On my birthday this year, I received a bottle of Royal Velvet Body Lotion from a brand I hadn’t heard of before — Jugni. The lotion, infused with saffron, rose, and sandalwood, came in a glass bottle marked 100% Natural. Conscious. The scent was delicate, the texture luxurious, and something about it felt deeply personal, as though it had been made with care.
I’ve been the kind of girl who, as a teenager, mixed turmeric, saffron, and rose water in small bowls in search of simple rituals that felt pure. Jugni’s lotion felt like it was made for someone like me - with a certain intention, a quiet promise in every drop.
It wasn’t long before I started noticing Jugni elsewhere — at Sienna Café in Kolkata, where its glass bottles were displayed thoughtfully, almost like little offerings. That’s when I became curious about the person behind this brand. And so began my conversation with Harsha Jain — the founder of Jugni, and the driving force behind its vision of gentle, sustainable skincare.
Harsha, who is in her twenties, grew up in Kolkata. From an early age, she was known as someone who cared. She volunteered with orphanages, mentored children through Make A Difference (MAD), and worked with International Justice Mission to raise awareness about child labour and human trafficking. Her academic path — a degree in Political Science followed by a Master’s in International Affairs at Jindal Global University — reflected this commitment to social change.
But Harsha’s aspirations extended beyond activism. She wanted to create something that combined skincare with mindfulness — something that could bring healing in both subtle and tangible ways. In 2020, at just 24, she launched Jugni, a natural skincare brand built on sustainability, transparency, and inclusivity. From the outset, Jugni was run entirely by women — a deliberate decision to support livelihoods and empower women at every stage of production.
Jugni’s products are made with plant-based ingredients, natural preservatives, and essential oils, packaged in glass or aluminium to reduce environmental impact. What sets the brand apart is its emphasis on customisation. Harsha believes that skincare should not be prescriptive. “No two skins are alike,” she says. Each product is designed to feel personal — a small act of care tailored to individual needs.
Like many entrepreneurs, Harsha’s journey has not been without challenges. In 2024, she relocated to Singapore after marriage, leaving behind her home, team, and manufacturing unit. The transition was overwhelming, but she took time to regroup and slowly relaunched Jugni internationally. Now, as her husband’s work takes them to Dubai, she views the move as another opportunity. “My brand moves with me,” she says, reflecting Jugni’s ability to evolve while staying rooted in its founding values.
Today, Jugni is more than a skincare label. It is a reflection of Harsha’s philosophy — that business can be both ethical and nurturing. The brand champions slow living, mindful self-care, and sustainability. Every bottle represents not just a product, but a promise — of quality, authenticity, and conscious choices.
Harsha speaks openly about the importance of mental health, therapy, and taking time to care for oneself. She believes that work should nourish, not exhaust, and that joy often lies in life’s simplest moments: a walk, a meal, a well-made face mask. Her quiet determination and belief in kindness as strength have shaped Jugni’s identity and growth.
What began in a small kitchen in Kolkata has now found its place on shelves in Singapore, and soon, Dubai. As Jugni continues to expand, it remains anchored in the values with which it was built: sustainability, sincerity, and care.
Harsha Jain’s journey is a reminder that meaningful businesses don’t have to shout to be heard. Sometimes, it is the quiet, thoughtful ones that leave the deepest mark.