Five Questions to Ask Skin Care Manufacturers

As a new brand or private label, it can be hard to know precisely what you should be asking skincare manufacturing businesses before you start working with them. From wanting to make the product of your dreams to simply wanting your ethics to align, there is a lot to consider.

To help you with this process, we have put together the following guide, which takes you through the five best questions you should ask skincare manufacturers and why you need to ask contract manufacturing services specific questions tailored to your own brand and product ideas. 

The Answers You Need To Know

It is essential that you remember that every brand is different, and a question that you may want to be answered may not make sense to someone else. But, if something hasn't been made clear by the cosmetic manufacturing company you are in talks with, you should always ask them to ensure you have peace of mind that they can provide you with the service you need to make high-quality products. Here are five questions we think every skincare brand should ask their manufacturer;

What is your product timeline, and how long will it take to launch my product? 

You must know how long your contract manufacturer will take to produce your cosmetic products. The length of time you need to prepare for your launch will likely be completely different from theirs, but you must meet in the middle and have your timelines in sync. 

Having a good idea of when your product will be ready will help you determine a marketing strategy and other assets of your business whilst also providing the manufacturer enough time to deliver the full manufacturing service. 

Does your team have the expertise needed to help my brand produce skincare that stands out in the market and keeps up with trends? 

You need to know that your manufacturer is a team made up of dedicated professionals with the necessary credentials to create the best products possible. Their expertise should range from learning how to make exciting customised products to understanding existing formulations and why they are so popular, helping you to make the most of industry trends. 

Are there any extra production costs?

You need to know exactly how much money your manufacturer is expecting for their service. You will likely already have come up with a suitable number that both parties are happy with, but you want to prevent the chance that they may spring extra charges on top of what you are already paying. 

Sometimes manufacturers may choose to charge additional fees for product development, but asking this now will guarantee you are on the same page with their costs and know exactly what is to come. 

How do you predict trends and ensure my brand will remain adaptable? 

As we touched on earlier, you need to be assured that the manufacturing company you choose has expertise in areas other than physically making your natural products. So, touching base with them regarding how they devise ideas for new products with previous brands can be a great way to do this.

They should be able to provide you with an example of a time they spoke with a brand and chose to manufacture a new product based on trends and how they accurately predicted this trend. For instance, if they made body butters in the past because they saw a significant rise in search results in the space of a month. 

Do you offer certified organic ingredients? 

You must check with your manufacturer if you want to sell natural cosmetics and only use organic or natural ingredients. Many Australian owned manufacturer companies offer organic formulations and products for hair care and skin care, but you should still double-check to be sure they can deliver on your brand goals. 

Final thoughts

Asking questions to cosmetic manufacturing companies can be intimidating if you aren't used to negotiating different business aspects. Still, it is essential to do so that you can ensure your manufacturer is the right one for you to use. In addition, you want your business to reflect the original goals of why you started it, so whether you choose to use natural or raw materials or decide to specialise in eye creams, you need to partner with a manufacturer who can help you.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What are the 5 main categories of skin care products?

In popular retail skincare, the main categories that customers and clients look into are creams, gels, lotions, serums and facial pads. These formulations can comprise various products, such as moisturisers and cleansers. 

What is the biggest problem in the beauty industry?

The biggest issue with the beauty industry in 2022 is products that still have a high level of chemicals or fragrance within their formulas. These added ingredients can irritate those who use them, causing a big issue for many people. 

How do skin care products attract customers?

Seeing good customer reviews for a product is the best way to get someone interested in buying it, and it will help the success of the business and product. This is because many of us like to know we buy from a trustworthy source that delivers on its claims.