In today’s fast-paced world, high-tech solutions and synthetic ingredients often dominate the beauty industry. However, there’s a growing trend toward embracing natural wellness and age-old beauty secrets. One of the brands that instantly caught our attention in the space of natural skincare is Old School Rituals, a brand that (as the name suggests) blends traditional wisdom with modern sensibilities. We sat down with the founder to discuss the philosophy behind the brand and the importance of using age-old recipes in today's world.
Wellness, But Make it Nostalgic
When it comes to wellness and going back in time, our memories often take us back to innocent yet wise interactions with our grandparents. Mine involves very distinctive conversations with my grandmum who often asked me to include ghee in my meals- ‘Your skin will always look good,’ she’d say, dismissing my diet ideas in an instant. As I look back, I must admit, my well-hydrated, ghee-loving dadi probably had the best skin I’ve come across- with no breakouts or wrinkles in sight.
Such is also the story of Smita Vallurupalli, the founder of the beauty brand Old School Rituals. In our conversation, she recalls how she would see her grandmother’s weekend ritual which included malai, ubtan, body oil and hair oil. ‘Nobody has the patience to do those anymore and I feel they were the most powerful and effective rituals,’ she says. These rituals went on to inspire Smita to start creating her own concoctions from her home kitchen. She’d share these with friends and get great feedback- a positive push that led to the birth of Old School Rituals. Naturally, the brand believes in striking a balance between the past and the present, combining mythical traditions with real, proven results.
Image: Old School Rituals
‘I also believe that we need to back in order to go forward. You know we all ran so much ahead that it’s sometimes required that we pause, go back and look at what we’re missing,’ adds Vallurupalli. This approach makes Old School Rituals feel like a homage to the past. Every product from Old School Rituals is crafted by hand, using carefully chosen ingredients that have been approved by grandmothers, the true custodians of this knowledge. Driven by love and a desire to share their beauty and wellness secrets with the world, the brand offers unique formulations that are healthy, all-natural, and fresh.
But First, Ingredients!
Image: Old School Rituals
Old School Rituals houses a whole range of skincare and body care products- from the acne-fighting Spice range to their Bath Ubtans. The brand’s product range showcases their commitment to natural wellness, sustainability, and inclusivity setting them apart in the beauty industry. At the forefront of their products and values are the ingredients used and their simplicity. ‘When you listen to their name you feel like – Oh, it’s Tamarind! Oh, it’s Potato! But nobody really thought of putting it into skincare and making it work,’ says Vallurupalli. And make it work, they did! Take their De-Tan Scrubbing Mask for instance which contains potatoes, grapes, ice apples, tomatoes and many more fruits you often see in your kitchen.
Image: Old School Rituals
Another product from the brand that makes their ingredients shine is the 63-Herb Hair Elixir- containing a mix of ingredients Smita often saw her grandmother cook together for her at-home hair oil and some new additions the founder added for a fresh recipe. The hair oil takes you back in time with just one whiff and is sure to get you loads of compliments every time you use it.
Image: Old School Rituals
By trusting in time-tested wisdom and using it as a foundation for their products, Old School Rituals is bringing the secrets of our grandmothers to the modern world.
Commitment to Sustainability
Old School Rituals is committed to sustainability, reflected in their production practices and packaging. Their products are rigorously tested, sulfate and paraben-free, and crafted with ethically sourced ingredients. The brand is also vegan and cruelty-free. This commitment to sustainability is in line with their core values of spiritual and ecological sensibilities.
Image: Old School Rituals
With its sensibility and products, Old School Rituals invites us to experience the profound benefits of holistic wellness, allowing us to thrive in today’s fast-paced world while staying true to the nurturing traditions that have stood the test of time. So if you’re on the path to explore the world of natural wellness with the goodness of age-old recipes and rituals, you’ve found yourself in the right place!