AI & Beauty: An Expert Decodes How AI Is Taking Over The Beauty World & If We Should Trust It?

"We aren’t using AI in-clinic yet, but see strong adoption at the beauty brand level, especially in colour cosmetics. AI-driven skin analysis apps, virtual try-ons, and chat-based advisors are becoming common, while tele-dermatology platforms are beginning to use AI for basic skin triage."

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"AI tools are making beauty more interactive — from selfie-based product try-ons to personalised shade matching. This not only builds trust in online shopping for high-touch products like foundations, but also increases customer stickiness by helping them find the right product fit."

"Pros are that AI-based apps make beauty and skincare more accessible, offering instant guidance and personalized product suggestions that improve awareness and engagement. However, the cons are that the tools are still developing and not fully reliable — especially in skincare — so their advice should always be validated by a dermatologist."

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"AI-based skin tests can personalise skincare to some extent, but there is still a significant gap. From our trials with skin analysis machines, we’ve found results to be preliminary and lacking the depth that comes from medical history and clinical examination. There’s scope for improvement, but they are far from matching a dermatologist’s in-clinic diagnosis."

"What excites us most is AI’s potential to expand access to expert care. As the technology advances, it could support remote diagnosis in a hub-and-spoke model — allowing specialists to reach consumers and patients in locations where physical access to dermatologists is limited. This could truly democratise skincare."

"The concern is that consumers may treat AI advice like influencer-driven trends — buying products out of excitement without proper guidance. This can lead to overstocking, misuse, or even adverse skin reactions. Skincare and haircare need caution, because the damage from the wrong choice can sometimes be irreversible."

"Absolutely not — AI can support and enhance the customer journey, even help reduce human error, but it cannot replace a dermatologist or beautician. Skincare is deeply personal and requires empathy, judgment, and holistic understanding that only a human expert can provide."

"In the next five years, we’ll see rapid adoption of AI across the beauty industry — from diagnostics to personalized product recommendations. The real opportunity lies in making these tools both accessible and trustworthy, with strong privacy and data safety measures in place. If done right, AI can significantly elevate the consumer experience in India."

"AI beauty tools are great for initial guidance, but they should never be your only source of information. Think of them as a checker, not a final prescription — always validate important skincare advice with a qualified dermatologist to ensure safety and effectiveness."