CHOSEN, a Chennai-based skincare brand focused on melanin-rich Indian skin, has raised an extension of its Series A funding round from Avnish Chhabria and Saurabh Kapoor, the founders of Wellbeing Nutrition. The fresh capital will support research and development (R&D), formulation innovation and clinical validation as the company expands its skincare and nutraceutical portfolio.
The funding 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 fund, Alkemi Growth Capital and other angel investors. The company had previously raised $1.2 million in an angel funding round in 2024.
Founded in 2020 by Renita Rajan, CHOSEN develops products designed for the specific needs of melanin-rich Indian skin. Its approach draws on the science of the exposome, which examines how environmental factors influence skin health. The brand focuses on four areas of ageing: pigmentation, skin texture, facial contour and hair ageing.
CHOSEN plans to use the funding to strengthen its formulation pipeline across topical skincare and nutraceuticals, with an emphasis on dermatological research and clinical evidence. It also intends to establish a Centre of Excellence to involve dermatologists in product development and research, while expanding its R&D, brand and growth teams.
The company’s portfolio includes more than 50 products across skincare, haircare, body care and nutraceuticals. Its products are prescribed by over 2,000 doctors. In 2026, its Sculpt product became India’s first topical lower-face contouring serum, supported by a 12-week clinical study involving Indian women published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
CHOSEN sells through its website and platforms including Amazon, Myntra, Swiggy, FirstClub and Distacart. It serves most serviceable pin codes in India, with Chennai, Coimbatore, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Pune, Ahmedabad and Goa among its priority markets.
Internationally, the brand ships to markets including the US, UK, Australia, Canada, UAE, Singapore, France, Sweden, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Hong Kong and Thailand. It competes with established skincare brands such as Avène, Heliocare, Cetaphil, Sebamed, Shiseido and Dr. Sturm.
The funding extension positions CHOSEN to deepen its research-led approach as it expands its product portfolio and presence across domestic and international markets.
Source: Based on publicly available reporting, with additional editorial adaptation and analysis.
