Choose Your Own Adventure- The Many Ways To Enter The Skin Care Market.

How to start a skincare business that aligns with your business goals

In the treatment room, there are multiple ways to treat the same skin concerns right? We consult the client, identify the skin needs and then asses some additional factors such as, budget and time. Then, we tailor our program based around those needs. What if I told you that same principle can be applied to launching your own skin care line? There are many entry points into the skincare space—and choosing the right one is all about aligning with your business model, goals, and timeline.

Let’s break down the main paths available:

Custom formulation

Custom Formulation means creating from scratch. This is where I proudly sit. An independent consultant will take your formulation from concept to reality. You have ownership of your formulation as a standard. The initial costs can sometimes be limiting if finance is a little tighter. Depending on the formulator, any stability or preservative efficacy testing your product requires may incur additional fees. However, being a free agent means the flexibility to get creative and for me, building a relationship with a brand directly helps create products that feel like they always belonged to the brand. This dedication to the brand can take time so if you're in a hurry, perhaps another approach may be for you.

White Label

White label are ready to sale products that you quite simply put a label on and off you go (basically) In a sense it's so simple it feels illegal. I'm actually a fan of this approach if speed to market is your thing. White label offers a low barrier to enter the market and there are plenty of high performing ingredients on offer here. Downside here? no way to ever have that formulation. It will always belong to the manufacturer.

Contract manufacturing facility

Some contract manufacturing facilities have their own in house R&D departments that can offer custom formulation. Depending on the facility, costs tend to vary based on the complexity of the offerings eg, stability, preservative efficacy testing, packaging compatibility, access to raw materials etc. Formulation ownership generally remains with the facility until you essentially have to buy it off the manufacturer. As it is custom, this is not a fast to market way to enter, like your independent consultants.

So which way is best?

In truth, there is no best option. There is only best for you just like how two acne patients will always require two different approaches. You weigh up the needs and priorities of that patient and with the tools and resources you have, you make a plan.

Nothing excites me more than seeing skincare brands launched by actual skin professionals.

I'm here to make the process clear, accessible, and empowering. Whether you're just getting curious or ready to dive into custom formulation—I’d love to meet you. Say hi, or subscribe to stay in the loop with all things formulation!

-The Clinics Formulator