How to start your own cosmetics brand.
Everything you need to know to launch your brand in Spain and across the EU, explained by a laboratory that has been formulating and manufacturing for other brands for more than 20 years.
To create a cosmetics brand you need: a clear concept, a laboratory to formulate and manufacture your product, compliant packaging and labelling, and compliance with EU regulations (Responsible Person, a PIF with safety report, and CPNP notification). With a contract manufacturer you can start with small batches without building your own lab.
1. Define your concept and your customer
Before you talk to a lab, answer these questions: which product or products do you want to launch? Who is it for (age, skin type, values)? Where will you sell it (online, parapharmacy, clinic, retail store)? At what retail price? A clear concept saves development rounds and money.
Tip: start with a few SKUs (one to three) that clearly express your brand. You can always extend the range later.
2. Choose a manufacturing laboratory
Unless you want to build your own plant, you’ll work with a contract cosmetics manufacturer. Compare these points:
- Do they formulate, or only manufacture? If they formulate, you’ll own a formula rather than a catalogue product.
- Minimum batch size: this determines your initial investment. At AFI, from 10 kg for bioactive products and 40 kg for creams.
- Exclusivity and confidentiality of the formula.
- Quality: certifications and management system (for example, ISO 9001).
- Regulatory support: help with documentation and notification.
- Point of contact: will you have a dedicated formulator?
3. Develop the formula
There are three routes: create a new formula, develop a dupe formulation based on a benchmark product, or improve a formula you already have. The lab will send you samples and you’ll refine them together until you approve the final version.
4. Pack, label and packaging
The pack must be compatible with the formula and protect its actives. The label must include the mandatory information: Responsible Person, contents, ingredient list (INCI), batch number, date of minimum durability or period after opening, function and precautions.
5. Comply with the regulations
To sell in Spain and the rest of the EU you need a Responsible Person, a Product Information File (PIF) including the safety report, and CPNP notification before the product goes on sale, as set out in EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009. We explain this in detail in cosmetic notification: CPNP and PIF.
6. Manufacture your first batch and launch
Start with a small batch, test how the market responds, and scale up with the same formula once it works.
How much does it cost to start a cosmetics brand?
There’s no single figure. The main costs are:
| Item | What it depends on |
|---|---|
| Formula development | Complexity, actives and rounds of samples |
| Manufacturing | Formula, batch volume and raw material prices |
| Pack and packaging | Type of pack, decoration, carton, supplier minimum quantities |
| Documentation and compliance | Safety report, tests to substantiate claims, Responsible Person |
| Brand and sales | Design, trade mark registration, website, photography, marketing |
The way to keep your initial investment under control is to start with a few SKUs and small batches. Send us your idea and request a quote: we’ll give you prices for different volumes.
Shall we bring your brand to life?
Tell us your idea and we will send you a proposal covering formulation, lead times and price.