Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the unveiling of the ITC Dermafique Indian Skin Health Report—a first-of-its-kind initiative that left me both enlightened and inspired. It wasn’t just another skincare event. It was a reality check. A moment of pause to truly understand our skin—Indian skin—and why it deserves its own rulebook.
As someone who’s constantly exploring better ways to care for my skin, I found the findings to be not only scientific but deeply personal. For too long, we’ve looked westward for skincare advice, following global trends that don’t necessarily work for our climate, our lifestyles, or even our genetics.
Here’s what blew my mind: Indian skin is structurally different from Caucasian skin, and that’s not just about melanin. The report, backed by extensive research from Kantar across four major cities, highlighted something vital: We have more melanin, more collagen, larger pores, and different moisture retention capabilities. And each of these factors plays a major role in how our skin behaves, reacts, and ages.
The Good, the Bad, and the Truth About Indian Skin
One of the most revealing takeaways was this: while Caucasian skin tends to wrinkle earlier due to lower collagen, Indian skin is blessed with higher collagen levels—so we naturally age slower in terms of visible lines. That’s a definite win!
But here’s the catch. We are far more prone to hyperpigmentation. In fact, nearly 74% of Indian women experience pigmentation issues before the age of 30—long before wrinkles ever make an appearance. I could instantly relate. Like many of you, I’ve battled uneven skin tone and stubborn spots despite a consistent skincare routine.
Then came the part about pores. Did you know Indian skin has almost 5x the number and size of pores compared to Chinese skin? And yet, only 7% of Indian women think it’s an issue worth addressing. This mismatch between reality and perception was startling—and honestly, a wake-up call for all of us.
Why Skincare Must Be Tailored to Our Lives
Whether you’re working outdoors in harsh sunlight or spending long hours in air-conditioned offices, our skin reacts differently based on our environment. The report showed that 87% of Indian women struggle with under-eye dryness even after moisturizing, pointing to our lower moisture retention and weaker skin barrier.
Tanning, not sunburn, is our primary enemy—thanks to the 50% more melanin in our skin. And yes, acne is more prevalent too, due to larger pores and excess sebum. The teenage stereotype doesn’t hold anymore—94% of women aged 20-25 still struggle with breakouts.
All of this made me reflect on how skincare needs to be localized, not generalized. We need to stop mimicking routines built for other skin types and start listening to what our skin is telling us.
Empowering Women with the Right Tools.
What I appreciated most about Dermafique’s approach was that they didn’t stop at research. They’ve created science-backed, dermatologist-tested solutions specifically for Indian skin. Products like the De-Pigment Serum and Aqua Cloud Serum are not just buzzwords—they address real concerns like hyperpigmentation, dryness, and poor barrier health. Their Sun Defense formula even includes niacinamide to regulate melanin and reduce tanning.
From pore-tightening toners to acne-clearing mousses, the Dermafique range feels like it was made for us, by people who actually understand Indian skin.
Rethink Your Regime
This event was more than an educational experience—it was a call to action. I left with a renewed sense of responsibility to my skin and a desire to spread the word. If you’ve been blindly following the “glass skin” trend or skipping sunscreen because you don’t burn easily, it’s time to reconsider.
Ladies, it’s 2025—and your skin deserves skincare that’s made for you, not made to fit everyone.
