You’ve done your research, picked your manufacturing method, and signed with a skin care factory to start production. But for new founders who haven’t been through the process before, it can be difficult to know what to expect.
What do I need to send to my lab? Can I try samples along the way? When can I expect my products to be shipped out?
If you’re asking yourself these questions, you’re in the right place.
Our in-depth guide below breaks down everything you need to know about the actual process of working with a skin care factory.
From how the process differs by manufacturing method, to the timelines involved, and what you should have ready for your lab - we’ve got you covered.
The Process Depends On Your Manufacturing Method
The process varies a lot depending on the manufacturing method you choose - not only in terms of costs and timelines, but the actual experience from your side, too.
There are four main manufacturing paths to choose from: private label, custom product creation, custom formulating, and contract manufacturing:
Private label involves adding your own customized branding to a lab’s preformulated formula. It’s the quickest and least expensive method, however no customizations to the formula are possible beyond changes to the color or scent, and you won’t own the formula IP.
Custom product creation involves adding or removing a small number of ingredients in a lab’s preexisting base formula. The middle ground between private label and full customization, it’s ideal for brands building a range around a hero ingredient and hoping to stand out on the market without the time and cost of manufacturing from scratch.
Custom formulating involves working with a team of highly trained chemists to create brand-new custom skin care from scratch. Although it’s the most expensive and time-intensive process, if done strategically, you can fill real gaps in the market and bring something genuinely novel to your customer base.
Already have a formula you love? Contract manufacturing is your next step. This process involves recreating your existing formula recipe as closely as possible to scale up production for your brand.
Each method has a different timeline, cost structure, and expectation from your side. Knowing what to expect is the best way to set yourself up for a smooth experience with your skin care factory.
At Innacos, we offer all four manufacturing methods. Not sure which is right for you? Take our quiz here.
Private Label
Who it's For: Private label is ideal for new founders or brands on a budget. Because all the formulas are made in advance, it’s quicker to get to market and less expensive than any custom formulating method.
Typical Timeline: At Innacos, private label takes 6-8 weeks on average
Step 1: Sampling and ordering [1 Week+]
Browse the skin care factory’s catalog and order samples of the products you think would be a good fit. Once you’ve made your selection and confirmed it with the lab, confirm your packaging sizes with your packaging vendor.
Step 2: Onboarding [1-3 Weeks]
Contracts are signed, and invoices are paid. Request an NDA with your lab if necessary. Some manufacturers (including Innacos) will assign a project manager to your brand at this stage. We like to get started with a kick off call so we can explain the process and answer your questions.
Step 3: Batching [1-3 Weeks]
The products you selected are manufactured. Although the formula is determined in advance, lead times can vary depending on the manufacturing queue, the arrival of your packaging, or the specific ingredients in the formulas you selected.
Step 4: Batch Testing [Up to 1 Week]
All private label products undergo in-house USP 61 & 62 testing to ensure they’re free from contamination, along with any other tests required.
Step 5: Filling and Assembly [2-4 Weeks]
The product heads to the assembly line as soon as the packaging shipment arrives. Lead times depend on the current queue and other factors - check in with your project manager for updates.
Step 6: Payment and Shipping
The final invoice is issued for the total remaining balance for the product and shipping. Once paid, your order at Innacos ships the next day. Delivery typically takes 1 week domestically, and over 2 weeks for international orders.
What To Have Ready For Private Label
A list of the products you are interested in, a packaging supplier, your budget, MOQ limit, and a target retail price.
At Innacos, we’re experts at clean, vegan, cruelty-free, and sustainable private label skin care. Learn more about our pricing in our catalog here, or order samples directly from our website here.
Custom Product Creation
Who it’s For: Custom product creation is ideal if you can’t quite find the formulas you want through private label, but you don’t want to invest the time and money required for custom formulating.
Typical Timeline: At Innacos, 4-6 weeks until it’s ready for manufacturing on average
Step 1: Submission Review + Place Order [1 week+]
Fill out the lab’s onboarding form with your proposed concept for consideration/a quote. Once approved, the manufacturer provides the quote and testing schedule along with the paperwork to get started.
Step 2: Onboarding [1 week]
At Innacos, you will meet with your project manager and chemist about one week after your order is placed. Please have your expected MSRP ready for this call so we can choose the right formulation category for you.
Step 3: Sampling + Testing [2-4 weeks]
Your first sample will be sent 1-3 weeks after the chemist call. Please send us your feedback, and we’ll send a second sample based on your feedback 1-2 weeks later. Once you approve the formula, we begin rapid stability testing on your product as needed.
Step 4: Manufacturing [2 - 4 months]
After approval and testing, manufacturing begins. You will have exclusive rights to manufacture the exact formula created at Innacos.
What To Have Ready
Please have your product concept, target MSRP, and your packaging supplier lined up to keep the process as speedy as possible.
At Innacos, our CPC service incurs a nominal fee of $2,500, and you’ll get up to 150% of that back in the form of manufacturing credits. Learn more about custom product creation at Innacos here.
Custom Formulating
Who It’s For: Custom formulating is for brands ready to invest in highly customized skin care that your customers won’t be able to find anywhere else. Although it’s expensive and time-intensive, the end result can be worth it if you bring something genuinely novel to the market.
Typical Timeline: The process takes about 9 months on average at Innacos
Step 1: Submission Review [1-3 weeks]
Fill out the onboarding form for a quote. At Innacos, we offer a call to answer any questions you may have. If accepted, the R&D quote and testing schedule will be provided next. Following an onboarding call, the invoice and paperwork are sent.
Step 2: Onboarding + Formulating [2 months+]
At Innacos, within 2 weeks of the finalized paperwork, we set up a call with your chemist and project team.
Please have your expected MSRP range for your products ready for this call. The first sample will be sent in 3-6 weeks, while follow-up samples are sent approximately every 2 weeks, pending your feedback.
Step 3: Testing [4 weeks - 6 months]
Testing includes in-house stability testing, preservative efficacy testing (PET) for water-based formulas, and any third-party testing available as needed.
Step 4: Manufacturing [3 - 4 Months]
Once approved and tested, the manufacturing process begins. At Innacos, our MOQs start from 2,000 pcs, and we offer up to 200% of your formulation fees back in the form of manufacturing credits.
What To Have Ready
Please come ready with your detailed product concept, your target MSRP, packaging plans and potential packaging suppliers, along with the budget to cover the formulating, testing, and manufacturing costs.
At Innacos, we’re experts at novel chemical research, new to market concepts and product formats, hybrid products, and turning skin care clean.
If you manufacture with us, you can get up to 200% of your formulating fees back in the form of manufacturing credits. Learn more about custom formulating at Innacos on our website here.
Contract Manufacturing
Who It’s For: Contract manufacturing is for brands that own the IP to an existing formula. Whether you created it yourself at home or with another lab, you’re ready to take that exact formula to manufacture it at scale.
Typical Timeline: Between 2 - 4 months on average at Innacos
Step 1: Formula Submission and Quote
Send the skin care factory your formula documentation (if you need an NDA, just ask). At Innacos, we offer a quote and an outline of the steps required next.
If your formula does not have the necessary testing documents (stability, PET , etc., we can perform these in-house first, or you can hire another lab to conduct them before we manufacture. This is a legal requirement.
Step 2: Sample Recreation and Confirmation
We recreate the recipe and send you a sample based on the exact instructions we received in the formulation document. If we need to substitute an ingredient, we will ask you in advance.
Once the sample is approved, we move on to manufacturing. If not, we engage in additional sample rounds. Check your statement of work (SOW) to determine if these rounds are included or billed separately.
Step 3: Manufacturing
Once the sample is approved, we begin the manufacturing process. MOQs start at 2k pc for consulting clients (and 5k for non-consulting clients).
What To Have Ready
Please have your full formula documentation (the entire recipe, including mixing instructions, ingredients (common names, trade names and full INCI listing), percentages of those ingredients (by weight), and other important details.
Additionally, your skin care factory will need existing testing records, your packaging plan and potential list of packaging suppliers, your proposed order quantity, and your budget.
At Innacos, minimum order quantities for contract manufacturing start at just 2k pc, and if you formulated the initial recipe with us, you’ll get up to 200% of those costs back in the form of manufacturing credits. Learn more about contract manufacturing on our website here.
In sum, the process of working with a skin care factory depends heavily on your manufacturing method. To make the experience as smooth as possible, have the following ready in advance:
Your budget and MOQ limits
Your target retail price (MSRP)
Potential packaging suppliers lined up and a packaging plan
Your product concept or existing product documentation
Any existing testing records
Ready to start working with a skin care factory to manufacture your own range of products? Innacos would love to work with your brand! Contact us by phone: (812) 329-1105 or email: customerservice@innacos.com to learn more.
