Do you want to start making skin care, hair, or makeup products for yourself and your existing business? Making cosmetics does not require expensive or fancy ingredients. You’ll need the necessary equipment, materials, and instructions to create great formulations. Here is what you need to know when making cosmetics.
Materials and Equipment
Making cosmetics can be easy or difficult, depending on your choice of formula. Start with easy formulas and move to advanced formulas as you gain more experience and knowledge.
The first step is to gather the basic cosmetic ingredients. Here is a list of materials that you need to make emulsion (contains water) and anhydrous (no water) formulas:
- Spatula (optional): To make clean-up easier
• Pyrex measuring beakers or cups (optional): For measuring the ingredients
• Spray bottle: Put isopropyl alcohol into the spray bottle to sanitize the equipment before use
• Digital bench scale: To measure the ingredients accurately
• Mixing spoons(optional): To mix ingredients; use stainless steel spoons and sanitize them before use
• Plastic pipettes: For measuring liquids in small quantities
• Stick or immersion blender: For emulsions
• Funnel (optional): For pouring your finished product into the packaging
• Gloves: To protect your product and hands from exposure to bacteria
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Ingredients required to make cosmetics include:
• Emulsifiers
• Water
• Thickeners
• Moisturizers
• Preservatives
The ingredients you use can be artificial or naturally occurring. If you use chemical compounds, be sure to make exact, appropriate measurements. Ingredients used in cosmetics should always be safe for the user. You can help keep your customers safe by following the established regulations and guidelines for cosmetic chemicals.
What You Need to Know Before Making Cosmetics
Choose a Niche
Identify an area where you have experience in selling or manufacturing cosmetic products. You may know about selling mineral cosmetics, special effects makeup, lip care products, or organic makeup. Concentrating on a specific cosmetics area will help you plan your business effectively.
Manufacturing many products simultaneously, especially when starting your business, could lead to failure. Start with an area that interests you most, and expand as the business grows.
Choose the Right Formula
The first step in creating any cosmetic product is to identify the correct formula. The right formula will enrich the skin or hair and be stable and safe when using it.
Before selecting a formula, consider how the ingredients interact with one another. Look for the finest botanical ingredients.
When choosing a formula, keep in mind that you cannot make every type of formulation at home. Sunscreens, for instance, have a technical formulation that requires expertise in cosmetic science. Always adhere to the safety regulations and guidelines established by the FDA and EU.
Measure the Ingredients Correctly
Use a digital scale to measure both liquid and solid ingredients accurately. Measure them in weight for your formulation to have the correct balance of ingredients.
The temperature and density of liquid ingredients like essential oils can affect the volume. You can easily exceed the required concentration if you measure them in drops.
Buy two separate scales: a standard scale and a smaller scale. Use the smaller scale for ingredients that measure about 0.01 grams, such as essential oils, preservatives, and antioxidants. Use the standard scale for the main project.
Use a Natural Preservative System
Include preservatives in your formulation to increase the shelf life of your products. Most formulas contain water which provides favorable conditions for fungal and bacterial growth. A broad-spectrum preservative system protects your products against bacteria, mold, and yeast.
Use natural preservatives since they are easy to find. Follow the usage instructions provided by manufacturers and suppliers for the preservative to work as anticipated in your product.
Test Your Products
Before selling your cosmetic products, test them to make sure they are safe and desirable. Give sample products to your friends, relatives, and neighbors. Their response will help you know how your potential clients will respond.
Begin producing your cosmetic items in mass quantities only after receiving a positive response. Invest your money in products that are more popular among people to have a huge client base for your business to succeed.
Look for a Cosmetic Ingredient Manufacturer
If you are thinking of launching your beauty brand, find a manufacturer certified to make high-quality formulas. Choose one who can manufacture large quantities of formulas for making cosmetics. A manufacturer with vast experience can help you bring your products to life from start to finish.