Start with one skin problem
Skincare is crowded, so a clear niche matters more than a big range. Pick one group and one need. Think a light sunscreen for oily skin, or a rich body butter for dry winters in the north. A narrow brief tells you what to make, who to show it to and what to charge. Start with two or three products, not twenty. Read the reviews of big brands in your niche, too. The complaints buyers repeat there are the gaps your first product can fill.
The rules that apply
In India, most skincare products are cosmetics under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. A cosmetic is something applied to the body for cleansing, beautifying or changing how you look. CDSCO, the central regulator, says State Licensing Authorities license the making of cosmetics. Imports are registered with CDSCO instead. Under the Cosmetics Rules, 2020, no one may sell a cosmetic made in India unless a licensed maker made it.
Two ways to work with a manufacturer
| Point | Their licence, your brand | Your loan licence |
|---|---|---|
| Licence held by | The manufacturer, for its own site | You, for making at their site |
| Granted by | The State Licensing Authority, to the maker | The State Licensing Authority, to you |
| Form to apply | Already done by the maker | Form COS-6, granted in Form COS-9 |
| Time to start | Once the formula and pack are ready | The authority must decide within 45 days |
What your label must show
The Cosmetics Rules, 2020 set out what goes on the pack. The label needs the product name and the maker's name and full address. If a contract maker produces it, name that actual maker. Add a batch number, the manufacturing licence number and an expiry or use-before date. The outer label also needs the net contents. List the ingredients under the word INGREDIENTS, with those above one percent first. Very small packs get a few exemptions.
Claims and new ingredients
The rules say no cosmetic may make a claim that is false or misleading. So say what the product does, and keep proof for each claim. Words like heals or treats sound like medicine, so check them with an expert first. A new cosmetic is one with a novel ingredient not yet recognised for cosmetic use. It needs prior permission from the central authority before any licence is granted.
Your first batch
Keep the first run small, even if the unit price is higher. Ask for samples, try them on a few people for a few weeks, and note any reaction. Agree the formula, fragrance and packaging in writing. Check that the maker's licence covers your kind of product. Then cost each unit fully - the formula, bottle, label, box, shipping and ads. Which licence route fits you is worth confirming with your maker and your State Licensing Authority.
Launch where you own the customer
Skincare sells on trust, and trust grows with repeat orders. Show real results, full ingredients and clear usage steps on every product page. Tell buyers to patch test first, and answer skin-type questions quickly. On The Storemate you can build those pages with the page builder and take UPI, cards and COD at checkout. Launch with a small range, listen to buyers and grow from what they reorder.