Manufacturing cosmetics

[flare91]

Hello all.

How hard is it to manufacture cosmetics? I want a specialised line, with specific qualities. Only a few products, e.g. moisturisers, exfoliators, and so on. Nothing complicated like Lipstick or whatever:

1. How expensive would this be?
2. How do I find companies to do this?
3. Is it legal (or possible) to make products at home, bottle them at home, and then sell them? I remember a candidate on The Apprentice a series or so ago doing this, and I have heard of people who make their own cosmetics.

I just finished reading "The king of shaves story", by Will King, who created The King of Shaves brand (A great read, by the way).

He goes into detail about how he had to borrow Thousands of Pounds to manufacture the product, but in the beginning, he simply made it at home and hand filled little bottles.

So yes, does anyone have any experience in this? Any advice or resources?

Thank you

 

[raineshoe]

I do know that if you produce any kind of cosmetic that you need to get it approved by a cosmetic chemist to say that it is safe to use on the skin and conforms to EU cosmetic regulations. You perhaps might read them and you will weep.....

Personally, I think you'll spend a lot of money and not reap much return as unless you have a unique product you are up against some massive established names.

I do know someone in our line of work who produced a glitter gel product and he has admitted that he spent loads bringing it to market and has never recovered those costs.

 

[flare91]

Wow, that's certainly interesting. The more I think of it, It sounds pretty hard for me to compete with L'oreal and so on.

Do you think a website, that sells cosmetics is maybe more realistic? Like, one that sells a bunch of different brands in one place?

 

[Ding Dang Doo]

Have you seen how many online cosmetic 'stores' there are? Competition is tough in that market, and because of this margins are generally low.
You only have to look at some of the wholesale forums to see how cut throat it is... Don't get me wrong people are selling cosmetics, but I feel it will be a long, tough ride to make a success of it.

Best of luck

Pete

 

[raineshoe]

Have to agree with the above poster, cosemtic selling is highly competitive.

 

[mrchips]

Everything you make will need to be certified by a chemist. I believe you can get custom formulations approved for around £200ea. Convincing people to buy it is a different matter - what makes your formulation better than others? No offence, but you don't sound like you have any experience in this field, so how can you create a viable product?

As an alternative, why not contact one of the 'white label' manufacturers. They have already certified their formulas. They just bottle it for you then stick your label on it, hey presto.

Mr Chips

 

[flare91]

Apologies for the late response: had an accident with the laptop and it was off for repair!

Thanks for the advice folks. The product niche was going to be men's cosmetics: either selling or manufacturing. Although there are a few big players, the marker is growing, and it's getting even bigger in these tough times. Thanks though!

 

[Moneyman]

Most of the ingredience for cosmetics are really cheap. there are huge margins to be made....BUT it is all in the marketing. Everyone is ethical, green, natural blah blah blah....no magazine is going to wake up and do a write up on one of the 20 new companies that start each month.
Unless you have something really special that sets you apart, forget it