When it comes to skincare for melanin-rich complexions, there’s before Dr. Vanita Rattan and after. The powerhouse behind Skincare by Dr. V isn’t just another white coat in a lab she’s a British-Indian trailblazer, a medical doctor, a master cosmetic formulator and the unapologetic queen of skin science for skin of colour. Her mission? Bold. Her track record? Untouchable. Her impact? Global. Before she became a skincare phenomenon with over 3.5 million loyal followers and a cult-favorite product lineup that sells out on repeat, Dr. Rattan was busy clocking 40,000+ hyperpigmentation cases in her London clinics with a jaw- dropping 95% success rate. And when the pandemic flipped the beauty world on its head, she didn’t panic she pivoted. She closed her clinics, took over her family’s cosmeceutical lab, and built a beauty empire from the ground up, fueled by science, soul and straight- up skin wisdom.
Every formula? Hers. Every product? Made for skin of colour. Every decision? Rooted in evidence based research not hype, not trends and definitely not investor agendas. From pregnancy-safe routines to SPF that actually works without a ghostly cast, Dr. V is out here doing what billion dollar brands still haven’t figured out: centering melanin-rich skin, unapologetically, expertly and with love.
Her skincare isn’t just skincare it’s science backed self-respect in a bottle. Her “Glow Facial” is about to change the game in clinics. Her Hyperpigmentation Kits are holy grail status. And her new makeup line? It doesn’t just conceal it treats, corrects, and cares. She’s the skin doctor, the CEO, the content creator, the mama of two, and the woman rewriting the rules not just for beauty, but for business. If you don’t already know Dr. Vanita Rattan, it’s time to catch up. Because this is more than a brand. This is a revolution for skin of colour and Dr. V is leading the charge, one power-packed serum at a time.
Kaniz: Talk to us about your background.
Dr Vanita: As a medical doctor (MBBS) and cosmetic formulator, I’ve dedicated my career to bridging the gap in skincare for skin of colour. Before launching ‘Dr. Vanita Rattan’ products, I ran a network of clinics in and around Harley Street, London.
My work focused entirely on treating pigmentation concerns in skin of colour and to date, I have treated 40,000 cases of hyperpigmentation with a 95% success rate. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, I made the decision to close the clinics and like many people, I found myself at a crossroads. I decided to pivot fully into education and formulation. I was lucky enough to grow up in a family deeply rooted in science and business. We owned a cosmeceutical lab and eventually, I took it over and focused its mission entirely on formulating evidence-based treatments for skin of colour. I bought every guide I could find on how to reach as many people as I could- literally ‘Instagram for Dummies’- and just went for it.
It worked. Today, I’ve built a global platform with over 3.5 million followers across social media. We’ve launched 40+ products specifically designed for skin of colour on www.skincarebydrv.com from our targeted Hyperpigmentation Kits, Complete Daily Range and InZincable SPF50+ with no white cast.
Kaniz: What made you head into the world of producing products?
Dr Vanita: After years of treating patients in clinic, I realised that the products available on the market simply weren’t made with skin of colour in mind. Many contained harsh ingredients that could actually worsen pigmentation, or they lacked the right actives needed to safely deliver real results. Creating my own products felt like the most impactful way to scale my mission, so I could help not just a few thousand people in clinic, but millions around the world.
Kaniz: Talk to us about the services you offer at ‘Dr. Vanita Rattan’?
Dr Vanita: What don’t we offer? I’ve made it my mission to ensure skin of colour isn’t left with limited options anymore. The industry has excluded us for far too long, so I wanted to create a true one-stop shop where you can find everything you need, for every concern you may ever have. We’ve developed easy, step-by-step ranges to make skincare simple and effective.
Our complete ranges include ‘The Daily Range’, ‘The Hair Range’, ‘The Body Range’ and ‘The Trio Blemish Range (for oily skin types)’
We’ve also catered to different life moments, like ‘The Pregnancy Range’, which supports your skin through hormonal changes, with upcoming solutions for menopause. Our skin evolves with us, so it’s important our skincare does too.
Our ‘Hyperpigmentation Kits’ bring professional-grade treatments directly to consumers, with targeted solutions for the face, lips, dark circles, body, and even the bikini area, so you’re getting help exactly where you need it.
And now, we’re launching into makeup- but not just any makeup. This is makeup that doubles as skincare, so you’re not just covering concerns, you’re actively treating them too.
Kaniz: What makes you different from others?
Dr Vanita: What makes me different is that I genuinely include my community in every step of the process. My followers help decide what product comes next, what the packaging should look like, and they give feedback throughout development. It’s a collaborative journey, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
A lot of people might say I’m not the most strategic businesswoman because I take bigger risks and invest more into each product than I probably should. But I don’t cut corners. I use the best actives and the best ingredients (even if it means lower margins) because I’m passionate about what I’m creating and who I’m creating it for. When I was growing up, there wasn’t anything like this for skin of colour. That’s why I do what I do. And it’s only because of my community that I get to keep doing it.
Kaniz: What is your favourite treatment and why?
Dr Vanita: I’ve hinted at this on social media, but I’m so excited to finally share more about the ‘Dr Vanita Rattan Glow Facial Treatment for Skin of Colour’. It’s hands down my favourite treatment, and one that I believe is going to change the industry.
We’ve taken the best parts of a traditional facial and combined them with real treatment benefits. It uses our ‘Complete Daily Range’ alongside three professional- use-only products: ‘The Glow Peel’,
‘The Glow Mask’ and ‘The Glow Serum’. The treatment includes gentle cupping
to sculpt, radiofrequency to stimulate collagen, microneedling for anti-ageing, a glow peel to target hyperpigmentation, and humidity to deeply hydrate.
We’ll be launching in select UK clinics later this year, with a wider global rollout to follow. If you’re a qualified facialist (Level 3 NVQ or equivalent) and want to train
in the protocol, you can sign up now to be among the first to offer it via https://www. skincarebydrv.com/pages/dr-v-facials-sign- up
Kaniz: How do you handle a consumer who has unrealistic expectations for their outcome?
Dr Vanita: The most important thing is to lead with empathy. I start by listening carefully to what someone is hoping to achieve, then explain what’s genuinely possible- based on the science, the ingredients, and how skin of colour responds.
Take cystic acne, for example. Our products aren’t designed to treat this type of condition. In those cases, I always recommend seeing a dermatologist who can offer medical treatments, like prescription creams or oral medication.
Education is everything, especially in an industry full of quick fixes and misinformation. I focus on setting realistic expectations, explaining how long results might take, and why consistency is key.
Kaniz: You are an entrepreneur, married and a mother of 2 young children. How do you manage home life and a very busy working life?
Dr Vanita: As a mother of two, I’ve definitely felt the weight of mum-guilt while building my business. Over time, I’ve learned to let go of the idea of perfection.
I can’t be everywhere or do everything at once. When I miss a moment, I focus on making it up to my children in meaningful, intentional ways. For me, it’s about being fully present when I’m with them, and learning to forgive myself for the times I don’t get it right. Parenting is a shared responsibility between my husband and me, and I’m extremely grateful for how supportive he is. While we aim for balance, there are times when one of us takes on more, depending on what the other has on their plate. We support each other through it, and that teamwork makes all the difference.
Kaniz: What’s the best advice you can give to a mother who is looking to have a children but conscious it will affect their career?
Dr Vanita: Having children will stretch you, reshape your priorities, and give you a completely new perspective. That’s helped my business- if I can’t keep my daughter engaged enough to watch one of my videos, I know it’s not going to be a hit! Of course, there will be seasons where your children need more of you, and others where your career takes the lead. Give yourself permission to ebb and flow. And most importantly, ask for help when you need it. Build your support system- whether that’s your partner, family, or childcare and don’t be afraid to delegate tasks to colleagues who can help. You don’t have to do it all alone.
Kaniz: Describe a typical week in the world of Dr. Vanita Rattan?
Dr Vanita: No two weeks are ever the same, and that’s exactly how I like it! One day I might be in the lab formulating new products, and the next I’m writing scripts and filming content for social media. I could be hosting exhibitions or pop-ups for the skin of colour community, speaking on an expert panel, or running clinical trials to ensure every product is safe and effective before it reaches the market. Behind the scenes, I’m lucky to have an incredible team that helps keep everything moving. I’ve never taken outside investment, and all of my product recommendations are completely non- sponsored, so everything I share is based on genuine research, testing, and care. A lot of thought and love goes into every part of what I do. And of course, layered into all of that is real life- school runs, homework, bedtime stories, and precious moments with my kids. It’s busy, it’s beautiful, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.
Kaniz: If Dr. Vanita Rattan was not an entrepreneur, what would she be?
Dr Vanita: If I wasn’t an entrepreneur, I’d still be doing something that helps people, probably in education or healthcare. I’ve always been passionate about simplifying complex information and making it accessible, especially for underserved communities. Whether it’s skincare, science, or something else entirely, I think I’d still find a way to teach and empower others. It’s just part of who I am.
Kaniz: How do you maintain a healthy work, life balance?
Dr Vanita: I’m not sure I believe perfect balance exists. Some weeks are chaotic, others flow more easily. I try not to chase a rigid idea of balance, but instead focus on being present in whatever role I’m in at that moment- whether that’s a businesswoman, mum, wife, or just me.
I’ve learned to be okay with the juggle. I delegate, I prioritise, and I forgive myself when things don’t go to plan. What keeps me grounded is remembering why I do what I do, and who I’m doing it for.
Kaniz: What are the pros and cons of being an entrepreneur?
Dr Vanita: The biggest pro of being an entrepreneur is freedom. You get to build something that aligns with your values, your creativity, and your vision. There’s nothing more fulfilling than seeing an idea come to life and knowing it’s helping people, especially when it’s something the industry had overlooked for so long. But the flip side is that it never really switches off. You carry the weight of every decision, every risk, every setback. There’s no clocking out, especially when you’re deeply passionate about what you do. That said, the reward outweighs the pressure for me, because I know I’m building something meaningful, not just for myself but for the skin of colour community I care so deeply about.
Kaniz: Which products are always most in demand and why?
Dr Vanita: Our ‘Hyperpigmentation Kits’ are always in high demand, and for good reason. There’s truly nothing else like them on the market. I offer a lot of free advice online about first-line treatments for hyperpigmentation, and many people can start there. But when those options don’t work, my kits act as the next step- the last line of defence. These are professional- grade treatment creams brought to the consumer market, each one packed with multiple tyrosinase inhibitors to target stubborn pigmentation for skin of colour. That level of targeted formulation had never been done before. From our ‘Complete Daily Range’, two standouts are the ‘CeraPep Moisturiser’ and ‘Antioxidant Power Serum’. The moisturiser is brightening because it’s infused with ceramides and peptides- both of which are naturally lower in skin of colour. Whereas the serum contains three forms of vitamin A (0.1% retinol, 0.1% retinaldehyde, and 0.1% retinyl palmitate) for powerful anti-ageing benefits in a safe formula.
Finally, our ‘InZincable SPF 50+’ continues to be a bestseller as it leaves no white cast on skin of colour. It’s a 100% mineral sunscreen, which is rare in a market where 99% of SPFs off the shelf are chemical. It’s also formulated with our trademarked MelaShieldTM complex to protect and treat hyperpigmentation when exposed to UV (one of the leading causes of dark marks and uneven skin tone).
Kaniz: What makes ‘Dr. Vanita Rattan’ products different from other products?
Dr Vanita: What makes ‘Dr. Vanita Rattan’ products different is that everything is genuinely created by me- from the research to the formulation- without outside investment or pressure to cut corners. Each product is the result of years of development, backed by science and designed specifically for skin of colour. I also involve my community at every stage. I listen to what my followers want, from product ideas to packaging design, and their feedback shapes everything we launch. Our actives are carefully chosen, in powerhouse combinations you won’t find elsewhere. This brand exists because there was nothing like it when I was growing up. I’m not following trends, I’m building what our skin of colour community actually needs and deserves.
Kaniz: If you were to pick 3 products which would be your favourite?
Dr Vanita: That’s a tough question! If I had to pick just three favourites, I’d start with our ‘Triple Action Eye Cream’. It’s the world’s first eye cream formulated specifically for skin of colour, targeting fine lines, puffiness, and dark circles in just four weeks. It’s packed with powerful actives like 0.1% Retinaldehyde, 0.1% Retinol, 2% Tranexamic Acid, caffeine, ceramides, and peptides- all carefully balanced for the delicate under-eye area.
Second would be the ‘Dr V Conceal + Treat Concealer’, which marks my entry into makeup. It’s a true hybrid: makeup that works like skincare. With anti-ageing actives, Vitamin C, ceramides, and our trademarked CelligentTM to help counteract UV damage, it gives a 10-second application (‘melt, pat and go’) while treating your skin underneath.
Finally, our ‘Collagen Boost’. It contains 8g of high bioavailability Type 1 Marine Collagen, alongside every daily vitamin your body needs so there’s no need to take any other supplement. Collagen is the most abundant protein in our body, and this product is designed to support glowing skin, hair, nails, muscle tissue and joints. It’s beauty that works from the inside out. You can learn more and shop the full range at www.skincarebydrv.com and follow me on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube @drvanitarattan for expert advice, product education, and skincare tips for skin of colour.
