Nuskay: A Concoction of Traditional Asian Beauty Rituals


We’ve tried, tested and slept our way to identify the best beauty products to ensure waking up with that all-important, well-rested glow! Nuskay, a coming-of-age beauty line that professes use of herbal, bio-inspired and sustainably-sourced ingredients, is a sure winner for the conscious beauty buff

By: Niyoshi Shah

Posted on: July 3, 2019

LF Says: ★★★

Nuskay Golden Dew Concentrate

When you take skincare as seriously as we do, you're always on the look-out for the next generation game-changing skincare products – those holy grail concoctions that subscribe to the relevant and trending sustainable beauty ethos, organic philosophies and chemical-free ingredients. Spiritually sustaining yet visibly impactful. It sounds like a tall order, but Nuskay in some aspects measures upto this. 

Developed by sibling duo - Dr. Pooja Chhabra and Dr. Drishty Chhabra – Nuskay products are formulated using traditional Asian beauty rituals that they learnt on their travels across India, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan and Japan.

Nuskay Founders Dr Pooja and Drishty Chhabra“As doctors, we researched a lot about skincare and realised that even the most powerful anti-ageing ingredient is not effective if it cannot reach it’s biological target, especially the key cells responsible for maintaining youthful skin. We further researched about ancient remedies and their benefits and formulated specific treatment essences that are genuinely absorbed by the skin. Also, from our travel across India, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan and Japan, we realised that every country has their own local remedies and we wanted to create something similar for India. We wanted to bring these effective time-tested remedies in an easily accessible, modern and fuss-free format, and that’s how we came about Nuskay,” says Dr. Pooja.

Their products are vegan, brimming with antioxidants and bursting with unadulterated hydration and botanical bliss. Deriving the name from the Urdu word ‘nuskha’ which means ancient remedies and rituals passed down through generations, the brand views beauty as a spiritual experience of love, acceptance, care and a deeper connection with our roots. It is refreshing to adapt to such a lucidly positive brand ethos and a mission statement that attaches importance to the holistic well-being of the user. 

Applying Nuskay

I tried their flagship products, the Golden Dew Concentrate and the Starlight Glow Restorer, for a month, to understand the effect it had on my skin. Both the products come in elegant golden, blue and grey packaging. It was a golden plastic bottle for the Starlight Glow Restorer and a transparent bottle with a golden dropper for the Golden Dew Concentrate. The label quality was the only let down in its otherwise excellent packaging. 

Nuskay Golden Dew ConcentrateThe Golden Dew Concentrate is a 24k gold serum which locks in essential hydration and re-energizes the skin. Extracts of ginseng, orchids and chrysanthemum make it rich in antioxidants and helps fight radical damage caused by pollution. I applied the concoction every morning for 3.5 weeks and the changes I noticed was softer, smoother skin which looked relatively youthful and fresh. I applied about two drops daily, gently patting the potion all over my face and neck, followed by an application of sunscreen and I looked ready to step out in the balmy Mumbai sun. The texture is light and was almost immediately absorbed by the skin. The blemishes on my cheeks appeared to fade away slightly and I had a dewy glow throughout the day. The golden liquid has just the right viscosity to allow an easy application without making the face look oily. The visible changes came in overtime and I started to noticed it after two weeks of starting the ritual.

Highlighting the benefits of Ginseng, Dr. Pooja said, “It is a rare ingredient and what’s different about it is that every country has its own version of ginseng (ashwagandha). It’s a local herb with several sub-varieties. It has shown some amazing results because it is an energizing herb, rich in antioxidants and can help  in improving blood circulation on your face.

Nuskay Starlight Glow restorer

Starlight Glow Restorer is the night cream that I tried on. It helps in replenishing your skin with all the necessary nutrients for a more youthful, supple glow. It is a lightweight application that doesn't require a PhD to use and mostly moisturises the skin. I applied a thin layer to clean, dry skin overnight and woke up to a slightly softer, more hydrated face in the morning. The glow restorer is a white liquid and is slightly thicker in texture. I applied two drops and gently massaged it on my face and neckline. It has a strong scent of chamomile which is soothing and relaxing in itself. Indian summers can be harsh, and after 2.5 weeks of regimental use, I could see a subtle glow in the morning. For someone with dry skin, an application of 3-4 drops would be ideal. The mixture of palliating botanicals like sandalwood, chamomile and lavender help to reduce the appearance of dark spots, wrinkles and fine lines. Aloe vera and cucumber oil ensure hydration and restore your glow overnight.

Some ingredients the duo are experimenting with currently are Sea Algae (used in their soon-to-be launched Rose Mask, it helps in skin tightening), along with lotus root extracts, pomegranate granules and hibiscus extracts. 

Beyond the serum

Sustainability is at the root of Nuskay. It is what drives the brand. “In India, we can see a huge shift from beauty to skincare. People are more aware and are looking out for the environment as well as themselves. They are looking for something which is very natural and herbal, something which is easy to use and which keeps them closer to their roots,” says Dr. Pooja. But not just its ingredients, Nuskay’s packaging is also highly bio-degradable as they use recyclable materials such as glass and metal.

Nuskay Starlight Glow Restorer

We all know that glowing, radiant skin is the result of a good skincare practices and one of the first steps you should take in today’s fast-paced world. Nuskay is a reminder to stay close to nature while creating a personalised routine that focuses on your wholesome well-being. It partakes in the clean beauty bandwagon and appeals to the consumer base that prioritises natural ingredients, cares about their environmental responsibility and the need for global action to preserve and protect it. We are way beyond excited for the future of such high performance Indian product lines that rejuvenate and refresh the skin in the most natural way possible.

LF Says: ★★★

Available at: Nuskay website store

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