According to Research and Markets, Indians have been traditionally inclined toward natural products for their beauty needs due to a vast history and knowledge of using natural products and during the last decade the herbal beauty care business has emerged as the new growth frontier for beauty business in India.
"While consumers in the rest of the world have to be educated about the benefits of natural herbs, this knowledge is well inherited in India from generations the market is expected to grow at a rapid pace over the coming decades."
The Indian skin care market is expected to grow at more than 10 per cent in the next five years and today boasts a plethora of herbal cosmetic brands like Forest Essentials, Biotique, Himalaya, Blossom Kochhar, VLCC, Dabur and Lotus and has years before it gets too crowded, according to the researcher.
"Ayurvedic manufacturers are investing in research and constantly coming up with new and innovative technology and products that are resulting in better and more effective ayurvedic cosmetics."
A greater focus on natural is resulting in companies feeling pressurized
As the market share of natural based products gradually increases, the analyst reports that companies are feeling pressurized to focus on sustainability and reduce their environmental footprints.
"On the supply side, companies are engaging in advanced research of plant-derived peptides, encapsulated actives, active plant stem cells, complex extraction processes and clinical testing to deliver products that are acceptable to the well-informed customers."
Ayurvedic trend also spreading to the West
The influence of the East is really starting to take hold on the Western markets and ayurvedic is amongst that trend as more consumers seek natural products.
“Consumers are more aware and better informed than ever before, they are becoming conscious of the ingredients that go into the products that they use and are averse to chemicals that are known to cause side effects.”
Ayurvedic Practitioner and Herbalist, Sebastian Pole and co-founder of UK skincare range Pukka Herbs recently told Cosmetics Design that Ayurvedic treatments and modern science are most suited to skincare formulations as they ultimately provide consumers with more choice.
"Consumers want more natural products and Pukka Herbs is part of that movement and the whole point of this trend is to follow the principles of organic farming - to make sure you put back into the land what you take out."