The Function Of Skincare Laboratories Explained
Successful skincare brands rely heavily on partnerships with skincare laboratories.
But if you’re new to the skincare game, it’s not always clear how manufacturers spend their time day-to-day, or how their services can add value to your business.
That’s why we’re giving you an exclusive sneak peek behind the manufacturing curtain.
Our easy-to-follow guide reveals the four essential functions of skincare laboratories, how to distinguish between great and mediocre labs, and provides a glimpse into how your skincare products are made from start to finish.
Just keep reading!
1. Skincare Labs Engage In Research And Development
The main function of skincare laboratories is obviously to create new skincare products.
However, a manufacturer’s work begins long before the production phase.
The new blue light serums that are flying off the shelves? Or the innovative BHA bacne sprays? These unique products aren’t created overnight.
Product development begins with brainstorming, research, concept testing, and experimentation – also known as research and development (R&D).
Teams of highly skilled chemists experiment with new product concepts and ingredients in skincare labs. This includes advanced scientific research to create products that outperform what’s currently available on the market.
R&D work forms the basis of the lab’s preformulated bulk or private label skincare and also helps to prepare for custom formulating services.
However, the R&D process is not just about looking inward. It also requires constant market analysis to stay on top of the latest formula and ingredient trends in the cosmetics industry.
Changes in the wider economy can heavily influence how labs conduct R&D.
Research and development in the beauty industry is more innovative and dynamic than ever thanks to the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and new biotechnological developments.
At Genie Supply, our team of highly skilled professional chemists works with the latest cutting-edge technology to conduct R&D and create new high-performing ingredients and skincare products.
Learn more about our latest innovations at Genie Supply here.
2. Formulating, Product Development, and Manufacturing
Combining their professional skills with knowledge from the extensive R&D process, chemists in skincare laboratories create new products to sell to brands.
This involves perfecting preformulated skincare lines to sell on a private label or bulk basis and collaborating with brands directly through custom product creation and custom formulating.
Some skincare laboratories specialize in formulating for a particular niche. This could include a focus on ethical issues like clean beauty, sustainability, or kindness to animals, or a particular product category like anti-aging or acne-fighting skincare.
High-quality manufacturers also take on the role of a consultant during discovery calls and the onboarding process with potential new clients.
This requires up-to-date knowledge of the overall skincare market, including:
What’s trending
The feasibility of new product concepts or ingredient ideas
The estimated timelines and costs for proposed formulas
These skincare laboratories also look a step beyond the wider industry and help develop a personalized product development strategy with clients based on their individual brand.
This requires a deep understanding of how skincare needs and preferences differ between demographic groups.
For example, a quality product development strategy should take into account:
Skin type
The difference between younger and mature skin
How to cater to all skin tones
At Genie Supply, we specialize in clean, sustainable, cruelty-free skincare that works.
We offer a wide range of formulating and manufacturing services including private label, bulk, custom product creation, custom formulating, and contract manufacturing. Learn more about making that leap from home to the lab here.
3. Testing And Quality Control For Safe And Consistent Skincare
Product safety is paramount for any products applied to human skin.
Formulating at home can be a good place to learn the basics of creating skincare.
However, we recommend switching to a lab before the selling phase to ensure your products are safe and consistent enough for the market. Learn more about the dangers of formulating at home in our full blog post here.
Mandatory Stability Testing
Professional skincare manufacturers work with 3rd party ISO accredited labs or conduct the tests in-house.
Laboratories calculate the shelf life, test every formula for skin safety, and help ensure the finished products comply with all the relevant regulation standards and guidelines.
All cosmetic products on the US market are required to undergo stability testing to ensure the product keeps its original form in the presence of changes in the external environment, including temperature, light, or exposure to bacteria.
Additional Tests May Be Required
Any skincare formulated with water also requires preservative efficacy testing (PET). Technicians inject the water-based formula with substances that have the potential to promote the growth of bacteria, yeast, or mold.
A formula passes if there is no recorded presence of these potentially harmful substances at the end of the test.
Quality skincare manufacturers offer further testing, including:
RIPT allergy testing
Heavy metal testing
Hemp testing
pH testing
Once the formula passes all of the relevant tests and moves to the mass production phase, labs will conduct batch testing to ensure product consistency and safety.
At Genie Supply, we offer all of the tests listed above (and more) through 3rd party ISO-accredited labs. Learn more about the full testing process at Genie Supply here.
4. Customized Packaging and Labeling Services
Creating the perfect packaging is another time-consuming task on your never-ending to-do list as a brand owner.
Thankfully, some skincare laboratories will help take that stress off your hands. Look for manufacturers that offer full turnkey production from the formulation to the filling, and also the branded packaging creation phase.
Skincare laboratories can also help you ensure that you are following the relevant label regulations and guidelines. Learn more about complying with FDA regulations in our full labeling requirements guide.
Packaging is that all-important first impression of your product, so be sure it aligns with your brand and appeals directly to your target audience.
Look for containers and outer box packaging that are sturdy, high-quality, and sustainable where possible.
At Genie Supply, we make the customization process easy for you. Options range from choosing your brand colors via custom coloring to hot foiling, screenprinting, and labeling.
For the box packaging, simply select your packaging from our catalog, ask for the dielines from your product manager, and send them to your designer to create the packaging of your dreams. Learn more about screenprinting and packaging at Genie Supply here.
In sum, the main function of skincare laboratories include:
Engaging in research and development to create new ingredients and product concepts
Formulating, developing, and manufacturing preformulated and custom-manufactured products
Testing and quality control to adhere to regulations and ensure batch consistency
Creating custom packaging for full turnkey production
Are you ready to work with a professional skincare laboratory and create your own range of winning products? Genie Supply would love to collaborate with your business. Learn more by calling: (812) 329-1105 or emailing: customerservice@geniesupply.com
