Our goal is to empower young skin through age-appropriate routines
Meet Vidya Madhavan, the founder and CEO of Y Play Z, a brand that’s revolutionizing the way we approach children’s skincare. With a passion for creating safe and effective products, Vidya shares her journey and vision for Y Play Z.
What inspired you to create Y Play Z, and how did your personal experience as a mother influence the development of the brand?
Y Play Z began from my journey as a mother searching for age-appropriate solutions for my children—products that were effective yet gentle and safe for their skin. But it quickly evolved into a vision to create a brand that truly speaks to them as kids, encouraging them to build simple, healthy hygiene habits without losing the fun. Every product in the Y Play Z line has been crafted from scratch, after extensive research and countless iterations, to meet the highest standards of safety and efficacy. Each ingredient is carefully included in child-safe concentrations, ensuring that Y Play Z products are as gentle as they are effective, offering kids the best start in personal care.
How does Y Play Z address the unique skincare challenges faced by children and teenagers, and what sets your products apart from existing solutions?
Children and teenagers have distinct skin care needs due to their developing skin microbiome and varying concerns like dryness, eczema, acne, and sensitivity. At Y Play Z, we bridge the gap between playful skincare and safe, targeted self-care solutions to empower and protect young skin. Our products are carefully crafted to provide gentle, age-appropriate care, addressing specific needs like an all-over soothing and restorative balm for kids with extremely dry & sensitive skin or aluminum & baking soda-free deo sticks for teens. We also focus on dual-purpose formulations that encourage minimalistic hygiene routines. By making self-care fun and relatable, we encourage kids and teens to develop healthy hygiene habits and grow their confidence. Each product is designed with safety in mind, tailored to different age groups, so they can enjoy skincare that truly understands and supports their unique journey.
Can you discuss the importance of safe and gentle ingredients in children's skincare products, and how Y Play Z ensures the highest standards of safety and quality?
Children’s skin requires products that are both effective and non-irritating. At Y Play Z, we carefully select ingredients that deliver results without compromising safety. Every formulation is free from parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and other harmful additives. Our products are rigorously tested for sensitive skin, ensuring they meet dermatological standards. We collaborate with experts and incorporate feedback from parents and children to refine our offerings. By emphasizing transparency and maintaining stringent quality checks, we provide parents with peace of mind, knowing their children’s skincare is in trusted hands.
How does Y Play Z's product line cater to the distinct needs of different age groups, from 4-10 to 11-18, and what considerations guide your product development process?
The skincare needs of a playful 4-year-old differ significantly from those of a self-aware teenager. For younger children, our products are designed to soothe and protect their sensitive skin, addressing concerns like dryness and mild rashes. For teens, we concentrate on managing hormonal changes that lead to acne, dandruff, and oiliness. Our development process involves understanding these evolving needs and creating formulations that are effective, gentle, and easy to use. From packaging to functionality, every aspect is designed to resonate with each age group while ensuring parents feel confident in their choices.
As a woman entrepreneur, what challenges did you face while establishing Y Play Z in India, and how did you overcome them?
Starting Y Play Z in India was both exciting and incredibly challenging. The journey was a mix of navigating complex regulations and learning the local market dynamics, which were so different from what I was used to abroad. It took a mindset shift to adapt to new work culture and build relationships with local partners I could trust.
As brand building has been one of my passions, one of the hardest parts was learning to let go and delegate responsibilities to others—trusting their expertise allowed me to stay focused on my long-term vision for Y Play Z. Along the way, every obstacle is proving to become a lesson &, every setback a stepping stone. Staying resilient and keeping my goals clear, I have realised is my mantra to grow, both as a person and as an entrepreneur.
What vision do you have for Y Play Z's future growth and expansion, and how do you plan to continue promoting healthy skincare habits and self-care practices among children and teenagers?
Looking ahead, I envision Y Play Z creating a lasting impact by making self-care accessible, safe, and genuinely fun for children and teens. Our goal is to empower young skin through age-appropriate routines that instill confidence and a strong sense of self without losing any of their spark or joy. By working with like-minded individuals who share our vision, we are committed to educating kids on self-care that truly meets their needs—not just social media-driven trends. We aim to bridge the gap between playful skincare and safe, targeted solutions that resonate with young consumers while prioritizing their health and well-being. Y Play Z will continue developing targeted solutions in skincare, haircare, and hygiene products crafted specifically for different age groups, guiding kids toward lifelong healthy habits. In doing so, we aspire to build a world where children and teens feel fully themselves, supported by self-care routines that celebrate their individuality.