NEW DELHI – The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), India's primary drug regulator, has issued a public notice warning consumers, aesthetic clinics, and manufacturers against the use of injectable cosmetic products. The notice, released on May 18, clarifies that any product administered via injection cannot be classified as a cosmetic under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
According to the CDSCO, cosmetic products are strictly defined as substances intended for external application – to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled, or sprayed on the human body for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering appearance. Therefore, no cosmetic is permitted for use as an injection by consumers, professionals, or aesthetic clinics.
Crackdown Amid Booming Aesthetics Market
This regulatory intervention comes at a time when India’s cosmetic dermatology and aesthetic treatment market is experiencing rapid expansion. Driven by factors such as increasing disposable incomes, social media influence, and a growing demand for anti-ageing and skin-enhancement procedures, the market was valued at approximately $1.6 billion (nearly ₹13,000 crores) in 2024, with projections for double-digit growth in the coming years. Injectables, including botulinum toxin and dermal fillers, represent some of the fastest-growing segments within this market.
Many of these products, such as skin-brightening injections, anti-ageing injectables, and dermal fillers, are widely marketed online and through aesthetic clinics as cosmetic or beauty-enhancement solutions.
Warning Against Misleading Claims and Violations
Beyond the injectable issue, the CDSCO also cautioned companies against making false or misleading claims on cosmetic labels and in advertisements. The regulator emphasized that cosmetics cannot claim to treat medical conditions and must not be promoted in a manner that misleads consumers.
The notice also referenced the Bureau of Indian Standards' list of ingredients generally not recognized as safe (GNRAS) and restricted ingredients. Any violations, including the use of prohibited ingredients, misleading labelling, marketing cosmetics for treatment purposes, or administering them via injections, will attract penalties under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Cosmetics Rules, 2020. The CDSCO has urged consumers and stakeholders to report any such violations to the regulator or state licensing authorities.