Almost every "natural" skincare brand in India calls itself Ayurvedic. NB by Ritu Walia doesn't, and people ask us why fairly often. The honest answer is that botanical skincare and Ayurvedic skincare are two different things, and mixing them up does a disservice to both.

Quick answer: Botanical skincare simply means a product is made using plant-based ingredients — flowers, fruits, seeds, and so on. Ayurvedic skincare means the formula follows the actual principles of Ayurveda, a full medical system with its own rules about body types, seasons, and how ingredients should be combined. A product can use plants without following Ayurveda at all.

Why the confusion happens

In India, "natural" has become shorthand for "Ayurvedic," even when a brand has never followed a single Ayurvedic principle. It's an easy label to reach for because it sounds trustworthy and familiar. But calling a plant-based face pack "Ayurvedic" just because it uses turmeric or rose is a bit like calling any Indian dish "home-cooked" just because it has spices in it. The ingredient alone doesn't make the tradition.

What NB actually does

We use all natural ingredients because we believe in working closely with what nature already provides, not because we're following Ayurvedic texts or practices. That's a conscious choice, not an oversight. It lets us pick ingredients based on what we've seen work well on skin, without needing every choice to fit inside one particular system.

Why this distinction matters to you

If a brand calls itself Ayurvedic, you should reasonably expect it to follow Ayurvedic principles, specific ingredient pairings, preparation methods, and reasoning that come from that tradition. If it's simply using plant ingredients without that framework, it's more honest to call it what it is: botanical, or plant-based, skincare. Neither approach is better than the other. They're just different, and brands owe you clarity about which one you're actually buying.

FAQ

Is botanical skincare the same as natural skincare?
Mostly yes, "botanical" specifically means plant-based, while "natural" is a broader, less precise term.

Is Ayurvedic skincare always better than botanical skincare?
Not necessarily. It depends on whether you're looking for a product rooted in Ayurvedic reasoning or simply one made with plant ingredients you trust.

Can a product be both botanical and Ayurvedic?
Yes, if it uses plant ingredients and follows genuine Ayurvedic principles. Many products claim this without actually doing the second part.