From Grandma’s Kitchen to My Bathroom Shelf - Vedant Chanakya

From Grandma’s Kitchen to My Bathroom Shelf - Vedant Chanakya

by a 14-year-old who thought skincare was for “aunties” until his face disagreed

So here’s the thing: I used to think skincare was for grown-ups who say words like “hydration barrier” and “antioxidants.”
Then my face started doing its own thing — dry patches, random breakouts, and that one shiny forehead patch that looked like I’d been oiled for wrestling.
Mom just said, “Ask Grandma.”

And I swear, that woman’s kitchen could fix anything. Headache? Haldi milk. Cut? Neem paste. Life crisis? Coconut oil.
Turns out, her ingredient list was way ahead of the skincare game — and brands like Tuco Kids are basically just bottling her recipes (minus the kitchen smell).

Neem: Smells Like Trouble, Solves It Anyway

Neem smells… let’s be honest, intense. Like something you’d only use if your life depended on it.
But Grandma was right — it’s a total skin superhero. Neem clears pimples, fights germs, and keeps your skin calm even after a sweaty football match.

Tuco’s Neem Face Wash does the same thing — no burning, no squeaky tight skin, just a clean face that doesn’t feel betrayed.
And guess what? The Tuco Bubble Gum Toothpaste also has neem (plus clove and miswak), so apparently now even my teeth are living that herbal life.

Clove: The Cool Backup Dancer

Clove doesn’t get the main spotlight, but it’s that quiet kid in class who secretly tops the exam.
It fights germs, freshens things up, and smells nice enough to not make you gag.
Tuco uses it in their toothpaste — it’s how I brush without tasting like a hospital. And yeah, my dentist would be proud (if I actually went regularly).


Turmeric: The Yellow Glow Boss

Turmeric used to be that thing Grandma mixed into everything — milk, curries, random face masks that made me look like Pikachu.
But it actually works. Turmeric helps calm redness, fights spots, and gives your skin a natural glow without making you shiny.

Tuco’s Turmeric Lotion does all that — hydrates without the grease, smells nice, and keeps my skin from looking like a dried papad after school.

Saffron: Fancy Spice Energy ✨

Saffron is the rich cousin of turmeric — same family, fancier job.
It’s what Grandma added to milk on “special occasions” (which meant whenever guests came).
Turns out, saffron helps even out skin tone and makes you look like you’ve had eight hours of sleep — even if you’ve been gaming past midnight.

Tuco uses saffron in some of their lotions and creams, which makes applying skincare feel a little luxurious. Like a royal spa day — minus the robes.

My Actual Daily Routine (For Real, Not the Instagram One)

Morning (Before School):

After School / Night:

  • Wash up, because the playground is basically bacteria land.
  • Reapply lotion if my skin feels dry (or just because it smells nice).
  • Brush with Tuco’s Bubble & Gum Toothpaste (neem + clove + miswak = fresh breath + no yelling from mom).
  • Sleep like a moisturized legend.

Final Thoughts (and Slight Bragging)

I used to think Grandma’s hacks were outdated. Now I realise — they were just underrated.
Neem, clove, turmeric, saffron — they’re still the real deal.
Tuco just made them easier (and cooler) for kids like me who want good skin without turning into full-time chemists.

So yeah — I still play outside, I still sweat buckets, I still forget my water bottle.
But at least now, when I look in the mirror, I don’t see “tired, sweaty goblin.”
I see a guy who smells faintly of neem and victory.

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