It can be daunting starting your own skincare line, especially if you don’t know where to begin, but you shouldn’t let that stop you from creating your dream cosmetic line.
There are a range of options for your startup business, routes that can help support your brand’s vision and help you finally get your skincare line from concept-to-shelf.
This article will delve into some key considerations for startup brands, providing you with a knowledge hub to ensure all initial stages are undertaken professionally.
Consider Your Market
Before undertaking the product design and formulation stages, it is critical to consider the current market.
How can your products address current pain points, and add something new to the industry?
In many instances, this can make or break your business. Consumers are constantly looking for new skincare developments that can align with their adapting ethical perspectives and upcoming ingredient trends, making this initial planning stage vital.
The Importance of Cosmetic Research and Development
Dedicated cosmetic brands have a team of research and developers, allowing their products to continue to adapt in line with skincare trends.
Outsourcing parts of your cosmetic development stages can provide your business with an additional level of security, enabling you to create truly unique, safe, and effective formulas.
Ingredient sourcing is also significant as the ingredients used in your cosmetic products can impact whether your brand is selected compared to a competitor. Consumers are increasingly seeing the value in natural formulations, cruelty free products and eco-conscious brands.
Consider Legal Compliance Factors and Testing Requirements
Selling cosmetic products comes with a list of different regulatory factors. These can seem tedious but are necessary to guarantee user safety under UK and EU Cosmetic Regulations.
These regulations cover product safety, labelling, and claims. Make sure you are adhering to the appropriate version for your desired market.
Pre-Product Launch Considerations
Product Safety Assessment
A safety assessment must be conducted by a qualified professional. Following this, a Product Information File (PIF) must be created.
This is a file kept by the ‘Responsible Person’ at the disposal of authorities. This must include the product description, product safety report, GMP certificate, and evidence of the cosmetic product’s effects.
Labelling Requirements
The labels found on cosmetic products must include the product name, ingredients, any warnings, a batch number (and expiry date if applicable) and the contact details for the responsible person.
Registering Your Products
Your product should be registered with the Cosmetic Products Notification Portal (CPNP) if it is being sold across the EU. Products sold across the UK should be registered with the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS).
Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)
Manufacturers should follow GMP guidelines, ensuring that products are manufactured consistently and controlled to quality standards.
Post-Launch Considerations
Once your product is in the market, you should continue to monitor the safety of your product, report any adverse effects, and keep record of any customer complaints.
Any claims about your product must be verified as to not mislead consumers in accordance with the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) regulations.
How Statfold Have Helped Startup Cosmetic Brands
Our extensive in-house facilities not only allow us to offer complete end-to-end solutions for aspiring cosmetic businesses, but it means we can cater to a range of different business requirements, no matter the complexity.
Whether you need smaller order quantities to help your brand get started, or are looking to place bulk orders to meet growing demands, we have you covered. We can even provide samples of some of our white label products or off-the-shelf ready bases, allowing you to try these before you commit.
We also offer a testing and regulation testing service, helping you feel secure in your products compliance — ask us more about this!
Get in touch with our skincare experts and watch your cosmetic line come to life. Email sales@statfold-oils.co.uk or call our office on 01827 830 871 today.