Divya and Kavya Rai of Friday Feeling on sunscreen for Indian skin
Written by: Zahabiya Ali
@thatfridayfeeling.co
The sister duo innovating the sunscreen category.
The Foundery: South Asian Innovators Shaping our World
The world of beauty is brimming with cultural richness, with ancient wisdom from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean shaping everything from ingredients to rituals. Yet, POC (People of Color) founders often go unseen in the mainstream beauty industry. The Foundery changes that narrative.
Here, we celebrate the visionary entrepreneurs of color transforming beauty, wellness and lifestyle on a global scale. Discover their stories, groundbreaking brands, and the inspiration they bring to the industry. Get ready to be empowered, enlightened, and introduced to the future of beauty – one innovative founder at a time.
With a tropical climate and higher UV indices, Indian skin is melanin rich and requires tailored sun-care. Indian skincare heavily relies on sun-protection for mitigating skin issues like hyperpigmentation, while also offering necessary skin nourishment.
The sister duo of Divya Rai and Kavya Rai set on a mission to master the craft of skincare and sun-care with their homegrown brand— Friday Feeling. Amassing genZ and millennials alike, their focus is on prioritizing science-backed formulations.
“Our commitment lies in meticulously selecting proven ingredients that deliver on the promise of effective sun protection. We believe in transparency and integrity, steering clear of fear-based tactics commonly seen in the industry. In an era where misinformation abounds, we stand firm in our dedication to delivering trustworthy products that prioritize efficacy and safety above all”, says Rai.
@thatfridayfeeling.co
They debuted Friday Feeling with Second Nature, a super lightweight and creamy sunscreen, that feels like second skin. Adding to that, their next drop was Golden Hour — a shimmer sunscreen which lends a fresh, mildly-tinted glow for every skin complexion. The joint-venture of thoughtful formula and engaging packaging has successfully enticed the consumers.
For this edition of the Foundery, we spoke to the Rai sisters to get insights on their newfound passion and journey at Friday Feeling. Read on to know all-things-sunscreen, with a special focus on the Indian skin, the founders’ summer-prep skincare routine and their in-house upcoming launches.
How to choose Sun Protection Made for Melanin
An SPF 30 or plus with broad spectrum is the recommended amount for all skin types, including melanin-rich, Indian skin.
However, dropping a single product in your cart, out of the endless options available both online and offline can be an arduous task.
That’s why we turned to the experts and asked them how to choose the right spf for Indian skin. Rai reveals that, “When it comes to choosing the right SPF, consistency is key. The best sunscreen for you is the one you trust and will use regularly. Avoid chasing hype or viral products, and once you find what works for you, stick with it”.
She also mentions that “at Friday Feeling, we understand the significance of this commitment. Over two years of meticulous development went into crafting our sunscreens, prioritizing high-quality, broad-spectrum protection with defense against blue light, infrared, and pollution. Our aim? To create a sunscreen that not only protects but also feels incredible on your skin, making sun protection your Second Nature”.
Moving on from the overview of choosing your best suncare mate, the following section talks about how you can enhance your SPF game based on your skin type.
Innovation in Suncare
As a fellow skincare enthusiast, I am fully aware of the fact that purchasing skincare, especially your daily sunscreen, is not the most economical and budget-friendly stride. This makes conscious consumption even more crucial, particularly for people with oily skin.
SPF for Oily Skin
White casts, greasiness, cakey-base and dull texture of the skin are some of the most common issues faced by oily skin types, when they apply SPF. To save you any sunscreen hiccups, here’s what Rai explains — “spf for oily skin india must be a lightweight sunscreen formulation with biomimetic properties, which mimic the skin's natural barrier without clogging pores. It's worth noting that many gel-like sunscreens contain silicone, a safe ingredient but one that can feel sticky or heavy, especially in humid conditions. At Friday Feeling, we prioritize lightweight textures that provide effective sun protection without compromising comfort, making them ideal for oily skin types, even in hot and humid climates”.
Sunscreen for Dark Circles
Dark under eyes is another pretty common concern raised due to sun exposure. With the right formula in place, your simple purchase can turn into a worthy skin-vestment. Dark circles can be influenced by various factors, including genetics, consistent sunscreen use is essential for preventing further pigmentation.
Rai says that “when selecting the best sunscreen for dark circles, especially for the delicate eye area, it's crucial to choose products that are gentle and non-irritating, particularly for those with sensitive eyes. Both our sunscreens, Second Nature and Golden Hour, are formulated to be gentle on the eye area, with ingredients like humectants and antioxidants, making them suitable choices for individuals concerned about pigmentation around the eyes. While there are no specific sunscreens targeted for dark circles, prioritizing sun protection with eye-friendly formulations can help maintain skin health and prevent exacerbation of pigmentation concerns”.
Launching Skincare Products
An extension to Friday Feeling’s impeccable and power-packed SPF duo is Siriusly Brightening Serum. Rai reflects on her transitional suncare to skincare journey, “growing up and living in India, our focus was naturally on creating a sunscreen-first brand with Friday Feeling. While our mission remains steadfast—'Sunscreen everyday, everywhere, and for everyone'—we recognized the need to address additional skincare concerns beyond sun protection”.
Talking about Friday Feeling new products, Rai explains how their latest innovative serum came into being, “we identified hyperpigmentation as a prevalent issue stemming from sun damage, prompting us to develop a targeted solution. Our serum is designed to address all forms of hyperpigmentation across diverse skin types. From preventing future spots to lightning existing ones, Siriusly Brightening Serum offers a comprehensive solution for radiant, even-toned skin”.
Founders’ Summer Skincare Routines
While Divya and Kavya’s vision board for their brand lands on the same pedestal, their skincare routines for summers are tweaked differently. Rai tells us that, “We obviously both love skincare and are usually trying sample products for Friday Feeling but mostly we keep our quick skincare routines simple for summers”.
Divya’s Routine for Sensitive Skin
Divya has a sensitive, rosacea prone skin and this is what her AM regimen looks like:
“I splash my face with water and use the Laneige skin refiner, followed by Siriusly Brightening Serum which is a great day serum since it has Vitamin C, Niacinamide, brighteners and hydrating ingredients all in one. Next, I use either Second Nature or Golden Hour depending on my plan/mood for the day. I usually skip the moisturizer in summer since both sunscreens have hydrating ingredients”.
“Before heading to the bed at night, I go for a good and gentle double cleanse, followed by a calming serum, retinol and an extra hydrating sleep mask and lip mask”.
Kavya’s Routine for Combination Skin
Kavya has combination skin with occasional acne breakouts. For her morning skincare session, she prefers “a gentle non foaming face wash. I then spritz some rose water, massage in the Siriusly Brightening Serum and top it with the Second Nature or Golden Hour sunscreen”.
On her PM roster, Kavya has a lineup of “gentle face wash, ceramide toner and retinol followed by a night cream”.
The focus on sustainability
To grab the wholesome label for any selfcare brand is of utmost importance.
Sustainable skincare is at the core of creating a holistic approach for a beauty business. Rai affirms that, “at Friday Feeling, we take a deliberate and thoughtful approach to every aspect of our brand—from formulation to design to marketing. Our goal is to create sun care products that not only offer effective protection but also make skincare routines enjoyable and effortless. As a science-first brand, we prioritize meticulous research and development over lazy marketing tactics”.
“We recognize that science is dynamic, with no absolutes, and therefore, we focus on the nuances, staying adaptable to evolving research and insights. Rather than fixating on a single ingredient as a hero, we believe in optimizing the entire formulation for maximum efficacy and user experience. Additionally, we're committed to building an inclusive brand that celebrates diversity and challenges stereotypes. We're proud to show that Indian brands can embrace innovation and modernity without being confined to traditional paradigms, proving that being proudly Indian goes beyond any singular cultural tradition”, she adds.
What's Next for Friday Feeling
Divya and Kavya’s skincare rituals are currently on an experimental mode, as they are trying a lip and a body-care product (with their existing routines). Well, you can take the hint! New launches from Friday Feeling are soon to be popping up on your screens since these sisters are passionately looking ahead to exciting new developments, always. They say, “Currently, we're in the midst of developing several innovative products that promise to make skincare routines even more enjoyable and effective”.
“Additionally, education and community engagement are integral to our mission. We're passionate about debunking skincare myths and sharing our insider knowledge with our community. We're exploring various avenues to expand our educational outreach and connect with our audience on a deeper level. Whether through workshops, webinars, or other forms of content, we're committed to empowering our community with the information they need, to make valuable skin care decisions”, she explains.
