Aishwarya Kandpal Has The Answer To A Question That Never Leaves Us - What Truly Is Beauty?

From my childhood in the 90s, when skincare revolved around a singular notion of fairness, to the present day when it has thrived into a diverse and expansive industry, the journey has been nothing short of transformative. Back then, skincare options were limited, with brands touting brighter and lighter claims, perpetuating the idea that fair, spotless skin is what beauty looked like. It was a time when skincare was a one-size-fits-all approach, leaving us unaware of what ingredients suited our skin or what our skin type truly was.

Fast forward to today, and we're witnessing a seismic shift in attitudes towards skincare. Our generation is more accepting and informed about different skin types and the ingredients that cater to our individual concerns. Brands are now investing in offering solutions catering to all skin types and tones.

With a staggering 10.3% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) during the historical period, the skincare domain has undergone a transformative journey. Factors including increased internet accessibility, rising income levels, and the country's largest population of young individuals have contributed to the exponential growth of India's beauty market. According to Euromonitor International, this market surged from $12.3 billion in 2018 to $15.6 billion in 2022, with projections to reach $17.4 billion by 2025. The decline in the popularity of fairness creams, marked by a 3% drop in volume sales in 2023, is a glaring example of this shift. Ingredients like niacinamide, vitamin C, salicylic acid and retinol have become household names, thanks to the advancement of skincare knowledge. We now live in an era where skincare routines are not gender-specific but tailored to individual needs.

While brands strive to address skincare concerns, the skincare influencers are truly making waves. Through their informative content on social media, they simplify the vast knowledge of skincare ingredients, skin types, and concerns. They cultivate a culture of acceptance for every skin type, debunking age-old standards of beauty. These influencers bravely peel back the layers of their insecurities to educate and empower those still navigating the enigma of skincare and play a significant role in the evolution of our perception of beauty, shifting the focus from the pursuit of fairness to embracing our skin's natural glory.

As we witnessed an explosion of skincare trends in 2023-2024, some have cemented their place in our daily routines. In an exclusive conversation with SheThePeople, creator and skincare influencer Aishwarya Kandpal, popular as @Indianskinblog on Instagram, shares her journey. Kandpal belongs to Uttarakhand and currently resides in New Delhi. From storytelling and addressing insecurities faced by Indian women to championing reality in a filter-centric world, she emphasises the importance of skincare education over glorification.

Journey Of Self-Acceptance In Skincare Advocacy

With a background in filmmaking and creative direction, Kandpal's journey to also becoming a skincare influencer and creator might seem like an unexpected plot twist. Yet, as she candidly reveals, it was a journey shaped by unexpected challenges and a deeply personal struggle with her skin.

"I had never planned this; it just happened out of some really bad circumstances in my life," Kandpal shares, her words carrying the weight of experience. "My skin started acting up, and that was a very long phase that went on for a very long time. I was very clueless about what was really going on with my skin, and as a result, I was buying a lot of products."

Reflecting on the period spanning from 2018 to 2019, Kandpal talks about frustration and uncertainty. Adult acne, a perplexing foe for many, became an unwelcome companion in her daily life. "I had no idea what was going on with my skin. I had no one to consult; I didn't even know that you had to really consult someone," she admits. She found herself ensnared in a vicious cycle of trial and error. "I started buying skincare from wherever I felt that good discounts, etc. were available," she recalls. "I was trying some DIYs, and one thing led to another, and it got really, really bad."

It wasn't until the crucible of the first lockdown in 2020 that Kandpal found herself at a crossroads, contemplating the realisation that her struggles with skincare were not hers alone. "During the lockdown, I thought that this is something that I may want to talk about with people and tell them that it's not such a good idea to actually experiment with your skin," she shares.

She took to social media, creating a skincare page—a sanctuary where vulnerability found solace in anonymity. "It was anonymous for a very long time," she admits, "till I think I had hit about 1000 followers. I hadn't informed anybody in my friend circle. I was so embarrassed by it; you know, I was like, 'this is so vain, what are people going to think of me?'"

Yet, in the dimly lit corners of anonymity, she found her voice, her message resonating with a growing community struggling with similar insecurities and uncertainties. "It was very accidental," she muses, reflecting on the serendipitous trajectory that led her to where she stands today.

Dismantling The Beauty Mould

For Kandpal, skincare became more than just a routine. "I think having acne gave me the courage, the manifold courage of putting myself out in front of society and putting myself out there in front of the camera and being like, This is it, this is what you're dealing with and this is what you get," she reflects, her voice tinged with gratitude. "So, I can't do anything about it. If I did not have acne, I think I would have tried harder to make myself feel good, look good, and conceal it," she declared, refusing to be defined by society's narrow standards of beauty. 

"See, I think, at a human level, women are more subject to social judgement than men in terms of how they look," Kandpal remarks candidly.  "As a woman, you've got to meet certain parameters for fitting into a certain stereotype," she explains. 

You know, lighter skin tone, slimmer bodies, a thinner waist... So, there is already a lot of judgement that comes from social factors, and then there is also a lot of internalized judgement." Indeed, the pressure to conform to these ideals is never-ending, with expectations ranging from skin tone to body shape and beyond. Kandpal candidly shared her own experiences of being scrutinized and criticized for every imperfection. "People have commented on various parts of my face, my hands, my neck, my hair, my eyes, and my lips," she revealed, highlighting the pervasive nature of beauty standards in our society.

However, amidst the sea of judgement, Kandpal found empowerment through her struggle with acne. Rather than concealing her imperfections, she chose to confront them head-on, embracing her bare skin with full confidence. "Having acne made me get over that judgement faster," she explained. "I think having acne gave me the courage to put myself out in front of society and put myself out there in front of the camera."

"We're taught to put on things," she laments, highlighting the pervasive culture of masking our true selves. Whether it's slathering on makeup to hide blemishes or projecting an image of strength, women are conditioned to suppress their vulnerabilities. "At a physical level, you're taught to put on makeup and conceal it. At a metaphoric level, you're taught to put on some kind of strength and then fight it," she observes.

Yet, she argues, there is beauty in vulnerability and strength in embracing one's flaws without reservation. "Why do you have to fight it?" she questions. "It's just you, you can just put yourself out there now, what's the fight in it?" By rejecting the notion of perfection, women can liberate themselves from the shackles of societal expectations and embrace their true essence without any filter. 

One-Woman Army In Content Creation

"I really have no strategy," Kandpal admits candidly, who also has the 'Cosmopolitan Beauty Influencer of the Year' award to her credit, dispelling the notion that success in content creation hinges on elaborate plans and calculated moves. "I think, the time I start having a strategy, all the time when I start planning things, things don't work the way I want them to." Far from adhering to rigid schedules and meticulously crafted content calendars, she embraces the ebb and flow of inspiration, allowing ideas to take shape organically. "Whatever I've been doing has been on the fly," she reveals. "I wish I had a strategy, but I lack one."

"I go with things that I feel I want to personally talk about," she asserts. "And I feel that it helps people to some degree, whether it's raising awareness about a product, whether it's talking about a certain routine that's worked for me." 

Yet, behind the seemingly effortless front lies a reality that many may overlook: the toll that the continuous quest for creativity takes on one's mental and emotional well-being. Kandpal bares her soul as she shares the inner turmoil that accompanies her creative process. "Behind the scenes is quite self-destructive," she confesses. "All I have ever had in my head before sleeping is, What am I making tomorrow?"

"Being a one-woman army is difficult, especially when you also have a full-time job." From ideation to execution, she single-handedly navigates the complexities of content creation, eschewing the assistance of managers or hired hands. "I do everything on my own, from ideation to scripting to shooting to producing to editing to post-production to taking my content live," she reveals.

The pressure to constantly churn out content, coupled with the solitary nature of her work, had led Kandpal into a "toxic relationship" with herself and her sleep. However, amid the chaos, she finds solace in the knowledge that her content has the potential to make a positive impact on others. "I go with things that I feel I want to personally talk about," she asserts. "And I feel that it helps people to some degree."

Highs And Lows Of Multitasking While Prioritising Mental Health

Reflecting on the challenges of 2023, a year marked by overwhelming stress and unrelenting pressure, Kandpal recalls the moments that served as wake-up calls to the toll her demanding lifestyle was taking on her well-being. "I was so stressed. This was a sponsored shoot that I was making for a very big brand, and I ended up dropping my phone from the fourth floor. And I don't even know when that happened."

"It's very difficult. It's definitely very difficult," Kandpal candidly admits when asked about the multitasking persona she often dons. It was in the midst of such turmoil that she recognized the urgent need for change, "I would zone out. I was so stressed... constantly falling sick... tired all the time," she confides, shedding light on the toll that never-ending pressure can take on one's well-being.

Determined to reclaim control over her well-being, Kandpal made a conscious decision to implement changes in her lifestyle. "I started taking little breaks in between," she shares. "I would resort to a book, I would resort to a movie, I would sit and chat with my partner... I would do things that did not involve me logging onto Instagram." 

It's very important for everybody who's in content creation to draw that boundary actively and to realize that there is a life way bigger, brighter, more colourful, more active that's behind the screen as well.

Filter-Free Journey To Self-Acceptance

With her #FilterFreeProject, Kandpal is reshaping beauty standards and encouraging individuals to embrace their natural selves. Reflecting on the inception of her project, she reminisces about the Instagram world of 2018 and 2019, where filters reigned supreme, promising to perfect every blemish and flaw. It was during this time that she made a conscious decision to challenge the norm. "If I have certain things on my face that are big and that are protruding out, it's okay," she asserts.

"I think it's important to tell people that this is what maybe normal skin looks like," Kandpal emphasises. She recognized the danger of aspiring to the airbrushed, filtered images inundating social media feeds. Through her project, she seeks to debunk the myth of flawless beauty and celebrate individuality. "For me, it was a very conscious decision that, dude, I have acne and it's fine to have it," she declares boldly.

"I'm going to help people become better, more comfortable, and more eased out, however, their skin is," she affirms. Whether it's acne, facial hair, pigmentation, or any other skin condition, Kandpal advocates for embracing one's unique features.

Science Behind Skincare

Kandpal's journey into the world of skincare education stemmed from a profound realization – the significance of knowing what goes into the products we apply to our skin. For her, skincare isn't just about slathering on the latest miracle cream; it's about understanding what goes into these products and how they interact with our skin. "It's like how you would eat a certain food," she elaborates, drawing a parallel between skincare and nutrition. Just as we scrutinize the ingredients in our meals for their health benefits, she advocates for a similar approach to skincare products.

Gone are the days of blindly selecting a cream off the shelves; today's consumers crave transparency and understanding. She observes, "Brands are offering more transparency in their products. They've become more ingredient-focused, and consumer awareness has increased manifold."

This heightened awareness, she notes, has been further amplified in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. With ample time on their hands, people turned their attention towards self-care, leading to a surge in skincare routines and product exploration. However, with this exploration comes the need for caution. Kandpal emphasises, "It becomes very important to be aware of what you are using so that you don't end up harming your skin."

For Kandpal, this passion for ingredient education stemmed from her personal struggle with acne. She recalls, "I was dealing with acne myself, right? I was like, 'Okay, this causes acne.'" It was this firsthand experience that propelled her towards a deeper understanding of skincare ingredients and their impact on skin health. "I became like a bit of a nerd when I started my page," she admits with a chuckle, recalling her fascination with the science behind skincare.

Confidence, And Dealing With Trolls

Kandpal candidly shared her experiences navigating the treacherous waters of online criticism and self-doubt. "You know, I've been trolled fairly well in my entire content creation journey," she reveals, her voice tinged with a mix of vulnerability and determination. "I have been told that if I have so much acne, how does it give me the right to advise people on skincare? So, that's how bad it's been with me."

From comments about her acne to critiques of her necklines and moles, she has weathered a storm of negativity with grace and poise. "People can troll you on anything," she reflects, her words carrying the weight of hard-won wisdom. "You're putting yourself out there before the world to gawk at you, to look at you, and they will bloody well notice everything."

As a skincare creator, Kandpal is keenly aware of the societal pressures surrounding beauty standards and the unrealistic expectations placed on individuals, particularly women, to achieve perfection. "There will never be a day that I will stop getting affected by trolls," she acknowledges. "You are human, you will feel bad. However, there's a nicer way that I've now figured out to deal with them. You just have to tell them to basically mind their own business."

Beyond her personal journey, Kandpal is on a mission to redefine beauty standards and promote self-love and acceptance. "It is normal to have facial hair, it is normal to have dark skin, it is normal to have pigmentation," she declares, her words resonating with a quiet power. "I'm very happy with [my moles] and I do not consider removing them. So, why don't you deal with yours and let me deal with mine?"

Instead of engaging in futile arguments, Kandpal adopts a Zen-like approach to confront her detractors. "I just respond in such a Zen manner now that it doesn't bother me so much the way it would earlier," she explains.

Authenticity And Honesty In The World Of Skincare

"I aimed to debunk why a product should be popular or not, whether it truly deserves the spotlight or if it remains underrated for valid reasons," she asserts. With a raw, honest, and succinct approach, Kandpal digs into the pros and cons of skincare staples, empowering her audience to make informed choices amidst the sea of options inundating their feeds. However, the constraints of Instagram's format pose a challenge to Kandpal's quest for authenticity. "The problem with Instagram is that it doesn't allow me to delve deep into the nuances of skincare," she laments. "I'm a chatty person by nature, and condensing my insights into a 60-second snippet often feels restricting."

Central to Kandpal's ethos is her discerning approach to brand partnerships, guided by a set of stringent criteria rooted in integrity and alignment with her values. "I only collaborate with brands that resonate with my philosophy and align with the interests of my audience," she affirms. Rejecting offers that deviate from her core beliefs, Kandpal remains firm in her refusal to promote products that propagate unrealistic beauty standards or employ gimmicky marketing tactics.

"I scrutinize the product claims and timelines to ensure they align with scientific principles and resonate with my audience's expectations," she explains. Moreover, she stresses the importance of authenticity in product evaluation, rejecting offers that prioritize profit over genuine consumer welfare.

"I refrain from endorsing products based on short-term results, recognizing the inherent limitations of quick-fix solutions in skincare," she asserts. By adhering to a meticulous timeline of 30 days to three months for product assessment, Kandpal ensures a comprehensive evaluation process that prioritizes long-term benefits over fleeting trends.

Truth Behind "Glass Skin"

One of the pressing issues Kandpal addresses is the prevalence of misleading skincare content proliferating on social media platforms. She remarks, "You see trending reels going viral. They'll have their blush over here and they'll be like, guys, this serum is working so well for me. Look at how glassy or glossy my skin looks. That's the actual problem." She stresses the discrepancy between marketed skincare results and the reality obscured by makeup, highlighting the need for transparency in product reviews.

The notion of "glass skin" emerges as a focal point in Kandpal 's discourse, dissecting its allure and inherent fallacy. While acknowledging the aesthetic appeal of luminous, clear skin, she emphasises the unrealistic expectations attached to the term. 

"Glass skin is not a problematic term...it just means that your skin is so clear that it's able to reflect light back," she explains. However, the issue lies in its misappropriation and oversimplification, as it becomes synonymous with unattainable perfection within a short timeframe. She asserts, "Asian skin is very different from South Asian skin...let's not even compare our skin with other people." Recognizing the diverse genetic, dietary, and environmental factors shaping skin health, she advocates for self-acceptance and personalized skincare routines tailored to individual needs.

Drawing parallels between skincare and nutrition, she notes, "Just as a great diet would make you fitter by the day, skincare also works for you." Her analogy reinforces the idea that true beauty stems from nurturing oneself from within, rather than relying solely on external treatments. Beyond the veneer of flawless Instagram feeds lies a journey of self-discovery and self-care, grounded in patience and realism.

Why Is Self-Acceptance Crucial? 

"My first advice to people who are not content creators would be that there is nothing like perfect skin. There is nothing like a perfect body. There is nothing like perfect hair. Everyone has individual DNA," she claimed, her words dripping with sincerity and conviction.

For aspiring content creators hesitant to take the plunge into the world of skincare and beauty, her advice is both practical and empowering. "Take that dive," she urged, her voice laced with conviction. "There is nothing like perfect skin. There is nothing like a perfect body. There is nothing like perfect hair. Everyone has individual DNA."

While the world can often feel like it's pushing us to fit into narrow beauty standards and conform to societal expectations, Aishwarya Kandpal's message is a gentle reminder to embrace our flaws, celebrate our uniqueness, and, above all, love ourselves fiercely. For in a world that constantly seeks to mould us into carbon copies of one another, our greatest act of rebellion is simply to be ourselves.