Do you love creating your own cosmetics and have you just made a product that your loved ones love? They like it so much that it probably makes you want to go further and sell your cosmetics.
Please note, it is not possible to market cosmetics without validating your formula upstream. And then launching your brand of cosmetic products is not always easy when you are alone.
Between laboratory tests , sourcing raw materials and drafting the DIP, it can be difficult to know what steps need to be taken to market the cosmetics we manufacture.
Here are the 8 steps to follow to transform your homemade product into regulated cosmetics.
Who can sell cosmetics?
It is strictly prohibited to market cosmetic products manufactured in your home which have not had their formula validated.
On the other hand, it is not obligatory to obtain a diploma to sell your cosmetic products. It is necessary to have your formula validated by a competent person by following the steps to launch the production of the finished product and the sale.
It is the validation of the formula, which must comply with European regulations and Good Manufacturing Practices (international standard ISO 22716), which guarantees the safety of the product.
The cosmetic product must not:
– present toxic products;
– deteriorate over time;
– be contaminated during various handling operations.
Therefore, all cosmetic products put on sale must meet these regulations, even homemade soaps.
8 steps to follow to put your cosmetics on the market
Once your product is made 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 developing a regulated cosmetic while receiving support.
As with a tailor-made formulation project, all development stages must be respected before moving on to the production of the finished product.
This is why we carry out a feasibility study to check whether the formula you provide us can be developed and then sold.
1. Analysis of the formula
The first step is obviously to check your 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 corresponds to the European regulations in force and above all that it remains stable over time.
It goes without saying that the tools used to make your 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, it's normal. We advise you on how to adapt the formula of your product.
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 obtain your supplies from online cosmetic ingredient distributors dedicated to you.
To create your homemade cosmetics , you will need to find industrial suppliers of raw materials who will allow you to design a stable, non-toxic and durable 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 concerns the packaging.”
3. The laboratory pilot
Now is when things are a little more concrete! During this third step, the cosmetic laboratory produces samples in order to subsequently test the mixture.
4. The stability and accounting test
Before even carrying out the toxicological analysis of your cosmetic product, we must launch the stability tests of the mixture. It must not alter: change in color, texture, odor, variation in pH, etc.
The compatibility test in the selected packaging makes it possible to verify that there is no interaction between the latter 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 are a guarantee of trust and security for your customers.
Here are some checks that we can carry out depending on the type of product, the area of application, the targeted population and the desired claims:
skin and eye irritation test ;
effectiveness test ;
usage test .
By working with a cosmetic laboratory, you can be sure that your product passes all mandatory regulatory tests.
It is also at this stage that the drafting of labels containing essential information on the composition of the product begins.
6. Drafting the DIP
You've almost done the hard part! Once your cosmetic product meets the standards, it is time to create your Product Information File (PID) according to European regulation 1223/2009.
It is he who will allow you to put your creations on the market legally. The stakes are high because health authorities can control cosmetics at any time and demand their immediate withdrawal if they notice significant non-compliance.
7. The declaration on the European portal
Since 2013, it has been compulsory 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 have been completed, all that remains is to place the order for your product to carry out production ! This is where your cosmetics will come to life, on a grand scale.
With Costomise , all the laboratory steps of mixtures and packaging are supervised in order to avoid contamination .
The importance of the laboratory in the development of your home cosmetic formula
When you want to market your creations, it can be impressive to call on a laboratory to finalize your cosmetic project. However, it is the guarantee of marketing products completely legally .
Working hand in hand with a cosmetic laboratory not only allows you to have certification that your products will be in order, but also to have a different perspective on your approach.
We are full of suggestions , both for ingredients and packaging, to help you create eco-responsible , sustainable and healthy cosmetics.
Do you want to sell your creations on the market? Let's discuss your project.