Can Your Best-Selling Skincare Be Legally Sold in India?

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• India is booming in beauty. But it comes with baggage
• The Roadblocks Most Brands Don't See Coming
• India Isn’t the Only Challenge, APAC Has Its Own Compliance Puzzle
• What Does “Legally Sold” Actually Mean in India?
• Final Word: The Market is Ready. Are You?

India is booming in beauty. But it comes with baggage

The Indian personal care and cosmetics market is projected to cross $30 billion by 2027, making it one of the fastest-growing global markets for beauty brands. Yet behind this growth lies a complex web of regulatory frameworks, often overlooked by even the most seasoned exporters.
Your formulation may already be a best-seller in Europe, the U.S., or South Korea, praised for its performance and innovation. But what works in one region doesn’t automatically translate to another.

Especially not in India, where the definition of a “cosmetic” is narrower, claims are tightly regulated, and your most-loved ingredient may raise red flags. So before you expand, ask yourself: Can your best-selling skincare survive India’s compliance test?

The Roadblocks Most Brands Don't See Coming

Global recognition doesn’t guarantee Indian market access. Here’s why:

Label Claim Restrictions:

• India does not allow therapeutic or drug-like claims on cosmetics (e.g., "treats eczema", "stimulates stem cells").
• Claims like "DNA repair", common in longevity actives, may trigger reclassification by CDSCO.

CDSCO Classification Traps

• Even if a product is marketed as a cosmetic elsewhere, the CDSCO may classify it as a drug based on composition and claims.
• This can lead to added licensing requirements, testing protocols, and delays.

Legal Metrology Packaging Rules

• Every imported product must comply with India’s Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, which specify font sizes, labeling layout, net quantity format, and more.

No Local Importer/Agent

• Without an authorized Indian entity to act as a license holder, your CDSCO registration (Form 42) can’t proceed.
• Many brands mistakenly believe a distributor is enough—it’s not.

Documentation Bottlenecks

• COA, Free Sale Certificate, ingredient safety data, stability data—all must be dossier-ready before applying. If not, it will have issues being approved, for example:

One Korean skincare brand had a best-selling peptide serum that was a global favorite, praised for its “cell renewal therapy” and “DNA repair technology.”

But when they entered India, the product was rejected at customs for two reasons:

 – The claim was classified as therapeutic, triggering drug-level scrutiny

 – The importer lacked a valid CDSCO Form 42 license

That single misalignment delayed their launch by over 60 days, with thousands of units in storage.

India Isn’t the Only Challenge, APAC Has Its Own Compliance Puzzle

While India’s compliance stack is one of the toughest, similar hurdles exist across the APAC region, especially in:

• UAE & Saudi Arabia (Middle East)
  Ministry of Health (MOH) registration and SFDA approval with Arabic labeling norms
  
  
• Singapore & Malaysia
  HSA/NPRA requirements with strict ingredient disclosures and responsible person obligations
  
  
• Indonesia & Vietnam
  Language-specific labels, halal requirements, and local agent mandates
  
  

At NKG Advisory, we help personal care brands bridge these regional complexities. We operate across the APAC region, excluding Australia and New Zealand, guiding you through registration, dossier prep, and market-entry across regulatory ecosystems.

How NKG Simplifies Regulatory Entry into India and APAC

With over 5,000 brands served and more than 100,000 products registered, NKG isn’t just a regulatory advisor; we’re your partner in regional expansion.

We believe regulation shouldn’t be a barrier; it should be your launchpad.

What Does “Legally Sold” Actually Mean in India?

To legally sell a skincare product in India, you must ensure:

• ✅ It’s registered under CDSCO’s Form 42 process (for imports)
  
  
• ✅ A licensed Indian entity acts as your applicant/importer
  
  
• ✅ Your label meets Legal Metrology rules (font size, country of origin, MRP, etc.)
  
  
• ✅ Your claims do not imply therapeutic or drug-like effects
  
  
• ✅ You have a complete dossier including COA, FSC, stability data, and ingredient details

Final Word: The Market is Ready. Are You?

India and its neighboring APAC markets offer incredible potential for brands looking to scale. But scaling smart means getting your compliance right before you ship.

At NKG Advisory, we work alongside innovation-led skincare, haircare, and personal care companies to make their products not just desirable but legally deployable.

Let your best-seller become a best-seller in India too, with the right compliance game plan.

Want to be sure your label meets India or UAE compliance?

Share your product label and ingredient list — our experts will assess the risks and guide you forward. Explore how we can help at nkgabc.com or write to us at navraj@nkgabc.com

Interested in learning more about ingredient sourcing? Visit Covalo and start streamlining your product development today!

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Covalo.