Half of cosmetics sold in India are ‘fake or spurious’

Any of these products are either fake or spurious and contain ingredients that can harm the skin, or are simply well over their expiry date, Dr. Samuel Mansuri is the founder of an ayurvedic line of cosmetics called Ocean Miracle.

Research conducted across India with team of experts​

Mansuri claims that he conducted his research using a team of doctors that included the former principal of the Govt Akhandanand Ayurveyda College and Hospital, as well as Dr. G K Mansuri, who is also a member of the Indian government body CCIM.

The team conducted an in-depth survey and study of cosmetic and beauty products available in stores across India, purchasing all of the products over the counter and without prescription.

The survey was conducted over a period of two months and during this time approximately 500 products were assessed by the team of doctors and experts, at research laboratories in Ahemedabad and Mumbai.

Fake, out-of-date and sold without licenses​

As well as fake and out-of-date cosmetics, the results also found that many products are sold without mandatory Government of India manufacturing licenses, while 65 of products surveyed were found to have potentially harmful ingredients, including synthetically produced elements.

The study also assessed products being sold by FMCG giants with Ayurvedic claims and found that many of the plant-based ingredients were grown artificially and not organically.

Likewise, pesticide residues in such products were found, underlining the fact that most Ayurveda products sold in India are not tested for such pollutants.

Off the back of the research, Dr. Mansuri is promoting a social media campaign called ‘Save Our Skin’, which highlights the results of the study and underlining the flaws in Indian cosmetic regulatory practices.