I want to customize a whitening cream through OEM processing, but I don't know which factory to find

If you want to customize a whitening cream under a brand, choosing a suitable beauty OEM/ODM factory requires a focus on qualification compliance, research and development strength, production flexibility, and market insight ability. The following are specific screening criteria and cooperation suggestions:

1、 6 core criteria for screening factories

Special certification qualification (key!)

In China, whitening products are classified as special purpose cosmetics and must be registered with the National Medical Products Administration and obtain an "approval number for domestic special purpose cosmetics" (commonly known as a "special certificate").

Preferred solution: Choose a factory that has a ready-made whitening certificate (which can be authorized for use) or can quickly assist in applying for the certificate, avoiding the need for 1-2 years of self application.

Whitening formula research and development capability

Ingredient technology: Does the factory have stable compounding technology for mainstream whitening ingredients (such as niacin, 377, VC derivatives, arbutin, and glycyrrhizin) to avoid product discoloration and deactivation.

Efficacy verification: Can a third-party human efficacy test report be provided (such as tyrosinase inhibition rate, melanin reduction) to enhance the persuasiveness of the product.

Production compliance

Confirm whether the factory has a cosmetics production license and whether the workshop complies with the GMP/ISO 22716 standard to ensure product safety.

Check if the raw materials are sourced in compliance (e.g. 377 requires a valid purchase certificate).

Minimum order quantity and cost control

Small batch order capability: Prioritize factories that support minimum orders of 3000-5000 units to reduce inventory risk.

Transparent quotation: Require factories to provide itemized quotations (formula, packaging materials, testing fees, special certificate usage fees) to avoid implicit charges.

Market trend response speed

Can you provide mature solutions for popular concepts such as "early C and late A set", "extracellular vesicle whitening", and "pure beauty".

Does the packaging design follow fashion trends such as disposable ampoules, vacuum pump bottles, and sustainable packaging.

Additional service capability

Do you provide marketing material packages (efficacy comparison pictures, short video scripts, KOL sample sets).

Can you assist in completing the quality inspection report and efficacy claim basis required for the e-commerce platform.

2、 Recommend 3 suitable types of factories

1. ODM factories with whitening certification reserves

Advantage: Directly using the existing special certificate of the factory (requiring payment of authorization fee), it can be launched in 3-6 months.

Target audience: New brands with limited budget and urgent need for stocking.

Attention: Please confirm that the certified ingredients are consistent with your product formula and do not modify the core ingredients without authorization.

2. A research and development factory focused on efficacy skincare

Advantages: We have our own laboratory and can customize exclusive whitening formulas (such as "whitening+anti-aging" dual effects), providing clinical testing data.

3. Cross border compliance service providers

Advantages: Familiar with regulations from multiple countries (such as EU ECOCERT and US FDA OTC), suitable for brands planning to go global.

Key capability: Can provide a list of ingredients that meet local requirements (such as avoiding banned ingredients such as hydroquinone and mercury).

3、 Guidelines for the entire process of cooperation

Requirement communication

Clearly define product positioning (mass/high-end? Main ingredients? Pricing range), minimum order quantity, and time to market.

Request the factory to provide similar whitening cream cases and corresponding testing reports.

Formula and packaging material confirmation

Select the basic formula (adjusted from the factory's existing library) or customized development (additional R&D costs are required).

Packaging material suggestion: Prioritize using factory made molds (such as universal bottle shapes+customized labels) to reduce costs.

Sampling and testing

Require samples to be provided within 3-5 working days for testing skin texture and mildness (volunteers can be recruited for trial).

Confirm if additional testing is required (such as heavy metal, microbiological, patch testing).

Production and filing

If using factory certification: Simultaneously design packaging copy (must comply with the approved efficacy claims of the certification).

If a new special certificate is applied for, the factory should assist in submitting materials such as human efficacy evaluation and toxicology testing.

Delivery and after-sales service

Clearly define the delivery time (usually 30-45 days) and quality inspection standards.

Request to provide a production batch number traceability system to facilitate accountability for after-sales issues.

4、 Guide to Avoiding Pits

Be wary of low price traps

The quotation is lower than the market price (for example, face cream OEM is less than 3 yuan/bottle), which may steal cheap raw materials (for example, titanium dioxide fake white is used to replace real whitening).

Request the factory to provide a full ingredient list (INCI directory) and include it in the contract.

Avoiding the promise of a 'universal factory'

At the same time, factories that claim to specialize in skincare, makeup, and cosmetics products may not have sufficient specialized capabilities and should prioritize OEM factories that focus on facial skincare.

Key terms of the contract

Indicate the ownership of intellectual property rights (formula patents, design copyrights).

Constrain confidentiality obligations to prevent factories from selling the same product to competitors.

Action Suggestions

Short term strategy: Contact 3-5 factories, compare their special qualifications, sampling speed, and quotations, and prioritize suppliers who provide free preliminary solutions.

Long term layout: If planning brand operation, choose a factory that supports "formula iteration+special certificate upgrade" to avoid frequent supplier changes.

Choosing the right factory not only ensures product compliance and safety, but also enables your whitening cream to stand out in the market through technological barriers and rapid iteration.