How to connect cosmetics with brands and produce and process products well
From brand integration to product production and processing, cosmetics need to go through multiple key stages, including brand positioning, supply chain screening, product research and development, production implementation, and later cooperation. The following are detailed operation steps and key points:
1、 Clarify brand positioning and requirements
1. Brand Goal Sorting
Market positioning: Determine the target user group (such as young women, sensitive skin groups, high-end consumer groups, etc.), price range (affordable, mid-range, high-end), and core selling points of the product (such as natural ingredients, environmentally friendly packaging, etc.).
Product planning: Clearly define the product line (such as skincare, wash care, etc.), quantity of individual products, direction of efficacy (such as moisturizing, whitening, oil control, etc.), and launch rhythm (such as seasonal new products, annual main promotion).
2. Develop a list of cooperation requirements
List specific requirements for contract manufacturers, such as:
Qualification requirements: Whether it is necessary to have international certifications such as GMPC, ISO 22716, or comply with domestic cosmetics production licenses (makeup brand, special brand, etc.).
R&D capability: Do you need a contract factory to provide one-stop services such as formula research and development, packaging design, etc.
Production scale: expected production capacity (such as monthly/annual output), minimum order quantity (MOQ) requirements.
Special processes: such as freeze-drying technology, microencapsulation, aseptic filling, etc.
Cost budget: including cost control objectives for various links such as raw materials, packaging materials, processing fees, etc.
2、 Select suitable OEM factories (brand perspective)
1. Search for outsourcing factories through channels
Industry exhibitions: Participate in China Beauty Expo (CBE), Guangzhou International Beauty Expo, etc., and directly connect with factories.
Industry platform: Search through B2B platforms for cosmetics processing, such as cosmetics OEM website and beauty training supplier platform.
Peer recommendation: Consult with industry brands or suppliers about high-quality contract factories that have cooperated with them.
On site inspection: Priority should be given to selecting factories in industrial clusters (such as Guangzhou, Shanghai, Zhejiang and other cosmetics industry belts) to facilitate subsequent communication.
2. Factory qualification and capability assessment
Qualification review: Check business license, production license, quality inspection report, patent certificate and other documents.
R&D strength:
Check laboratory equipment and R&D team size (such as whether there are dermatologists, formulators, etc.).
Request to provide past research and development cases (such as successfully launched product formulas, patented technologies, etc.).
throughput:
Visit the production line (such as paste filling, emulsification workshop, packaging workshop) to confirm whether the production capacity matches the demand.
Understand the packaging supply chain resources (such as whether there are stable suppliers of bottle containers, pump heads, and cardboard boxes).
Quality control system:
Inquire about the raw material procurement channels (such as whether imported raw materials are used and whether they have passed safety testing).
Confirm the quality inspection process (such as microbiological testing, stability testing, toxicology testing, etc.) and after-sales problem handling mechanism.
3. Sample testing and comparison
Request the factory to provide samples (such as 10-50) according to the demand, with a focus on testing:
Product sensory perception (texture, odor, color), user experience (absorption, stickiness).
Efficacy verification (such as moisturizing power testing, sun protection index testing, can be entrusted to third-party organizations).
Packaging adaptability (such as whether the pump head leaks liquid and whether the bottle body printing is firm).
Compare quotes from multiple factories (including raw material costs, processing costs, packaging costs, shipping costs, etc.), and select the most cost-effective partner based on quality and delivery time.
3、 Product development and customization process
1. Formula development
Option 1: Improvement of the existing formula in the factory
Choose mature factory formulas and adjust fragrance, texture, packaging, etc. according to brand needs (low cost, short cycle, suitable for start-up brands).
Option 2: Customized new formula
Collaborate with the factory R&D team to determine the formula framework, which includes the following steps:
Ingredient screening: Specify core ingredients (such as hyaluronic acid, retinol, plant extracts, etc.), or have the factory recommend popular ingredients (such as hyaluronic acid, blue copper peptide).
Safety testing: Ensure that the formula meets regulatory requirements through skin patch testing, irritation testing, etc.
Stability testing: Test the stability of product properties under high temperature (45 ℃), low temperature (-15 ℃), light and other environmental conditions.
Declaration of efficacy filing: If special efficacy is involved (such as whitening, sun protection, anti shedding, etc.), human efficacy testing must be conducted in advance and the filing must be completed.
2. Packaging material design and procurement
Design process:
The brand provides design drafts (such as logos, packaging styles, color schemes), or entrusts the factory design team to complete them.
Confirm the material (such as glass bottles, PET plastic, environmentally friendly paper packaging) and specifications (such as bottle capacity, packaging size).
Sampling and mass production:
First, make packaging material samples (such as bottle molds and printing samples), confirm their accuracy, and then mass produce (note that the minimum order quantity for packaging materials is usually high, such as 10000 pieces).
Pay attention to the compatibility between packaging materials and contents (such as avoiding the use of metal containers for acidic products).
3. Filing and testing
Ordinary cosmetics: Complete product formula registration (submitted through the "Cosmetics Registration and Filing Information Service Platform"), and provide ingredient lists, production processes, quality inspection reports, etc.
Special cosmetics: require administrative licensing (such as whitening and sun protection), which includes laboratory testing, human trial testing, expert review, etc., with a relatively long cycle (about 6-12 months).
Testing items: Microbial indicators (total bacterial count, coliform group, etc.), heavy metals (lead, mercury, arsenic, etc.), screening for prohibited and restricted substances.
4、 Production processing and quality control
1. Signing contracts and scheduling
The contract terms should clearly state:
Responsibilities of both parties: The brand is responsible for trademark registration, filing, and marketing; The OEM is responsible for raw material procurement, production, and quality inspection.
Cost details: Payment methods and cycles for raw material costs, processing fees (such as filling and packaging fees), taxes, and transportation fees.
Delivery time agreement: Confirm the production cycle (usually 45-90 days, including packaging preparation time) and the liability for breach of contract for delayed delivery.
Intellectual Property: Clarify the ownership of formula and design patents (if exclusive use by the brand is required, special indication is required).
2. Follow up on the production process
Raw material incoming inspection: The brand may require participation in raw material acceptance, verifying supplier qualifications, raw material batch numbers, and testing reports.
Production monitoring:
Key links: emulsification process (such as temperature, stirring time), filling accuracy (such as controlling capacity error within ± 5%).
Sampling inspection: Randomly select semi-finished products during production to test indicators such as pH value and viscosity.
Packaging process: Supervise the labeling, boxing, and packaging processes to ensure the accuracy of information such as logo, production date, and ingredient list.
3. Finished product acceptance and delivery
Pre storage inspection:
Appearance inspection: Check if the packaging is complete, if the printing is clear, and if there is any leakage or damage.
Functional testing: such as whether the pump head is pressed smoothly and whether the bottle cap seal is good.
Logistics arrangement:
Choose reliable logistics providers (such as SF Express and dedicated logistics) to ensure that products are not damaged during transportation (especially fragile packaging materials).
We can request the OEM factory to provide warehousing services (such as temporarily storing finished products and shipping them in batches according to the brand's orders).
5、 Post cooperation and optimization
1. Market feedback and iteration
Collect consumer feedback (such as user experience and effectiveness feedback), work with contract manufacturers to analyze issues (such as high product allergy rates and packaging damage), and adjust formulas or packaging materials.
Regular review and cooperation: Evaluate the on-time delivery rate, product qualification rate, and service response speed of the OEM factory every quarter/year, and negotiate optimization plans.
2. Long term cooperation expansion
Establish a stable supply chain: Sign long-term framework agreements with high-quality contract factories, lock in production capacity and prices, and reduce the risk of cost fluctuations.
Expand the scope of cooperation: such as extending from a single category (such as skincare products) to cosmetics, hair care, or developing co branded or limited edition products.
Key precautions
Regulatory compliance:
Ensure that all ingredients, packaging, and promotional materials comply with the Cosmetic Regulation and target market regulations (such as the EU CPNP and the US FDA).
Special ingredients (such as preservatives and sunscreens) must comply with national limit requirements.
Cost control:
The lower the minimum order quantity (MOQ), the higher the unit price. Start up brands can negotiate small batch trial production (such as 5000-10000 pieces) to reduce inventory risk.
The cost of packaging materials may account for 30% -50%, which can be reduced through centralized procurement and simplified design.
Intellectual Property Protection:
Apply for patents for exclusive formulas and designs, or stipulate in the contract that the OEM shall not disclose relevant information to third parties.
Through the above process, brands can systematically connect with contract manufacturers to ensure the full chain controllability of products from concept to implementation, while reducing research and production risks and enhancing market competitiveness.