‘Flash absorption’: Almora Botanicals proprietary blend claims to be 10 times lighter than conventional face oil

Almora Botanicals is a skin care brand based on Ayurvedic principles and adaptogenic ingredients. It was established in 2018 by founder and chairman Ravi Prasad and officially launched in April with a flagship store in London.

The brand’s signature is its propriety Sapta Complex which is not only lightweight but claims to deliver active ingredients faster and deeper into the dermal layers.

“We created our own base by blending oils, which we call our Sapta Complex. Our face oils are 10 times lighter than the competition and only five time more viscous than water. It just vanishes,” ​said Prasad.

The Sapta Complex, which is featured in the company’s face oils and serum, consists of seven oils including sunflower and Bidens Pilosa​.

“We blended the first oil with the second at a particular centrifugal velocity and a particular temperature. Then we blended the second with the third, the fourth with the fifth and so on, until it dissolved all the active ingredients, that why it is colourless. Because it has been dissolved like that, it’s flash absorbed into the skin.”​

The light textures make its products suitable for the Asian market, particularly in the warmer tropical climates, said Prasad.

More importantly, there is a high appreciation for traditional ingredients and a high interest in science-backed claims in the region.

“Asia is an important market for us, particularly markets like Singapore, Korea, and Taiwan. A lot of plants that we use are known in this region, it’s that old Asian wisdom that we are trying to take to the world. ​The ingredients are Ayurvedic, the rest is modern science,” said Prasad.

The products contain a selection of rare botanicals, including adaptogens botanicals that are known for their high concentration of nutrients, as well as their ability to help the body manage stresses and fatigue.

Chief operating officer Stephanie Abbe added that the company is also looking at China, where demand for all-natural products shows no signs of slowing down.

The company attributed the drive for natural products to the increasing concern for health and wellness after the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our health is in our hands, what you eat is your medicine, same with what you apply. People are receptive to this, particularly after COVID,” ​said Prasad.

The company also taps into the increased appreciation for rituals and emphasises a holistic beauty routine. It recommends pairing its products with face yoga exercises and will soon be launching a Ayurveda-based supplements.

Since its launch, the brand has also found homes in leading high-end department stores including UK-based stores Harvey Nichols, John Bell & Croydon, and Fenwick.

It is also launched in the US through Bloomingdales and is also looking to expand its European footprint to France.

After gaining traction in the West, the brand is now looking to make its way back to its roots in Asia, where it is also targeting high-end department stores, high-end pharmacies as well as speciality stores.