What is the general process required to find a cosmetics factory to process a facial cleanser
Processing facial cleansers for cosmetic brands is a common business for OEM/ODM cosmetics. The entire process involves multiple professional links and requires close cooperation between the brand and the factory. The following are detailed standard procedures and key considerations:
1、 Pre communication and requirement confirmation (1-4 weeks)
1. The brand has clear requirements
Product positioning: affordable/mid-range/high-end? Popular/niche?
Core selling point: Amino acid facial cleanser? Soap based compound? Is it suitable for oil control/moisturizing/sensitive skin? Does it contain any special ingredients (such as salicylic acid, enzymes, plant extracts)?
Dosage form and texture: cream/foam/gel/face cream/face powder?
Packaging material requirements: hoses/pump bottles/vacuum bottles/self-supporting bags? Material (plastic/glass), capacity, color, printing process (silk screen/hot stamping/labeling), is it necessary to open a private mold?
Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ): Typically starting from 3000-10000 units (varies greatly depending on the factory).
Cost budget: Target individual cost (including content+packaging+processing+testing).
Regulatory requirements: Must comply with China's "Regulations on the Supervision and Administration of Cosmetics" and filing regulations.
2. Factory matching and preliminary screening
Provide requirement documents to multiple factories for inquiries.
Factory feedback: feasibility, preliminary quotation, production cycle, qualification documents (cosmetics production license, ISO22716/GMPC certification).
Key considerations: experience in facial cleanser production, richness of formula library, packaging material resources, and filing service capabilities.
2、 Cooperation signing and advance payment (1 week)
Signing a contract: Clarify product specifications, quality standards, prices, delivery dates, payment methods (usually including deposit, mid-term payment, and final payment), intellectual property ownership, confidentiality clauses, and breach of contract responsibilities.
Pay a deposit: usually 30% -50% of the total cost.
3、 Product development and sampling (2-8 weeks)
1. Formula confirmation
ODM mode (factory provided formula):
The factory recommends 2-3 basic formulas based on demand.
The brand selects and proposes adjustment requirements (such as replacing the active system, adding specific ingredients, adjusting fragrance/viscosity).
OEM mode (brand proprietary formula):
Provide complete formula and raw material specifications (INCI name, content, supplier COA).
The factory evaluates the feasibility, compliance, and production process adaptability of the formula.
Key point: Determine the final formula and sign the 'Formula Confirmation Form'.
2. Packaging material confirmation
Provide packaging material design draft (brand or factory design).
Confirm the material, craftsmanship, dimensions, and printing files (Pantone color codes, font vector graphics).
If mold opening is required: pay the mold fee and confirm the sample (3-5 modifications).
3. Sampling and testing
Factory produces content samples (50-200g) and packaging material samples (white mold/printing samples).
Brand testing:
Skin feeling, cleaning power, foam volume, smell, flushing degree.
The feel of the packaging material, smoothness of pressing, and sealing performance.
Factory testing: Preliminary stability (heat/cold resistance), pH value, viscosity.
Modify and optimize until the sample is confirmed, and sign the 'Sample Confirmation Form'.
4、 Filing testing and registration (4-12 weeks, key!)
According to Chinese regulations, regular facial cleansers need to complete cosmetic registration (non special cosmetics).
1. Factory prepares materials
Product formula (full ingredients and content).
Product execution standards (enterprise standards).
Sample product label.
Raw material safety information (supplier submission code).
Brief description of production process.
2. Commissioned testing (CMA organization)
Required testing items: microbiological testing (total bacterial count, etc.), physical and chemical testing (pH value, heavy metals, etc.), toxicology testing (skin irritation/corrosiveness).
Cost: Approximately 5000-15000 yuan.
Cycle: 2-4 weeks.
3. Submit for record keeping
The factory or brand submits materials through the National Medical Products Administration's ordinary cosmetics filing platform.
After filing, obtain a filing number (such as: Guozhuang Net registration number XXXXXXX) before it can be listed for sale.
5、 Mass production and quality control (2-4 weeks)
1. Production preparation
Raw material procurement (COA inspection report).
Inspection of packaging materials at the factory (size, printing, defect rate).
Production line debugging.
2. Production process
Ingredients → Emulsification and stirring → Static defoaming → Filling → Packaging → Coding (production batch number/limited use date).
Process quality inspection: physical and chemical indicators of semi-finished products, filling accuracy, and packaging integrity.
3. Factory inspection
According to the "Technical Specification for Safety of Cosmetics", conduct random inspections on appearance, odor, pH value, microorganisms, etc.
Provide a 'Finished Product Inspection Report'.
6、 Delivery settlement and after-sales service
Inspection: The brand shall conduct sampling inspection (quantity, packaging, quality) according to the contract.
Final payment: After confirming the accuracy, pay the remaining balance (usually 40% -70%).
Logistics: Factory shipment or brand self pickup.
After sales support: Provide filing certificates, quality inspection reports, production records (partially), and assist in market feedback and problem tracing.
Key precautions
1. Time planning (total cycle approximately 3-8 months)
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2. Guide to Avoiding Pits
Formula compliance: Prohibited ingredients (such as chlorhexidine propionate) and restricted ingredient concentrations (such as salicylic acid ≤ 3%) must be strictly monitored.
Compatibility of packaging materials: The paste and packaging materials may react (such as certain active substances corroding aluminum tubes), and compatibility testing is required.
Responsible party for filing: The brand is the responsible party for filing, and even if the factory is entrusted to handle it, the brand still needs to be responsible for the authenticity of the information.
Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ): For small batch orders, try to choose the existing packaging material molds in the factory, as the cost of opening private molds is extremely high (mold fee+high MOQ).
3. Cost optimization suggestions
Choose mature formulas: ODM mode has lower development costs than customized formulas.
Simplify packaging process: reduce special processes such as hot stamping/UV, and choose standard bottle shapes.
Off peak production: Avoiding peak seasons in factories (such as before Double 11) may reduce processing fees.
Summary: Key elements for successful cooperation
Factory selection: Priority should be given to ODM enterprises with experience in mass production of facial cleansers, mature filing services, and fast response times (such as Cosmeishi, Northbell, Bawei Co., Ltd., or manufacturers of flexible service small and medium-sized brands).
Professional liaison: The brand needs to have liaison personnel who understand the ingredients, packaging materials, and regulations to avoid communication errors.
Compliance awareness: Strictly abide by the filing deadline and prohibit false claims (such as requiring efficacy reports for "acne treatment").
Reserved buffer period: Testing and filing often encounter queue delays, and 2 months of redundant time should be reserved before production.
It is recommended that brand owners screen 3-5 factories for horizontal comparison through the Beauty Expo, Alibaba 1688 factory store, and industry media recommendations (Jumei/Pin Guan Network), conduct on-site inspections, and then sign contracts to significantly reduce risks.