THE CONSTITUTIONAL FACE OF BEAUTY: EXPLORING IMPLICIT RIGHTS AND LEGAL SAFEGUARDS IN INDIA’S COSMETICS INDUSTRY

Cosmetics have become an essential part of contemporary life, impacting social conventions, health, psychological well-being, and personal identity. Serious constitutional issues have been brought up by the cosmetics industry's explosive growth in India because many of its goods are counterfeit, contain hazardous or untested substances, or are not properly controlled, endangering the public's health and safety. A recent international lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson over talcum powder tainted with asbestos highlights the serious repercussions of regulatory failure in the cosmetics industry and should serve as a warning to India. Article 21 specify about Right to health, dignity, life and privacy and bodily autonomy[1], equality and non-discrimination under Articles 14 and 15, environmental protection under Article 48A, are among the constitutional liberties that are examined in this paper in connection with cosmetic regulation. Additionally, it draws attention to new issues including the pink tax, deceptive beauty standards, animal testing, environmental damage, and the difficulties presented by online cosmetic markets. The report promotes more stringent safety regulations, more transparency, ethical sourcing, and robust enforcement measures in support of a rights-based regulatory framework. It argues that in a more intricate and international beauty business, cosmetic regulation must go beyond consumer protection to satisfy constitutional objectives of health, equality, dignity, and justice. [1] Indian Constitution. art. 21.