India is a land of ancient traditions and rich culture, which are intensely reflected in the way of life of the Indian population, including also in the field of cosmetology. The origins of Indian cosmetics are directly linked to the emergence of Ayurveda, considered one of the oldest healing approaches. It is a well-known fact that the use of cosmetics in the history of India was not only aimed at ensuring an attractive appearance but also at achieving good health and thus prolonging life, which is the essence of Ayurveda. Even then, various cosmetic products for skin and hair care and hair removal were in use, and decorative cosmetics were also highly developed. Today, due to the increasing awareness of the harmful effects of UV-radiation and the use of chemical products among the population of India, the Indian market is dominated primarily by skincare and sun protection products, as well as herbal or Ayurvedic products. In India, cosmetic products are regulated under the provisions of Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 and Cosmetic Products Rules 2020.
In the thesis, we explored the availability of cosmetic products from Indian brands in the Slovenian market and examined their characteristics in detail. On websites, we selected 40 cosmetic products intended for skin and hair care and divided them into five different categories. Among all the selected cosmetic products, the most common were oil and water solutions and shampoos, which are a subgroup of liquid cosmetic products.The effects or actions of the studied products were mostly moisturizing, cleansing, antimicrobial, and astringent. In reviewing the composition of the cosmetic products, we unsurprisingly found typical Indian ingredients, among which amla extract, neem extract, bhringraj extract and brahmi extract predominated. Since one of the decisive factors for purchasing a product is its price, we also focused on the price range of the selected products and found that lower-priced products predominated. In addition, we also reviewed the labeling and advertising. The claims most frequently mentioned regarding cosmetic products pertained to their functionality, ingredients, and sensory claimes. The most common claims we encountered were: "vegan," "cruelty-free," "dermatologically tested," and "hypoallergenic."
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