Do you love creating your own homemade cosmetics and have you just made a product that your loved ones adore? They love it so much that it probably makes you want to go further and sell your cosmetic.
Please note that it is not possible to market cosmetics without prior validation of your formula. Furthermore, launching your own cosmetics brand is not always easy when you are on your own.
Between laboratory tests , sourcing raw materials and drafting the product information document, it can be difficult to know what steps to take to market the cosmetics you manufacture.
Here are the 8 steps to follow to transform your homemade product into a regulated cosmetic.
Who can sell cosmetics?
It is strictly forbidden to market cosmetic products made at home whose formula has not been validated.
However, a degree is not required to sell cosmetic products. It is necessary to have your formula validated by a qualified professional, following the steps to launch production of the finished product and its sale.
It is the validation of the formula, which must comply with European regulations and Good Manufacturing Practices (international standard ISO 22716), that guarantees the safety of the product.
The cosmetic product must not:
– contain toxic products;
– deteriorate over time;
– be contaminated during various handling procedures.
Therefore, all cosmetic products offered for sale must comply with this regulation, even handcrafted soaps.
8 steps to follow to launch your cosmetics on the market
Once you have made your product in your kitchen, if you want to go further and share your know-how with as many people as possible, here are the 8 steps to develop a regulated cosmetic while being supported.
As with a custom formulation project, all development stages must be respected before moving on to the production of the finished product.
a feasibility study beforehand to verify if the formula you provide us can be developed and then sold.
1. Formula analysis
The first step is obviously to check its formula.
Even if you have used organic and natural ingredients, this does not guarantee that your formula is "safe" for the consumer.
It is important that it complies with current European regulations
It goes without saying that the tools used to manufacture products at home are not the same as those available in a laboratory.
So don't worry if your formula needs to be modified during this first step; that's normal. We'll advise you on how to adapt your product's formula.
2. Sourcing of ingredients and packaging
After the theoretical study of your formula, it is important to move on to sourcing the ingredients and packaging .
As an individual, you probably source your supplies from online cosmetic ingredient distributors dedicated to you.
To create your own homemade cosmetics , you will need to find industrial suppliers of raw materials that will allow you to design a stable, non-toxic and sustainable formula.
“It is during this stage that we co-create a product that is as natural as possible. You can choose local, natural and organic suppliers. This also applies to the packaging.”
3. The laboratory pilot
Now things get a little more concrete! During this third step, the cosmetic laboratory makes samples in order to be able to test the mixture later.
4. The stability and compatibility test
Before even carrying out the toxicological analysis of your cosmetic product, we must run stability tests on the mixture. It must not deteriorate: change in color, texture, odor, pH variation, etc
The compatibility test in the selected packaging allows us to verify that there is no interaction between the packaging and your cosmetic product : deformation of the packaging, exchange between the mixture and the packaging…etc.
5. Other mandatory tests
Before being sold, your product will undergo numerous tests, and that's a good thing! They guarantee trust and security for your customers.
Here are some checks we can perform depending on the type of product, the area of application, the target population and the desired claims:
skin and eye irritation test ;
efficacy test ;
usage test .
By working with a cosmetics laboratory, you can be certain that your product passes all mandatory regulatory tests.
of labels containing essential information about the product's composition begins
6. Drafting the Private International Law Document
You've almost done the hardest part! Once your cosmetic product meets the standards, it's time to create your Product Information File (PIF) according to European regulation 1223/2009.
This is what will allow you to legally market your creations. The stakes are high because health authorities can inspect cosmetics at any time and demand their immediate withdrawal if they find a significant non-compliance.
7. The declaration on the European portal
Since 2013, it has been mandatory to declare cosmetic formulas on the European portal, the CPNP , and no longer to three French poison control centers.
This step involves declaring certain mandatory information, such as the formula of your product.
8. Production of the finished cosmetic product
Once these steps are completed, all that remains is to place the order for your product to begin production ! This is where your cosmetics will come to life, on a large scale.
With Costomise , all laboratory stages of mixing and packaging are supervised to avoid contamination .
The importance of the laboratory in developing your homemade cosmetic formula
When you want to market your creations, it can be daunting to use a laboratory to finalize your cosmetic project. However, it guarantees that you will market your products legally .
Working hand in hand with a cosmetic laboratory not only allows you to have certification that your products will be compliant, but also to have a different perspective on your approach.
We are proactive in proposing solutions , both for ingredients and packaging, to help you create eco-responsible , sustainable and healthy cosmetics.
Are you interested in selling your creations on the market? Let's discuss your project.