Behind MamaEarth’s rise: Varun Alagh’s story

Credit: Varun Alagh at Instagram

Entrepreneur Varun Alagh’s Journey from a Business trainee to the founder of a multi-billion dollar company is a testament to his determination, vision, and entrepreneurial spirit.

Varun Alagh is an Indian entrepreneur. He is known for being the co-founder of one of India’s first toxin-free cosmetics, Mamaearth. One of the successful Indian entrepreneurs, Varun, achieved great success at a young age. Meanwhile, scroll down to learn more about his entrepreneurial and personal life.

Birth, Early Career, and Education

Born in 1984 (age 41 years; as of 2025) in Gurgaon, Haryana, Varun Alagh’s father is the owner of a printing factory while his mother works for the Bank of Baroda. Although we do not have any information about Varun’s siblings.

Soon after completing his higher secondary education in Gurgaon, he pursued a Bachelor of Engineering (2001-05) at Delhi College of Engineering. Later, after completing his undergraduate degree, he pursued a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management at XLRI Jamshedpur (2005–07).

Career

Initial Work: Hindustan Unilever & More

Subsequent to his post-graduate diploma, Varun Alagh started working as a business leadership trainee at Hindustan Unilever Limited (2007).
A year later, in 2008, he worked in the role of Area Sales Manager in Delhi, NCR, for Hindustan UL.
In 2010, he was promoted to the position of Area Sales & Customer Manager in Delhi, where he worked for 9 months.
Meanwhile, in 2011, he was appointed Regional Brand Manager of Innovations-South Asia.
Later, in 2012, after resigning from Hindustan Unilever Limited, he joined Smirnoff as their senior brand manager. He worked there for a year.
Subsequently, after Smirnoff, Varun joined Coca-Cola as its brand manager. Meanwhile, in 2016, he was promoted to the position of Senior Brand Manager.

The Foundation of MamaEarth

Following his son’s birth, Agasthya, the couple, Varun Alakhand Ghazal Alagh, came to know that their new-born child was suffering from a skin disease, Eczema. Owing to Agasthya’s sensitivity to toxins, Varun and Ghazal frequently asked their travelling relatives and friends to bring back non-toxic skincare products from abroad.
However, this process troubled Varun so much that he eventually started making skincare products at home. Hence, later this journey turned into entrepreneurship, and together the couple founded Honasa Consumer Pvt. Limited (MamaEarth).
In the financial year 2017, the company earned a revenue of INR 22.19 lakhs. Meanwhile, in the next two financial years, MamaEarth reached revenue of INR 112 Crore and INR 500 Crores respectively.

Other Work

Following their success in skincare products, Varun Alagh and Ghazal Alagh launched another brand, The Derma Co. under his company Honasa Consumer Pvt. Limited. Meanwhile, the Derma Co. deals with skin and hair care products.
In 2021, they launched their third brand Aqualogica under Honasa Consumer Pvt. Limited.

The Power Couple: Varun Alagh and Ghazal Alagh

Besides his entrepreneurial ventures, Varun often makes headlines for his marriage with another business personality, Ghazal Alagh. Meanwhile, the couple were childhood sweethearts and neighbours. Formerly, Ghazal and her aunt used to reside near Varun’s home.

Hence, after years of dating, the couple tied the knot in 2011. Meanwhile, the famous couple, Varun and Ghazal Alagh, have two children, Agasthya Alagh and Aayan Alagh.

Credit: Varun Alagh at Instagram

What is the net worth of Varun Alagh?

Varun’s company, MamaEarth has an estimated net worth of 250 Crores, whereas the company values INR 6000 Crores. Besides, Varun Alagh has an updated net worth of INR 120 Crores.

Do You Know These Lesser Known Facts About Varun Alagh?

Varun’s wife, Ghazal Alagh was eight months pregnant when she became one of the judges at the Shark Tanks India Season One.
In his leisure time, he likes travelling and playing sports.
He follows a non-vegetarian diet.
Varun’s Instagram handle has more than 33.9K followers on Instagram. Besides his Instagram, there are many features of his adorable family.
A few years ago, Varun Alagh underwent a hair transplant. Soon after, Varun’s hair transplant was talked about on social media. While some users trolled him, others congratulated him for getting his hair back.
Varun Alagh consumes alcohol.