How to Build Your Own Skincare Range
When starting your own skincare business, there are many variables that you will need to consider to ensure that it is a successful venture. You will drive traffic to your products through advertising, marketing, and unique branding. But, there is no point in doing all this if the skincare range you offer is unsuitable for various skin types and needs.
This article will detail how you can create a range of products that hit the skincare industry's most lucrative and sought-after elements. We will offer you guidance on the top ingredients and formulas and how you can develop these formulations as a small or new business.
Find your niche
Like any business, you will need to find your unique selling point and get to grips with what makes you special. For example, maybe there is a reason you have started your skincare range; when you were younger, did you feel seen by the beauty industry? Do you think everyone has the knowledge and accessibility to have a good skincare routine?
Whatever your reason, you should tune into this. Social media plays a massive part in how we find out about different types of skin care and products. Over the past few years, we have seen the skincare industry switch into a clean and more health-focused business, to the point where influencers and social media companies are tailoring their content to fit in with this more natural approach.
Our advice is to look into the social media accounts already sharing knowledge on your niche and gaining traction from it. For example, if an influencer is currently creating a series of content around affordable skincare routines that work, and you want to occupy the accessible side of the industry, keeping an eye on their content will be helpful for you to anticipate curve trends.
The skin types to consider
Before you start formulating your product line, researching the different types of skin you will need to accommodate through your range will significantly benefit you and your brand. Below, we will briefly take you through these skin types and the most popular and consistently well-reviewed ingredients.
Oily skin
For those with oily skin, their face will produce excess oil, also known as sebum, predominantly in their T-zone. Those with this skin type can be more prone to breakouts and enlarged pores, so products with deep cleansing features that boost collagen production whilst not being too harsh are essential.
Those who have acne prone skin will benefit from ingredients such as salicylic acid that exfoliate deep into the pores to reduce excess oil production, leaving skin texture feeling replenished.
As those with oily skin are more likely to suffer from acne, it is essential that they apply products with moisturising ingredients to their face to ensure their skin barrier is being looked after and won't suffer from damage. The ordinary hyaluronic acid is a top-rated product due to its ability to hydrate the skin in the most natural way.
So, if you would like to tailor a range of skincare products specifically for those with oilier skin, you should consider the above skincare routine steps that are essential to skin health for the skin type.
Dry skin
Those with dry skin may have flaky, irritated and tight skin that lacks the healthy glow we all strive for. In addition, dryer skin types often have more pronounced visible lines due to the lack of elasticity in the skin.
With that being said, it is evident that the most crucial skincare products to include in a routine for drier skin types will be hydrating and nourishing products. Dehydrated skin will need the likes of glycerin, hyaluronic acid, snail mucin and jojoba oils.
For those with ageing skin that is also dry, including retinol in their skincare routine will be essential.
Combination skin
Finding a range of skincare products for combination skin is often the most challenging, as your product will need to include ingredients that combat both oiliness and dryness simultaneously.
For this type of skin, the best route to go down is to create gentle formulations that target specific skin concerns. So, ingredients such as aloe vera that soothe irritation caused by dryness will work amazingly. At the same time, lactic acid can act as a gentle exfoliant used weekly to slow down excess sebum production.
Normal skin
If your customers have normal skin types, the goal with products catered towards them is to keep their skin in this healthy state and maintain their glowing skin. Ingredients that are best at this are hyaluronic acid and vitamin C to keep skin bright and reduce any dull areas of the skin.
Sensitive skin
Sensitive skin isn't a skin type in the way that oily or dry are, but it is a defining factor in what those with this characteristic can use on their face. For example, if they have sensitive skin but also have acne, they shouldn't use chemical exfoliating acids often as this may cause more irritation and redness. Instead, calming ingredients such as Aloe vera will help to reduce irritation and inflammation.
How to accommodate these skin concerns and types
Clearly, there are many things to consider when starting your own range of skincare products. But, the good news is that there are plenty of crossovers that different types of skin can enjoy. So, before branching out to accommodate all the various skin concerns, you should start with the crowd-pleasing products that will work for most people and can be added to a skincare routine easily. Here are some of those ingredients;
Hyaluronic acid
We mentioned this ingredient many times above, and for a good reason! It has hydrating properties that benefit those with dry, ageing and acne prone skin making it an all-around great addition to a skincare line.
And, for clients who want a simple skincare routine, it is effortless to add to the usual steps we take. Many dermatologists recommend using it after cleansing and exfoliating the skin before thicker products such as moisturisers and creams.
This is an ingredient that all skincare companies should consider adopting, as the visible plumping and hydrating effects on our skin are something everyone strives to achieve.
Glycerin
All skincare routines need an excellent, dependable cleanser, so creating one with fragrance-free and natural ingredients will work best for most people. Glycerin is a great ingredient for cleansers, as it provides skin with moisture and will act as a gentle cleanser instead of stripping the skin.
BHAs
Chemical exfoliants are becoming increasingly popular due to their efficiency in penetrating deep within the skin's surface. Salicylic acid is one of the industry's most well-known BHAs. It is at the forefront of many of those suffering from acne's skincare routine due to how efficient an ingredient it is and its anti-inflammatory properties.
Niacinamide
This ingredient is a form of Vitamin B and is excellent for acne, ageing skin and skin discolouration. This ingredient helps to build up the cells in the skin whilst protecting them from toxins and pollution, which in turn helps the skin tone and texture become more even and soft.
Vitamin C
This ingredient is prevalent in many skincare products, from moisturisers to serums. This popularity is due to its antioxidant properties that can reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation on the skin. Vitamin C is also great for mature skin, helping brighten the complexion and targeting fine lines.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E can work for most types of skin, but it is best for those with mature skin. A few drops of this skincare product change the skin feeling and appearance due to its anti-aging properties, which reduce inflammation. The best way to incorporate this ingredient into a skincare line is by making face oils to use overnight.
Decide on a line
So, now that we have gone over the different types of ingredients and skin you should consider, you may be thinking about how you can actually put these elements into practice. The great news is that the global skincare market is growing rapidly, with indie labels at the heart of this growth.
Use this to your advantage! First, conduct market research on your main competitors demographically, and then look at the bigger picture. Then, you should bring out one range of products that establishes who you are as a brand and what you want to provide your customers.
For example, say you want to start your line by focusing on the perfect morning skincare routine. This would be great because you can target the majority of skin types whilst making each step simple and made up of gentle ingredients.
How to formulate your products
To make your products, you can choose a few routes. For example, you could make your products by hand, rent a space to manufacture your products with the help of lab experts, or act as a private label and work with a well-established contract manufacturer.
Whichever you choose to go down, make sure you really spend enough time getting to grips with delivering what you set out to do. Being hands-on in the manufacturing process is the best way to honour this; as a beauty director, you should have a say in the consistency of the product and let your manufacturer know exactly which ingredients you want the product to be centred around.
If your dream is to make your skincare line from home, this can work, but you should note that you should only do this for simple formulations such as face oils. As a whole, Australia has a rather self-regulated approach to making your own skincare line. This means that you can enjoy taking on hands-on roles, but enlisting the help of a professional with experience in creating product formulations will probably help you to reach your goal sooner.
It is important to remember that even if you work with a manufacturer, a good manufacturing company will allow you to conduct product testing and ensure you are happy with the final product's formulation. So, make sure you conduct private label market research if this sounds like an avenue you would like to take, as you need to choose a manufacturer with a good track record in the industry to ensure that you develop great products.
Private labelling is one of the best ways to enter the skincare industry and will give you a lot of control over the products you make. Private label manufacturers often have specific ingredient lists that they can offer you. Still, you can customise these formulations to create a unique line that achieves your product goals.
Importance of labelling
When selling a skincare line in Australia, you must label your products accurately to ensure customers know exactly what your product is and what it will do when they start using them. Your product descriptions and listed ingredients should match what is inside the bottle and what the customer will receive.
Although this may sound like a dull part of the experience, labelling can be great at catching customers' eyes and can sell your product due to the exciting branding used. So, look on the bright side of these regulations and aim for product packaging and labelling that the skincare industry will love.
Final thoughts
To conclude today's article, we can see that having a thorough understanding of your niche and which skin types you want to provide for will be the best first steps in starting a skincare line. Once you have a firm idea, you can test your ideas by working with a manufacturer to create products that align with your business goals.
Starting with crowd-pleasing products before branching out to specific skin concerns could make your brand more accessible to a wider range of skin types, but make sure that this broad approach fits in with your brand message and ethos.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 7 steps of skincare?
Everyone has different needs and concerns when it comes to skincare, but a standard skincare routine follows these 7 steps; Cleansing, exfoliation, toner, serum, eye cream and moisturiser and SPF.
What license do I need to start a skincare business?
In Australia, you need to register your business with AICIS if you plan to import industrial chemicals or work with industrial chemicals via a local manufacturer. So, say you are using a manufacturer from China, you would need to register with AICIS.
How do I start a skincare business?
To start a skincare business, you should conduct extensive market research to help you thoroughly understand where the skincare business is currently at. Then, decide on your niche and what makes you different from your competitors, and channel this through unique products that hit current trends in the skincare industry.