From Post-IVF Skin Struggles to Purposeful Skincare: Lakshita Bharath’s Taravali Skincare

April 22, 2025

This is Lakshita Bharath, the founder of Taravali Skincare, and my story isn't glamorous. It's real! Taravali wasn't conceived in a business incubator or pitched in a boardroom. It was born out of pure frustration. After enduring several grueling rounds of IVF and IUI treatments, my skin changed overnight. I suddenly found myself battling dullness, stubborn pigmentation, and premature aging that no luxury serum on the market could address. I was celebrating a birthday, in the worst ways possible.

Every product I desperately reached for came with encyclopedic ingredient lists, mysterious preservatives, and marketing promises that felt like blatant lies packaged in elegant glass bottles. As my skin sensitivity increased, my trust in commercial skincare plummeted.

Returning to Ancient Wisdom for Solutions

So I went back to the roots. Something I was already familiar with - homemade formulations passed down through generations. I immersed myself in the knowledge of Ayurvedic principles that had sustained healthy skin in our culture for centuries.

The approach was radical in its simplicity: no chemicals, no shortcuts, just clean, honest skincare made in small batches, like how our grandmothers did. I created formulations suitable for every skin type, especially the hyper-sensitive ones that modern skincare often neglects. Even teenagers with their constantly fluctuating hormones could use these gentle yet effective products.

From Personal Solution to Purpose-Driven Brand

I didn't start Taravali to build a beauty brand or disrupt an industry. I started it because I desperately needed a solution no one else was offering. And as it turns out, I wasn't the only one searching for it. My product range has grown thoughtfully, each addressing specific needs. You will find Serums, Face Masks, Facial Bars, and even Lip Balms. Each category targets different skincare issues like dullness, repair, or rejuvenation, and more. The price of the products starts from ₹300.

While many brands claim "natural" ingredients, I ensure mine are genuinely clean, sustainably sourced, and formulated without compromises or fillers.

Challenges Taravali Has Faced & Milestones Achieved

Like many small businesses, Taravali began with more heart than resources. Even today, everything, from sourcing ingredients to designing labels, is done from home, often late at night, often after a full day of juggling personal responsibilities.

One of the earliest challenges was simply being seen. Without a big marketing budget or influencer backing, it was difficult to stand out in a saturated skincare market. It still is! Add to that the constant pressure of being copied by bigger brands lifting our content or ideas, and it still feels like I am swimming upstream.

And yet, the small wins show up, quietly but meaningfully – like when my first organic orders came in through word of mouth, or when customers started reordering, then recommending Taravali Skincare.

My Instagram may not be the biggest, but it’s deeply engaging, and every message is personal. We even have teens, members of the Taravali Teen Tribe, who support Taravali’s journey. I don’t believe in paid noise, influencers, or sponsored posts, I pride in natural healing, organic reach, and genuine engagement.

I haven’t hit massive revenue milestones yet, and maybe that’s okay. Because what I’ve built is trust, and that’s a milestone I value the most. Growth for me has never been about going viral. It’s been about going deeper, with my products, my people, and our purpose.

Future Goals or Vision for Taravali

The vision for Taravali has always been clear: to create skincare that feels like home - safe, honest, and rooted in care. My goal is to grow thoughtfully, without compromising on the purity that defines Taravali. Taravali wants to remain handcrafted, ingredient-first, and community-driven, even as it scales. 

In the future, I hope to expand our range slowly, with products that truly serve a purpose, not just fill a shelf. Along with that, reach more homes across India (and maybe beyond), not through aggressive ads, but through stories, trust, and real skin transformations.

Innovation & Adapting with Market Trends

At Taravali, innovation doesn’t always mean technology, it also means thoughtful simplicity. I built the brand by listening to myself and my customers and started creating solutions that feel human, not algorithmic.

One of my most meaningful innovations has been the Consistency Calendar, a simple daily tracker I share with customers to help them stay committed to their skincare rituals for 30 days. These daily notifications may not be flashy, but they have transformed how people engage with their skincare. It turns routine into ritual, and it has helped customers actually see results I promise.

When it comes to adapting to market trends, I do it with caution. I don’t chase trends. Instead, I watch trends through the lens of: Is this relatable? Is it worth the energy? Will it still matter five years from now?

This balance of staying rooted in tradition while listening to evolving customer needs is what guides how Taravali grows and adapts. I’m never in a rush, but always in sync with what real people truly need. Most of my growth has come from word-of-mouth, women sharing their experiences with other women, not because I asked, but because they genuinely saw a difference. 

To women considering entrepreneurship, particularly those motivated by personal challenges: Trust your lived experience. The problem that seems unique to you likely affects countless others who simply haven't found their voice or solution yet.

Taravali is deeply personal. It is purpose-driven.
 

Editor’s Note: The following is a first-person account submitted by the founder and reflects their personal journey.

Lakshita Bharath, Founder of Taravali Skincare

 


Also Read, Rooted in Wellness: Akshi Khandelwal is Changing the Way You Eat with her Ayurveda-Inspired Cafe

Also Read, More Than a Label: Vishakha Bhaskkar Story of Building Her Fashion Brand Angrakhaa

Recommended Blogs

Explore inspiring stories, tips, and trends for women entrepreneurs

Blog Thumbnail
Inside The Feast by Women Listed: A First-of-Its-Kind Showcase of Women-Led Food Brands
The Feast by Women Listed is India’s first curated food festival celebrating women-led food, beverage, and lifestyle brands — featuring 100+ stalls, tastings, workshops, and conversations with leading founders.
Blog Thumbnail
How Mmeeta Sharma is Redefining Crystal Wellness with Venus Treasures
A feature on Mmeeta Sharma, the founder of Venus Treasures, and how she is bringing a modern, intention-led approach to crystal wellness through her handcrafted healing tools and personalised guidance.
Blog Thumbnail
10 Women-Led Ethnic Wear Brands to Bookmark from the Bazaar: The Gift Edit
A Women Listed curation of 10 women-led ethnic wear brands from our Bazaar: The Gift Edit, featuring fresh, contemporary and homegrown Indianwear by emerging women founders.
Blog Thumbnail
Inside Women Listed Bazaar: How We Are Curating Women-Led Brands for The Gift Edit
Step inside Women Listed Bazaar: The Gift Edit and see how we are curating women-led brands for a premium, purposeful pre-Diwali gifting exhibition in Delhi.
Blog Thumbnail
From STEM to Storytelling: 5 Women Entrepreneurs on Women Listed in the Educational Toy Space
Explore five thoughtful educational toy brands by women entrepreneurs on Women Listed—blending creativity, learning, and purposeful play.
Blog Thumbnail
Women Listed Is Going Premium — Here’s What Our New Subscription Means for You
We’ve launched the Women Listed premium subscription, a set of annual plans designed to give women entrepreneurs more visibility, deeper support, and better growth tools than ever before.
Blog Thumbnail
From Chronic Illness to Conscious Healing: Arzoo Bhatia’s Haal Chaal Journey
Arzoo Bhatia’s journey from chronic illness to founder of Haal Chaal is a story of purpose and resilience. Through her women-led wellness brand, she blends psychotherapy, energy healing, and natural medicine to support holistic transformation.
Blog Thumbnail
Not Just an Exhibition: What Makes the Women Listed "Bazaar: The Gift Edit" Truly Different
The Women Listed Bazaar: The Gift Edit is not just another exhibition — it's a curated, community-driven space that celebrates women-led brands and meaningful gifting.
Blog Thumbnail
Homegrown Across India: Discover 5 Women Entrepreneurs & Their Young Saree Brands
These 5 women entrepreneurs are building thoughtful, homegrown saree brands that celebrate India’s rich textile heritage — from Assam to Banaras. Discover them on Women Listed.
Blog Thumbnail
Women Listed Mid-Year Recap of 2025: Pitch Meets, Purposeful Event & What’s Coming
From pitch rooms to roundtables, here’s what Women Listed built in the first half of 2025 — and why the second half is packed with even more purpose.