AVYA Skincare recently hosted a virtual event for beauty writers, editors and influencers unveiling its new Hyroveda Collection of skin care. The brand is positioned as an advanced Ayurvedic science-based range dedicated to protecting skin’s melanin. At the event, AVYA co-founders, pharmacist Deepika Vyas, and Austin, Texas-based plastic surgeon, Dr. Tanuj Nakra, talked about the new collection and the science behind it. The Avya Hydroveda Collection is available now on the brand’s website.

“Ayurveda is an ancient system of healing that started in India over 5,000 years ago,” Deepika said. “‘Ayur’ means life and ‘veda’ means knowledge, so it’s this whole knowledge of life and knowing how to find the balance in your mind,” she explained.

Avya means the first rays of the sun in Sanskrit and the brand has been firmly rooted in Ayurveda incorporating tried and true ancient ingredients. The collection’s advanced peptide complex fights signs of aging, while ingredients like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, mung lentil seed, and snow mushroom look to plump, soften, and moisturize the skin. Key benefits of the products include anti-inflammatory moisturization and protecting the skin from free radicals that lead to fine lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.

“We’ve harnessed the power of micro encapsulation, with the science behind our brand,” Dr. Nakra noted. He feels this is one of the most effective ways to achieve maximum efficacy from the active ingredients, not just the medical grade scientific molecules, but also the Ayurvedic botanicals. “Some active ingredients are unstable, but the microencapsulation allows them to separate out active ingredients so they can all be in the same container together, and it’s allowed us to create some unique formulas,” Dr. Nakra explained. Avya has several proprietary microencapsulation spheres, and this new collection boasts an Ayurvedic microencapsulated sphere which has turmeric neem and peony in it. The spheres penetrate through the skin and “because the active ingredients are not actually touching the skin because they’re still within these little bubbles, they don’t irritate the superficial layers of the skin,” Dr. Nakra said.

The Hydroveda skin care collection includes a Serum ($68), formulated with niacinamide and mung lentil seed extract designed to balance skin, minimize pores and improve texture while hydrating. A Moisturizer ($60) is created with hyaluronic acid and snow mushroom boasting ultra-hydrating ingredients to keep skin plump, smooth and moisturized for a lasting, radiant glow. There’s also a Sheer Tinted Moisturizer ($38) created to protect skin from sun damage and lock in moisture. It leaves no residual white cast and is designed to work with every skin tone. Finally, there’s as Eye Cream ($58) that’s formulated with peptide complex and lupine flower extract that’s designed to hydrate while locking in moisture and smoothing fine lines.