The beauty industry is vast and diverse comprising products as well as services. Makeup and cosmetic products have been in use since ancient times and their roots trace back to the Egyptian, Greek as well as Roman eras with shreds of evidence present in their paintings and deities with depictions of the use of dark eyeliners. As per the BLS statistics on the industry of cosmetic services in the US, the industry alone holds an employment rate of over 670,000 individuals across the country, moreover,  the rate of employment expansion is anticipated to be “higher than average” at a pace of 13%. (2016-2026). According to a report, its market value was $532.43 billion in 2017 and is projected to grow to $805.61 billion by 2023.

According to Euromonitor International, L’Oreal SA continues to dominate the worldwide makeup and cosmetics business with a 16.8% market share and overall sales of almost $4 billion in 2000. The cosmetics business needs to constantly evolve to satisfy the expanding current customer demand since the varied expectations and preferences that customers have are constantly changing. Throughout this regard, India has updated its regulatory framework to make sure that all customers enjoy the safe use of the cosmetics that are put on the market.

Regulation of the Cosmetic and Makeup Industry in India

In accordance with the requirements of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940, India published and put into effect the “Cosmetic Rules 2020” in December 2020. It establishes rules for the manufacturing, distribution, sale, testing, labeling, and registration of cosmetics. There are 72 regulations, 13 schedules, and 24 appendices in the rules. According to the “Classification of Cosmetic Raw Materials and Adjuncts” published by the Bureau of India Standards, several conditions must be completed before ingredients may be used in cosmetic and makeup goods (BIS). Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) and Generally Not Recognized As Safe (GNRA) are the two classifications for ingredients (GNRAS). A public health hazard could not be prevented in the past since there was no dependable methodology or regulation in place to guarantee the safety of the components used in such formulations. 

In recent years, nations like India and the United States have introduced a number of standards and laws that guarantee extensive document examination and inspection of cosmetic and makeup items’ contents. Apart from fixing private players’ responsibility, this technique would secure the safety of the public’s health. There are still certain loopholes and inadequacies that can be addressed to streamline the process and make it more trustworthy and dependable, but this requires further research into the matter and analysis of the many rules and regulations that are applied across the world.

Cosmetic and Makeup Regulations in the US and India: A Comparison

Beauty products are governed by a number of regulatory agencies all over the world, each with its own set of laws dictating its own rules and regulations. According to the Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940 and Regulations 1945 in India, Cosmetic means any article intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled or sprayed on, or introduced into, or otherwise applied to the human body or any part thereof for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance, and includes any article intended for use as a component of cosmetic.

Unlike the United States, where cosmetics are defined as “articles intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled, or sprayed on, introduced into, or otherwise applied to the human body or any part thereof for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance, and articles intended for use as a component of any such articles; except that such term shall not include soap”. Pre-market approval is not necessary for the USA for beauty products, and businesses are not obliged to register their cosmetic production facilities or disclose information about their products. Nonetheless, the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Voluntary Cosmetic Registration Program permits cosmetics producers and retailers to voluntarily provide data about their goods (VCRP).

The ugly business of the Cosmetic and Makeup Industry

The primary issue facing the beauty industry in India has been the predation on the weaknesses of the mine workers who work for the top cosmetic and makeup companies. From lip gloss to eye shadow, mica is a mineral that adds shimmer to a variety of items. The dangerous commerce that even involves children is concealed from view by customers. Moreover, they have worse fortune than most others. They are a component of India’s Adivasis, a 100 million-strong group of indigenous people who are marginalized by society and receive little assistance from the government in the domains of food, health, and education.

Another significant problem that isn’t being addressed is the fact that many of us are ignorant of the synthetic chemicals we apply to our skin while using personal care products. However, not all ingredients are pure, particularly in the mass-produced brands we may purchase in supermarkets. Some are slowly damaging our bodies, speeding up the aging process, and worst of all, putting our health in peril. By employing subpar, synthetic substances that falsely advertise themselves as “natural,” “pure,” and most worrisomely, “safe,” these dangerous cosmetic products try to mimic Mother Nature. Also, sustained exposure to high beauty standards has been associated with mental health issues such as body dysmorphia, social anxiety, poor self-esteem, psychological stress, eating disorders, and much more.

A lack of regulation may be the root cause of many of the problems affecting the beauty business, notably in the United States. The exception is dyes, “the law does not require FDA approval of cosmetic items and substances”. In the EU, only under specific circumstances, such as when used as coloring agents or UV preservatives, are all harmful substances permitted. All cosmetic products must be made in accordance with the harmonized standards specified in GMP, which is defined in the Official Journal of the European Union. GMP ensures that all beauty products were indeed produced in a sterile environment and are not polluted during the manufacturing process, as required by the EU Cosmetics Regulation.

Bringing a Difference

In commercials for goods supplied in beauty supply shops, fashion magazines, or on social media platforms, realistic images of beauty are seldom emphasized. Clean, wrinkle-free skin without even a hint of imperfection is the benchmark for beauty when it comes to professional photoshoots and editing. Be cautious of the methods used to deceive us into thinking something is secure merely because it bears a certain label since goods marked “natural,” “pure,” “organic,” or “additive-free” may nevertheless include a vast number of chemicals.

Being vigilant for companies that are open and transparent about the components of their products and who genuinely care about ensuring that their customers have a safe and enjoyable purchasing experience. On this list of companies that “greenwash” their products, it might prove beneficial to begin. Consumers have the option of selecting cosmetics that are manufactured entirely of natural components and from environmentally aware beauty businesses. Such brands must be picked that offer sustainability efforts like eco refill programs, minimum packaging, biodegradable wrapping, etc., and employ sustainable cosmetic chemicals.

Conclusion

Nonetheless, the beauty sector has experienced explosive growth in recent years, a development that many attributes to a larger generational trend of a focus on physical well-being. It is frequently stated that millennials are the primary forces behind the beauty industry’s explosive expansion. Nonetheless, the strict laws governing cosmetics in every nation or jurisdiction share a similar objective: to safeguard the customer by assuring secure raw materials and finished goods. Also, it is essential to strengthen India’s laws governing safety information and cosmetics control requirements. As the primary goal of this article is to highlight the differences in cosmetic standards throughout nations, there is a requirement to unify the laws governing matters of safety, stability, and labeling. 

The degradation brought on by human activity has been the main factor contributing to the increasing worldwide contamination of our environment throughout time. This trend can only be reversed through international cooperation or on a global scale, where local initiatives play a significant role similar to the individual level because we are all responsible for protecting the environment, from avoiding littering in the forest to collecting only certain cosmetics. Several major multinational cosmetics companies, including L’Oreal, P&G, Estee Lauder, and others, have begun to take the “green” route. By setting an example for the smaller ones, they are dedicated to employing natural and organic resources, production techniques, and technological advancements on the global market.