The GCC’s combination of extreme heat, humidity, frequent transitions between outdoor heat and air-conditioned environments, dust exposure, and prolonged sunscreen and makeup use creates a unique set of skincare challenges. With acne and pimple concerns already affecting more than 65% of the GCC population, these seasonal conditions have renewed interest in one time-tested ingredient: Neem.

The Science Behind a Timeless Ingredient

For generations, Himalaya Wellness Company has harnessed the power of Neem through its expertise in herbal science, developing skincare solutions trusted by consumers across generations. Today, the brand continues to build on that legacy by combining its herbal heritage with modern formulation science to create gentle and effective skincare tailored to the evolving needs of consumers across the Middle East.

The enduring appeal of Neem lies in its proven skincare benefits. Widely recognised for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, Neem is supported by a growing body of scientific research, with dermatologists continuing to highlight its effectiveness in skincare. Its popularity also extends beyond the laboratory, with Neem continuing to be embraced by beauty enthusiasts, influencers, and celebrities as a trusted ingredient for maintaining balanced, healthy-looking, pimple-free skin.

Inside Himalaya’s Global Research Centre

That approach was recently on display at Himalaya’s exclusive ‘Powered by Nature, Perfected by Science’ Experience, hosted at its Global Research Centre in Dubai Science Park, which measures 55,000 square feet. The gathering invited several of GCC’s digital beauty creators and storytellers into the brand’s formulation labs, where they explored the science behind Neem skincare through molecular experiments and learned about the research and testing behind Himalaya’s formulations. The facility brings together more than 50 scientists, formulators, and researchers from 12 nationalities who study regional skin needs and develop product innovation solutions suited to Middle Eastern climates.

“The Middle East continues to be a strategically important market, with consumers seeking solutions that are tailored to their specific skin needs and supported by scientific research,” said Sajeev Kaura, Business Director (CPD), Himalaya METAP region. “Through our work in the UAE and the GCC region, we continue to invest in understanding regional requirements and developing skincare solutions that bring together herbal expertise, innovation, and efficacy.”

Consumers across the GCC are increasingly seeking natural skincare products that combine herbal ingredients with proven scientific performance. This reflects a shift toward formulations that are effective, gentle on the skin, and suitable for everyday use in hot, humid climates. Neem, one of Himalaya’s most recognised ingredients, sits at the centre of that shift. Through extensive research and advanced authentication methods, the brand continues to refine the ingredient’s potential and ensure consistency and quality across every formulation.

“Developing effective skincare solutions requires a deep understanding of the specific concerns consumers face in different environments, ingredients and formulation science,” added Abhishek Ashat, Marketing Head (CPD), Himalaya MENA region. “Our research approach combines herbal expertise with advanced scientific methods to create formulations that deliver targeted benefits while supporting the skin’s natural balance. Initiatives like the ‘Powered by Nature, Perfected by Science’ Experience allow us to share the science behind our formulations and bring consumers closer to the research that shapes our products.”

A Complete ‘Pimple Cycle’ Regime Tailored to GCC Skin Needs

That research has been translated into Himalaya’s Purifying Neem range, a complete routine designed to address blemish concerns in high humidity climates.

Himalaya Purifying Neem Face Wash is trusted by millions of girls worldwide as the best solution for pimples and makes Himalaya the No.1 Face Wash brand in GCC. It is a soap-free, pH-friendly cleanser designed to help clear pimples and prevent pimple marks, and it remains one of Himalaya’s most recognised products across the GCC. The Purifying Neem Scrub and the clay infused Purifying Neem Mask support regular routines by helping remove environmental impurities and maintain clearer looking skin. For more targeted care, the Purifying Neem Serum was recently developed by Himalaya’s Dubai Science Park R&D team. It is a perfect blend of natural ingredients and scientific actives, combining 10% pure Neem extract with 2% Natural Salicylic Acid and CICA. Himalaya Purifying Neem Serum is suitable for day and night use, and is clinically proven to reduce pimples and blemishes within one week, while helping maintain healthier looking, more radiant skin.

A Commitment Beyond Skincare

Beyond clinical performance, the modern GCC beauty consumer is also asking where ingredients come from. Himalaya addresses that directly through its commitment to regenerative sourcing. Over 98% of the herbal ingredients used across its product ranges are harvested from renewable plant parts, with plans to reach 100% by 2030 to support biodiversity preservation. Through initiatives like Project Sampoorna, the brand also works directly with local farming communities, providing structured capacity building and agricultural support. This approach helps preserve organic soil health while tying every product back to a broader commitment to responsible sourcing. To ensure quality, safety and consistency, they apply stringent authentication methods, including DNA barcode testing, to verify herbal identity at the molecular level.

As beauty consumers across the region become more informed about ingredients, climate impact, and skin health, the future of skincare is shifting toward solutions designed around real environments and real needs. For the Middle East climate, that increasingly starts with neem.

UAE-born fragrance house Rasasi has unveiled Hawas Gold Digger, the latest addition to its globally recognised Hawas collection, at an exclusive launch event held at La Perle Dubai on 14 August 2026.

Hawas Gold Digger builds on the distinctive energy of the Hawas collection while introducing a warmer, richer and more expressive olfactive direction. The amber woody aromatic composition opens with pear, lavender, bergamot and mint, develops into a heart of cinnamon and sage, and settles into a base of vanilla, amber, patchouli and cedarwood.

Created with a new generation of fragrance consumers in mind, Hawas Gold Digger draws inspiration from ambition, desire and personal success — celebrating individuals who define achievement on their own terms. Its bold character offers a new interpretation of the Hawas identity while retaining the confidence and contemporary appeal associated with the franchise.

“The GCC has become one of the world’s most dynamic fragrance markets, with consumers becoming increasingly sophisticated and willing to invest in premium fragrances that offer quality, individuality and character. With Hawas Gold Digger, we wanted to offer a distinctive interpretation of modern luxury, bringing together the artistry of fine perfumery with a contemporary, design-led approach. It is a fragrance created for those who value authenticity and self-expression,” said Ismail Anis, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Rasasi.

The launch represents a new chapter for the Hawas franchise, one of Rasasi’s most recognised fragrance lines internationally. Set against the distinctive backdrop of La Perle Dubai, the unveiling brought together international fragrance creators, influencers, media personalities and cultural voices for an evening centred around contemporary fragrance, entertainment and self-expression.

Among the guests was Indian actor and filmmaker Riteish Deshmukh, whose presence brought together the worlds of fragrance and entertainment. A prominent figure in India’s entertainment landscape, Deshmukh joined an international guest list reflecting the diverse audiences Rasasi continues to engage across markets.

With Dubai at its centre, the event also reflected Rasasi’s evolution from a homegrown fragrance house established in 1979 into an international fragrance business. Founded in Dubai, Rasasi remains deeply connected to the UAE and the region’s rich fragrance culture while continuing to create contemporary scents for consumers across generations and international markets. Rasasi’s 1979 Dubai founding is also reflected in the company’s current official history.

Hawas Gold Digger embodies that evolution, building on the international recognition of Hawas while introducing a warmer, richer, and more expressive character for a new generation of fragrance consumers.

“Launching Hawas Gold Digger in Dubai alongside international voices reflects both where we come from and where we are going. Hawas has developed a strong connection with fragrance consumers around the world, and Gold Digger allows us to build on that momentum while introducing a new expression of the Hawas identity to a generation that increasingly uses fragrance as an extension of personality and individual style,” added Ismail Anis.

Hawas Gold Digger is now available through Rasasi’s official sales channels and selected fragrance retailers across international markets.

Exclusive interview with Tahir Majithia, Real Estate Advisor and Founder of Prime Capital

An in-depth look at buying a home in the UAE across different luxury property segments. How are consumer patterns shifting between renting and purchasing, and what are the key considerations for buyers before they commit?

We are seeing two types of buyers at the moment. A lot of people who are new to the city prefer to rent for the first couple of years, until they have settled in and worked out where they actually want to live. Once they know the answer to that, they buy. The second group already knows Dubai well and is moving here, and they tend to arrive with a much clearer idea of what they are looking for.

What both groups have in common is that they want the best of the best, and that is true across every segment. Whether someone is buying a home at AED 5 million, AED 10 million or AED 15 million, they want the best for their money. Quality, design, layouts, facilities, amenities, all of it matters a lot today. There was a time when buyers didn’t really focus on these things and a standard product would do. Now, with the kind of money people are spending, they want something genuinely different. They want the wow factor, especially in the luxury segment.

What changes as you move up the price ladder is the definition of “best.” Around the AED 5 million mark, buyers are usually weighing up location, the reputation of the developer and how the home will hold its value if they decide to sell in a few years. By the time you get into the AED 10 to 15 million bracket and above, the conversation moves on to space, privacy, the quality of the finishing and views, and how well the building or community is actually managed once everyone has moved in.

That same expectation is now shaping the rental market too. We are seeing some very high ticket size rentals, even with the conflict going on in the region. The people who are still confident in this market and want to move here want to arrive somewhere they don’t have to do anything to, homes that are specced and fitted out to the best international standards. If it is something good, tenants are willing to spend serious money on rent, and the top of the market is now well into the millions a year.

The thing that decides it in the end is value. Prices have gone up, yes, but buyers today are smart and they know exactly what they are buying. Over the last few months in particular, people want good value for their money, so there is a lot of negotiation happening, especially given the current situation. But when the value is genuinely there, buyers move quickly.

My advice to anyone about to commit is to look past the headline price. Check what the service charges are and what they actually cover, because that cost stays with you every year. Look at the developer’s track record for delivering on time and to the standard they promised. Read the payment plan and handover terms properly. Ask how easily homes in that community resell, not just what they sell for. And add up the full cost of the transaction, not only the purchase price. Those are the things that decide whether a home still looks like a good decision five years later.