The first time I saw the Taj Mahal, I was 15 years old. Ammi, Abba, Salmaan & I, and our cousins were on a North India road trip which included Agra, the city of the Taj Mahal. We arrived at night, and under the full moon the marble glowed as though it held its own light. There was a hush in the air, a serenity that made the world feel still. That sense of wonder—of luminous calm—is the memory I carry each time I create a nighttime ritual for my skin. That is the spirit behind Ishq Organic Face & Eye Night Serum, Mumtaaz . In a world of excess, beauty can be minimalist: a few intentional drops, rich with tradition and supported by science. She is named after Shah Jahan’s beloved Queen, Mumtaaz Mahal for whom the glorious Taj Mahal was build as a mausoleum. Mumtaaz in Urdu means “Precious” “Pure”. At the heart of Ishq Organic Face & Eye Night Serum is Moringa oil, an ethnobotanical ingredient treasured across South Asia for centuries. Moringa feeds the skin with antioxidants and fatty acids, working deeply to strengthen barrier repair, nurture a healthy microbiome, and soften signs of fatigue. It is moonlight for the skin—restorative, grounding, and luminous. But Mumtaaz is more than Moringa alone. Castor oil locks in moisture, wrapping skin in long-lasting softness. Black Seed oil brings time-honored healing—known for calming inflammation and supporting clear, resilient skin. Frankincense essential oil adds a sacred touch, long used for its soothing, rejuvenating qualities, helping skin look firm, peaceful, and renewed. Together with modern niacinamide, squalane, and peptides, this waterless formula becomes both ancient and future-facing—a blend of ritual and innovation. Every drop of Mumtaaz comes in a sustainable glass bottle, travel friendly and designed to last. It is a night serum that belongs to the new era of conscious skincare: powerful yet simple, deeply nourishing yet minimalist. This Ishq Organic Product has become popular in a very short time. Our clients have found a reduction in under eye pigmentation, lightening of stubborn pigmentation, a gentle softening & firming of skin. Moringa’s story continues in other Ishq creations: Ishq Organic CBD Face Day Oil, Noor —to brighten and protect skin through the day. Ishq Organic Beard Oil, Conditioning Blend, Shaahi —to soften, strengthen, and restore balance to beard and skin alike. Mumtaaz is not just a night serum—it is a moonlit ritual, a quiet return to self, and a reminder that the most timeless beauty is born from harmony: between the earth and science, between ritual and innovation, between memory and the present moment.

Men need nourishing too

Summer is here. If you’re in the PNW, do I hear a “finally!”? With the change in season, it’s time to alter your skincare routine a little bit. Here are 3 easy steps to keep your skin cool: 1) Eat Light Hot temperatures: Lower your digestive fire, which decreases your tummy’s ability to digest food Sucks out the moisture from your skin & hair You can balance both your digestion, and skin & hair by eating foods that are light & rich in water content. In India, Summer means drinking lots of Pachdi/Lassi - a drink made from beating yogurt with water, salt & sugar. Yummy and super cooling! When using your Ishq Organic Mask , add in a bit of yogurt. Rich in vitamin B & lactic acid, the creaminess of the yogurt locks in the moisture, and heals/protects your skin from sun damage. Our favorite Summer masks are Ishq Organic Sandalwood , and Ishq Organic Hibiscus . Both rich in minerals & vitamins that are perfect for rehydrating & brightening your Summer skin Shopping at your local farmer’s market is your best guide to eating seasonally. Keep an eye out for berries, cucumber, beets, carrots, bell peppers, and the very generous water melon. In Portland, two of our favorites are Orenco Station Farmers Market and Come Thru PDX 2) Use Light Allow your skin to breathe. With the heat settling in, it’s time to lighten up your daily skincare routine. Switch your heavy moisturizer for one that is rich in cooling ingredients like Aloe vera & rose water. Both have been used for centuries to reduce puffiness & redness. Our favorite summer skin product is Ishq’s Seasonal offering - Ishq Organic Lavender Moisturizing Cream . Luthf feels soft and lovely on your skin, and cooling! Your scalp is skin. Nourishing it and protecting it is just as important. Massaging your scalp with oils that are rich in coolants, like Brahmi, Bhringraj, Amla, Fenugreek. Ishq Organic Scalp Oil is our family’s ancient hair oil recipe. Mothers massaging this oil into our scalps is a weekly summer ritual. Plus, Hayaath helps prevent hair loss and heals scalp conditions like dandruff, itchiness & Psoriasis Our favorite summer hair care routine is massaging Ishq Organic Scalp Oil an hour or two before we shower, washing & conditioning as usual, and then further protecting our hair with Ishq Organic Leave In Hair Oil . Muraad is rich in natural ingredients that hydrate and soften hair, while protecting it from sun damage. Plus, Muraad smells sooo good! 3) Wear Light Focus on clothes that are breathable - organic cotton is our favorite go-to. There’s nothing like the breathability of cotton on hot, sweaty skin. In the Indian subcontinent Summer means wearing clothes that fit loose, and cover more of the body. The opposite of what happens here. Whichever way you celebrate Summer, we hope it is a one where your light shines bright. May Ishq envelop you with all the Love and Goodness that’s put in it.

It’s Spring! The gentle sun, sprinkles of rain, flowers waking up. It is our favorite season. Speaking of seasons, it is time for a rotation in your skincare practice. At Ishq Skincare,  April 1st brings in the season of the Rose – a flower used since ancient times for her healing.

Do you agree that eating fruits & veggies that are in season is better for your body and the environment? Why not apply the same philosophy to your skincare? Your skin changes with the seasons. Like in Winter, have you noticed your skin is drier than usual?

Tabassum is my stand against the cultural appropriation of Turmeric. When Starbucks came out with their “golden latte”, I felt like my entire childhood was being taken away from me. That overpriced drink is our “Haldi Doodh”, Turmeric Milk.

The Ishq Mask Gift Box is a labor of Love.  It is a fair trade coming together of 6 collaborations to tell stories of communities that usually aren’t told. At Ishq, I want every single aspect to heal your skin and support social causes, locally and globally.

Did you know you can find the powerful anti-inflammatory and healing benefits of Turmeric with Ishq Skincare? Tabassum (thuh-buh-soom) in Urdu means Happy Smile. Handcrafted with Organic Besan (gram flour) & Turmeric, this is a blend used by women in India daily for centuries. Tabassum is a dry powder mask. I have made it such … Turmeric Read More » The post Turmeric appeared first on Ethical & Organic Skincare | ISHQ Skincare.

We love to complicate things. It has been ingrained in us that if something’s easy, then it cannot be good. What if I tell you that skincare doesn’t have to be complicated? It can be simple, sustainable and healing. For the days that are crazy busy, when everything around us is spinning, when taking care … Tomato Read More » The post Tomato appeared first on Ethical & Organic Skincare | ISHQ Skincare.