Mumbai: The United Kingdom is making efforts to expand trade ties with India with a particular focus on making the Indian market more accessible to British cosmetics and skincare businesses, Danyal Suleman, the First Secretary for Trade at the British High Commission, India, has said.
With a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed between the two countries, he said, the UK is working to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and streamline clearance processes by reducing paperwork, and is in the process of holding discussions with its Indian counterparts on the same.
Speaking to ThePrint on the sidelines of the Cosmoprof India 2025 event in Mumbai’s Jio World Convention Centre on Thursday, Suleman said he was “pleasantly surprised” to know that cosmetics and skincare was also part of the FTA when it was signed in July.
Cosmoprof is an annual international three-day business-to-business event hosted in six cities including Mumbai.
“India is focussed more on skincare and beauty than ever before. People here are also more careful about what they consume. With regards to cosmetics, they want green and environmentally-friendly products. The 12 brands we brought today not only cover these requirements but also look for collaboration with Indian manufacturers and creators to enhance collaboration,” Suleman said.
The India-UK FTA signed in July will come into force after its ratification by both the governments.
Once in force, the FTA will bring tariffs on cosmetics and personal care products down to 10 percent, according to a British High Commission press release.
Data released by the High Commission showed the UK’s beauty industry contributed 31.5 billion pounds to the country’s GDP in 2025. In 2024, the UK exported 4.3 billion pounds worth of beauty and personal care products.
Speaking to the media Monday, the UK’s Trade Commissioner for South Asia and British Deputy High Commissioner for Western India Harjinder Kang said the FTA unlocks massive growth opportunities for beauty and personal care businesses on both sides.
“As we welcome over a dozen iconic British brands to Cosmoprof India 2025, we are excited to showcase the best of UK innovation to one of the world’s fastest-growing beauty markets,” he said.
Also Read: India signs FTA with UK today. A look at how domestic exporters will benefit from bilateral deal
British brands’ India plans
CellDerma, a British clinical skincare brand founded by aesthetic doctor Dev Patel, confirmed plans for its first launch in India.
“India has a deep appreciation for innovation and evidence-based skincare. We believe there is strong alignment between our values and the needs of consumers across the region. We look forward to engaging with partners who share our commitment to clinical excellence, integrity, and meaningful results,” he told ThePrint Thursday.
Facetheory CEO Suraj Lalvani added, “The UK–India FTA opens a clearer pathway for British brands committed to ethical, ingredient-focused skincare. For Facetheory, it enables smoother collaboration with Indian partners and accelerates our ability to offer accessible, intelligently formulated products to a market that values both quality and transparency.”
Suleman said the UK also plans to do more to welcome Indian companies.
The UK hosts an annual event called Professional Beauty, where Indian brands are invited to exhibit their products.
“We have already felt welcomed by India prior to the FTA launch… but we definitely need to do more for Indian brands. We need to work more closely with the Indian government to get more Indian brands into our market. We look forward to more collaboration. We need mutuality, co-production, co-design and co-creativity,” he told ThePrint.
(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)