, she relies on verified sources, dermatological insights, and expert consultations to ensure credibility. Her field experience includes interviewing Bollywood celebrities, beauty and makeup professionals, tracking consumer trends, and simplifying the top picks.

Shweta holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication, Advertising, and Journalism and has done Bachelor’s in Commerce from Delhi University. She believes in delivering reader-first insights that empower informed decisions while maintaining transparency, credibility, and trust.

Beyond her writing desk, Shweta enjoys exploring new destinations, experimenting in the kitchen with delightful recipes, and staying in tune with the latest beauty and wellness trends.

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Talati, the founder of Anahata Organic – a wellness brand focussed on natural botanicals and chemical-free ingredients, tells HT Shop Now, “Beauty is no longer just about appearances; it is about supporting the body, mind, and spirit through conscious choices”.

Here are some of the beauty and wellness swaps she personally follows and recommends.

1. Choose skin tints over heavy foundations

One of the simplest yet most effective beauty swaps she recommends is replacing heavy foundations and concealers with lighter alternatives such as skin tints, BB creams, or tinted moisturisers with SPF.

Choosing skin tints allows the skin to breathe naturally. It creates a more natural-looking complexion and reduces pore congestion. Skin tints also help in minimising acne, breakouts, and skin irritation. Rather than covering the skin completely, lightweight products work with the skin, allowing its natural health to shine through. It also enhances skin texture rather than masking it.

2. Use natural balms instead of synthetic moisturisers

Radhika Iyer Talati, a two-time cancer survivor, recommends using oil-based balms formulated with ingredients such as Shea butter, Cocoa butter, Kokum butter, and Mango butter.

  • Benefits of natural balms

These natural balms mimic the skin’s natural lipid structure and provide deep nourishment to the skin barrier. These natural balms also contain fewer additives and preservatives. These deliver concentrated nutrients directly to the skin.

According to Talati, unlike conventional moisturisers, which often contain water and broad-spectrum preservatives, balms rely primarily on oils and butters, making them richer and more compatible with the skin’s natural composition.

3. Bring Back Traditional Attars

“Fragrance is another area where consumers are becoming more ingredient-conscious”, says Talati, who strongly advocates the revival of traditional attars as an alternative to synthetic perfumes and deodorants.

Attars are plant-based and naturally derived scents that are long-lasting without relying on synthetic fragrance compounds. These attars also allow the body to sweat naturally and help neutralise odour without overwhelming the body’s natural processes. She believes many modern fragrance products contain unnecessary chemical additives, making natural alternatives increasingly relevant. “Attars offer a more traditional and holistic approach to personal fragrance,” notes Talati.

4. Adopt adaptogen-inspired wellness rituals

This is another growing trend in the integration of beauty and nutrition. Radhika Iyer Talati suggests consumers swap caffeine with green tea or Kahwa tea. She also highlights the use of green and herbal teas, rose water, honey, and lime. Furthermore, she says these herbs help to calm skin inflammation, and fight everyday pollution and climate stressors.

  • Potential benefits of this switch:

These herbal teas support the body’s response to stress, help manage inflammation and combat environmental stressors and pollution. This switch will also promote overall wellness from within. For her, beauty is increasingly linked to what we consume rather than simply what we apply externally.

5. Replace harsh sulphate-based cleansers

Another crucial swap that most consumers have already made, and many are moving away from, is the step back from harsh cleansers loaded with sulphates and synthetic surfactants. According to Talati, these sulphates are hormone disruptors as well.

Some natural alternatives that she suggests include mild plant-derived surfactants, coco-glucoside-based cleansers, and traditional cleansing ingredients such as reetha (soapnut).

  • Advantages of natural alternatives:

Being free from chemicals, these alternatives are gentler on the skin and scalp, giving healthy-looking skin and hair. Moreover, they are less likely to disrupt the skin barrier and are better suited for sensitive skin. Radhika views the growing innovation in natural cleansing technologies as one of the most encouraging developments in the wellness industry.

6. Return to traditional hair care practices

Hair care is another category witnessing a significant shift. As per Talati, consumers are increasingly moving away from chemical-heavy hair treatments, frequent keratin treatments, synthetic serums, and highly processed formulations. Instead, she recommends using traditional oil treatments, herbal hair powders, and natural shampoo powders.

  • Benefits of making this switch:

Being natural, these back-to-roots ingredients lower environmental impact, reduce chemical exposure, are cost-effective and allow a stronger connection to traditional wellness practices. For Talati, these age-old methods continue to offer reliable and sustainable results.

7. Embrace herbal approaches to healthy ageing

As the anti-ageing conversation evolves, Talati says that instead of relying solely on cosmetic procedures and elaborate skincare routines, people are exploring simpler skincare regimens, herbal ingredients, nutritional support, and metabolic wellness.

  • Popular wellness ingredients today include:

Some popular wellness ingredients that she recommends include Curcumin, Ashwagandha, Shatavari, Black pepper extracts, Biotin, Vitamin C, Magnesium, and marine collagen peptides.

While she encourages professional guidance before starting supplements, Talati believes supporting internal health often delivers more lasting results than external treatments alone.

Why holistic beauty matters

Beyond products and routines, Talati emphasises the fact that beauty cannot be separated from health. According to her, true beauty encompasses nutrition, gut health, quality sleep, hygiene, mental wellness, emotional balance, and spiritual well-being.

She notes that the traditional saying “beauty comes from within” is increasingly supported by both science and personal experience.

Technology and Wellness: The rise of wearable devices, AI-driven beauty solutions, wellness trackers, and personalised analytics has transformed the self-care landscape. According to Talati, “While these innovations can offer useful insights, I encourage people to avoid becoming overly dependent on constant monitoring and optimisation”.

Sustainable Beauty: One of the most important lessons she has learned is that sustainable beauty is not about buying more products; it is about buying fewer, better products.

Conscious beauty practices include:

  • Understanding the difference between needs and wants.
  • Choosing refill packs when possible.
  • Reducing unnecessary consumption.
  • Opting for products with simpler ingredient lists.
  • Prioritising quality over quantity.
  • Practical Sustainable Swaps

Packaging: Consider a packaging switch as well. Go for refill systems whenever available. Or use products with glass packaging, reducing dependence on single-use plastics.

Give up fancy fragrances: Minimise synthetic fragrances in deodorants, perfumes, room fresheners, creams, lotions, and sunscreens. Furthermore, she acknowledges that natural products may smell different and that consumers must be willing to embrace those differences.

For Radhika Iyer Talati, “Beauty is about reconnecting with nature, simplifying daily routines, making informed choices, and understanding that health, wellness, and beauty are deeply interconnected.”

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Forbes

Agricosmetics Is The Future Of Sustainable Beauty—And Beau Domaine Is Leading It

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Beau Domaine Skincare is in a very unique position, and it’s not just because Brad Pitt is the co-founder and co-director of the skincare brand. Despite that it launched in 2022, Beau Domaine actually has centuries of history and science behind it. The proof of that is in a beautiful building in the south of France in the heart of Provence, surrounded by the vineyards of Château de Beaucastel that produce some of the most coveted wines in the world by the Perrin family.

Above the fireplace of their once simple, stone-walled ancestral home reads “5 Septembre 1687.” Wine has been grown on this land for centuries, and it was once owned by Louis XIV, who used it as a hunting lodge. Since 1909, over five generations, the farming has been done without pesticides or herbicides, instead relying on organic farming techniques, allowing them to cultivate the finest and purest ingredients. The Perrin family is dedicated to farming practices that are better for the planet and their wine—and now, your skin. Though no one no longer lives in the farmhouse, it was fully restored and the historical part of the house was returned to its former glory during a major renovation, along with the winery.

The Beau Domaine Skincare range

Beau Domaine Skincare

“Being the fifth generation of Beaucastel, it is a project which is completely inside of what we think about culture, about beauty, about wine making,” says Pierre Perin, a co-founder of Beau Domaine and co-owner of Château de Beaucastel. “Today, Beaucastel is not only for wine anymore. We also want to use grapes to make cosmetics. It’s what makes Beaucastel special today. It respects the family tradition, which is very important, so we’re going to continue that, and we are amazed by what has been done in Beaucastel before. To be able to have 100 years of history of no chemicals, no practices that we don’t want to have, is something that we are proud of.”

The Perrin family has embraced sustainable farming for generations, adapting to the most advanced technologies over the years across all their vineyards. Now they are leading the charge in agricosmetics, the latest frontier of clean beauty. The concept is that the efficacy and authenticity of skincare is intrinsically linked to the quality of the agricultural raw materials used in the formulas. Instead of purchasing pre-processed ingredients from third parties, agricosmetic brands rely on an integrated vertical, growing, studying and processing their ingredients every step of the way themselves, giving them absolute control over exactly what goes into their products. This process not only ensures the ingredients are grown to the highest standards, but also that everything is done so ethically in-house, with full transparency. This starts from the soil and ends with the final ingredients.

Château de Beaucastel

Beau Domaine Skincare

A cutting-edge facility has been built around the ancestral home that remains at the center of the Château de Beaucastel headquarters, illustrating the balance between history and modernity, which is evident in the property’s circularity and biodynamic practices (a horse is used to plow). The property’s significant renovation was completed last May and the renovated Beaucastel includes a 12-meter deep swimming pool for water collection and a wind tower for natural cooling. Whenever possible, they used local materials and innovative practices to respect the environment. “The wind is very important,” Perrin says. “The building was created with respect of the elements that we have in Beaucastel. The building was built with our own earth.” Similar to adobe, they used local dirt and clay to create a concrete that was used to create the building. They are one of the most sustainable wineries in the world.

“What is left after the winemaking is very important,” Perrin says. “When we make wine, we extract 50% of what is in the skin. What is left after that is 50% of the antioxidants, the color, the flavor, and we said 15 years ago, what are we going to do with that?” The answer was Beau Domaine Skincare.

The Perrin family’s advanced agricosmetics approach stems from their whole-plant philosophy. Every single part of the vine is utilized for its unique bioactive compounds, including stilbenoids from the roots, resveratrol from the canes, antioxidant complexes from grapes and oligomeric procyanidins from seeds. Each is carefully isolated, stabilized and optimized for potency. Nothing goes to waste, resulting in a fully circular system. They approach all products made from the vine the same way, prioritizing terroir and sustainable practices. The grapes used by Château de Beaucastel for their wines are top-notch, so it makes sense they’d also excel as a skincare ingredient.

The vineyards of Château de Beaucastel

Beau Domaine Skincare

To prove it, Beaucastel has partnered with several universities in Europe to study the benefits their grapes have on health. “The brand was built on more than 15 years of scientific research with the University of Bordeaux,” says Léo Lajoie, PhD, Head of Research and Development, Beau Domaine and Famille Perrin. Their research pinpointed the efficacy of antioxidant activity and studied the effects of catechins and resveratrol.

Agricosmetics requires a deep understanding of science and skincare every step of the way. That’s what enabled Beau Domaine to create their proprietary skin longevity technology, GSM10 and PROGR3. They studied all 13 grape varieties at Beaucastel and selected three to create a new patent-pending powerful antioxidant active ingredient, GSM10, which fights oxidative stress at the intracellular and extracellular level and is enhanced with a post-biotic microorganism, a Lactobacillus, to help balance the skin. Made with upcycled grape marc, it’s deeply sustainable. “We introduce GSM10 in every product in our cosmetic line,” Lajoie says.

The walls of Château de Beaucastel are made of concrete from the local dirt and clay

Beau Domaine Skincare

PROGR3 was created in partnership with a leading geneticist, Professor Nicolas Lévy of Aix-Marseille University, Chief Scientist for Rare Diseases at the Servier Group, after researching molecules in plant extracts that counter the effects of progerin, which causes DNA damage and premature aging. PROGR3 contains three plant actives: resveratrol from vine shoots, apigenin from chamomile and catechin from green tea. “The apigenin from chamomile is cold-pressed and we get the blend of resveratrol from our own vines,” Lajoie says.

The Beau Domaine Skincare products are rounded out with other compounds sourced straight from the vineyard’s crops, such as hydrating organic grape water and olive oil. “An important thing about the cosmetic line is the olive oil that is produced here is organic and really concentrated in compounds,” Lajoie says. “We performed a lot of tests to know exactly what it contains.”

They also put plenty of research into their extraction techniques. “It’s very important to be able to produce our cosmetics actives, but it’s also important to use the most natural process of extraction,” Perrin says. “It can boost the activity of your skin. To be regenerative makes the most of your body, your vineyards, your earth. To be able to be better is suitable to all our activities.”

Beau Domaine Skincare The Body & Tattoo Cream

Beau Domaine Skincare

It took 15 years to research and develop the active ingredients. The provenance and detailed research behind the carefully curated ingredients is what makes Beau Domaine Skincare so efficacious, which is validated through clinical testing by independent labs. For example, The Cream, an anti-aging daily moisturizer, increases hydration by 84% after two hours and 34% after 24 hours, improves radiance by 35% and reduces dehydration fine lines by 16%. The Serum plumps skin by 42%, reduces signs of fatigue by 12% and crow’s feet by 11%, and 94% said it left their skin more radiant. The Cleansing Emulsion, an antioxidant face wash, improved hydration levels for 100% of testers and 97% said their skin was clean, fresh and supple after using.

Those three products make up Pitt’s skincare routine. “Brad is an architect,” Perrin says. “He loves beautiful things. He loves nature.” He weighs in on product development and advises on design. He’s the one who requested that their latest launch, The Body & Tattoo Cream, also be used to brighten and preserve tattoos. His aesthetic is evident in the chic wood caps that top most of the products. The wood caps are finished by hand in the mountains of France, showcasing the attention to detail of the brand and craftsmanship of local artisans.

Beau Domaine Skincare products

Beau Domaine Skincare

The rest of the packaging was created with the utmost devotion to sustainability. Opting to avoid plastic, the jars are made of glass. When plastic is necessary, such as for the pumps, it’s post-consumer recycled plastic. The packaging is as light as possible to reduce shipping weights and their carbon footprint. They work with as many local suppliers as possible, so the packaging comes from France or Italy.

In beauty, often what’s old is new again. Despite that organic farming is centuries old, agricosmetics is the future of skincare. “We don’t have to compromise between what we put on our skin, the impact on the planet and the efficiency of the products,” Perrin says. “We have produced our own ingredients and we are going to continue that. We want to respect five generations of what we’re doing at Beaucastel.”

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

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Puffy eyes, dry skin on long flights? 7 skincare essentials for UAE travellers in 2026

Puffy eyes, dry skin on long flights? 7 skincare essentials for UAE travellers in 2026

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1) Best Hydrating Facial Cleanser

2) Best Serum: Vichy Mineral

3) Best Moisturiser: Dr.Jart+ Cicapair™ Sensitive Skin Face Moisturizer

4) Best Sunscreen: Eucerin Face Sunscreen Oil

5) Best Hydrating Face Mist

6) Best Lip Balm: La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Levres Moisturiser

7) Best Eye Cream: TOSOWOONG PDRN Pink Peptide Eye

Lakshana is an entertainment and lifestyle journalist with over a decade of experience. She covers a wide range of stories—from community and health to mental health and inspiring people features.

A passionate K-pop enthusiast, she also enjoys exploring the cultural impact of music and fandoms through her writing.

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Squalane Moisturizers Worth Adding to Your Routine

Squalane Moisturizers Worth Adding to Your Routine

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Squalane has become one of the most talked-about ingredients in skincare over the last few years, appearing in everything from lightweight serums to rich overnight creams.

Unlike some trend-driven skincare ingredients, squalane is valued largely because of how well it works with the skin’s natural moisture barrier.

The skin naturally produces a lipid called squalene, which helps keep the surface soft, balanced, and moisturized. Over time, natural squalene levels gradually decline, which is one reason skin can start to feel drier, tighter, or less resilient with age and environmental stress.

Squalane is the stabilized version used in skincare formulations. Because it closely mimics the skin’s natural oils, it’s widely used in moisturizers designed to support hydration without feeling overly heavy or greasy.

Today, squalane is commonly recommended for a wide range of skin types, including oily, dry, combination, and sensitive skin. Its versatility has also made it increasingly popular within minimalist skincare routines that focus on fewer, barrier-supportive ingredients.

Dermatologists often recommend squalane-based moisturizers because they tend to layer well within both simple and ingredient-focused skincare routines.

Here’s what to know about how squalane works, how it compares with other moisturizing ingredients, and what to look for in a moisturizer that includes it.

Squalene vs. Squalane: What’s the Difference?

The names are similar, but they refer to two different forms of the ingredient.

Squalene (with an “e”) is a lipid naturally produced by the skin. While it plays an important role in maintaining moisture balance, it oxidizes quickly when exposed to air, which makes it difficult to use effectively in skincare formulations.

Squalane (with an “a”) is the hydrogenated, more stable version commonly used in skincare products.

Feature
Squalene
Squalane

Source
Naturally produced by skin
Used in skincare formulations

Stability
Oxidizes quickly
Highly stable

Texture
Lightweight oil
Lightweight, silky emollient

Shelf Life
Short
Long-lasting

Skin Compatibility
Natural skin lipid
Mimics naturally occurring skin lipids

Common Sources
Sebaceous glands
Sugarcane, olives, rice bran

Historically, some forms of squalane were sourced from shark liver oil. Today, many skincare brands use plant-derived squalane from sources like sugarcane, olives, or rice bran instead.

What Squalane Does for the Skin

Squalane is often described as a moisturizing ingredient, but its role in skincare goes beyond basic hydration. Here are some of the main ways squalane supports the skin within a daily skincare routine:

  • Helps Support the Skin Barrier

Squalane functions as an emollient, helping soften the skin while reducing moisture loss from the surface. Because it closely resembles naturally occurring skin lipids, it’s frequently included in products designed to support a compromised or dryness-prone skin barrier.

  • Delivers Lightweight Hydration

Unlike heavier occlusive ingredients that can feel greasy or overly rich, squalane is known for its lightweight texture and quick absorption. This is one reason it’s commonly used even in products formulated for oily or acne-prone skin types.

  • Works Well Alongside Other Ingredients

Squalane is often paired with ingredients like:

  • hyaluronic acid
  • ceramides
  • niacinamide
  • peptides
  • antioxidant-rich botanical extracts

Its texture makes it easy to layer within both simple and more advanced skincare routines.

  • Helps Maintain Skin Comfort

Because squalane is generally well tolerated, it’s frequently recommended in routines focused on dryness, sensitivity, or barrier support.

Squalane vs. Hyaluronic Acid vs. Ceramides

These ingredients are often grouped together in moisturizing products, but they each support the skin differently.

Ingredient
Main Function
Best Known For
Texture

Squalane
Emollient
Softening and sealing in moisture
Lightweight, silky

Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Drawing water into the skin
Lightweight, hydrating

Ceramides
Barrier lipid
Supporting the skin barrier
Richer, protective

Rather than competing ingredients, they’re often complementary.

A simple layering approach may include a hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid followed by a ceramide-rich or squalane-based moisturizer to help support moisture retention and overall skin barrier function.

Many moisturizers now combine multiple barrier-supportive ingredients together in a single formula.

Is Squalane Good for Every Skin Type?

Squalane is considered one of the more versatile moisturizing ingredients because of its lightweight feel and broad compatibility. Its lightweight, non-greasy texture makes it suitable for a wide range of skin concerns, including dryness, sensitivity, dehydration, and excess oil.

Skin Type
How Squalane May Help
Pair It With
Verdict

Oily or acne-prone
Lightweight hydration without a greasy finish
Niacinamide or lightweight gel moisturizer
✅ Well suited

Dry or dehydrated
Helps reduce moisture loss and support skin comfort
Hyaluronic acid serum
✅ Highly compatible

Sensitive or reactive
Often well tolerated in barrier-supportive routines
Ceramide cream or fragrance-free moisturizer
✅ Gentle option

Combination
Lightweight enough for oily areas while supporting drier patches
Apply more selectively if preferred
✅ Versatile

Mature (30+)
Supports softness and overall moisture balance
Retinol or bakuchiol + SPF
✅ Commonly recommended

What to Look for in a Squalane Moisturizer

Not all squalane moisturizers are formulated the same way. Texture, supporting ingredients, and overall formulation all influence how a product performs. Here are some of the main things to look for when choosing a formula:

Many modern formulations use plant-derived squalane sourced from sugarcane or olives.

  • Barrier-Supportive Ingredients

Squalane is often paired with ingredients like:

  • ceramides
  • hyaluronic acid
  • niacinamide
  • botanical antioxidants

These combinations can help support hydration and overall skin comfort.

A well-formulated squalane moisturizer should absorb easily without leaving a greasy or heavy finish. Lightweight cream or gel-cream textures often work especially well for daytime layering under sunscreen and makeup.

People with sensitive skin may prefer formulas without heavy fragrance or high concentrations of drying alcohols.

How to Layer Squalane in Your Routine

Because squalane helps soften and seal in moisture, it’s typically applied after lighter water-based products and before SPF.

A simple morning and evening routine may look something like this:

Morning Routine
Evening Routine

Gentle cleanser
Gentle or double cleanse

Hydrating serum
Treatment serum or retinoid

Squalane moisturizer
Squalane moisturizer

SPF 30+
Optional facial oil

Squalane also layers easily alongside ingredients like vitamin C, niacinamide, peptides, and hyaluronic acid in both simple and active-focused skincare routines.

Choosing a Lightweight Moisturizer for Daytime Use

For daytime use, many people prefer a lightweight moisturizer that combines hydration with barrier-supportive ingredients without feeling overly rich under sunscreen or makeup.

Squalane is often paired with ingredients like botanical antioxidants, hydrators, and soothing plant extracts to support daily moisture balance while maintaining a lightweight texture.

Products like Three Ships’ Radiance grape stem cell + squalane day cream combine sugarcane-derived squalane with antioxidant-rich botanical ingredients in a formula designed for everyday hydration and skin barrier support.

Grape stem cell extract is commonly included in skincare formulations because of its antioxidant content, particularly polyphenols and resveratrol, which are often associated with antioxidant support against environmental stressors.

The Bottom Line

Squalane is widely used in skincare because it helps support hydration and skin comfort without feeling overly heavy or greasy.

Because it layers easily alongside other skincare ingredients, squalane works well in both simple and more advanced skincare routines.

Whether used in a simple moisturizer or paired with ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, or antioxidants, squalane can help maintain moisture balance and overall skin comfort.

For people looking for lightweight daily hydration, a well-formulated squalane day cream can support moisture balance without adding unnecessary heaviness.

Its compatibility with different skin types and skincare ingredients is part of the reason squalane remains a popular choice in modern skincare formulations.

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