Process of Working with a Skincare Contract Manufacturer
Starting a skincare brand or scaling one is no small feat. There are a hundred decisions to make before a single bottle hits a shelf, and the process looks different for everyone. That's something we've learned after years of working with founders, entrepreneurs, and established brands as their contract manufacturer.
When a new client reaches out to Skincare by Marpac, one of the very first things we ask is this:
Do you already have a formula, or would you like us to develop one for you?
It's a simple question, but the answer tells us a lot. It shapes how we'll work together, how long the process might take, and what you'll need to bring to the table. Below, we'll walk through both paths so you can start to picture where you might fit.
Path One: You Already Have a Formula
Some clients come to us with a formula they've already developed, tested, and worked with firsthand. Maybe you've been making your product yourself and you're ready to scale. Maybe you've worked with a chemist and have something you love. Either way, you have a starting point, and a good one.
For clients on this path, the process is relatively streamlined. We'll review your formula together, talk through your ingredient list, and work through decisions around components and packaging. From there, we'll discuss sourcing and vendors, and once everything is aligned, we'll get your product scheduled for production.
This path tends to work best for individuals who already have an existing brand and real hands-on experience with their formula. You know what it is, you know what it does, and you're ready to hand it off to a team that can bring it to life at scale.
Path Two: You're Starting Without a Formula
Not everyone walks in with a formula in hand, and that's completely okay. Many of our clients are at the beginning of their journey, with a vision for what they want their product to be but not yet the formula to match. Others may already have an established brand and want to expand their offerings but not spend a ton of time developing a formula from scratch on their own.
For clients on this path, we start with a conversation. We want to understand what you're inspired by: Is there a product already on the market that captures the feel or the finish you're going for? Or would you like to explore one of our existing stock formulas as a foundation?
If a stock formula fits your vision without modification, there's no R&D required, you can move forward quickly. But if you're looking for something more tailored, something developed around a benchmark or a specific idea, that's where our formulation process comes in. We'll work to get you to a sample you're genuinely excited about. It takes a bit more time, but the goal is always the same: a product that feels like yours.
While the formula is being refined, you won't be waiting around. This is the time to make decisions about your component, work on your label design and artwork, start thinking through the details that will make your brand feel cohesive and complete, and put in the marketing needed to successfully launch and sell this product when it's ready. By the time you're approving a final sample, you'll be closer to a finished product than you might expect. From there, the path looks a lot like the first one, production, packaging, and getting your product into the world.
Every Journey Is a Little Different
These are the two most common ways clients come to us, but we want to be honest: no two brand stories are exactly alike. The specifics of your journey will depend on your product, your goals, and where you're starting from. What we can promise is that we'll meet you where you are and help you figure out the next right step.
If you're curious about what working with Skincare by Marpac might look like for you, we'd love to have that conversation. Reach out, and let's talk about where you're starting from: Contact Us