How to assess the research and development capabilities of a cosmetics factory

To assess the R&D strength of a cosmetics factory, it is necessary to conduct in-depth investigations from multiple dimensions such as team, hardware, technological achievements, and innovation capabilities. The following is a specific evaluation framework and practical points:

1、 Professional composition and experience of the R&D team

Core personnel qualifications

Education and professional background: The R&D leader should have a master's degree or above in cosmetics related majors (such as fine chemicals, bioengineering), or more than 10 years of experience in developing well-known brands (product projects they have participated in can be verified);

Reasonable team structure:

Formula engineers account for ≥ 40% (responsible for raw material compounding and stability testing);

Microbiologist/Toxicologist (ensuring product safety and avoiding allergy risks);

Sensory evaluator (optimizing texture, odor, and other user experience).

External intellectual support

Whether to jointly establish a joint laboratory with raw material suppliers such as BASF and Deloitte;

Whether to cooperate with universities (such as the Department of Cosmetics at Beijing Technology and Business University) to conduct research on active ingredients (please refer to the cooperation agreement or paper authorship).

2、 Research and development hardware facilities and experimental capabilities

Laboratory Configuration Standards

Key Equipment List:

Stability testing equipment: high and low temperature circulation box (-20 ℃~60 ℃), centrifugal separator (detecting stratification);

Efficacy testing instruments: Corneometer, colorimeter (to evaluate product color stability);

Microbial testing equipment: sterile operating table, colony counter (in accordance with the testing requirements of the "Cosmetic Safety Technical Specification").

Cleanliness level: The R&D laboratory needs to meet the ISO Class 8 (Class 10000) cleanliness standard, and the cream product R&D area needs to be equipped with a Class 100 laminar flow hood (cleanliness test reports can be requested to be viewed).

Standardization of experimental procedures

Whether to conduct human efficacy testing in accordance with GCP (Good Clinical Practice) (such as a patch test using 30 volunteers continuously for 28 days);

New product development requires at least 5 rounds of formula iteration (recording pH value, viscosity, and anti-corrosion system optimization data for each iteration).

3、 Technical reserves and innovative achievements

Patent and core technology layout

Search the Chinese patent database and find that the number of cosmetics related patents in the past 3 years is ≥ 10 (with invention patents accounting for ≥ 30%), for example:

Active ingredient packaging technology (such as "a nano liposome VC essence and its preparation method");

Special dosage form technology (such as freeze-dried facial mask, microcapsule blasting technology).

Do you have exclusive raw materials (such as plant extracts extracted through self fermentation)? You can request raw material testing reports and supplier authorization letters.

Formula library and successful cases

Factory formula library scale: covering skincare, makeup, wash and other categories with ≥ 5000 mature formulas (3 formulas can be randomly selected to verify their stability data);

Market performance of previous R&D cases: such as customer satisfaction (≥ 90%), repurchase rate data of a certain essence solution, or whether it has been adopted by international brands (cooperation agreement is required).

4、 Customized R&D service capability

Demand response speed

Can the development of concepts (such as "anti-aging" and "sensitive skin repair") to samples be completed within 15 days;

Does it support dosage form innovation (such as gel milk, water in oil in water multiple emulsification system).

Compliance and filing support

Does the formula avoid prohibited ingredients (such as hydroquinone and glucocorticoids) in the Cosmetic Safety Technical Specification;

Can you assist in completing efficacy claim testing (such as third-party agency testing reports on wrinkle resistance) and product registration (such as registration for regular cosmetics and special cosmetics).

5、 Horizontal comparison and on-site verification

Sample testing and user feedback

The factory is required to develop 3 samples (such as Bose face cream with different concentrations) according to the needs, and test:

Technical specifications: centrifugal test (3000 revolutions per minute, no delamination for 30 minutes), cold and heat resistance test (no changes in appearance after storage at -15 ℃/45 ℃ for 1 month);

Effect verification: Invite 20 consumers to try it out and record data on changes in skin moisture and oil content (measured using a skin detector).

Transparency in R&D management

During on-site inspections, check the R&D project management system (such as Jira Kanban) to understand the number and progress milestones of ongoing projects;

The factory is required to provide failure case analysis in the past 1 year (such as the improvement process of a liquid foundation being returned due to the sticky feeling) to evaluate the problem solving ability.

6、 Industry certification and honor endorsement

R&D Qualification Certification:

Certified according to ISO 22716 (Good Manufacturing Practice for Cosmetics);

Obtained the recognition of "High tech Enterprise" (R&D expenses accounting for ≥ 5%);

Industry influence:

Whether to participate in the formulation of national standards (such as the drafting unit of "Sodium Hyaluronate for Cosmetics Raw Materials");

Won the beauty technology award (such as the "Innovation Technology Award" of China Flavor essence and Cosmetics Industry Association).

Key data reference

R&D investment ratio: Factories with annual R&D expenses ≥ 8% of sales have more sustainable innovation capabilities;

New product iteration cycle: Mature factories can launch 1-2 innovative dosage form products every quarter;

Patent conversion rate: The proportion of patent technology actually applied to products should be ≥ 60%.

Through the comprehensive evaluation of the above dimensions, the brand can accurately assess the R&D strength of the factory, and prioritize selecting partners with deep technical reserves and complete experimental systems to reduce product development risks and enhance market competitiveness.