Top 10 Made In India Cosmetic Brands

The best homegrown brands that keep belting out top-notch beauty products persistently

Reviewed by Simone de Vlaming, Beauty Expert
Written by Nisha Baghadia, MA (Mass Communication)
Edited by Shatabdi Bhattacharya, BSc
Fact-checked by Joyce Joyson, MA (Mass Communication & Journalism)  • 

The Indian cosmetic brands have significantly developed their product lines and improved quality in the last few years. Makeup and skincare are a daily necessity for men and women worldwide, and these brands are constantly updating their formulas to cater to every need.

The largest organ of the body, our skin, needs extra pampering to keep it soft and healthy. Leading Indian brands like Colorbar, Dove, Himalaya, Lakme, Nivea, Ponds, Biotique, Coloressence, Elle 18, L’Oreal, Paris, Lotus, VLCC, etc., produce popular skin care and makeup products that are preferred by thousands in the country. They offer a wide range of choices for different skin types and tones at affordable prices. These Indian brands have also received thousands of positive reviews from satisfied customers.

The Indian cosmetic industry boasts of a wide range of products. The following graph shows the exponential growth of its market size, from 3 billion dollars in 2010 to an expected 20 billion dollars by 2025.

Market Size Of The Cosmetics Industry Across India From 2010 To 2025

Source: Market size of the cosmetics industry across India from 2010 to 2025

However, it might be a daunting task to pick suitable products for your skin. But worry not, we are here to help. Swipe up to explore our list of the top 10 cosmetic brands in India and what they have to offer!

Top 10 Indian Cosmetic Brands

1. Lakme:

Lakme is the topmost brand in India, belonging to Unilever, started by Tata on the request of the first Indian Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. It’s the most preferred and widely used brand in this country and also loved by makeup artists. Lakme provides a wide range of products, maintaining quality and quantity. Their range begins from those affordably priced to the professional level range. Their range includes skin care products, makeup products, nail products etc. You can trust Lakme products as they are equivalent to products from international brands like Huda Beauty, Bobbi Brown, Estee Lauder, Clinique, Chambor, and Mary Kay.

protip_icon Fun Fact
The brand is named after the French opera “Lakmé,” which is a French rendition of the Sanskrit word “Lakshmi,” a name for the Hindu Goddess of wealth.

2. Coloressence:

Coloressence is a part of Nature’s Essence which was born in India itself. This is probably one of the top 3 cosmetic brands in India. Their range has many cosmetics for face, eyes, lips, etc. All of the products are of really good quality at an affordable price. Every Indian woman can easily go with this range for daily use.

3. VLCC:

VLCC cosmetics range consist of many skin care, hair care, body care, body firming and shaping, foot care products which are claimed to be herbal or ayurvedic and they suit all skin types. These products are of high quality and are comparable with international brands like Innisfree, The Body Shop, Oriflame, Avon, and Amway products.

4. Biotique:

Biotique is yet another Indian cosmetic industry which is very well known for its herbal or ayurvedic products. Their range covers skin care, hair care, body care, baby care products at affordable prices.

5. Shahnaz Husain:

The Shahnaz Husain group was started by Shahnaz Husain which is now one of the leading Indian cosmetic brands. Their wide range of products consist of skin care and hair care products with ayurvedic or herbal formulae and these are also known for their healing properties. The range also has a chic makeup range.

6. Himalaya Herbals:

Himalaya Herbals is also one of the top cosmetic brands in India that is well-known for its herbal products. Their wide range of products has almost everything from beauty to health care. The beauty range has skin and hair care products and also kajals in the makeup range.

7. Elle 18

Elle 18 is a popular brand among young girls – college girls and teens. Their products come at very affordable prices and are high quality products, offered in various funky colors that attract young girls a lot. Their range like color pops, color bombs have the funkiest colors ever. Their range includes nail colors, eye colors, lipsticks etc.

8. Viviana Colors:

Viviana Colors is yet another Indian cosmetics leading brand with wide range of skin care, hair care, and makeup roducts.

9. Forest Essentials:

Forest Essentials is a popular Indian Ayurvedic Beauty brand that offers a range of skin care and hair care products. All the products are made using age old Ayurvedic formulations and contain only pure essential oils, cold pressed vegetable oils and plant extracts.

protip_icon Trivia
Forest Essentials was founded by Mira Kulkarni in 2000 in New Delhi. The brand has over 80 stores in India and marked its presence in the UK.

10. Jovees:

Jovees is an Indian Herbal cosmetics company that is famous for its skin care and hair care product range. Some of the most well known products are Lip balms, Face Packs and Kajal.

Infographic: Top 5 Beauty Brands In India

The Indian cosmetic industry has something to offer to everyone, but it can be difficult to decide which brands to trust and invest in when there are so many options available. Listed below are the top 5 beauty brands in India to help you navigate through this exciting and vast world. Check out the infographic below to learn more.

top 5 beauty brands in india (infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Download Infographic in PDF version

It is essential to use cosmetics that are of Indian origin as the products suit the Indian skin, complexion, and texture better. Our compilation of Indian cosmetic brands will assist you in finding the right products. From Lakme and Biotique to Himalaya Herbals and Jovees, we have covered some of the best Indian brands of cosmetics for you. All you have to do is, pick the products depending on your skin requirements. Your task has been made easier, so go ahead and get started with your purchase!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Indian cosmetic brands cruelty-free?

Many Indian cosmetic brands such as Colorbar, Lotus Herbals, Sugar cosmetics, Iba Halal, Blue Heaven, MyGlamm, Nykaa cosmetics and Faces Canada are vegan-friendly and cruelty-free.

What are some unique and traditional ingredients used in Indian cosmetics?

India has a rich tradition of using natural ingredients in cosmetics. Some common ones include:
• Aloe vera: It is a popular ingredient in many Indian cosmetics due to its moisturizing and soothing properties.
• Neem: It is a tree native to India and is often used in cosmetics for its antibacterial properties.
• Sandalwood: It is a fragrant wood commonly used in cosmetics for its skin brightening and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Coconut oil: It is a staple in many Indian households and is often used in cosmetics for its moisturizing and conditioning properties.
• Saffron: It is a prized spice in India that is often used in cosmetics for its skin-brightening properties.

What is the quality of Indian cosmetic brands compared to international brands?

Indian cosmetic brands are slowly catching up to international brands, with their high-quality ingredients, affordability, availability, innovative techniques, and fast-paced global customer service.

Is the quality of Indian cosmetic brands consistent and reliable?

Yes, many Indian cosmetic brands have been in the market for decades and are trusted by people across the globe for their consistent results.

Are Indian cosmetic brands regulated and safe to use?

Indian cosmetic brands are regulated, inspected, and licensed by the State Drug Control Department. Hence, the approved products are safe to use.

What is the environmental impact of Indian cosmetic brands?

According to research, the wasteful plastic packaging used in the cosmetic industry has a largely negative impact on the environment.(1)

What are the best Indian beauty products for skin care?

There are many great Indian beauty products for skin care, but some popular ones include:
• Ayurvedic skin care products: Ayurveda is an ancient Indian holistic healing system that includes skin care. Some popular Ayurvedic skin care brands include Forest Essentials, Kama Ayurveda, and Just Herbs.
• Multani mitti (Fuller’s earth) face packs: Multani mitti is a natural clay that is commonly used in India for skin care. It helps absorb excess oil, exfoliate dead skin cells, and improve skin tone.

What are some affordable Indian cosmetic brands?

The list of top 5 cosmetic brands in India that are affordable include:
Lakme: Lakme is one of the most well-known cosmetic brands in India and offers a wide range of products at affordable prices.
Lakme: Lakme is one of the best cosmetic brands in India and offers a wide range of products at affordable prices.
Colorbar: Colorbar is a popular makeup brand in India that offers high-quality products at reasonable prices.
Himalaya Herbals: Himalaya Herbals is a natural beauty brand that offers affordable skin care and hair care products.
Biotique: Biotique’s is known for its herbal and skin-friendly ingredients. The brand has a wide range of skin, hair, and baby care products.

Key Takeaways

  • Indian cosmetic brands offer affordable options for professional range products that cater to a broad spectrum of consumers, and they are at par with international brands.
  • Many brands use herbal or ayurvedic formulae to make their products safe for all skin types.
  • Apart from a beauty range, they also offer a variety of products tailored to the Indian skin, hair, and body.


Discover the top 10 makeup brands in India! From drugstores to luxury, find out which Indian cosmetic brands are the best for your beauty needs.
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