India insights: L’Oréal, Shiseido, HUL on trends and developments in India’s beauty market

India, SEA will drive growth amid China’s slow recovery – L’Oréal​

L’Oréal is turning to emerging markets such as India and South East Asia to drive growth in the wake of China’s slow market recovery.

The L’Oréal Group announced that sales in the South Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa region (SAPMENA) achieved outstanding growth of 15.6%.

According to the firm, all countries in the region reported double-digit like-for-like growth. The Australia-New Zealand cluster, India, and Thailand were the region’s top three contributors.

Korea’s Dear Dahlia accelerates European expansion ahead of India debut​

South Korean vegan beauty brand Dear Dahlia is accelerating its expansion in Europe in Italy, Poland, and the Netherlands, ahead of its forthcoming debut in India.

The company, owned by Baram International, will also expand its presence in India this year after launching through Sephora India in 2021.

The brand will soon be available through fashion and beauty retailer Nykaa, as well as Tira which is owned by India’s Reliance Retail.

Shiseido India: ‘Seismic shift’ towards skin care and self-care represents significant opportunities​

Shiseido is aiming to harness interest in skin care and self-care as a gateway to substantial growth opportunities in India’s beauty market.

The Japanese company first entered the Indian market in 2001. Since then, it has observed a significant transformation in India's beauty market.

“The Indian market has seen a seismic shift in consumers’ understanding and uptake of beauty brands and products in the last few years. There is a growing base of savvy consumers who are well versed with global beauty brands, trends, and skin care ingredients,” said Nicolas Baudonnet, vice president, cosmetics and fragrances, Shiseido.

Lotus Herbals sees ‘substantial potential’ in India’s derma beauty market​

India’s Lotus Herbals has debuted a new professional skin care range to tap into the potential of the local derma beauty market.

The Lotus Professional’s DermaSAGE 360° Skin Renewal range is the first new launch since the COVID-19 pandemic and developed as a “derma-grade salon alternative” to consumers.

The company had directed substantial resources toward research and development (R&D) to “to address immediate challenges and pioneer future product innovations.”​

This product addresses acne-prone skin with a holistic approach, creating a protective barrier that acts as a shield against daily environmental stressors while reflecting impurities. It combines protective and beautifying qualities in one holistic solution.

Botnal sets foot in physical retail amid rising demand for functional skin care​

India-based cosmetics brand Botnal is making its debut in brick-and-mortar stores via a partnership with a local pharmacy retail chain, following the recent launch of its functional skin care range.

Botnal is now ready to venture into the physical retail sector, said the brand’s founder and CEO, Hemangi Dhir.  

It is partnering with Tata 1mg to stock at 20 of the latter’s retail stores in New Delhi by end October. The pilot launch will run for six months.