American beauty giant, The Estée Lauder Companies, has agreed to acquire the remaining stake in Indian luxury Ayurveda brand Forest Essentials. The transaction, subject to regulatory approvals, is expected to close in the second half of 2026.
The deal strengthens Estée Lauder’s presence in India and signals a deeper push into the premium Ayurveda-inspired beauty segment. The company said the acquisition will help scale the brand globally while preserving its Indian identity and operations.
Leadership And Operations To Stay In India
Founded in 2000 by entrepreneur Mira Kulkarni, Forest Essentials will continue to operate from India even after the acquisition. Kulkarni will remain at the helm of the brand, while its headquarters will stay in New Delhi. Her son, Samrath Bedi, will also continue in his leadership role.
The Estée Lauder Companies said Forest Essentials will maintain its integrated operational ecosystem in India, including research and development and in-house manufacturing.
Stéphane de La Faverie said the acquisition will not change the brand’s identity, product strategy or price positioning. Kulkarni and her team will continue to guide the brand’s portfolio and growth plans.
“Our philosophy is always to honour and respect the brand DNA,” de La Faverie said, adding that Estée Lauder will bring operational scale to help the brand expand further.
Strategic Move To Expand Global Presence
The acquisition is also strategically significant for Estée Lauder’s global footprint. According to the company, combining Forest Essentials with its existing portfolio will make India its largest emerging market.
Estée Lauder first invested in Forest Essentials in 2008 and increased its stake to 49 per cent in 2020. The full acquisition marks a new phase in a partnership that has developed over nearly two decades.
Plans To Scale The Brand Internationally
Forest Essentials currently operates nearly 200 standalone stores across India and expects net sales to grow in the low double digits. The brand is known for blending traditional Ayurvedic principles with luxury skincare.
De La Faverie said the company aims to strengthen Forest Essentials’ leadership in India while introducing it to a wider international audience. Estée Lauder products are currently sold in around 150 countries, and the company operates several of its global brands in the Indian market.
