I have been lurking around the Clubhouse for weeks and there are some common things I heard and cringed when it comes to the discussion of creating a beauty line. Here are my top 10 rules which can help you to navigate the beauty landscape especially if you are new to the industry.
- Make sure you have an unique point of difference. There are enough beauty products out there. Unless you have a very unique angle, don’t flood the market. This is a very competitive landscape.
- Know your end goal. If this is a hobby for you. Have fun doing DIY but still advised to have a chemist to go over what you are doing so you put out safe products. Natural butters and oils do not guarantee you will have a shelf-stable products.
- When you do DIY (highly discouraged), please have your materials weigh in grams and they have to add up to 100%. Do not say one table spoon of this and one tea spoon of that. This is NOT cooking. Your formula must be in percentage form so when you scale, the factory can do it. The worst thing is if you are lucky enough to build a following and the factory has to remake your formula, things change and you lose your fan base.
- When you put in preservatives in your formula, it does not mean it is preserved. You must send out for micro challenge test to ensure the preservatives you used is suitable and at the right level. Mold growth can endanger human health. Please be vigilant about it.
- When it comes to unique technologies, cosmetic chemists and raw material suppliers (not from Amazon!) are your resources because cosmetic chemists have the first dip on the latest technology that are proven effective. Most dermatologists hang around retinol (very irritating), vitamin C (unstable) and Hyaluronic acid (many forms) only. Dermatologists know skin. Cosmetic chemists know raw materials, formulation and regulation.
- I heard a dermatologist recommended Vitamin K and hydroquinone for under eye dark circles. Vitamin K is banned in France. Hydroquinone is banned in EU. In dermatologist office, the highest level is 2% in USA and 1% in consumer products but it is a cytotoxic material. Cosmetic chemists like me know regulatory compliance.
- For starting your beauty line, please make sure you can secure the URL before you go for trademarking your company name. So many companies have to change their company name because they did not do their homework.
- Many people want to have a patent in their products. The question is are you willing to disclose what is so unique about the formulation as it is required when you apply for a patent. Secondly, in the case people do copy your formulation, do you have the resources to go after those people? Patents in beauty these days do not mean much.
- Make sure you start with an end in mind. If you want to sell into Sephora vs. sell into Walmart, the pricing structure will be very different. If you want to sell to investor group or if you want to leave a family legacy of your brand, the strategy is different as well. Do it right since the beginning.
- Things do not have to be perfect. You can start NOW but you do need a mentor in beauty for guidance.
I specialize in cosmetic product development/innovation from concept to launch. I have all these 10 points covered for you.
Interested in working with me?
Drop me an email: ginger@gracekingdombeauty.com