How to find suitable facial skincare OEM factories for brands: screening criteria and cooperation process

For cosmetic brands, choosing a suitable facial skincare OEM is a crucial step in product implementation. The following provides a practical guide for reference from two dimensions: screening criteria and cooperation process.

1、 Four basic criteria for selecting contract manufacturers

1. Production qualifications and compliance

First, confirm whether the factory holds the Cosmetics Production License, and the scope of the license includes facial skin care products such as "cream lotion". You can log in to the official website of the National Medical Products Administration to check its supervision and inspection records over the years and understand whether there are any violations or penalties. At the same time, pay attention to whether the factory has established a monitoring system for adverse reactions of cosmetics, which is a basic requirement for compliant production.

2. Hardware facilities and environmental control

On site inspection of the production workshop: Check the level of air purification system (usually 100000 level purification workshop is a common configuration in the industry), water quality treatment equipment (purified water system), and the degree of automation of the filling line. The storage area should be clearly partitioned, with raw materials, packaging materials, and finished products stored separately, and temperature and humidity records kept intact. These hardware conditions directly affect product stability.

3. Formula development and sample services

Inquire whether the factory has a formula laboratory and a registered team of formulators. Request the other party to provide past cases of facial skincare products developed for other brands (desensitized versions), and understand their average cycle from concept to sampling. At the same time, confirm whether the factory is willing to adjust the formula based on the reference samples or ingredient directions provided by the brand, rather than just providing a fixed menu selection.

4. Quality control system

Check the factory's quality inspection process: whether it has the ability to self detect conventional indicators such as microorganisms, pH value, viscosity, etc; Are samples kept for each batch of products and stored until six months after the expiration date; Has it been certified by systems such as ISO22716 (Good Manufacturing Practice for Cosmetics). You can request to view the batch production records and inspection reports for the past three months.

2、 Collaborative Process for Customized Processing (Six Steps)

Step 1: Requirements Communication

Provide the factory with product positioning, target skin feel, efficacy direction (such as moisturizing, repairing, etc.), estimated order quantity, packaging material type, and budget range. The factory evaluates the feasibility based on this and provides a preliminary quotation.

Step 2: Recipe sampling

After signing the confidentiality agreement and sampling contract, the factory will develop 1-2 samples according to the requirements. Brand owners organize internal trials or commission third-party organizations to conduct sensory evaluations and propose adjustment suggestions. The sampling cycle is usually 15-30 days.

Step 3: Sample confirmation and stability testing

After the samples are confirmed by the brand, the factory conducts accelerated stability testing (generally simulating 48 ℃, -15 ℃, and light conditions for 8-12 weeks) and anti-corrosion challenge testing. Only after passing the test can we proceed to the next step.

Step 4: Sign the production contract

Clear agreement on formula ownership, packaging material supply responsibility (brand self procurement or factory procurement), minimum order quantity, unit price, delivery cycle, acceptance criteria, and breach of contract liability.

Step 5: Packaging material adaptation and trial production

After the packaging materials arrive, the factory conducts small-scale trial filling to check the sealing and label adhesion. After confirming that there are no errors, formal production scheduling is arranged.

Step 6: Finished product inspection and delivery

After production is completed, the factory issues a self inspection report. The brand may entrust a third-party testing agency to conduct random inspections. After passing the inspection, deliver in batches according to the contract agreement, and provide samples and copies of production records for each batch simultaneously.