Founded by a mother–daughter trio, Mona, Naina, and Roshni Mehta, Hibiscus Monkey is a science-backed body care brand taking on skin concerns that women are often conditioned not to talk about. Built on rigorous research and face-grade formulations, the brand is challenging long-standing taboos around body skin issues, bringing visibility, efficacy, and confidence to areas long overlooked by the beauty industry.
Three journeys, one shared purpose
Mona and her daughters, Naina and Roshni, followed distinct professional paths that eventually converged in a shared entrepreneurial vision. Mona’s journey took an unexpected turn when she stepped away from corporate banking to embrace motherhood, pausing a thriving career to raise her twin daughters.
![[L-R] Roshni Mehta Co-Founder, Mona Mehta- Founder, Naina Mehta, Co-Founder](https://d14k1d0ecj3g0p.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/L-R-Roshni-Mehta-Co-Founder-Mona-Mehta-Founder-Naina-Mehta-Co-Founder-1-1024x768.webp)
(Left to right) Co-Founders Roshni Mehta, Mona Mehta and Naina Mehta
“Two decades flew by, and I found myself at a crossroads, yearning for purpose. That’s when Hibiscus Monkey was born – a rebirth, a new chapter. I’m embracing the art of storytelling, crafting a brand that resonates with women’s stories,” she tells Global Indian.
Roshni spent the last decade in the USA, beginning with her undergraduate studies at Cornell University. “Then I worked in corporate America, but my heart was in India, driving change. I joined the Indian Government, contributing to pivotal projects, and realised the power of entrepreneurship in shaping the economy. A double master’s at Harvard and MIT equipped me with the tools to build a business that empowers Indian women,” she says.
Naina’s path wound through engineering, luxury beauty, and management consulting. She managed iconic brands like Dove and Simple, but the desire to build something of her own kept calling. “With my MBA from Harvard, I returned to India and united with my mother and Roshni to launch Hibiscus Monkey – a brand that redefines body care, fuelled by our collective expertise and passion,” she adds.
Giving body skin the attention it deserves
Their research revealed deeply personal yet widely shared struggles Indian women face with their body skin—embarrassment, concealment, and quiet resignation. Issues like ingrown hair, strawberry skin, and discolouration often go untreated, accepted as an unfortunate norm rather than solvable concerns.
Hibiscus Monkey emerged as a response to this silence—a brand born from the belief that women deserve to feel confident in their own skin, unapologetically. “We believe the truest form of self-care is taking care of parts of your body not visible to the rest of the world for the sheer purpose of taking care of yourself,” says Naina.
The brand is challenging the beauty industry’s long-standing neglect of body care, aiming to rewrite the narrative. “We’re bringing face-grade science and efficacy to the body, crafting targeted solutions for specific concerns like strawberry skin, discolouration, and ingrown hair. Our products are dermatologically tested, free from harsh chemicals, and designed to deliver real results,” adds Roshni.
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Where science meets insight
Roshni and Naina’s time at MIT and Harvard proved to be a critical catalyst for Hibiscus Monkey. Participating in some of the world’s most competitive incubators and accelerators, the founders refined their vision through rigorous academic and market validation.
“Through immersive research and primary research with hundreds of Indian women, we uncovered a profound insight: the body skin deserves attention too. We identified a glaring gap in the market – effective solutions for skin issues on the body, beyond the face,” says Roshni.
Naina adds, “At its core, Hibiscus Monkey is a rebellion against mediocrity in body care. The beauty industry has long prioritised facial skincare, leaving body care as an afterthought. We’ve normalised settling for less, neglecting 95 percent of our skin beyond the face. We’re rewriting the narrative, championing body care that meets the highest standards of efficacy and innovation.”
Staying above the clutter
At Hibiscus Monkey, formulations are developed with uncompromising attention to detail. Every ingredient is scrutinised to meet stringent internal standards. The products are 100 percent nature-derived, dermatologist-tested, and free from redundant fillers—bringing face-grade ingredients to the body to address real concerns effectively.
“The body care landscape is evolving, and we’re thrilled to see new brands joining the conversation. Rather than competitors, we see them as fellow innovators, validating the importance of this often-overlooked space. As pioneers in purist body care, we’re proud to be part of a movement that’s redefining the industry,” says Mona.
As dedicated body care specialists, the team remains unapologetically focused. While others diversify, they are doubling down on their core mission. “Our R&D, sourcing, and testing are all singularly focused on the unique needs of the body’s skin, unencumbered by competing priorities. That’s our edge, and we’re owning it,” says Roshni.
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Thinking global, staying rooted
Building a business from scratch in India comes with its own challenges, and as women founders, the trio has faced additional hurdles. But they see this moment as an inflection point. The beauty and personal care space needs more female leadership, and they are stepping forward with conviction.
“Take the leap and focus on being the best in a specific niche. Don’t try to be everything to everyone; instead, go deep and own your space. For us, that means being the purest body specialist, and it’s a journey we’re passionate about. Your unique strength lies in your niche – own it, and it’ll be your greatest asset,” advises Roshni.
Their ambition is to build an omni-channel brand that seamlessly blends online and offline experiences. Looking ahead, Mona shares their bold vision of becoming a global Indian body care brand known for innovation and excellence. “We’re cooking up something exciting – our R&D pipeline is packed with game-changers, all crafted in-house. We believe in creating from scratch, which means our products are truly unique, and our innovative cycles might be a bit longer but they are worth it,” she signs off.
