Why Work With The Cosmetics Laboratories Of America?
Is partnering with the cosmetics laboratories of America really necessary when there are more affordable options abroad?
Do you even need to hire a lab when formulating at home is so much cheaper?
Choosing how and where to manufacture your cosmetics is one of the most difficult first steps in your beauty business journey.
Struggling to find the right path? Genie Supply is here to help.
Our in-depth guide below explains why formulating at home is no longer viable in 2024. Plus, we explore the four biggest (and often overlooked) advantages of choosing the cosmetic laboratories of America instead of alternatives abroad.
Why Work With A Cosmetics Lab?
The Dangers Of Formulating At Home
If you have been creating your cosmetics at home for some time now, partnering with a lab can seem like an unnecessary expense. Why pay someone else to make your products if you are happy to do it yourself?
Although making your own cosmetics is useful to familiarize yourself with the product creation process, bringing those homemade products to market is not as safe as it seems.
Handmade cosmetics are rife with potentially lethal mistakes - including contamination issues and batch inconsistency problems.
At a minimum, these formula blunders will lead to damaging customer complaints.
Worst case scenario? Your customers become injured as a direct result of your products and you have a lawsuit on your hands.
Read more about the dangers of formulating at home in our full blog post here.
The Benefits Of Working With A Professional Lab
Working with a professional manufacturer is key to ensuring you release safe, legally compliant, and consistent products.
This is particularly important in light of recent legal changes designed to crack down on potentially unsafe cosmetics and bring the US cosmetics industry closer to the global standard.
The Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA) places new requirements on manufacturers of cosmetic products.
Thanks to this legislation, it is now more difficult for smaller brands to create their own products, and it is no longer feasible for brands earning over one million dollars in sales to formulate from home at all.
The difference between formulating at home and working with a lab is night and day - manufacturers hire chemists with the skills and experience necessary to formulate and combine ingredients into the highest quality cosmetics possible.
Plus, every formula developed by a professional makeup and skin care lab undergoes rigorous safety testing and batch testing before it hits the market.
As formulating experts, manufacturers also build long-term relationships with raw materials suppliers and have access to the best quality ingredients at the most cost-effective prices.
At Genie Supply, we specialize in creating clean, safe, effective, ethical, and sustainable cosmetics that are compliant with every single legal requirement in the US. We are GMP-compliant, MoCRA-compliant, FDA-registered, and we have an A+ BBB rating. Learn more about the switch from home to lab here.
Why Work With The Cosmetics Laboratories Of America?
During your search for a cosmetics manufacturer, you'll quickly discover that your options extend far beyond just the labs located in the US.
Imagine you come across an international lab that specializes in your niche and is less expensive than most US-based options. Sounds perfect, right?
Not so fast!
Before you sign that international supply contract, take the time to learn about the significant disadvantages of moving your manufacturing further afield.
US Manufacturers Operate In A Similar Business Environment
Success in this industry is partially based on factors you can control, such as the quality of your products and your marketing efforts. However, your business’ performance is also vulnerable to external factors.
In particular, the economic, legal, and political reality in your region will influence both the supply and demand for your products.
For example, legal issues and bureaucracy are major causes of delayed product launches. Choosing US-based manufacturers cuts through a lot of the red tape associated with selling cosmetic products on the US market and prevents delays.
Not only are domestic suppliers legally bound by the same regulations as your business (although laws often differ by state), but sourcing locally also ensures that intellectual property (IP) laws are consistent.
Plus, unforeseen circumstances abroad can bring your business to a halt if you work with international manufacturers.
What happens if your brand goes viral on social media, but you can’t fulfill orders due to shipment delays caused by unexpected political or economic instability in your supplier’s region?
Sharing the same economic reality as your supplier avoids these potential supply chain problems.
At Genie Supply, we conduct all of our R&D and manufacture all our color cosmetics and skin care products right here in Bedford, Indiana. Read more about our origin story and our manufacturing services here.
Faster And More Cost-Effective Delivery
There’s no getting around it - delivery costs will inevitably eat into your profit margins. However, where you manufacture your products has a big impact on just how expensive delivery can be.
Sourcing from abroad increases costs due to distance and through tariffs, customs, and trade restrictions imposed by the US government.
On the other hand, working with domestic suppliers results in both faster and more cost-efficient delivery.
Domestic manufacturing provides a quicker turnaround time thanks to shorter travel distances and by avoiding hold-ups caused by the customs process. Fewer steps in the pickup and delivery process mean fewer chances of delays or other issues.
This quicker delivery process means it’s much easier to respond to new product trends and compete in the rapidly changing beauty market.
Plus, buying your cosmetics from the US is also better for the planet. If you market your brand as an ethical and sustainable business, you need to take steps to reduce your carbon footprint. Sourcing your products domestically is an easy way to make a difference.
At Genie Supply, cost-effective and timely delivery of your products is a priority for our manufacturing business, and we also offer a limited dropshipping program for your convenience. Learn more about dropshipping at Genie Supply here.
Build A Closer Relationship With Your Domestic Supplier
It’s easier to build a closer working relationship with a supplier based in the same country.
Firstly, US labs operate in the same time zone and share a common language. This can speed up your product development and manufacturing timeline thanks to faster response times and by avoiding miscommunication issues caused by supplying overseas.
If you find it difficult to conduct business over the phone, sourcing domestically also makes it easier to visit the manufacturing plant and conduct business negotiations with your supplier face-to-face.
Plus, American manufacturers tend to share similar cultural norms and common business etiquette. Navigating the appropriate business communication style and learning the correct jargon can be difficult abroad, especially if you are completely new to the cosmetics industry.
At Genie Supply, our diverse US-based team prides itself on authentic and transparent communication and the personalized attention that we show to each of our clients. Learn what our clients say about working with Genie Supply here.
American Consumers Still Want Products ‘Made in the USA’
Cosmetics consumers are more aware of the origins of beauty products than ever.
This is largely thanks to the rise of beauty communities on forums and social media, including a newer trend of infotainment content about cosmetic formulating across TikTok. Follow Genie Supply on Tiktok here for the inside scoop on product manufacturing.
For example, popular cosmetics product developer Alexis Androulakis of ‘The Lipstick Lesbians’ regularly uploads TikToks discussing the country of origin of beauty products (and sometimes even the specific factories where they are produced).
Although many other countries have a positive manufacturing reputation in the cosmetics industry (including Italy for eyeshadow and Korea for skin care), it’s clear that US consumers still have a strong preference for products produced in the USA.
Not only is the ‘made in the USA’ label a selling point, but it can also allow you to charge higher prices for your cosmetics. Morning Consult’s 2023 report revealed that almost two-thirds of US consumers regularly sought out “Made in America” products in 2023, with a majority claiming they would pay up to 10% more for products made in America.
At Genie Supply, all of our clean skin care and color cosmetic products are ethically produced in the USA, with a strong focus on conscious sourcing and manufacturing. Learn more about the American-made products we create here.
In sum, partnering with a manufacturer is essential to create safe, effective, and legally compliant skin care and makeup. The advantages of choosing cosmetics laboratories based in America include:
Operating in a similar business environment with the same economic, political, and legal realities
Faster and more cost-effective delivery
Facilitating a closer relationship with your supplier
The ‘Made in the USA’ selling point that allows you to charge a price premium
Are you ready to partner with a cosmetic laboratory based in America? Genie Supply is 100% owned and operated in the United States. Learn more about our manufacturing services by calling: (812) 329-1105 or through email: customerservice@geniesupply.com.
