The Estée Lauder Companies plans to acquire full ownership of Forest Essentials, expanding its presence in India’s prestige beauty market while supporting the global growth of the Ayurvedic skincare brand.
The Estée Lauder Companies has announced an agreement to acquire the remaining stake in Forest Essentials. The deal is subject to regulatory approvals and is likely to close in the second half of 2026.
The company first invested in the brand in 2008. It increased its shareholding to 49 percent in 2020. The new agreement will give Estée Lauder full ownership of the Indian beauty brand.
The move reflects the company’s strategy to strengthen its presence in India and expand the reach of Ayurvedic beauty globally.
A Long-Standing Partnership Between Estée Lauder Forest Essentials
Mira Kulkarni founded Forest Essentials in 2000. The brand built its identity around Ayurvedic formulations and traditional beauty practices adapted for modern skincare routines.
Over the years, the brand has developed a retail network of nearly 200 stores in India. Its product range includes skincare, body care and wellness products inspired by Ayurvedic ingredients and rituals. The brand has established a strong position in the prestige skincare category in India.
Continued Leadership and Operations in India
Forest Essentials will continue to operate from its headquarters in New Delhi. The brand will remain under the leadership of founder Mira Kulkarni along with Executive Director Samrath Bedi.
The company will retain its integrated operations model in India. This includes research and development based on Ayurveda, sourcing of botanical ingredients and in-house manufacturing.
This Indian end-to-end model will help the brand to innovate with integrity. It’ll also aid to maintain its exceptional quality, lower environmental impact, and continue building consumer trust.
Strategic Expansion Opportunity for Estée Lauder and Forest Essentials
The acquisition will strengthen Estée Lauder’s position in India’s prestige beauty segment. Forest Essentials is projected to continue growing its net sales at a steady pace. With the brand becoming part of the full portfolio, India is expected to become Estée Lauder’s largest emerging market.
The partnership will also allow Forest Essentials to use Estée Lauder’s global distribution network and brand-building capabilities.
Global Potential for Ayurvedic Beauty
The collaboration aims to expand the international presence of Forest Essentials while maintaining its Ayurvedic foundation and Indian heritage. By combining local manufacturing and research with global retail and marketing support, the brand plans to reach new markets and consumers interested in Ayurvedic skincare.
The acquisition marks a new phase in the long-term relationship between the two companies. It signals growing global interest in Indian beauty traditions.
From the Leadership Desk of Estée Lauder
Stéphane de La Faverie, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Estée Lauder Companies:
“Today marks a meaningful new chapter in a partnership built over the past 18 years on a foundation of mutual trust and respect. Forest Essentials is an exceptional brand, beloved in India and created and nurtured by its founder, Mira Kulkarni. Entrepreneurial spirit lives at the heart of The Estée Lauder Companies, and we have a deep, inherent appreciation for the vision and tenacity required to build a brand of this caliber. We are honored to strengthen our partnership with Mira, who, like Mrs. Estée Lauder, has elevated the prestige beauty industry through a clear vision of authenticity and purpose.
This next phase of partnership reflects our long-term commitment to India—one of our largest and most significant emerging markets—and our conviction in the global resonance of this remarkable brand. Together, our ambition is clear: to further strengthen the brand’s leadership at home while thoughtfully introducing it to a global audience. We are committed to expanding this reach without compromising the integrity, craftsmanship, and cultural soul that define Forest Essentials, and look forward to supporting Mira and her son Sam in the brand’s exciting future.”
From the Leadership Desk of Forest Essentials
Mira Kulkarni, Founder and Managing Director, Forest Essentials:
“Over the past 25 years, we have built this brand with an uncompromising commitment to the authenticity, craftsmanship and wisdom of our heritage. For me, what has always set The Estée Lauder Companies apart is their profound respect for a founder’s vision; they understand how to preserve a brand’s soul while providing the global expertise needed to scale.
Our shared mission has always been to establish Luxury Ayurveda as a globally respected pillar of modern beauty. Ayurveda is not folklore; it is a sophisticated system of science, ritual, and holistic wellbeing. By combining our heritage with the operational strength of The Estée Lauder Companies, we have the opportunity to bring this wisdom to a global audience—presented with the same integrity, elegance, and uncompromising standards that define Forest Essentials today. This next phase is about continuity and growth. We continue to lead the brand from India, strengthening our operational excellence and commitment to our Indian consumers, while thoughtfully expanding internationally.”