Key takeaways
- India’s magnificence market is changing into a serious hub for innovation and biotech-driven uncooked supplies.
- Potion Inc. was created to shift skincare’s focus from developments and exterior situations to the biology of the pores and skin itself.
- The model blends botanical actives with biotechnology for mild however high-performance formulations.
- Founder Sanjana Balani shares the challenges of fixing perceptions round pure elements and self‑funding an R&D-led model.
- Her upcoming in-cosmetics International session highlights the significance of human-centred model constructing in at the moment’s business.
The India market is a serious focus for the worldwide magnificence business proper now. Not solely does it provide immense potential for innovation, it is usually rising as a frontrunner in uncooked materials improvement.
Forward of the in-cosmetics International present in Paris this April, we spoke to Sanjana Balani, Founder & CEO of Potion Inc., India’s first biotech-powered magnificence model. Balani can be talking about her journey on the commerce present, however right here she provides readers a sneak peek…
Hello Sanjana, why did you resolve to launch Potion?
“Potion got here from one thing I observed over time of shifting between international locations and environments. Every nation I moved to had totally different climates, air pollution ranges, humidity, and temperatures, and I continuously felt like I needed to change my skincare routine to swimsuit my pores and skin. It made me realise how a lot the business focuses on exterior components and trending elements, however not sufficient on the pores and skin itself.
“On the similar time, I considered my grandmother. Rising up in an Indian family, I all the time caught her utilizing easy, pure elements on her face, equivalent to hand-pounded neem powder or a do-it-yourself model of milk cream referred to as ‘malai.’ Extra surprisingly, they all the time appeared to work. That stayed with me, so I started digging into the why.
“It more and more made me consider that the dialog round skincare wanted to shift inward. As an alternative of formulating merchandise primarily based on the atmosphere and trending elements, what if we targeted on the pores and skin as an organ? The pores and skin is our largest organ, and I started researching the markers that outline good, wholesome human pores and skin: the microbiome, pH steadiness and hydration ranges.
“We concurrently stay in a world the place folks don’t have the time to hand-pound neem of their kitchens. So, I needed to mix the reliability of nature with the precision and comfort of expertise.
“Potion was created at that intersection. We use botanical actives for his or her pure efficiency, combining them with biotechnology and supply programs to create formulation which are extraordinarily mild, efficient, secure and appropriate for contemporary life. Finally, the aim was to construct skincare that works for actual life, no matter totally different climates, cities and routines.”
What have been a few of the greatest challenges?
“It’s altering folks’s impression of nature and pure elements. Many individuals assume that pure skincare is calm and delicate, however not essentially potent. There’s typically a notion that it’s extra about self-care rituals than practical or preventative skincare.
“One in every of our targets has been to show that nature might be each highly effective and handy. For instance, neem is historically identified for its purifying properties. As an alternative of utilizing it in a conventional format, we use neem beads stuffed with neem extract in our Clear Slate Molecular Cleanser. This not solely permits neem’s bioactive elements to be felt, however it additionally permits us to ship it stably and successfully.
“This method proves that nature and expertise aren’t opposites. They’ll work collectively superbly.”
What have been a few of the highlights?
“One of the vital memorable highlights occurred very early in our journey. I nonetheless keep in mind, only a month after launching Potion, we attended a commerce present in Korea and requested a query throughout a panel dialogue. That dialog ultimately led to an invite to talk at a global business occasion in Bangkok. That worldwide business occasion was in-cosmetics Asia. I nonetheless have goosebumps fascinated by how all of that manifested.
“Standing on a global stage so quickly after launching the model was extremely heartwarming. It bolstered the thought in me that curiosity and real engagement can open sudden alternatives. Moments like that remind you that constructing a model will not be solely about merchandise, but additionally about contributing to conversations throughout the business.”
How did you fund the model — and what challenges got here with that?
“Potion is at present self-funded. In some angles, that may be difficult, however it additionally forces you to be extraordinarily intentional about what you construct.
“While you make investments your individual sources, you possibly can’t afford to create merchandise that you’re unsure about. Each product has been developed with a really clear understanding of what clients want and why they want it. For instance, our analysis found the adverse results of blue gentle radiation on the pores and skin, and so we added purple bell pepper extract – confirmed to dam blue gentle ageing – to our sunscreen formulation.
“We spend a number of time interacting with our group and listening to suggestions. As a result of the model is self-funded, staying near the purchasers isn’t simply fulfilling, it’s important.”
What recommendation do you could have for different magnificence model founders?
“Belief your instinct. Particularly nowadays, it’s really easy to turn out to be overwhelmed by developments, opinions and exterior recommendation. The skincare business is a ‘extra is extra’ business, and the whole lot is going on on a regular basis. Whereas momentum might be useful, an excessive amount of of it will possibly dilute the authenticity of your imaginative and prescient.
“I all the time encourage founders to concentrate on fixing an issue that genuinely wants an answer. Create one thing you actually consider in and one thing you’d personally use. On the similar time, do not forget that constructing a model isn’t a solo effort. Encompass your self with individuals who convey totally different strengths to the desk and keep humble all through the method.”
The rest readers could wish to know?
“Coming from a company background at Estée Lauder Corporations taught me many invaluable abilities. Issues like long-term planning, strategic pondering and operational self-discipline. However what I’ve discovered since constructing a model is that the true superpowers required at the moment are sometimes extra human. Emotional intelligence, empathy, endurance and compassion are simply as vital as technique.
“The wonder business exists to serve folks. Understanding their wants, experiences and feelings is what permits manufacturers to create merchandise that actually resonate.
“Whereas company boardrooms present construction, the flexibility to remain human and be weak is what in the end builds manufacturers that final.”
Sanjana Balani, Founder & CEO of Potion Inc., will current the session ‘Company boardrooms to biotech labs: a founder’s classes in constructing skincare for the true world’ at in-cosmetics International on Wednesday, 15 April, 15:30–16:15 within the Advertising and marketing Tendencies Theatre.
in-cosmetics International 2026 will happen from 14–16 April on the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, France. For extra info or to register, go to the occasion web site.
