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An Introduction to Cosmetic Formulations (Top Ingredients, Standards, & More)

An Introduction to Cosmetic Formulations (Top Ingredients, Standards, & More)

Consumers want to ensure the skincare products they buy are clean and are coming from organic private label cosmetics. They prioritize quality ingredients and are concerned about the production methods behind the ingredients. This is where transparency becomes very important. 

Given the significant emphasis consumers place on sustainable product options when choosing what to buy, cosmetics and personal beauty product manufacturers have a strong motivation to integrate transparent messaging into their branding and marketing efforts.

Alongside clearly labeled packaging, ingredient transparency stands out as one of the most powerful ways companies convey their commitment to sustainability to consumers.

Cosmetic formulation can be a tricky process. Working with a reliable cosmetics manufacturers is important to adhere to standards.

Organic Private Label Cosmetics - Common Cosmetic Formulations

Fragrances

Aromatic compounds are added to cosmetic products to provide a pleasant scent. They can be natural or synthetic and are used in various formulations. 

  • Perfumes: Highly concentrated aromatic oils used for long-lasting scent.
  • Body lotions: Lightly scented to provide a subtle fragrance while moisturizing. 

Preservatives

Added to formulations to prevent the growth of microorganisms and extend the product’s shelf life. Necessary for maintaining product safety and efficacy. 

  • Parabens: Common preservatives used in skincare products to prevent bacterial growth.
  • Phenoxyethanol: A preservative often used in lotions and creams to inhibit microbial growth. 

Color Pigments

Used to add color to cosmetic products. They can be natural or synthetic and are used in various formulations to enhance appearance. 

  • Lipsticks: Using pigments to provide a wide variety of shades and finishes.
  • Eyeshadows: Color pigments for diverse eye makeup options. 

Emulsions

Emulsions are mixtures of water and oil phases, stabilized by emulsifiers. They form the base of many skincare and cosmetic products, such as creams & lotions, deliver hydration and smooth texture. 

  • Facial moisturizers: Combining water and oils to hydrate and soften the skin.
  • Sunscreens: Using emulsifiers to blend UV filters with moisturizing ingredients. 

Gels

Clear, water-based formulations that are thickened with gelling agents. They are lightweight, non-greasy, and quickly absorbed. Ideal for products like serums and hair styling aids. 

  • Aloe vera gel: Soothing and moisturizing benefits without greasiness.
  • Hair styling gel: Hold and shape for hairstyles while being lightweight. 

Suspensions

Formulations where solid particles are dispersed in a liquid medium. They require stabilizers to keep the particles evenly distributed and are commonly used in products like exfoliants and sunscreens. 

  • Exfoliating scrubs: Containing abrasive particles suspended in a liquid base.
  • Calamine lotion: With zinc oxide particles suspended for soothing irritated skin

Solutions

Homogeneous mixtures where active ingredients are dissolved in a solvent, usually water or alcohol. They are used for products like toners, astringents, and some serums. 

  • Toners: Combining hydrating and soothing ingredients dissolved in water.
  • Micellar water: Using water to dissolve cleansing agents for makeup removal. 

Ointments

Thick, oil-based formulations that provide an occlusive barrier on the skin. Used for their moisturizing properties and to deliver active ingredients in a concentrated form, often in medical or therapeutic skincare

  • Petroleum jelly: Offering protection and moisture for dry, cracked skin.
  • Topical antibiotic ointments: Delivering active ingredients to treat skin infections. 

Pastes

Pastes are thick formulations containing a high concentration of solid particles suspended in a base. They provide a protective layer and are used for products like diaper rash creams and acne treatments. 

  • Acne spot treatments: With sulfur or salicylic acid to target blemishes. 

Creams

Emulsions with a higher oil content, providing rich hydration and creating a barrier to lock in moisture. They are used for both moisturizing and delivering active ingredients in products like anti-aging and night creams. 

  • Anti-aging creams: Combining water and oils with active ingredients like retinoids.
  • Night creams: Offers deep hydration with a rich, emollient texture. 

Why Cosmetic Brands Are Switching Manufacturers

Establishing Objectives

Identify the demographic you aim to serve, such as age group, skin type, or lifestyle. For example, a consumer might need a moisturizer for dry, sensitive skin that doesn’t irritate. Understand this target market’s specific challenges and desires, such as the need for hypoallergenic products or eco-friendly packaging. 

Define clear, quantifiable targets for your product. For instance, aim for a moisturizer that improves skin hydration by 50% within two weeks. You may also include using 95% natural ingredients and maintaining a pH level suitable for sensitive skin.

Establish a timeline and budget for development. For example, allocate two months for ingredient research and sourcing, four months for formulation and testing, and one month for packaging design.  

Budget for costs, including raw materials, laboratory testing, packaging, marketing, and contingency funds for unforeseen expenses. 

Your Organic Private Label Cosmetics Partner Should Give You The BEST IDEAS

Your cosmetics manufacturers should identify what makes leading products in the market successful.  

If a competitor’s foundation is praised for its lightweight feel and long-lasting coverage, these features can be pivotal in driving sales and customer loyalty.  

When one major brand introduces a popular formulation, such as a vitamin C serum, that reduces dark spots, other companies rush to develop similar products to capture market share.

Dive deep into customer feedback on popular products. Positive reviews can highlight beneficial features, such as a non-greasy moisturizer yet hydrating. 

On the flip side, negative reviews provide critical insights. For instance, if multiple customers report allergic reactions to a particular preservative in a competitor’s cream, this feedback signals a need to reconsider its inclusion in your formulation.  

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Ask Your Organic Private Label Cosmetics Partner The Following Questions

Brainstorm innovative ideas with your team. Ask the following questions to help the team reach your set objective:  

  • What are the gaps in the market that we can fill with our product? 
  • Which unique ingredients or technologies can we incorporate to differentiate our formulation?
  • How can we improve the application, texture, and scent?
  • What sustainable and eco-friendly practices can we integrate into our formulation and packaging? 


Create a detailed formulation plan, including ingredient percentages. For a hydrating facial serum, you might outline the following example: 

  • Hyaluronic Acid: 2% (for deep hydration)
  • Aloe Vera Extract: 5% (for soothing and anti-inflammatory properties)
  • Glycerin: 10% (to lock in moisture)
  • Niacinamide: 5% (to brighten skin and improve elasticity)
  • Distilled Water: 78% (as the base for the formulation)
  • This detailed plan ensures a balanced formulation that meets the intended benefits and quality standards. 


Choose a manufacturer that adheres to FDA guidelines for cosmetics to ensure safety and proper labeling. 

Producing the Prototype

When sourcing high-quality raw materials from trusted suppliers, asking your cosmetic manufacturer specific technical questions during a consultation is important.  

Inquire about the supplier’s quality control processes: “What steps do you take to ensure the purity and potency of your raw materials?”  

Ask about their traceability protocols: “Can you provide detailed traceability reports for your raw materials to verify their origin and quality?”  

Documenting the process to ensure consistency is also important.  

Start by creating comprehensive standard operating procedures (SOPs) that detail each step of the formulation and production processes. This includes precise measurements, mixing times, and conditions for each ingredient.  

  • Regularly review and update these SOPs to reflect any changes or improvements.  
  • Implement a record-keeping system to track batch numbers, raw material sources, and quality control checks.  
  • Consistent documentation helps identify and rectify any deviations, ensuring product quality and reliability. 

Evaluating the prototype for initial performance and texture involves several key steps. Conduct sensory evaluations with a small panel of testers to gather feedback on the product’s feel, scent, and ease of application. Pay attention to immediate impressions and any delayed reactions over a period of use. 

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Selecting Appropriate Packaging

Choose packaging that protects the product from contamination. 

Here are three packaging options to consider: 

  • Airless Pump Bottles: Prevent air and contaminants from entering the product. Brands like Drunk Elephant use airless pump bottles for their serums to prevent oxidation and bacterial contamination. 
  • Tubes with Flip-Top Caps: Tubes with flip-top caps are convenient and hygienic. Brands like La Roche-Posay use this type of packaging for their sunscreens and creams. 


Ensure packaging is compatible with the formulation to prevent adverse reactions and maintain product stability. If incompatible, it can lead to risks such as chemical reactions between the formulation and the packaging material, which can degrade the product or release harmful substances.  

Essential oils can degrade certain plastics, leading to product contamination and low efficacy. Improper packaging can result in leakage, evaporation, or changes in texture and scent.  

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Conducting Stability Assessments for Organic Natural Cosmetics

Test the formulation under various environmental conditions. Your team can test environmental stability by creating controlled conditions that simulate different climates.  

  • Use temperature-controlled chambers to test the product under extreme heat (40°C) and cold (-5°C) for several weeks.  
  • Simulate high humidity (70-80%) and low humidity (20-30%) conditions to observe how the product reacts.  
  • Place samples in clear and dark environments to assess light sensitivity.  
  • Regularly inspect the samples for physical changes and note how the formulation behaves in each setting. 


Check for changes in color, odor, and texture over time. Indications of instability include discoloring the formulation (e.g., turning yellowish or brownish), which can suggest oxidation or degradation. The product’s odor changes (e.g., developing a rancid or sour smell) may indicate spoilage or chemical breakdown.

Changes in texture, such as separation of phases in emulsions, clumping in powders, or crystallization, signal that the formulation might be compromised. Document these observations meticulously to identify patterns or triggers that cause these changes. 

Document all findings to support product claims and regulatory compliance: 

  • Maintain comprehensive records of all tests, including environmental conditions, duration of exposure, and detailed observations of any changes.  
  • Document the exact formulation used, batch numbers, and any variations in ingredients or processes.  
  • Include photographic evidence of changes in appearance and note sensory evaluations of odor and texture. 

Organic Private Label Cosmetics for Your Skincare Formulation

Medpak Solutions offers full support from concept to shelf. We understand that cosmetic formulation can be lengthy and complex, involving meticulous planning, ingredient selection, and testing. We keep a smooth journey from the concept to the finished cosmetic product.  

Work with Medpak Solutions, your reliable private label cosmetics manufacturer. Contact us today to start creating your premium organic formulations.  

Medpak Solutions