India's Booming Beauty Market Surpasses 31 Trillion Won and Is Set to Double by 2031

NEW DELHI, India — India's beauty and personal care market is growing rapidly and has emerged as a major global market, reaching 31 trillion won this year. It is expected to expand by an average of 12% a year and become the world's fourth-largest beauty and personal care market, worth 57 trillion won, by 2030.
According to a report released on the 31st by Aditya Birla Capital, India's beauty and personal care market is projected to nearly double from $23 billion (31.5997 trillion won) in 2026 to $42 billion (57.7038 trillion won) in 2031.
The outlook is supported by a broader consumer base and rising spending among younger generations. Active beauty and personal care consumers currently account for only about 15% of all internet users, but their number is expected to rise from 140 million in 2026 to 200 million in 2030. In particular, the share of market spending by Generation Z and Generation Alpha is expected to increase from about 32% in 2024 to about 50% in 2031.
The influence of the online market is also growing. Online sales are expected to rise from 25% in 2026 to 34% in 2031. The share of organized offline distribution is also projected to increase from 27% to 32% over the same period.
Quick commerce is expected to drive repeat purchases, while specialty platforms will lead product discovery and premium product sales. The spread of digital advertising, online marketplaces, and contract manufacturing is also making it easier for new beauty brands to enter the market.
The number of emerging brands with annual sales of more than 100 million rupees, or about 14.3 billion won, is expected to rise from 70 to 80 in 2026 to more than 150 in 2031. However, analysts say long-term corporate value will depend more on repeat purchase rates and profitability than on sales volume alone.
This market growth could also create new opportunities for Korean beauty and aesthetics companies. Aestema, a Korean pharmaceutical and beauty company, sees India as a promising but still underdeveloped market and is considering expansion there. Pablo Kim, executive vice president of global business at Aestema, which operates in more than 70 countries, said India may skip some stages of the traditional beauty market's development and move quickly from anti-aging to preventive and natural-looking aesthetic procedures. Kim identified scientific education for medical professionals and consumers, along with training specialized medical staff, as key tasks for entering the Indian market. He also stressed that India's market is large, but its regions and consumer preferences are highly diverse, so a sufficient understanding of the market and medical ecosystem must come first. While awareness of Korean cosmetics and skincare products is high, recognition of Korean medical aesthetics technology remains relatively low. Korean companies therefore need to expand beyond product sales by providing medical training, clinical information, and specialized distribution networks. In particular, the growth of younger consumers and the expansion of online and organized retail channels could give Korean companies a stronger foothold with Indian consumers.
Ultimately, the expansion of India's beauty and personal care market shows that the change is not limited to rising cosmetics sales. It also reflects a shift in how consumers think about beauty and how they shop. Interest in preventive care and natural-looking procedures is growing, especially among younger generations. As product discovery and purchases increasingly move through digital channels, the market could expand beyond cosmetics into medical beauty and aesthetics. That is why Aestema is paying close attention to India. Still, long-term success for Korean companies will depend not on market size alone, but on building trust through cooperation with local medical professionals, scientific education, and a strong understanding of regional consumer characteristics.

[email protected] Pragya Awasthi, Correspondent Reporter