There has never been a better time to launch a new boutique skincare brand than now. Consumers are on a constant quest to find the most unique products that align with their needs and values, which plays in your favour when you are the new “kid on the block” and have a strong brand presence. And if your product is as good as you say it is? They’ll keep coming back for more!

I’m ready! But… where does the journey begin?

There are many ways to start, but only one to get it right from the get-go: work with an independent skincare formulator (someone who’s not linked to a specific manufacturer).

Whether you have simply an idea or you have a product developed, formulators can help. Starting small from your kitchen is an endearing story, and this is fine if you’re only sharing your products with family and friends. If you want to commercialise your product, however, it’s important to work with a professional who can help you comply with regulations in the industry.

With commercial batch products, you need to ensure they’re stable for 18 months or more (depending on your market). That means you need to have a product with a reliable preservative system, which is something you might not have thought about as it’s not needed for small samples that will be consumed in a few days. The good news is that today there are lots of natural options, and a formulator can help you search for the right ones (based on your specific blend of ingredients).

At the start, you might need to work with suppliers who can make small batches of your product to see how it goes in the market. Once you have enough movement of stock you have the option to move to a manufacturer that gives you a better deal with large batches, but you can only do this if you own your own products.

But my products are mine, are they not?

Well…, not always.

Instead of having an independent formulator, some people opt for having a formulation created by their manufacturer, usually for “free”. Beware of going down this path as you could be trading future profit and valuable time over a small initial cost. Manufacturers usually keep the Intellectual Property rights of their formulations (hence them being “free,” as they’re not yours). They also use a base formulation which is already pre-created based on the current ingredients in stock. There’s nothing wrong with that if being the next beauty disruptor is not your thing. But even then, you’re obliged to work with that manufacturer only. That means you’ll lose something that every brand owner should have: the right to do what they want with their products.

An independent formulator will help you to select the right ingredients to make your products effective (not based on manufacturer’s stocked ingredients). It will give you decision power over your products and they will become a valuable business asset. In some cases, independent formulators (like us!) provide support throughout the development process! That will free you from dealing with suppliers, regulations, documentation, manufacturers and other headaches so that you can focus on what matters: your clients!

So, are you ready for some fun?

We know everything you need to launch your skincare brand and we can help you to get started. Send us a message if you run into some issues or just want personalized advice. Personal care is our passion, and we would love to talk with you about it!