Post-Diwali, the region comprising Delhi and NCR are experiencing a higher level of pollution like never before. But that seems to be good news for beauty and cosmetics product companies, suppliers, and service providers, who are active there as they are experiencing a 30-40 percent increase in demand for their specialized skin-care, moisturizers, and facials treatment products range. A report
With the worsening of the Air Quality Index in Delhi, a number of beauty product manufacturers have introduced their anti-pollution skin-care range, targeting especially the Delhi market. And with the index shooting up to 300 and even above in Delhi after Diwali, the city has witnessed between and 30 percent and 40 percent demand for the anti-pollution skin-care range of products. Also, in addition to this demand, dermatologists and skincare consultants in the city have also seen a similar percent rise in queries about pollution-related skincare issues during the two weeks after Diwali, reports Times of India (ToI). Also on a surge, is the number of oxygen treatments for tackling skin-related issues caused by pollution, according to beauty parlours and consultants operating in the city, reportedly.
Fighting the effects of pollution
There has been a cumulative increase of 30 per cent in the sale of anti-pollution masks, serums and moisturizers. The suppliers have already anticipated this rise and demand, and almost every personal care and beauty products store in the city as well as online sales platforms – have an adequate quantum of anti-pollution skincare products in stock.
The growth of anti-pollution products has increased by more than 30 per cent, according to Madhavi Irani of Nykaa.com, one of the biggest online suppliers of beauty products in India. Irani states that toxic levels of particulate matter in Delhi and other metros have had many of the Nykaa customers looking for detoxifying products that fight pollution. “Pollutants like fine dust and CO2 emissions enter pores and cause free-radical damage, which in turn, results in a number of skin problems, from patchiness, dehydration, dryness, dark spots and dullness,” she is quoted in ToI report.
Irani adds that many beauty brands are creating creams, masks, face washes, and even shampoos, that protect skin and hair against such damage. She too believes that the demand for ‘anti-pollution’ skincare has grown by more than 30 per cent in the last few months.
One of the beauty product consultants that has been receiving a huge number of enquiries for anti-pollution products is Vasant Kunj-based Clinique. Hemam Joyshree Devi of Clinique states that they have been receiving many queries from people with sensitive skin, after Diwali.
Clinique often receives queries from people complaining about burning sensation on their skin when they step out, prompting Clinique to launched a hydrating jelly that can help in fighting the effects of pollution. “We had launched this product in October only keeping the pollution level in mind and since then, has witnessed a 40 per cent rise in the sale of this product,” Devi says.
Salons introduce specialized anti-pollution offerings
However, it is skin-care consultants who are getting a major chunk of the queries on anti-pollution products after Diwali. There has been an increase in not just the sale of these products post-Diwali, but also in the number of queries regarding anti-pollution skin-care. Kama Ayurveda of Vasant Kunj informs that most of the queries they have received were about its face cleanser which is capable of getting rid of dust particles. Kama Ayurveda’s Losii opines that post-Diwali is the time when people enquire the most about products that they can use to fight pollution. She says that people complain of dryness, itchy skin and rashes, for which Kama Ayurveda recommends products which are entirely natural.
Vasant Kunj’s The Body Shop recently launched a face mask, moisturizer and serum, to combat the effects of pollution. According to a staff member at The Body Shop, the consultant has seen a speedy increase in the number of queries after Diwali. “People ask if we have something specifically to fight pollution. We inform them that they can take a pack with moisturizer, serum and face mask, and they end up buying all three because they don’t want to take any risk with their skin,” says the staff member.
Salons in the NCR region too are getting more customers now who are looking for anti-pollution solutions. In addition to anti-pollution skincare products, these salons are also offering specialized services for overcoming the issues related to frizzy hair and damaged skin. An example is VLCC Healthcare Limited wherein the customers who want anti-pollution skin care treatments have increased 30 per cent after Diwali. Here, customers who suffer from itchiness and/or dryness of skin are offered anti-oxidant treatments and spas that work as hydrating agents.
At ALPS, another salon in the region, the number of customers seeking detoxification treatment has increased significantly after Diwali. For such customers, ALPS has been offering coal facials for rejuvenating skin and also for detoxification. In addition to facials, it is also offering tea tree manicure and pedicures which can soothe pollution-affected skin, informs its director Ishika Taneja
A few parlours in the region claim a 50 per cent increase in the number of customers for anti-pollution treatment. Nomadic Spalon says it has witnessed a 50 per cent rise in oxygenation facial treatments. Earlier, the general customer query was for any facial treatment matching their skin type. But post-Diwali, most such queries are for some treatment that can keep the skin protected against the effects of pollution. The parlour has been servicing about seven customers every day with anti-pollution skin treatment, reveals its owner Seema Nanda, as reported.
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