Prachi Desai: The Sunshine Girl

The quintessential Indian beauty may have been an unlikely candidate for an international brand, but her flawless skin and ethereal glow had them lining up at her doorstep. Five years down the line, Prachi Desai seems to be better known as the Neutrogena Girl, and she’s not complaining! You’ve always been hailed as an ‘Indian face’. And then, there is this definitely international brand. How do the two meet?

Neutrogena and I, we were both new. I’d just launched in Bollywood with Rock On and Neutrogena was just entering the Indian market. So there was a ‘being fresh’ connect. I’d heard some amazing things about the brand, and even tried a few products, courtesy some cousins in the US. I knew they came highly recommended by dermatologists, and more than anything else, I’d actually liked the products I had used. I’m not sure what the attraction for them was, but I had absolutely no reason to not want to be associated. So we mentored each other.

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And which were their products that you had already tried?

I’d used the Ultra Sheer Complete UV Moisture, and then the Ultra Sheer Body Mist. From the sunblocks, I moved on to the Oil-Free Makeup Remover, and eventually, a face cleanser and a moisturiser. This was before I joined hands with the brand.

And once you got onboard with the brand? The Deep Clean Face Wash.

What have your most valuable beauty learnings, in your time with the brand, been? Sunscreen! I never ever step out without sunblock. I did earlier, but I’ve since learnt that UVA and UVB rays filter through even on cloudy days. Also, sunblock’s not just for when you’re stepping out—applying it when you’re indoors can actually help reverse sun damage. Besides, I’ve found what works for me, in terms of products and what doesn’t. I don’t need to experiment any more.

And what does work for you?

The Neutrogena Deep Clean Facial Cleanser, Oil-Free Moisturiser for combination skin and Ultra Sheer Complete UV Moisture SPF 50+, for everyday use, and the Fine Fairness Deep Whitening Mask for when my skin’s feeling really worn out. On days when my skin is feeling extra dry, I apply honey on my face and wash it off before it dries up. What’s your secret indulgence?

Makeup. I love to buy all kinds of makeup. Your beauty food?

Steamed fish—it has all the Omega 3s my skin needs. I start my day with coconut water—it flushes out toxins. I also include egg whites and plenty of yoghurt.

And you balance your food out with... Yoga. It makes me calmer, flushes out toxins and all of that shows on my face.

When have you looked your best?

In the Neutrogena campaigns. They know what they want, and they’ve given me a truly international look.

Neutrogena Deep Clean Facial Cleanser, ₹350 (200 ml); Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock, ₹499 (88 ml).