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Indian women face unique skincare challenges, from weak skin barriers to rising anti-ageing concerns. Principal Scientist David Khoo shares expert insights on achieving smooth skin
From centuries-old beauty ideals of radiance to modern concerns like pollution and ageing, Indian women’s skincare journey is complex
In the ever-evolving world of skincare, Indian women face unique challenges shaped by diverse climates, skin types, and lifestyles. To better understand these concerns and how Olay is addressing them, we spoke with David Khoo, Principal Scientist, Olay, who shared fascinating insights into the research, science, and innovation behind the iconic Olay 7 in 1 serum and gel moisturiser.
Understanding Indian Skin
Khoo explains that the brand’s research uncovered a critical insight: Indian women have the weakest skin barrier among the five ethnicities studied. This makes their skin more vulnerable to damage. At the same time, nearly 50% of Indian women’s skincare concerns are anti-ageing related, yet only about 10% are actually using anti-ageing products.
“It means there’s a huge gap. Not only is their skin barrier weak, but they’re also not addressing the needs of their skin with the right ingredients if they’re interested in anti-ageing benefits,” says Khoo.
What Indian women truly want, he adds, is smooth and glowing skin but achieving that goes far beyond surface-level treatments.
The Science Behind Smooth, Glowing Skin
Khoo breaks down the science of glow in simple terms: it’s about how light interacts with the different layers of the skin.
The surface layer must be smooth and renewed.
The underlying layers should be free from dark spots or melanin build-up.
The collagen must act like a healthy mirror, reflecting light evenly back through the skin.
When all these factors work together, skin looks naturally radiant.
“Many people don’t know that collagen plays a role as a mirror. If collagen is unhealthy, the mirror is cracked. But when collagen is healthy, it reflects light back evenly, giving skin that smooth, glowing appearance,” explains Khoo.
Olay addresses this with three powerful, synergistic ingredients: Niacinamide, Vitamin C, and a collagen peptide, all formulated to strengthen, renew, and restore Indian skin from within.
Creating Products for India’s Diversity
Developing a skincare solution for India wasn’t easy. With such diverse climates and skin tones across the country, the brand had to go beyond surface-level consumer research.
“What we’ve always done is study Indian skin itself, test prototypes, get feedback, and fine-tune our choices accordingly,” Khoo notes. “It’s not an overnight process. It’s a milestone that we’ve reached this point where we have Olay 7-in-1 and know exactly what Indian women are looking for.”
The Future of Skincare: Simplicity and Science
Looking ahead, Khoo sees anti-ageing as a growing priority globally, especially as people live longer. At the same time, today’s women particularly in India are busy and want smart, time-saving solutions.
“Indian women are go-getters. If we can offer them an effective 7-in-1 step that saves time while assuring them the best skincare, we’re on the right track,” he says.
From centuries-old beauty ideals of radiance to modern concerns like pollution and ageing, Indian women’s skincare journey is complex. With products like Olay Total Effects 7-in-1, David Khoo and his team are bridging tradition with science, offering solutions that not only cater to Indian skin but also simplify routines without compromising on results.
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September 12, 2025, 17:36 IST