Ayurvedic-inspired skincare products have been majorly trending in wellness circles for quite some time, but leave it to Netflix to push that trend into the stratosphere thanks to the Bridgerton effect.
In this year’s second season of Bridgerton, the uber-popular Regency London TV show, we follow two beautiful sisters of Indian descent as they navigate the emotional politics of love and marriage in high society.
The sisters prepare for a wedding with a traditional Haldi ceremony, including a turmeric mask that had the show’s devoted audience searching everything related to the beauty ritual.
We asked Sahajan founder, Lisa Mattam how the show’s popularity affected Ayurvedic beauty brands like hers and shaped public awareness around Ayurvedic skincare. While we chatted, we dove deep with Mattam on everything happening with her clean beauty brand, from favorite products to the wellness routines inspiring her now…
First, let’s talk about the Bridgerton effect! The turmeric mask shown in the show had everyone googling. How did the show affect Sahajan? The Sharma sisters and their gorgeous portrayal of Ayurvedic beauty routines really amplified the story that we have been telling about the tradition of turmeric masking. It also created an incredibly important authentic view into the ritual. Yes, it’s done for your best pre-bridal glow, but it’s also long been celebrated in South Asian culture and shared between mothers and daughter, sisters, aunts, and cousins.
What’s the real magic behind the turmeric mask ritual? What are the benefits? Turmeric has long been known for its anti-inflammatory, brightening and detoxing abilities. When joined with Holy Basil, aka Tulsi, and fruit based AHAS, you have the Ayurvedic antidote to hyperpigmentation. We replicated this particular recipe in our Brightening Mask to brighten, minimize the appearance of scars, hyperpigmentation and fine lines, and reveal a glow that isn’t just meant for your wedding day—it’s meant for everyday.
Beyond the Brightening Mask, which Sahajan product you’re most proud of? I would say that our Nourish Crème Riche is special to me because it truly represents the ethos of the brand: ancient Ayurveda meets modern science. To me, it’s magic in a jar. If your skin is dry, red, or eczema-prone, this cream is amazing. It delivers results to support the skin barrier, collagen production and minimize fine lines.
I worked with Ayurvedic doctors in my home state of Kerala, India to identify this particular blend. We then clinically tested the formula, with 100% of participants demonstrating minimization of fine lines and a clinical difference in skin’s hydration!
Which beauty trend are you ready to see go? Cake face makeup. I don’t know if that’s the real term, but I want to see real skin enhanced with makeup, not a new face created with it.
What beauty product first really changed your skin? Our Essential Cleaning Oil. How did I not cleanse with oil before? Because we included moringa—which has been proven to be an anti-pollutant when cleansing—it takes off sunscreen and the daily yuck. I have always had a strong moisturizer/serum routine, but changing my cleansing routine changed my skin.
Sahajan Essential Cleaning Oil
Do you double cleanse? Yes! I wear SPF and mascara every single day, and my first cleanse which is our Essential Cleansing Oil, breaks down all of that and any other dirt. Then I go in with my Golden Milk Cleanser (inspired by the drink) to unclog pores, hydrate and balance.
Genius skincare hack:Measure your SPF on your fingers. While most of us are finally wearing SPF, we aren’t wearing enough. I use at least the equivalent of my index and middle fingers, covered in a strip of SPF to know that I have enough.
What are your top wellness and beauty product VIPs lately?
+ Axiology Lip to Lid Balmies
+ Saint’s Black Mascara
+ One Love Organics Vitamin D Mist
+ Eugenia Shea Butter Tins
+ Sahajan Nourish Crème Riche
+ Golden Milk Lattes from Clevr
+ Super You from Moon Juice.
Beauty tech that actually works: Your fingers! Skincare is supposed to be self-care, so a little massage will definitely enhance your skincare application experience. To add to that, a good massage on your face can positively impact the muscle tension in your face, reduce the appearance of fine lines, and aid in lymphatic drainage. Even if you only have 5 minutes, a little goes a long way!
Skincare pros you see: @seeratsaini , @shawtycynthia and @adityamadiraju are amazing because they have upped my makeup, skincare, and haircare game. @kateydenno, @veronicachu and @itsmatin are skin and makeup pros with whom I am forever obsessed.
What is your mission in beauty? To be the golden connection between Ayurveda—the science in which I was raised—and modern science, that of my career in pharmaceuticals, so I can support every single person on their journey to finding their inner and outer glow.
I was so proud to be one of the first clean beauty brands to invest in clinical trials, and I believe we are going to see more of this. 
