Dr. Abhijit Desai and Dr. Gauri Desai, the dynamic duo behind Brownkind Skincare, are on a mission to revolutionize the skincare industry for people of color. Brownkind built its innovative approach on decades of dermatological expertise and a deep understanding of melanin-rich skin. With their groundbreaking products, they address the unique skincare needs of melanin-rich skin. Needs which mainstream brands have long overlooked.

“Melanin-rich skin ages differently than white skin,” Gauri explained to 21Ninety “We want to help preserve the beauty and youthful appearance of skin of color by reinforcing, protecting, and improving the skin’s natural glow and even tone.”

This commitment to tailored skincare led to the creation of Brownkind’s proprietary formula, Even Tone Defender™, which combines Indian Gooseberry, Rainbow Algae, and Cacao to combat dullness, uneven tone, and dark spots.

The inspiration for Brownkind came from personal and professional experiences.

“Our daughter, at just 20 years old, asked about wrinkles and Botox. We realized the Eurocentric skincare narratives were even affecting our own home,” Abhijit recalled.

This realization prompted the Desais to educate a broader audience about the distinct aging process of melanin-rich skin.

Overcoming Challenges and Educating Consumers

Creating a skincare company specifically for melanin-rich skin posed several challenges.

“The dedicated scientific study of skin of color was difficult to access. Dermatology textbooks rarely illustrate diseases in dark skin, and many dermatologists are not adequately trained to treat skin conditions in people of color,” Gauri explained.

These barriers reinforced the importance of Brownkind as a platform for education and change.

Brownkind’s debut product line, featuring the Glow Moisturizer, Cleanser, Vitamin C Serum, Dark Spot Corrector, and Night Cream, addresses the specific concerns of melanin-rich skin. In a Brownkind study, 85% of participants reported experiencing more even-toned skin after six weeks of daily use.

One of the unique challenges melanin-rich skin faces is the misconception that wrinkles are the first sign of aging.

“In melanin-rich skin, the first signs of aging are dullness, uneven skin tone, patchiness, and dark spots,” Gauri noted.

To combat these issues, Brownkind educates consumers through collaborations with influencers and clinical studies. These provide proof of tone preservation’s importance.

Empowering and Expanding

Abhijit and Gauri have a vision to expand the company on a broader scale.

“The lack of dialogue in the beauty industry for the needs of people of color has resulted in feelings of being overlooked. We believe in Brownkind’s ability to address this, helping people own the tone of their skin and spirit,” Abhijit explained.

This philosophy is embedded in Brownkind’s name. It signifies the skin type they serve, the kindness their products provide, and the empowerment they aim to foster.

Looking ahead, Brownkind plans to expand its product line to offer a complete skincare routine.

“We recently launched a lightweight sunscreen designed to blend seamlessly with all tones of skin of color. Soon, we will introduce products for oily skin, eye cream, and peptide cream,” Dr. Gauri Desai shared.

With scientifically designed products and a mission to educate, the Desais are redefining the standard of skincare for melanin-rich skin.