I am often asked, "How much do I need to make my own skincare brand?"How long? "
To be honest, the threshold for becoming a skincare brand in 2026 is much higher than it was five years ago.Regulations have become stricter, consumers have become more sophisticated, and channels have become more voluminous.But as long as you figure out the process and implement it every step of the way, it's not a mystery.
Step 1: Company and Qualifications - Don't skip this step
Many people are eager to find a factory and make a formula, and as a result, the company has not yet registered.
To be a skin care brand, you must first have a company body.Individual industrial and commercial households can also file cosmetics, but if they want to enter formal channels (e-commerce, chain, pharmacy), they are more reliable.
After obtaining the business license, the things that need to be done include: trademark registration (recommended category 3 daily chemical products), product registration account registration (in the SDA system), and bank account opening.
These procedures add up to about 2-4 weeks.Micropeptides will provide a "qualification list" at the stage of brand establishment, so you can clearly list the materials you want to prepare without having to explore them yourself.
The filing requirements for 2026 are much stricter than before.Efficacy claim requires corresponding test data - you say "moisturize", you have to have a human test report of moisturizing efficacy.It's not just a matter of writing a word.
Step 2: Plant selection and proofing - this takes the most time
The factory is not searched on 1688, and it is finished compared to the single price.
At least three hard indicators are required: qualification (ISO22716/GMPC certified or not), formulation capability (how large the formula library is and can it be customized), production capacity and delivery time (whether it can be delivered on time in peak season).
Four major bases of micropeptides, certified by ISO13485, ISO22716, and GMPC in the United States.72 technical achievements, more than 5000 mature recipes.These hard indicators are placed here, and the brand can be seen directly by the factory.
During the proofing stage, it is recommended that the brand side try at least 3 rounds: the initial sample is→ adjusted→ and finalized.Each round must be documented in writing, including formulation ratios, sensory evaluations, and preliminary stability results.The sampling cycle of the micropeptide, the conventional formula is 7 days, and the whole process is 1-2 months.
Step 3: Product Pricing and Cost Structure - Where to Spend the Money
Many people think that the most expensive thing to do as a brand is production. Wrong.
The first batch of production costs is actually the smallest part of your overall expenses.The real big head is in the packaging materials, testing, design and so on.
Give you a rough cost breakdown:
| Expense Items | Proportion | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Raw Material + Processing Fee | 15-20% | Factory side production cost |
| Packaging materials (bottles, caps, pumps, labels, boxes) | 25-35% | Higher cost for custom packing materials |
| Efficacy Testing + Filing | 10-15% | Tighter testing requirements in 2026 |
| Design (VI + Packaging + Photography) | 10-15% | Brand vision system |
| First batch of stocking + warehousing logistics | 15-20% | Look at channel planning |
Micropeptides will split the expenses clearly when quoting, and the brand side will know where the money is spent.There will be no hidden charges hidden in the "package price".
Step 4: Selection - What did the first product do?
This is the easiest step to make a mistake, and the best place to reflect your level.
Before making a new category, take a look at what the factory's strong categories are.Such as facial masks, serums, freeze-dried powder and other categories, the process is mature, the detection path is clear, the filing difficulty is low, and the cost of consumer education is low.
Micropeptides have accumulated for more than ten years in the two categories of collagen mask and repair essence.The formula iterated for many rounds, and the market feedback data was sufficient.The new brand can save at least 3 months of market testing time if it cuts from these two categories.
Another idea is to look at competing products - what categories are rising in the market and what categories have gaps.In 2026, the areas of sensitive skin repair, anti-aging, and post-medical and artistic care are still growing.
Step 5: Filing and Inspection - Don't roll over here
Cosmetics filing, the 2026 process is more complex than before.
The materials to be prepared include: the complete ingredient list of the formula, a brief description of the production process, product quality and safety control indicators, efficacy claim evaluation reports, product label samples, etc.
Among them, the easiest to jam is the efficacy claim evaluation.If you want to declare "anti-wrinkle", you must provide human efficacy test data or literature support.If you want to claim that "sensitive skin is suitable", you have to do a skin irritation test.
Micropeptide has a cooperative third-party testing organization. After proofing and finalization, the brand side will submit the test directly to the factory. After the test report comes out, it will be submitted for the record at the same time.The entire filing cycle is about 1-3 months.
FAQs
Q: How much does it cost to start your own skincare brand?
A: Look at the category and packaging grade.The conservative estimate is that 100,000-150,000 is a relatively reliable starting line.Including company registration, filing, testing, packaging materials, first batch production.Promotion fee is not included.The cost can be lower if the package material is a male mold and the formula is a mature solution.
Q: From 0 to the first batch of products on the shelf, how fast will it take?
A: If everything goes well (the company is fully qualified, the formula does not need to be drastically changed, and the record is passed once), the fastest time is 4-6 months.Routine 6-9 months.If there is a custom recipe or efficacy test queue, it may take 8-12 months.
Q: There is no formula or product concept, can I get help from the foundry?
A: Yes. There are more than 5000 mature formulations of micropeptides, and brands can choose them directly.The technical team can also recommend directions according to market demand, such as the collagen repair line and the ectoin sensitive muscle line are hot now.What the brand side needs to do is brand positioning, packaging design and channel planning.
Q: Is the first product a good mask or a good serum?
A: Look at the brand positioning.Advantages: strong sense of use, high repurchase rate, low cost of consumer education.Advantages of serum: high unit price and strong perception of efficacy.Masks are a safer option if your brand is positioned to be younger and walk more.If you position the efficacy type and high customer unit price, the serum can better support the brand tonality.
Q: What if the file is returned?What are the common reasons?
A: 90% of returns are due to insufficient evidence of efficacy claims or excessive use of limited-use ingredients in the formulation.In 2026, the filing review is becoming more and more stringent, and we must do our homework adequately in the early stage.The regulatory team of micropeptides will intervene at the formulation approval stage to avoid finding hard injuries when filing.
Guangdong Micropeptide Biotechnology Co., Ltd., a national high-tech enterprise, has been focusing on OEM/ODM foundry for more than ten years, four major production bases, 72 technical achievements, and 800 + cooperative brands. It has passed ISO13485, ISO22716, and GMPC certification in the United States.
