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CDSCO, state drug controllers and courts

Banned and flagged cosmetics in India (2026)

Last checked 10 October 2026

There is no single government "banned cosmetics list". This page gathers every action on record: CDSCO public health alerts, import registrations cancelled, state orders stopping sale, and products that failed a government lab test. Each entry uses the regulator's own words and links the document.

Reading the statuses. Alert or notice means CDSCO or a state told the trade to stop selling or warned the public; it is not a gazette ban. Failed test means one sampled batch failed; it is not a verdict on the brand. Restricted means the ingredient is allowed only within a limit or on prescription. The ingredient rules are listed at the end.

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All actions

NSQ
Pakistani beauty creams: Declared not of standard quality; sale stopped in Maharashtra (Jul 2026)

Pakistani beauty creams in India: Maharashtra FDA's 2026 stop-sale orders

In two alerts on 4 and 10 Jul 2026 Maharashtra FDA declared 12 skin-whitening creams and one soap not of standard quality for mercury and lead above the Cosmetics Rules limits, stopped their sale in the state and told online platforms to delist them; most are Pakistan-made and none has an import registration.

  • Status: Declared not of standard quality; sale stopped in Maharashtra (Jul 2026)
  • Who decided: Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (state drug controller)
  • Latest step: 9 Oct 2026: Maharashtra FDA reports 29 cosmetic unit inspections, three licence suspensions and one cancellation since June
  • Reference: Maharashtra FDA alerts of 4 Jul 2026 (3 products) and 10 Jul 2026 (9 products), reported; orders not published online
  • What to do: The products are not on any legal shelf
Read the full entry
Notice
Goree Beauty Cream: CDSCO public health alert: stop sale (8 Sep 2026)

CDSCO public health alert on Goree and Chandni whitening creams (Sep 2026)

On 8 Sep 2026 CDSCO issued a public health alert naming Goree Beauty Cream and Chandni Whitening Cream, both labelled 'Made in Pakistan', as unauthorised cosmetics with no import registration and heavy metals beyond the limits, and directed all regulatory enforcement units to stop their sale.

  • Status: CDSCO public health alert: stop sale (8 Sep 2026)
  • Who decided: Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), cosmetics division
  • Latest step: 21 Sep 2026: Press reports both creams still on sale in Ahmedabad markets
  • Reference: Public health alert, File COS-11012/07/2026, 8 Sep 2026
  • What to do: Stop using it and keep the pack
Read the full entry
Licence suspended
Skintl Enterprises: Import registrations cancelled (24 Aug 2026)

Skintl Enterprises: cosmetics import registrations cancelled (Aug 2026)

CDSCO cancelled registration certificates RC/COS-005535 and RC/COS-006751 and an import registration number held by Skintl Enterprises, Delhi, an online cosmetics seller, on 24 Aug 2026 after finding unregistered products on sale, wrong registration numbers printed on labels and a warehouse moved without notice, under section 10(b) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Rules 12(1), 15(3), 34 and 35 of the Cosmetics Rules 2020.

  • Status: Import registrations cancelled (24 Aug 2026)
  • Who decided: Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), cosmetics division
  • Latest step: 24 Aug 2026: CDSCO cancels Skintl Enterprises' cosmetics import registrations
  • Reference: CDSCO cancellation order of 24 Aug 2026 (public notice)
  • What to do: A wrong number is as bad as no number
Read the full entry
Notice
Operation Soundarya: State enforcement drive, four phases (ongoing)

Operation Soundarya: Kerala's cosmetics drive, 2023 to 2026

Operation Soundarya is Kerala's enforcement drive against unsafe cosmetics; its lab results fed CDSCO's March and April 2025 alerts (Goree, Faiza, Sandal, Dabur Fem bleach, Blue Heaven lipstick, Mamaearth cream, Ahaglow face wash) and by Aug 2026 the state had seized Rs 9.64 lakh of stock and filed cases against sellers.

  • Status: State enforcement drive, four phases (ongoing)
  • Who decided: Kerala State Drugs Control Department
  • Latest step: 12 Aug 2026: Four phases complete: Rs 9.64 lakh seized; withdrawal and legal action announced
  • Reference: State enforcement drive; results published through CDSCO's monthly NSQ alerts (Mar and Apr 2025) and ministerial statements
  • What to do: Where the famous findings came from
Read the full entry
Licence suspended
QR 678 Neo: Registrations cancelled: QR 678 Neo (22 Dec 2025), Elementre MD Peel (11 May 2026)

QR 678 Neo and Elementre MD Peel: registrations cancelled for treatment claims

CDSCO cancelled the registration of QR 678 Neo (Esthetic Centers International, Mumbai, RC/COS-001410) on 22 Dec 2025 because it was marketed online with drug claims for post-chemotherapy and androgenetic hair loss, and of Elementre MD Peel-Tri AHA (Glow Global LLP, Hyderabad, RC/COS-005139) on 11 May 2026 because a 60 per cent alpha-hydroxy-acid peel at pH 1.5 to 2.5 with a 'patient tolerance' claim is not a cosmetic; both under Rule 36 (misleading claims) and, for the peel, Rule 39(1).

  • Status: Registrations cancelled: QR 678 Neo (22 Dec 2025), Elementre MD Peel (11 May 2026)
  • Who decided: Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), cosmetics division
  • Latest step: 11 May 2026: CDSCO cancels the cosmetic registration of Elementre MD Peel-Tri AHA
  • Reference: CDSCO cancellation orders of 22 Dec 2025 (RC/COS-001410) and 11 May 2026 (RC/COS-005139)
  • What to do: Claims decide the category
Read the full entry
NSQ
Mehandi cone: Batches declared not of standard quality (IS 17318), 2024 to 2026

Mehandi and henna cones that failed BIS tests (2024 to 2026)

CDSCO's alerts from May 2024 to March 2026 list a dozen mehandi and henna cone batches, from Nagris, Neeta, Shringar, Pushp, Golecha and unbranded makers, as not of standard quality against IS 17318:2020, mostly for microbial counts, loss on drying and claims the product does not meet; one Telangana sample was tested for picramic acid, a prohibited dye.

  • Status: Batches declared not of standard quality (IS 17318), 2024 to 2026
  • Who decided: State drug-testing laboratories (Jaipur, Chandigarh, Telangana); listed by CDSCO
  • Latest step: 1 Mar 2026: Three more mehandi cones listed: do not conform to claim under IS 17318 (March 2026 alert)
  • Reference: CDSCO NSQ alerts, May 2024, Aug 2025, Jan to Mar 2026, state lab lists
  • What to do: One batch, not the brand
Read the full entry
Licence suspended
Kult App: 27 import registrations cancelled (6 Feb 2026)

Kult App: 27 cosmetics import registrations cancelled (Feb 2026)

CDSCO cancelled 27 import registration certificates and import registration numbers held by Kult App Pvt Ltd, Mumbai, an online beauty retailer, on 6 Feb 2026 because the labels of 50 imported products did not match the labels approved at registration and the firm was not found at its registered address, breaching Rules 15(3), 16 and 36 of the Cosmetics Rules 2020.

  • Status: 27 import registrations cancelled (6 Feb 2026)
  • Who decided: Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), cosmetics division, as Central Licensing Authority
  • Latest step: 6 Feb 2026: CDSCO cancels 27 import registrations of Kult App Pvt Ltd
  • Reference: CDSCO cancellation order of 6 Feb 2026 (public notice)
  • What to do: A registration is per product, per importer
Read the full entry
NSQ
Ahaglow Face Wash Gel: One batch declared not of standard quality (mercury), Apr 2025

Ahaglow Face Wash Gel (Torrent): batch failed the mercury test (Kerala, Apr 2025)

CDSCO's April 2025 alert lists Ahaglow Face Wash Gel, batch AHA202, from Torrent Pharmaceuticals, as failing the mercury test at Kerala's drug-testing laboratory; no recall, licence action or company response has been published.

  • Status: One batch declared not of standard quality (mercury), Apr 2025
  • Who decided: Kerala State Drugs Control Department (state lab); listed by CDSCO
  • Latest step: 1 Apr 2025: Batch AHA202 listed in CDSCO's April 2025 NSQ alert for failing the mercury test
  • Reference: CDSCO NSQ alert, April 2025, state lab list
  • What to do: One batch, not the brand
Read the full entry
NSQ
Mamaearth Vitamin C Daily Glow Light Moisturising Cream: One batch declared not of standard quality (mercury), Apr 2025

Mamaearth Vitamin C Daily Glow cream: batch failed the mercury test (Kerala, Apr 2025)

CDSCO's April 2025 alert lists Mamaearth Vitamin C Daily Glow Light Moisturising Cream, batch AM4J160, made for Honasa Consumer by VA Life Sciences at Parwanoo, as not conforming to the Cosmetics Rules 2020 on the mercury test at Kerala's drug-testing laboratory; it is a batch finding and the product has not been recalled or banned.

  • Status: One batch declared not of standard quality (mercury), Apr 2025
  • Who decided: Kerala State Drugs Control Department (state lab); listed by CDSCO
  • Latest step: 1 Apr 2025: Batch AM4J160 listed in CDSCO's April 2025 NSQ alert for failing the mercury test
  • Reference: CDSCO NSQ alert, April 2025, state lab list
  • What to do: One batch, not the brand
Read the full entry
NSQ
Blue Heaven Get Matte Lipstick: Batches declared not of standard quality (mercury), Mar 2025

Blue Heaven and imported lipsticks: mercury test failures (Kerala, Mar 2025)

CDSCO's March 2025 alert lists three lipsticks tested in Kerala as failing the mercury test: Blue Heaven Get Matte Lipstick (batch KA4A1), Top Up Matte Super Light Liquid Lipstick and a Seven Seas twist matte lipstick, the last two imported from China; these are batch findings and no ban has been published.

  • Status: Batches declared not of standard quality (mercury), Mar 2025
  • Who decided: Kerala State Drugs Control Department (state lab); listed by CDSCO
  • Latest step: 1 Mar 2025: Three lipsticks listed in CDSCO's March 2025 NSQ alert for failing the mercury test
  • Reference: CDSCO NSQ alert, March 2025, state lab list
  • What to do: One batch, not the brand
Read the full entry
NSQ
Fem Cream Bleach: One batch declared not of standard quality (mercury), Mar 2025

Dabur Fem Cream Bleach: batch failed the mercury test (Kerala, Mar 2025)

CDSCO's March 2025 alert lists Dabur Fem Cream Bleach batch BM1516, made by Dabur India at Baddi, as failing the test for mercury content at the Kerala state drug-testing laboratory; it is a finding about that batch and no recall or ban of the product has been published.

  • Status: One batch declared not of standard quality (mercury), Mar 2025
  • Who decided: Kerala State Drugs Control Department (state lab); listed by CDSCO
  • Latest step: 1 Mar 2025: Batch BM1516 listed in CDSCO's March 2025 NSQ alert for failing the mercury test
  • Reference: CDSCO NSQ alert, March 2025, state lab list (Drugs Testing Laboratory, Thiruvananthapuram)
  • What to do: One batch, not the brand
Read the full entry
NSQ
VIP Hair Colour Shampoo: Batches declared not of standard quality (prohibited amine), Nov 2024 to Jan 2025

VIP Hair Colour Shampoo and Beaute Blanc: hair dyes with a prohibited amine (2024 to 2025)

Between the November 2024 and January 2025 alerts, CDSCO listed more than ten batches of VIP Hair Colour Shampoo (VIMAC, Chennai) and a B&B Beaute Blanc hair colour conditioner (made in China) as not of standard quality because they contain m-phenylenediamine, a substance prohibited in cosmetics by IS 4707 Part 2, and fail the IS 8481 standard for oxidation hair dyes.

  • Status: Batches declared not of standard quality (prohibited amine), Nov 2024 to Jan 2025
  • Who decided: Tamil Nadu drug-testing laboratory, Chennai (state lab); listed by CDSCO
  • Latest step: 1 Jan 2025: A further VIP batch and the Beaute Blanc conditioner listed in the January 2025 alert; m-phenylenediamine identified
  • Reference: CDSCO NSQ alerts, November 2024, December 2024 and January 2025, state lab list
  • What to do: One batch, not the brand
Read the full entry
NSQ
Vcare Derma Essence: Declared not of standard quality (mercury above 1 ppm), Nov 2024

Vcare Derma Essence cream: mercury above 1 ppm (Telangana, Nov 2024)

CDSCO's November 2024 alert lists Vcare Derma Essence, made by VcarePharcos in Puducherry and marketed by Prabha's Vcare, Chennai, as not of standard quality because mercury was found above the 1 ppm limit in Rule 39(5)(b) of the Cosmetics Rules 2020 and IS 16913:2018; two entries for the same product appear in the alert.

  • Status: Declared not of standard quality (mercury above 1 ppm), Nov 2024
  • Who decided: Telangana Drugs Control Administration (state lab); listed by CDSCO
  • Latest step: 1 Nov 2024: Vcare Derma Essence listed twice in CDSCO's November 2024 NSQ alert for mercury above the limit
  • Reference: CDSCO NSQ alert, November 2024, state lab list
  • What to do: One batch, not the brand
Read the full entry

The rules behind the actions

Ingredients and claims that the Cosmetics Rules 2020 and BIS standards prohibit or limit.

Prohibited in cosmetics; soap up to 1 per cent allowed

Hexachlorophene

Hexachlorophene is banned as a cosmetic ingredient in India: Rule 18(3) of the Cosmetics Rules 2020 prohibits the...

Import allowed only with CDSCO registration (Rule 12)

Cosmetics import registration

Every cosmetic imported into India must be registered with the Central Licensing Authority (the Drugs Controller...

Prohibited in cosmetics (IS 4707 Part 2 Annex A)

m-Phenylenediamine

m-Phenylenediamine, the meta isomer of phenylenediamine, is a prohibited cosmetic ingredient in India under Rule...

Restricted: 1 ppm trace (70 ppm eye-area preservative); ban at any level proposed 2025

Mercury

Mercury is not a permitted cosmetic ingredient in India except as a preservative in eye-area products up to 70 ppm;...

Restricted: permitted in oxidation hair dyes within limits, with a mandatory caution

PPD

PPD is permitted in India only in oxidation hair dyes and only within the limits of IS 8481:2005 (2.5 to 4 per cent...

Prohibited list: IS 4707 Part 2 Annex A; restricted list: Annex B

Prohibited cosmetic ingredients

India has no stand-alone 'banned ingredients' notification; Rule 39(2) of the Cosmetics Rules 2020 prohibits the raw...

Treatment claims prohibited on cosmetics (Rule 36)

Cosmetic claims

A cosmetic in India may not be labelled, advertised or presented in a way that is false or misleading or that claims...