In an exclusive chat with The Pioneer, co-founders Pinal Patel and Priyanka Patel reveal how personal struggles with dry skin, rough hair, and family skin issues inspired them to create their women-led brand
What started as a simple quest for safer, natural skincare soon became a full-fledged brand with a mission. A Dash of Me was born from the personal experiences of two mothers, Pinal Patel and Priyanka Patel, who were determined to create chemical-free skincare solutions for their families. Frustrated with the lack of truly natural products in the market, they spent months researching, experimenting, and perfecting formulations that were not only safe but also effective.
Their journey wasn’t about launching a business—it was about finding a solution, first for their children and then for countless others facing similar concerns. Today, A Dash of Me stands as a testament to their commitment to purity, sustainability, and mindful self-care. In this conversation, Pinal and Priyanka share how their brand came to life, the challenges of ensuring 100% natural formulations, and their vision for empowering women entrepreneurs in the beauty and skincare industry.
Reflecting on how it all began, Pinal Patel shares, “It started with my own struggles. I’ve always had dry skin and rough hair, and I was trying to stick to traditional remedies like ubtan, shikakai, and coconut milk. But as a mom, finding the time for all that was really tough. Things got more concerning when my son started having skin issues too—itching and dryness that really needed attention. I didn’t feel comfortable using chemical-based products on him, and honestly, I wasn’t okay using them on myself either. I’ve always believed in keeping things natural, but I was stuck because I couldn’t find anything that worked for us.”
Seeing that Priyanka was facing similar struggles, the two friends began their journey into natural skincare. “We were curious about natural soaps, so we began experimenting. It took a lot of trial and error, but eventually, after almost a year, we made something that actually worked,” Pinal recalls. “When we saw how well these soaps worked not just for us but also for our friends and family, it hit us—there must be so many people out there who are looking for the same thing. That’s when we decided to turn it into a brand.”
Developing products that met their high standards was no easy feat. Pinal explains, “It all started because I was struggling with dry skin and rough hair, and my son was dealing with eczema—itching, dryness, and just so much discomfort. I didn’t feel comfortable using chemical-based products on either of us. Priyanka was going through the same thing, both for her child and herself. We were tired of not finding natural solutions that actually worked, so we decided to figure it out ourselves. We spent about a year researching and experimenting.”
One of the biggest hurdles was sourcing the right ingredients. “We didn’t want to compromise on safety or purity, so we were really particular about where we got our materials. We made sure to get them from trusted sources who were just as committed to quality as we were. It took time to find the right suppliers, but it was worth it,” Pinal adds.
Priyanka echoes this sentiment, emphasizing how they maintained strict quality control. “We started making these products for our own kids, so being 100% natural was a necessity. We spent about a year researching and testing. We were really careful about every ingredient we used. Before letting our kids try anything, we tested it on ourselves to be absolutely sure it was safe and effective.”
Beyond formulating safe and effective skincare, sustainability was a core focus for A Dash of Me. Priyanka shares, “From day one, we’ve been very conscious about how we create our products. We rely heavily on traditional Indian Ayurvedic knowledge because it’s rooted in natural healing and sustainable practices. We make everything in small batches to maintain freshness and quality. It’s not given out for mass production—we’re personally in charge of the entire process.”
The brand also ensures its packaging aligns with its values. “We’ve also put a lot of thought into our packaging. We use eco-friendly materials and reusable tins, making sure they can be repurposed or recycled. It was important for us to create products that don’t just take care of our skin but also respect the environment,” Priyanka adds.
For Pinal and Priyanka, A Dash of Me isn’t just about skin care—it’s about empowerment. “Honestly, I feel there’s so much power when women come together and support each other. We want to encourage women with ideas and innovative solutions to step up and share them with the world. Age doesn’t matter—you can start at any point in your life. It’s really about taking that first step. Once you do, the rest starts to fall into place,” Pinal shares.
In a market flooded with natural skincare brands, staying transparent and customer-focused is key. “Our focus is on staying genuine and transparent. We want people to see real experiences from those who actually use our products because that builds trust. Nothing speaks louder than honest feedback from real users,” Priyanka explains.
One of the most touching success stories came from a young customer. “I remember a 14-year-old girl called me once to thank me because our products helped with her acne breakouts and body odour issues, especially during puberty. That meant so much to me,” Pinal recalls.
As they continue their journey, Pinal and Priyanka remain committed to their original mission—creating skincare that is not only effective but also ethical, sustainable, and deeply personal.
