Indian skincare brand CHOSEN has raised an extension to its Series A round from Avnish Chhabria and Saurabh Kapoor, the co-founders of Wellbeing Nutrition, as it looks to deepen its research capabilities and expand its science-led product portfolio.
Founded by cosmetic dermatologist Dr Renita Rajan, the Chennai-based company focuses on skincare developed for melanin-rich Indian skin. The latest capital will support research and development (R&D), clinical validation and new formulations across topical skincare and nutraceuticals. The amount raised in the extension has not been disclosed.
The development follows CHOSEN’s $5 million Series A round in May 2026, led by Fireside Ventures, with participation from BOLD, L’Oréal’s corporate venture capital arm, and Alkemi Growth Capital. The company had previously raised $1.2 million in 2024.
Dr Renita Rajan’s Research-Led Approach to Skincare
Founded in 2020, CHOSEN builds its product development around the science of the exposome, which examines how environmental and lifestyle factors influence skin health. Its approach focuses on four areas associated with ageing: pigmentation, skin texture, facial contour and hair ageing.
The brand’s portfolio spans skincare, haircare, body care and nutraceuticals. It says its products are prescribed by more than 2,000 doctors, giving it a distribution model that combines dermatologist recommendations with D2C and online sales.
CHOSEN plans to establish a Centre of Excellence to bring more dermatologists into product research and development. It also intends to strengthen its R&D, brand and growth teams as it expands its product pipeline.
For the business, the focus on clinical evidence could help differentiate its products in a crowded skincare market. However, maintaining that position will depend on the quality of the research, the strength of clinical evidence and the ability to turn specialised formulations into products that consumers use consistently.
CHOSEN Sculpt and the Push for Clinical Validation
One of the brand’s recent launches is CHOSEN Sculpt, a topical serum designed to address lower-face contour and submental fullness.
A 12-week prospective study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology in January 2026 examined a topical serum containing DMAE and retinol in Indian women. Sixteen participants enrolled and 13 completed the study; the researchers reported visible improvement among those who completed it.
The findings provide preliminary evidence, rather than definitive proof of effectiveness. The study was single-centre and open-label, and its authors called for larger randomised controlled trials with objective measurements to validate the results.
This distinction matters as skincare brands increasingly use clinical research to support product claims. For CHOSEN, expanding its research programme could help build credibility, provided future studies are sufficiently rigorous and their limitations are communicated clearly.
Expanding Beyond India
CHOSEN sells through its own website and online marketplaces, including Amazon and Myntra, and has a presence in several Indian cities. The company also serves customers in overseas markets, including the US, UK, Australia, Canada, the UAE and Singapore.
The latest funding extension gives the brand additional backing as it works to strengthen its research-led positioning and broaden its portfolio. Its next challenge will be to scale distribution while maintaining the scientific discipline that underpins its identity.
For founder Dr Renita Rajan, the opportunity lies in building a skincare business around dermatology and evidence, rather than relying solely on product launches and marketing. How effectively CHOSEN converts that approach into repeat purchases and sustainable growth will be important to its next phase.
