Govt says injectable beauty products cannot be sold as cosmetics amid rise in aesthetic procedures

India’s central drug regulator has issued a fresh warning against injectable cosmetic products, clarifying that no beauty product administered through injections can legally be classified or sold as a cosmetic under Indian law.

The clarification was issued by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) amid the rapid growth of India’s aesthetic and wellness industry, where procedures such as skin boosters, anti-ageing injections, glutathione drips and filler-based treatments have become increasingly popular.

In a public notice issued earlier this week, the regulator stated that products supplied in injectable form “do not fall under the definition of cosmetics” under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Cosmetics Rules, 2020.

The notice further clarified that no cosmetic product is permitted to be used as an injection by consumers, professionals or aesthetic clinics. According to the CDSCO, cosmetics are legally meant only for external application, including products intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled or sprayed on the human body for cleansing or beautification purposes.

The move is being seen as a major regulatory intervention in India’s booming cosmetic enhancement market, where injectable procedures have increasingly moved beyond dermatology clinics into wellness centres and beauty establishments.

The regulator also warned against misleading advertising and treatment-related claims made by cosmetic brands and clinics. It said cosmetics cannot legally claim to treat medical conditions or be promoted as therapeutic products.

The CDSCO further cautioned manufacturers, importers and clinics against using prohibited or restricted ingredients in cosmetic products, stating that such violations could attract regulatory action under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and Cosmetics Rules, 2020.

The clarification comes at a time when aesthetic procedures are witnessing strong growth in India, especially among younger consumers seeking skin-brightening, anti-ageing and facial enhancement treatments promoted heavily on social media platforms.

Industry experts say treatments such as glutathione injections, collagen boosters, IV beauty drips and cosmetic fillers have become increasingly common in urban aesthetic clinics over the past few years, often marketed as quick “glow” or “skin-lightening” solutions.

The CDSCO’s latest notice effectively draws a legal distinction between topical cosmetic products and injectable medical procedures, signalling tighter scrutiny of the fast-growing beauty treatment industry.

The regulator has also encouraged the public to report violations involving injectable cosmetic products or misleading cosmetic claims to authorities.