How Do I Choose a Skincare Manufacturer?

April 26, 2023 · News

When it comes to launching a successful skincare business, choosing the right manufacturer is key.

Your chosen manufacturer will be responsible for creating your products and ensuring they meet the quality standards your customers expect. This means that finding a reliable and experienced partner is essential to the success of your business—but how do you choose a skincare manufacturer?

Each skincare manufacturer will offer a unique set of capabilities that may or may not suit your business. For this reason, when choosing a skincare manufacturer, it’s important to consider factors such as the quality of their samples, along with their product range, minimum and maximum order quantities, unit cost, the services they provide and the expected turnaround time.

Let’s delve a little deeper into each of these…

How to Choose a Skincare Manufacturer: What to Consider

Product Samples

The quality of product samples can be a great point of difference when comparing manufacturers.

Skincare formulations can vary significantly. From the selection and potency of the ingredients used to the texture, consistency and fragrance of a product, the best formulations will include the right combination of ingredients in the correct proportions.

You need to be able to see your brand selling the product and samples will provide the best indication of whether a product will meet your customers’ expectations.

Product Range and Suitability

It’s common for skincare brands to offer more than one product. For this reason, it’s important to consider the complete range of product formulations a manufacturer can offer and how well that fits in with the product range you have in mind.

Even if you only plan to offer one or two products initially, it’s good to know whether a manufacturer has the product range and capability to support you to quickly and easily expand to introduce additional product lines in the future should you decide to.

Minimum and Maximum Order Quantities

Production capacity should be another key point of consideration. While some skincare manufacturing facilities specialise in small batch production, others are better equipped to handle larger scale production.

Find out what the manufacturers minimum and maximum order quantities are and see how well that aligns with your sales forecasts.

Price Per Unit

The unit cost of each product and how well it fits in with your budget will also likely be an important factor in your decision making.

The lower the unit cost, the greater the profit margin you will be able to generate from each product you sell, so it’s important to find a manufacturer that represents good value in comparison to the quality of the product.

Keep in mind that unit costs may also change depending on the order volume, so request tiered pricing from each manufacturer so you can see how your profit margin will be affected as production volumes change.

Level of Service

It’s also important to be aware that the level of service provided by various manufacturers can differ. While some manufacturers offer complete, turn-key solutions, others provide more of a ‘no frills’ service offering.

Consider what level of service your business needs. Have you already developed your product formulations or will you need to develop these from scratch? Will you self-manage your product testing and ensure your products meet all regulatory compliance and certification requirements? Do you need help designing your artwork and sourcing your packaging and labelling?

Consider how hands on you’re willing to be in the product development and manufacturing process and ensure the manufacturer is prepared to meet this.

Turnaround Time

Speed to market is another important factor that can have a big impact on your bottom line. Find out what the manufacturers production lead times are and weigh this up against your business requirements.

It’s also important to not only consider production lead times, but also shipping lead times. If you choose to go with an overseas manufacturer, keep in mind that the extended shipping lead time it takes to get your product to market could offset any potential cost savings.

Trusted Australian Skincare Manufacturers

Wild Child is the perfect choice for any business looking for a full-service skincare manufacturer that can handle high-volume production, at speed.

Providing complete end-to-end skincare development and manufacturing solutions, we can help at every stage from formulation to packaging, labelling and production, making it easy to get your skincare products to market sooner.

Find out more about skincare manufacturing with Wild Child or contact us to see how we can help your business.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, our minimum order quantities (MOQs) are a function of the calibrated weights of our mixing vessel and the capacity of our filling lines. Depending on the unit size of the final product the MOQ will typically be around 10,000 units.

We do not have a product catalogue. Products will be suggested by our Product Development team based on the information you provide through the new product enquiry form.

Yes, with a better understanding of your product requirements we will develop a lab sample(s) for your review and ultimate approval. Depending on level of customisation or development required, this service may incur a fee.

Typically, 12 – 14 weeks from the placement of purchase order and payment of the deposit. Please note, the manufacturing lead time is dependent on the availability of the raw materials and packaging components, which can be confirmed prior to the placement of your order.

No, all our pricing is EX WORKS. Whilst we do not provide freight and distribution services, we can assist with the freight quotation and booking from our Facility.

Upon placement of purchase order, a 50% deposit is required, and balance is due prior to the release of the finished goods.

Yes, we can provide packaging options based on formulation compatibility and compliance standards. Alternatively, clients can provide their own packaging with the understanding that it must be compatible with our equipment and meet compliance standards.