What are the key service sectors in skincare manufacturing?
As a beauty brand, you know your organisational ambitions perfectly. You know what you want to achieve and the key audiences to attract. But, when it comes to the nitty-gritty of formulating your skincare range, it’s important to choose an experienced manufacturer who will exceed expectations in creating your products. One way they can do this is by guiding you to the right service sector for your requirements.
Whether you're an emerging beauty brand or an established company looking to expand your product line, choosing the right manufacturing service is crucial. It basically determines the route to take to bring your formulations to market. At Hera Beauty, we know there’s a lot to think about and we want to make the process as stress-free as possible for you.
To demystify some of the processes, we explain more about the four primary service sectors in skincare and haircare manufacturing. These comprise: new product development (NPD), bulk manufacturing, contract manufacturing, and private label. Each offers distinct advantages depending on your business goals. Let’s look at the differences to give you the information required to make the best decision for your brand.
What is new product development?
New product development (NPD) essentially means having a fresh formulation created from scratch specifically to meet your needs. This service is ideal for brands looking to create unique, custom-made formulations that stand out in the market - putting you at the forefront of innovation in the beauty industry.
Skincare manufacturers offering NPD work closely with brands to develop products; taking into account factors such as ingredient selection, look and texture, desired effects, ethical standards, and regulatory compliance. Key benefits of NPD include:
● Creating tailored formulations that meet brand-specific needs
● Gaining a strong reputation for innovation
● Bringing to market a unique product offering
● Accessing research and development expertise
In-house technical teams can create a bespoke product for your brand. They’ll take your ideas and inspiration and combine it with their product know-how and industry expertise. In addition, they’ll carry out all the relevant testing - such as stability, compatibility, preservative efficacy testing (PET) and produce cosmetic product safety reports (CPSR).
Bear in mind that developing a product from scratch offers many benefits, but timescales can also be longer. It may take up to a year to perfect your dream product.
What is contract manufacturing?
Perhaps you’re moving across from another manufacturer or have already decided upon the product you need. In this case, contract manufacturing is the ideal choice for you. It provides a full-service solution where formulations are manufactured to meet your brand’s specifications. The process includes production, filling, labelling, and packaging. It is a great choice for brands that want to maintain full control over their formulations while outsourcing the manufacturing process. Key benefits include:
● Perfectly matching your product needs
● Providing end-to-end manufacturing solutions
● Offering scalability to meet growing demand
Ultimately, contract manufacturing is ideal for established brands looking for a seamless production process. At Hera Beauty, our account managers will guide you through every step of the contract manufacturing process and all projects are dealt with in the strictest confidence, ensuring your formulation meets the highest standards.
What is bulk manufacturing?
Looking for a cost-effective solution for creating your beauty line? Bulk manufacturing involves producing large quantities of formulations (without individual packaging), supplied to your business in large containers. This service is ideal for organisations that can handle their own packaging or wish to source high-quality formulations at a competitive price. Key benefits include:
● Being cost-effective for brands requiring large volumes
● Providing a speedy manufacturing solution
● Allowing flexibility in packaging and branding
● Ensuring product consistency and quality at scale
At Hera Beauty, we provide the option of bespoke or existing formulations in bulk, plus you can add your choice of up to three ingredients (including those with anti-ageing, anti-oxidant, brightening, hydrating, nourishing, problem skin, or skin calming properties) to add to the formulation. Bulk products can be dispatched in under six weeks.
What is private label manufacturing?
Private label manufacturing offers a fast-track solution for brands that want to launch products without investing in research and development. It’s the perfect solution for start-ups, influencers, or retailers who want to quickly launch a skincare line - or diversify from an already established line - without extensive product development costs.
Basically, it means outsourcing the creation of your products to a supplier that’s already set up and ready to manufacture them. You simply select an existing and proven high-quality formula and then apply your own brand details to the packaging. Key benefits include:
● Faster time-to-market with ready-made formulations
● Lower costs compared to custom product development
● Ideal for testing new markets with minimal risk
● Scalability, because you can expand your product line or enter new markets easily
● Private-label sellers can be flexible, responding quickly to reviews and sales figures
Simply select from a wide range of pre-approved formulations, which you can launch quickly under your own label. All beauty products are pre-approved in line with UK & EU regulations.
Choosing the right service for your brand
Selecting the right skincare manufacturing service depends on your business model, budget, and product vision. Partnering with the right manufacturer will ensure your brand’s success.
If you're looking to launch a new beauty line, why not get in touch? We work closely with our partners and are here to guide you every step of the way. Read more about the product development journey or get in touch today to get the conversation started.