From Cystic Acne to Confidence: How My Skin Changed My Life — and My Business

I didn’t start Tamra because I always dreamed of having a natural skincare brand. I started it because, for years, my skin made me feel like I couldn’t show up in the world.

When you work in luxury hospitality, presentation is important. That kind of insecurity is not just in the mirror. It shows in your voice, your posture, and your spirit.

This isn’t a brand story, it is a real story about pain, healing, and eventually… rebellion.

The Day My Skin Turned Against Me

I was 22 when the cystic acne hit. No warning. No triggers I could pinpoint.

Just wave after wave of deep, painful, under-the-skin cysts. The kind that hurt even when water from the shower touched my face. The kind that made it impossible to sleep on my side. The kind that made me dread mornings—not because of the day ahead, but because I’d have to face my own face.

I worked in a luxury hotel at the time. Customer-facing, high pressure, always “on.”

I loved the work. But I hated the way I felt when international flight crew—gorgeous, glowing women my age—walked past the front desk. I’d literally hide behind pillars during check-ins, just so I didn’t have to compare myself.

No matter how well I did my job, I felt like I was failing at being me.

I Tried Everything — and Was Told I Was the Problem

I spent half my salary every month trying to fix my skin. Every product, every trend, every 6-step miracle skincare routine. One brand even told me: “If it’s not working, it’s not the product. "It’s your skin.”

Let that sink in.

Not our formula might not be for you.

Not let’s understand your needs.

Just: You’re the problem.

When you already face a world that tells you that you’re not beautiful unless you’re light-skinned and blemish-free, hearing someone say your skin is flawed by design feels brutal. And honestly? I believed them. I believed something was fundamentally wrong with me.

The Breakthrough That Changed Everything

Eventually, a dermatologist prescribed me a vitamin A–based medication. Within a week, the acne was gone. Gone. After six years of painful skin and self-doubt. That was my first clue: something bigger was going on inside.

Suddenly, my gut felt better too. And for the first time, I asked myself:

“What if my body isn’t broken? What if it’s been trying to talk to me this whole time?”

I stopped the medication after a week because of potential fertility side effects. But that week woke me up. I started listening to my body, not punishing it. That’s when I returned to my roots—Ayurveda.

Healing Isn’t Just Skin Deep

I come from a family where Ayurveda wasn’t a trend—it was life. My great-grandfather was a village Ayurvedic doctor. I grew up with oils, rituals, and healing foods, but like so many of us, I had let modern life push that wisdom to the side.

As I studied more and rebuilt my routine, I saw the connections between gut health, stress, hormones, and skin. I started creating my own blends—oils that didn’t clog my pores, that respected my climate (London, not Chennai), and that supported my hormonal health, not just my outer glow.

That’s when Tamra was born.

Why I Created Tamra

Tamra is my so what.

So what if you have melanin-rich skin that traditional beauty brands ignore?

So what if you don’t want to do a 10-step routine every night?

So what if you would like something simple, effective, and made with care?

Tamra is for people who want to preserve their time, their health, their confidence—not chase someone else’s version of beauty. And it’s for people who understand that skincare isn’t just about looking good, its also about feeling whole.

What We Stand For

Three things define Tamra:

No Side Effects, Only Side Benefits

Every ingredient is chosen to nourish, not harm. Our oils support skin and hormone health. They’re calming, not just cosmetic.

Friend for Life Energy

We want to be that one brand you trust, like the one your mum used for 20 years because it worked. No overwhelm, no gimmicks, simply high quality natural ingredients you can trust.

Constant Innovation Rooted in Ancient Wisdom

Ayurveda is 5,000 years old. But your skin is modern. We keep learning, iterating, and adapting—so our skincare products work with you, not against you.

Let’s Redefine Beauty — Together

I’ve made peace with my acne scars. I wear them proudly. They now remind me that I didn’t give up on myself.

I want Tamra to be more than a product for you. I want it to remind you that your skin is communicating, not betraying.

If any part of this story resonated with you, I invite you to:

👉 Visit the Tamra shop

👉 Join our newsletter for skincare that listens to your body—and your life