French skincare giant strengthens long-term India strategy as premium beauty demand accelerates.
French luxury beauty brand Clarins is doubling down on its India ambitions with the launch of a dedicated investment fund, signalling growing confidence in one of the world’s fastest-growing beauty markets. The move comes as the company looks to reduce its reliance on China and position India as a major growth engine over the next decade.
Present in India since 1999, Clarins remained committed to the market even when several international luxury beauty brands exited due to limited consumer demand. Today, that patience appears to be paying off.
Why India Matters to Clarins
According to Jonathan Zrihen, CEO and President of Clarins, India has evolved significantly over the past few years, driven by rising disposable incomes, stronger retail infrastructure and expanding premium distribution channels. These developments have created favourable conditions for prestige beauty brands to thrive.
The newly established India fund is expected to support long-term expansion over the next five to ten years, following a strategy similar to the one Clarins successfully adopted in China two decades ago.
Key reasons behind the investment include:
- Rapid growth in India’s premium beauty and skincare market
- Expanding retail and luxury shopping infrastructure
- Increasing consumer spending on prestige beauty products
- Strong long-term growth potential compared to mature markets
Reducing Dependence on China
While Asia contributes around one-third of Clarins’ global revenue, China remains its single largest market. However, slowing economic growth, increased competition and market maturity have prompted the company to diversify its regional investments. Europe has also experienced slower growth in recent years, making India an increasingly attractive strategic priority.India Delivers Strong Growth
Clarins’ performance in India highlights why the market has become a key focus.Some notable figures include:
- 35 per cent year-on-year growth in India last year
- 42 per cent three-year CAGR
- Business nearly doubling every two to three years
These numbers reinforce India’s position as one of the fastest-growing prestige beauty markets globally.
Skincare and Make-up to Drive Future Growth
While Clarins has traditionally built its reputation around skincare, the company now sees significant opportunities in India’s premium makeup category as well.
Its long-term ambitions include:
- Capturing 10 per cent of India’s prestige skincare market
- Securing six to seven per cent of the prestige makeup segment
- Building a balanced portfolio across both skincare and cosmetics
What This Means for India’s Beauty Industry
Clarins’ decision reflects a broader trend of global beauty companies increasing investments in India as consumer preferences shift towards premium, science-backed skincare and high-performance cosmetics. As international brands continue to expand their presence, India’s beauty sector is expected to become an increasingly important driver of global growth, reinforcing the country’s emergence as a key destination for luxury beauty investment.