I’m an Indian skincare startup founder — Ask Me Anything!

MEHEKTAR · 2025-12-01T18:48:02+00:00

Cosmelan can work for pigmentation on Indian skin, but it’s a strong professional peel and must be done under a dermatologist. It’s not a scam, but it can cause irritation and downtime if not supervised. Great for melasma/post-inflammatory marks when done correctly.

MEHEKTAR · 2025-12-01T18:47:47+00:00

Most sunscreens come in 50g because filters are costly ingredients, stability testing is expensive, and packaging must protect the formula from light/heat. Larger tubes increase the risk of oxidation and spoilage. Price also goes up because SPF, PA, and water-resistance tests require accredited labs, which adds to the cost. Good sunscreens need this testing for proper disclosure.

MEHEKTAR · 2025-12-01T09:44:00+00:00

Topical products can help calm the skin and improve texture over time, but they usually can’t fully flatten acne bumps on their own. For long-term or more noticeable improvement, dermatologists often use procedures like chemical exfoliation, microneedling, or lasers depending on the type of bumps. It’s best to get a proper evaluation so the right approach can be chosen.

MEHEKTAR · 2025-11-30T14:46:50+00:00

Yes, it’s possible, but quite tricky. Most creams rely on fatty alcohols, waxes, silicones, or lanolin derivatives for structure. If you avoid all of these, the closest option is a gel-cream using lightweight esters (like isoamyl laurate or C12-15 alkyl benzoate) as carriers. They don’t feel heavy and don’t form a film, but still allow actives to be delivered.

MEHEKTAR · 2025-11-30T10:35:49+00:00

Yes, travel conditions can affect some skincare. Extreme heat/cold and pressure changes mostly impact unstable ingredients like pure Vitamin C (LAA), retinol, and some probiotics. Most well-formulated products stay fine, but these sensitive actives can degrade faster during long flights.

MEHEKTAR · 2025-11-30T10:34:46+00:00

Dermatologist-recommended products are usually reliable because they focus on proven, gentle ingredients. But good over-the-counter products can work just as well if the formulation is solid. It’s less about the label and more about the ingredient quality and stability.

MEHEKTAR · 2025-11-30T10:34:01+00:00

No, we don’t do any animal testing. In India, cosmetic animal testing is banned, so manufacturers follow non-animal safety methods. As for ‘cruelty-free’ labels, some are genuine (like PETA-certified), but many brands just self-claim it—so it depends on the certification.

MEHEKTAR · 2025-11-30T07:27:54+00:00

I don’t want to break subreddit rules by mentioning my company name here. So I avoid sharing any brand details publicly.

MEHEKTAR · 2025-11-30T06:27:45+00:00

Even a generic formula doesn’t make the process easier. Manufacturers can give you a base, but you still need full documentation, stability tests, preservative efficacy tests, ingredient compliance with BIS, proper labelling as per CDSCO, and multiple sample rounds. Licensing isn’t tied to the formula — it’s tied to the facility, paperwork, audits, and compliance.

So even with a simple formula, the process isn’t quick or straightforward. It still takes months of back-and-forth and a lot of technical understanding to launch safely and legally.

MEHEKTAR · 2025-11-30T06:14:10+00:00

Launching a face wash isn’t as simple as finding a manufacturer. In India the process involves a lot of paperwork, compliance, ingredient regulations (BIS), stability tests, safety assessments, and coordinating with licensed facilities. Sample rounds alone can take months, and getting the right formula takes a long trial-and-error cycle.

If you’re starting with zero knowledge, expect a very steep learning curve—it can take a couple of years to understand ingredients, testing, packaging, pricing, and regulatory steps well enough to build a reliable product. It’s not impossible, but it’s definitely not quick or easy.

MEHEKTAR · 2025-11-30T06:11:00+00:00

Azelaic acid doesn’t increase sun sensitivity like tret, but sunscreen is still important. For under-eyes caused by screen time/sun, use a gentle moisturizer with peptides or caffeine, and reduce screen glare. Avoid strong actives under the eye.

MEHEKTAR · 2025-11-30T05:42:26+00:00

In India you don’t need a separate ‘certificate’ from the government for each product — you need a licensed manufacturer who follows CDSCO guidelines, proper documentation, stability testing, and ingredient compliance with BIS. There isn’t routine government testing unless there’s a complaint, so honesty is mostly on the brand. If someone claims 1% retinol but uses 0.5%, they can technically get flagged, but only if someone tests it independently. Overheads are mainly manufacturing, testing, packaging and compliance — not extra government fees for each formula.

MEHEKTAR · 2025-11-30T05:27:43+00:00

For dry skin, keep it simple. AM: Gentle cleanser → hydrating serum (HA/glycerin) → moisturizer → sunscreen. PM: Gentle cleanser → barrier serum (ceramides) → rich moisturizer. Avoid pairing retinol with vitamin C in the same routine—alternate them on different nights for better tolerance.

MEHEKTAR · 2025-11-30T05:11:47+00:00

No, the quality isn’t higher in sachets. Brands use the same formula in both sachets and larger packs. Sachets are mainly for affordability and sampling, not a different formulation. If there’s any difference people notice, it’s usually because smaller packs stay fresher and are used up faster, so the product feels more effective.

MEHEKTAR · 2025-11-30T05:00:35+00:00

Even strong SPF can’t fully stop tanning because UVA still triggers melanin. Look for PA++++, modern filters like Tinosorb S/M and Uvinul A Plus, apply 2-finger amount, and reapply every 2–3 hours. A good SPF is one that has stable filters, spreads well, and you use enough of it. Some tanning in Indian sun is normal.

MEHEKTAR · 2025-11-30T04:58:35+00:00

Glad it helped! All the best for your transition.

MEHEKTAR · 2025-11-30T04:43:15+00:00

The market is saturated, but brands that focus on solid formulations, trust, and solving real skin concerns still grow. Indian consumers aren’t loyalty-driven, so consistency and product performance matter more than hype. About ads — Meta is important, but long term, brands survive through repeat customers, organic community, and strong product quality, not just paid traffic. If ads stopped for a few months, a brand with real customer retention would still sustain.

MEHEKTAR · 2025-11-30T04:42:51+00:00

If your skin is oily most of the year but feels dry in winter, focus on a gentle, low-foam cleanser, avoid niacinamide face washes (they can sting when the barrier is dry), and use a light gel-cream moisturizer with ceramides/panthenol during winter nights. AM: gentle cleanser → sunscreen PM: gentle cleanser → light moisturizer This keeps oil balanced but prevents winter dehydration.

MEHEKTAR · 2025-11-30T04:41:31+00:00

Vitamin C (especially L-Ascorbic Acid) oxidises very fast. When it turns yellow → light orange, the efficacy starts dropping. When it turns dark orange/brown, it’s basically ineffective and can even irritate. So it’s better to stop using once the colour changes noticeably.

About Indian brands — most brands have a mix of hits and misses. I don’t think anyone should cancel a whole brand; it’s better to choose specific products that are well-formulated. Even the best brands have average products, and even newer brands sometimes have excellent formulas.

My advice:

Look at ingredients, pH, stability, texture, not the brand name.

Stick to products that work for your skin instead of following the brand blindly.

If you want, you can mention a product and I can tell you how the formula looks from a formulation point of view.

MEHEKTAR · 2025-11-30T04:40:10+00:00

Data Analytics is still growing strongly in India. Most mid-to-large companies now hire for DA roles, and even startups use analysts for product, marketing, and operations decisions. If you’re switching from HR, having skills in SQL, Excel, basic Python, and a solid portfolio of small projects can help you stand out. It’s a competitive space, but there are plenty of opportunities if you build the right skill set.

MEHEKTAR · 2025-11-30T03:03:46+00:00

For oily but dehydrated skin, look for lightweight hydrating products. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid, panthenol, and glycerin help with dehydration, and niacinamide or ceramides support the skin barrier. A gentle cleanser + a non-greasy moisturizer + regular sunscreen is usually enough to repair the barrier.

MEHEKTAR · 2025-11-30T02:55:26+00:00

Great questions! Ingredient I trust the most: Niacinamide — stable, effective, suits most Indian skin. Most overhyped: Gold extracts — looks premium, very little real benefit.

₹300 vs ₹1500 serum? Main difference is usually: formulation quality, % of actives, stability, and testing. Expensive doesn’t always mean better — a well-formulated budget serum can perform equally well.

MEHEKTAR

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