Cosmetics

Cosmetics — skin creams, hair dyes, makeup, fairness products, kajal, henna, perfumes — are widely used in India. Most are safe. A significant minority are contaminated with mercury, lead, steroids, or undeclared drugs, especially in the skin-lightening and hair-colouring categories. Safer choices and a few warning signs can prevent a lot of avoidable harm.

Genuine concerns in the Indian market

• Fairness / skin-lightening creams — repeatedly found to contain mercury, high-potency clobetasol, or unlabelled hydroquinone. Cause thinning skin, dependency, melasma, acne, kidney damage. See Skin Pigmentation Disorders and Tanning.
• Unregulated "herbal" hair dyes may contain para-phenylenediamine (PPD) at high concentrations — severe allergic reactions and chemical burns.
• Kajal — some traditional preparations contain lead, dangerous around the eyes, especially in children.
• Sindoor — some imported/unbranded sindoors have shown lead contamination.
• "Ayurvedic" skin creams — may contain undisclosed steroids; sold as "natural" but causing steroid dependency.
• Unregulated hair-growth oils — some contain hidden minoxidil or steroids.
• Homemade/black mehendi with PPD — causes severe contact dermatitis; avoid in children.

Safer practice

• Buy from established brands with BIS/FSSAI (for cosmetics containing food-grade) or CDSCO registration visible.
• Avoid any cream that promises dramatic lightening, instant wrinkle removal, or "results in 7 days".
• Patch-test a new product — behind the ear or inner arm — for 24–48 hours before full use.
• Store cosmetics away from heat; discard past expiry date.
• Don't share eye makeup — conjunctivitis risk.
• Remove makeup before bed; clean brushes weekly.

Common reactions

• Irritant contact dermatitis — dry, red, itchy area where the product was applied.
• Allergic contact dermatitis — same, but often delayed 1–3 days; common with nickel, fragrances, PPD, preservatives.
• Acne-like eruption after new foundation/moisturiser.
• Photosensitivity — rash in areas exposed to sun after applying perfume or certain oils.

See a doctor

• Persistent burning, redness, or thinned skin after cosmetic use — especially fairness creams.
• Severe scalp swelling, blistering, oozing after hair dye.
• Eyelid swelling, conjunctivitis after makeup.
• A cosmetic you cannot stop using without rebound (steroid dependency).