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Skin deep secrets reveal India needs more than foreign fixes
MUMBAI: Turns out, Indian skin isn’t just a vibe, it’s a science. And no, that imported miracle cream may not know what it’s dealing with. In a fresh move that puts the focus (and the microscope) on local skin needs, ITC Dermafique has launched the Dermafique Indian Skin Knowledge Centre (DISKC), a first-of-its-kind initiative to decode the DNA of desi skin. And it’s not just skin-deep. Backed by the Dermafique Indian Skin Health Report, created with Kantar and top dermatologists, the campaign spills the serum on what truly sets Indian skin apart and why your skincare routine might need a rethink.
Among the glow-getting revelations? Indian skin has more melanin, larger pores, stronger collagen, and a weaker moisture barrier making it a unique cocktail that doesn’t quite play well with one-size-fits-all solutions from abroad. For instance, pigmentation not wrinkles is our early sign of ageing. And while sunburns are rare, 81 per cent of Indian women battle tanning far more frequently.
One insight that’s pore-raising? Indian skin reportedly has four times larger pore size and five times the pore density of Chinese skin. Yet only 7 per cent of respondents saw it as a concern meaning there’s a serious knowledge gap between what’s visible and what’s understood.
The report also sheds light on common concerns like dryness, under-eye flakiness, and acne. A staggering 94 per cent of women aged 20–25 are still battling breakouts, proving acne isn’t just a teenage trauma. And despite diligent moisturising, 87 per cent report under-eye dryness, likely due to a weaker skin barrier and low natural moisturising factors.
ITC Limited divisional chief executive personal care products business Sameer Satpathy states, “Indian skin is unique and requires customized solutions. With the launch of the Dermafique Indian Skin Knowledge Centre, we are committed to fostering awareness and education on the distinct characteristics of Indian skin. Building on this initiative, the ITC Dermafique Indian Skin Health Report offers insights from Indian consumers, that highlight the need for skincare solutions specifically designed for Indian skin. Our new digital infomercials help consumers to understand the uniqueness of Indian Skin, and highlight Dermafique’s expertise in providing solutions that are designed for and dermatologist tested on Indian skin.”
Internationally celebrated cosmetic dermatologist Jaishree Sharad adds, “The Indian consumer is not only more informed today but also deeply invested in understanding the unique needs of their skin. It is vital to recognize the distinct nature of Indian skin, as it presents specific challenges and requirements that are often overlooked in global skincare narratives. The Dermafique Indian Skin Health Report is a great step to bring to light these crucial insights, offering a science-backed perspective on the unique characteristics of Indian skin. Raising awareness about these differences is not just important, it is essential. The Institute marks a significant step towards better understanding the diverse skincare needs of Indian consumers and offers solutions to address the specific challenges they face, empowering them to make more informed, effective choices in their skincare routines.”
To make the science sing, Dermafique has launched a series of digital infomercials demystifying key concerns from pigmentation and tanning to pore care and hydration paired with targeted products designed for Indian skin. There’s even an AI-powered Smart Skin Advisor to help decode your own dermis in a few clicks.
With over 800 women surveyed across four metro cities, the Dermafique report doesn’t just scratch the surface. It reveals that Indian skin needs and deserves skincare that’s rooted in local insight, not just global trends.
And if the Skindian Dot (yes, that’s a thing) is anything to go by, the future of Indian skincare is looking smooth, bright, and gloriously homegrown.
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Zscaler, Airtel launch India AI Cyber Research Centre
New hub to boost cyber resilience and trusted AI use
NEW DELHI: As India’s digital engine roars ahead, so do the risks riding shotgun. In response, Zscaler, Inc. and Bharti Airtel have joined hands to launch the AI and Cyber Threat Research Center – India, a national initiative aimed at strengthening the country’s cyber defences and accelerating responsible AI adoption.
The centre is designed as a multi stakeholder platform that brings together industry, government and academia. Its mission is clear: protect critical sectors such as telecom, banking and energy, shield everyday digital users, and future proof India’s fast expanding online ecosystem.
India has long been a major innovation hub for Zscaler, with a substantial portion of its cyber research talent based here. With this new centre, that footprint evolves into a national collaboration engine. The idea is simple but ambitious, build in India, for India, and help power the country’s journey towards a secure and digitally self reliant future.
The timing is telling. India is building digital systems at population scale, not just enterprise scale. That scale has widened the attack surface dramatically. At the same time, cyber criminals and nation state actors are deploying AI to scan, probe and exploit vulnerabilities in minutes.
Zscaler’s research arm, ThreatLabz India, reports millions of infiltration attempts every month. These include espionage campaigns linked to regional geopolitical tensions, 1.2 million intrusion attempts from 20,000 sources targeting 58 Indian digital entities, and a rise in zero day exploit attempts across multiple industries.
In such an environment, perimeter based security models are struggling to keep pace. The new centre aims to push a shift towards secure by design systems and Zero Trust architecture.
Its strategy rests on four pillars: protect through real time intelligence, remediate by working directly with government agencies, facilitate adoption of AI driven security and Zero Trust frameworks, and build a stronger cybersecurity talent pipeline through specialised certifications.
As founding members, Zscaler and Airtel will combine global threat intelligence with local network visibility. Zscaler will deploy a dedicated India focused research team and draw insights from its Zero Trust Exchange platform, which processes over 500 billion daily transactions worldwide. Airtel, meanwhile, will contribute deep visibility into IoT and mobile traffic, helping detect suspicious activity faster and coordinate response across the ecosystem.
Bharti Airtel executive vice chairman Gopal Vittal, said the partnership extends Airtel’s commitment to safeguarding customers and the nation’s digital fabric. He added that the collaboration would address challenges unique to the Indian market and encourage secure and confident digital engagement.
Zscaler chief executive, chairman and founder Jay Chaudhry, said India’s digital ambition cannot be secured with legacy firewalls and VPNs. He noted that a modern Zero Trust architecture is essential for a hyper connected world and that the new centre would harness the scale of Zscaler’s global security cloud while empowering a new generation of Indian cyber defenders.
Additional members from critical public and private sectors are expected to join the initiative in the coming months, expanding its scope and deepening collaboration.
In a world where threats travel at machine speed, India’s answer is to think faster, collaborate wider and build smarter.
