From left to right: Chaitali Davangeri, Dr.Renuka Thergaonkar, Dr Rama Srivastava, Creezy Courtoy and Pradeep Mapalagama
By Creezy Courtoy, IPF Founder and Chair
India, a land of ancient history and boundless cultural heritage, has become a vital player in shaping the global beauty and wellness industry’s future.
At the recent Cosmetic Ingredients Expo in Chennai, I had the opportunity to shed light on how the world is looking to India for inspiration while confirming the rising consumer demand for vegan and natural products.
India’s beauty industry is currently experiencing a transformative moment, one that mirrors global trends. Today, consumers are demanding ingredient transparency, clean beauty, and ethically-sourced products—and regulators are stepping up to ensure those expectations are met.
At the recent Cosmetic Ingredients Expo in Chennai, I had the opportunity to shed light on how the world is looking to India for inspiration while confirming the rising consumer demand for vegan and natural products.
India’s beauty industry is currently experiencing a transformative moment, one that mirrors global trends. Today, consumers are demanding ingredient transparency, clean beauty, and ethically-sourced products—and regulators are stepping up to ensure those expectations are met.
Fragrance in the Ancient World: A Timeless Story
Fragrance and wellness have always been intricately intertwined, dating back to the dawn of civilization. Across centuries and continents, scents were revered for their spiritual and therapeutic uses:
- Ancient Egypt: “Those who breathe the scent of flowers, breathe the soul of flowers.”
- South America: Indigenous healers, or “perfumero,” used scents as medicine.
- China: The character for “fragrance” is the same as for “medicine.”
- India: The Vedas contain vast knowledge of healing recipes through the use of perfumes. With its rich perfumery tradition steeped in Ayurveda, India stands poised to lead the global future of natural fragrances.
Nature and Flowers in India are part of the daily live, from flowers you can buy in the streets for the pleasure of the eyes or for religious purpose to the vast flower fields in the country side, flowers are everywhere. India is definitely a land of perfume.
Fragrance and wellness have always been intricately intertwined, dating back to the dawn of civilization. Across centuries and continents, scents were revered for their spiritual and therapeutic uses:
- Ancient Egypt: “Those who breathe the scent of flowers, breathe the soul of flowers.”
- South America: Indigenous healers, or “perfumero,” used scents as medicine.
- China: The character for “fragrance” is the same as for “medicine.”
- India: The Vedas contain vast knowledge of healing recipes through the use of perfumes. With its rich perfumery tradition steeped in Ayurveda, India stands poised to lead the global future of natural fragrances.
Nature and Flowers in India are part of the daily live, from flowers you can buy in the streets for the pleasure of the eyes or for religious purpose to the vast flower fields in the country side, flowers are everywhere. India is definitely a land of perfume.
The Future of Beauty: Reconnection with Nature
Today’s consumers are undergoing a profound shift in their lifestyles. They are prioritizing health and wellbeing over luxury and seeking products that reflect their values. The global beauty market is evolving rapidly, and the demand for natural, vegan, and sustainable products has never been higher. Here’s what today’s consumers care about most:
- Natural and Vegan Products: Free from animal-derived ingredients.
- Sustainability: Ethical sourcing and environmentally conscious packaging.
- No GMOs or Synthetics: A closer relationship with nature through unaltered, organic products.
- Holistic Wellness: Aromatherapy, aromachology, and perfumotherapy are no longer niche—they're necessities.
India is perfectly positioned to tap into this tremendous consumer demand. Being one of the largest producers of raw materials for perfumery, India plays an essential role in the heart of this global supply chain.
Why India Holds the Key
As the world embraces natural and vegan fragrances, India’s wealth of resources gives it a head start. For example:
- Major natural raw materials such as vetiver, sandalwood, patchouli, jasmine, rose, tuberose and other essential oils originate here.
- Ayurveda—India’s ancient system of health and wellness—aligns seamlessly with modern demands for ethical, herb-based beauty products.
- The millennia-old traditions of yoga, aromatherapy, and holistic wellness firmly anchor India’s place as the epicenter of sustainable innovation.
Moreover, this shift represents a massive opportunity. International markets like the *United States, Australia, and China are showing incredible interest in natural perfume ingredients. Eliminating unnecessary intermediaries could enable manufacturers to directly access these high-demand markets.
Challenges, however, remain. Supply chain knowledge gaps and market linkages must be strengthened to fully capitalize on the global appetite for Indian excellence.
Today’s consumers are undergoing a profound shift in their lifestyles. They are prioritizing health and wellbeing over luxury and seeking products that reflect their values. The global beauty market is evolving rapidly, and the demand for natural, vegan, and sustainable products has never been higher. Here’s what today’s consumers care about most:
- Natural and Vegan Products: Free from animal-derived ingredients.
- Sustainability: Ethical sourcing and environmentally conscious packaging.
- No GMOs or Synthetics: A closer relationship with nature through unaltered, organic products.
- Holistic Wellness: Aromatherapy, aromachology, and perfumotherapy are no longer niche—they're necessities.
India is perfectly positioned to tap into this tremendous consumer demand. Being one of the largest producers of raw materials for perfumery, India plays an essential role in the heart of this global supply chain.
Why India Holds the Key
As the world embraces natural and vegan fragrances, India’s wealth of resources gives it a head start. For example:
- Major natural raw materials such as vetiver, sandalwood, patchouli, jasmine, rose, tuberose and other essential oils originate here.
- Ayurveda—India’s ancient system of health and wellness—aligns seamlessly with modern demands for ethical, herb-based beauty products.
- The millennia-old traditions of yoga, aromatherapy, and holistic wellness firmly anchor India’s place as the epicenter of sustainable innovation.
Moreover, this shift represents a massive opportunity. International markets like the *United States, Australia, and China are showing incredible interest in natural perfume ingredients. Eliminating unnecessary intermediaries could enable manufacturers to directly access these high-demand markets.
Challenges, however, remain. Supply chain knowledge gaps and market linkages must be strengthened to fully capitalize on the global appetite for Indian excellence.
LA Laura Paris in the Jasmine field - Photo: Blustream
A Youth-Driven Revolution
India’s young population—nearly 70% under the age of 35—is fuelling this transformation. This generation is increasingly conscious of their health, wellness, and appearance. They’re vocal about their desire for innovative products that blend tradition with modernity.
Looking ahead, the numbers reflect immense potential:
- India’s fragrance market, valued at $3 billion (USD) in 2024, is projected to grow to $3.9 billion by 2033.
- By rekindling its heritage and blending it with modern-day innovations, the rise of Indian natural perfumers is a certainty!
Trust in the Future: Combining Heritage and Innovation
India’s perfumery story is one of pride, legacy, and opportunity. With 5,000 years of history behind it, India’s evolution lies in reclaiming its heritage and reshaping it for today’s conscientious consumers. Through the revival of Ayurveda, aromatherapy, and yoga-inspired wellness, India can carve out a leadership position in the global perfume industry.
The journey may not always be easy, but the opportunity is enormous. For the Indian beauty and fragrance industry, the future is natural, sustainable, and vegan. The time to act is now! 🌿
Let’s reimagine the beauty industry together—with India leading the way, bringing back ancestral knowledge, wellness and spirituality.
India’s young population—nearly 70% under the age of 35—is fuelling this transformation. This generation is increasingly conscious of their health, wellness, and appearance. They’re vocal about their desire for innovative products that blend tradition with modernity.
Looking ahead, the numbers reflect immense potential:
- India’s fragrance market, valued at $3 billion (USD) in 2024, is projected to grow to $3.9 billion by 2033.
- By rekindling its heritage and blending it with modern-day innovations, the rise of Indian natural perfumers is a certainty!
Trust in the Future: Combining Heritage and Innovation
India’s perfumery story is one of pride, legacy, and opportunity. With 5,000 years of history behind it, India’s evolution lies in reclaiming its heritage and reshaping it for today’s conscientious consumers. Through the revival of Ayurveda, aromatherapy, and yoga-inspired wellness, India can carve out a leadership position in the global perfume industry.
The journey may not always be easy, but the opportunity is enormous. For the Indian beauty and fragrance industry, the future is natural, sustainable, and vegan. The time to act is now! 🌿
Let’s reimagine the beauty industry together—with India leading the way, bringing back ancestral knowledge, wellness and spirituality.
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