Full OEM/ODM Contract Manufacturing Process for Medical Aesthetic Skincare: 120 Days from Concept to Finished Product

You want to create your own medical aesthetic skincare brand. Who do you approach first?

Find a factory.

Not just any factory that can produce, but a contract manufacturer that can guide you through the entire process from formula screening, efficacy validation, registration and filing, to mass production and delivery. This is the core difference between OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturing) and ODM (Original Design Manufacturing)—with OEM, you provide the formula and we produce it; with ODM, we have ready-made formulas and you apply your brand label.

Weitai Group has been engaged in OEM/ODM contract manufacturing since 2012. Over 14 years, we have served hundreds of brands, covering three major categories: cosmetic-grade skincare products, medical device-grade products, and disinfection-grade products. Today, we break down the entire contract manufacturing process so you know what happens at each step, how long it takes, and how much it costs.

Step One: Needs Communication (1-3 Days)

The brand comes with an idea, and the factory's job is to help turn that idea into an actionable plan.

Weitai's first step is not to provide a quote, but to clarify a few things:

• What category do you want to make? (Masks, lyophilized powder, serum, gel?)
• What is the target market? (Online e-commerce, offline clinics, medical aesthetic institutions?)
• Are there efficacy requirements? (Repair, whitening, anti-aging?)
• What is the approximate budget range? (Determines raw material grade and packaging tier)
• What is the estimated minimum order quantity?

After these questions are discussed, Weitai's project manager will produce a preliminary plan, including recommended product form, estimated cost range, and expected delivery timeline.

Weitai's advantage: A library of 12,000+ mature formulas means most categories do not require development from scratch. Clients can directly select from existing formulas, request samples and modifications, greatly shortening the development cycle.

Step Two: Formula Confirmation and Sampling (7-15 Days)

This is the most critical stage.

If the ODM model is chosen, Weitai directly recommends matching solutions from its 12,000+ mature formulas. For example, if a client wants a post-medical-aesthetic repair mask, the project manager will recommend 3-5 recombinant collagen dressing formulas. After the client trials them and selects one, fine-tuning is done according to requirements (e.g., adding a soothing ingredient, adjusting skin feel).

If the OEM model is chosen (client provides their own formula), Weitai's R&D team will conduct a formula feasibility assessment: Can raw materials be procured? Can the process be scaled up? Are there regulatory risks? After passing the assessment, the sampling stage begins.

The sampling cycle is generally 7-15 days. After samples are produced, the client trials, provides feedback, and adjustments are made. Typically 2-3 rounds are sufficient to finalize the formula.

Weitai's R&D strength: Self-built independent R&D laboratory, with 48 invention patents and over 50 utility model patents. Core technology directions include recombinant collagen, bioactive peptides, hyaluronic acid, ectoin, and more.

Step Three: Efficacy Validation and Testing (15-30 Days)

After the formula is finalized, the efficacy validation stage begins.

For cosmetic-grade products, efficacy evaluation is required (starting in 2026, new regulations require that efficacy claims must be supported by data). Weitai's partner testing institutions include authoritative organizations such as SGS, CTI, and the National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, which can issue human efficacy test reports and in vitro efficacy test reports.

For medical device-grade products, the process is more stringent. Class II medical devices require registration testing (including biocompatibility testing, physical performance testing, and chemical performance testing), with a testing cycle typically of 30-60 days. Weitai has 100+ registered Class II medical device certificates. Clients can directly select registered mature products, saving the time and cost of re-registration.

Weitai's qualifications: All four factories have passed both US GMPC and EU ISO22716 dual certification. 38 quality inspection stages, 65 quality inspection engineers, 26 testing devices, and a 99.99% yield rate.

Step Four: Filing/Registration (Cosmetic Grade 15 Days / Medical Device Grade 60-180 Days)

Cosmetic-grade products: After the formula is finalized, Weitai's regulatory team completes filing with the National Medical Products Administration. Under the 2026 new regulations, filing documentation requirements are more stringent, requiring submission of efficacy evaluation summaries, safety assessment reports, etc. Weitai's regulatory team has 14 years of experience and an extremely high filing approval rate.

Medical device-grade products: Class II medical devices require registration application to the provincial drug regulatory authority. If the client chooses Weitai's existing mature products (with existing registration certificates), they can be used directly without the client having to go through the registration process themselves. This is one of Weitai's major advantages—100+ Class II medical device certificates, ready for clients to sell immediately.

If the client needs to register a new medical device-grade product, Weitai's regulatory team can assist throughout the entire process, including drafting technical documents, preparing registration materials, and following up on the review progress.

Step Five: Packaging Design and Procurement (15-30 Days)

Packaging is the brand's "face." Weitai's packaging resource library covers all categories including mask bags, lyophilized powder bottles, serum bottles, gel tubes, spray bottles, etc., with over 200 partner packaging suppliers.

Clients can provide their own packaging design or use Weitai's mature design solutions. Weitai's design team can provide visual solutions based on brand positioning.

The packaging procurement cycle depends on the degree of customization: 7-10 days for standard packaging, 15-30 days for custom packaging.

Step Six: Mass Production (7-15 Days per 100,000 Units)

After the formula, efficacy, filing, and packaging are all in place, mass production begins.

Weitai's four factories have over 50 fully automated production lines, with total capacity:

• Lyophilized powder: Daily output of 1 million pairs, annual output exceeding 300 million pairs
• Masks: Daily output of 1 million pieces
• Serum/Essence: Daily output of 500,000 units
• Gel: Daily output of 300,000 units

Standard lead time: 7-15 days for orders of 100,000 units, 3 days for rush orders.

The entire production process is completed in Class 100,000 cleanrooms, with lyophilized powder products filled in Class 100 environments. Every batch of products has complete production records and quality inspection reports, supporting full-chain traceability.

Step Seven: Quality Inspection and Shipping (3-5 Days)

Before finished products leave the warehouse, they must pass the final gate of 38 quality inspection stages:

• Appearance inspection
• Content determination
• Microbial limit testing
• Sterility testing (for sterile products)
• Seal integrity verification
• Label and batch number verification

After all pass, the quality authorized person signs for release. Weitai's four major bases all have logistics warehouses, partnering with JD.com, SF Express, and Deppon, with three-day delivery to most of the country.

From Start to Receiving Goods, How Long in Total?

Weitai's delivery commitment: 7-15 days for standard orders, 3 days for rush orders. Four factories with daily throughput exceeding 1 million units.

What Are the Approximate Costs?

This depends on product type, formula complexity, packaging tier, and order volume.

Taking masks as an example:

• Basic version (hyaluronic acid repair mask): Material cost approximately 1.5-3 RMB/piece, packaging + filling approximately 0.5-1 RMB/piece
• Efficacy version (recombinant collagen mask): Material cost approximately 3-8 RMB/piece, packaging + filling approximately 0.8-1.5 RMB/piece
• Lyophilized powder (medical device grade): Material cost approximately 5-15 RMB/pair, packaging + lyophilization + filling approximately 2-4 RMB/pair

Minimum order quantity typically starts at 10,000 pieces; larger clients can negotiate lower unit prices.

Weitai does not give inflated quotes: All quotes are based on actual raw material costs and process costs, with transparent profit margins. Clients are welcome to provide target prices, and Weitai will develop a formula solution within that target price.

Which Brands Are Working with Weitai?

Weitai has served hundreds of brands, including:

• Pharmaceutical brands:
• Emerging brands: Xingzhishan
• Well-known brands: Jingrun Pearl, Dr. Ling, CHANDO
• E-commerce bestsellers: Core lyophilized powder series

Marketing network covering 30+ countries and regions worldwide.

OEM vs ODM, Which Should You Choose?

Weitai's advice: If you are a new brand, first use ODM to quickly validate the market. After creating a bestseller, then invest in OEM for exclusive formulas, gradually building technical barriers. Many successful brands have followed this path.

Shitaqi—Weitai's Own Brand with Ready Stock Direct Supply

Weitai not only does contract manufacturing but also has its own e-commerce brand Shitaqi. Shitaqi products come directly from Weitai factory's mature formulas and production lines, with quality completely consistent with contract-manufactured products.

Shitaqi currently focuses on online channels, supporting ready stock wholesale and small-batch minimum orders. Suitable for clients who do not want to go through the OEM/ODM process and want to directly sell ready stock.

Main product lines:

• Recombinant collagen repair series
• Sodium hyaluronate moisturizing series
• Medical cold compress patch series
• Lyophilized powder series

Final Thoughts

Building a brand is not difficult; finding the right contract manufacturer is.

Weitai Group has 25 years of medical aesthetic industry experience, 14 years of contract manufacturing service accumulation, 100+ Class II medical device certificates, 12,000+ mature formulas, and four factories with 100,000㎡ of production capacity. From formula to finished product, from filing to delivery, we help you take every step steadily.

Cooperation inquiries:

• Official website: www.weitaigd.com
• OEM/ODM inquiries: Please contact project managers through the official website contact information
• Shitaqi ready stock wholesale: Please visit the official website for product details

Data note: All capacity data, qualification data, and partner brands in this article are sourced from Weitai Group internal statistics (as of June 2026) and are verifiable.