The steps before manufacturing a cosmetic product

 

But how is the cosmetics market evolving today? How do stakeholders collaborate to create a new cosmetic product?

In this article, we reveal the essential steps before formulating a cosmetic product for complete beauty.  

 Step 1: Research and analyze trends  

Before developing the concept, it is essential to carry out a market study in order to identify opportunities, threats, strengths and weaknesses in order to identify the actions to be implemented in order to successfully develop your business while taking into account the competition.  

This market study allows:  

• Identifying market developments: what are the current trends?  
• Competitive analysis: How will I position myself in relation to the competition? What are my competitive advantages?  
• Target identification: what are their expectations? Their needs? Their obstacles? Their motivations?  
• Affiliation with partners: who do I need to cooperate with?  
• Positioning study: What place will my product occupy in the minds of consumers? How is the product or brand perceived? How can I differentiate myself from other offerings on the market?  

Step 2: Concept Development:

Once trends and needs have been identified, the next step is to develop the product concept. Marketing, R&D (Research and Development), and design teams collaborate to define:  

• Product characteristics: composition, weight, shape, color, performance, operating mode, etc.  
• Its positioning on the market: the unique value, the value proposition, the promise, the mission  
• Its distinctive advantages: the concept, the formula, the sensory identity (design, packaging)...  
• Its brand image: the representation perceived by consumers of a company, a brand or a product: the name, the slogan, the logo, the ease of use, etc.  

Step 3: Define the specifications & the brief  

1. The specifications 

The specifications allow you to study the viability of the project: it is the key element for communicating with all the project stakeholders, whether they are the laboratories, the R&D department, the sales department, etc.  

Here is an example of a listing that must appear in a specification:  

• The product function: packaging, labeling, conditioning, etc.  
• The product itself: textures, smell, active ingredients, etc.  
• Desired tests: dermatological, stability, etc.  
• The ingredients to highlight,  
• Certification and label,  
• Prohibited raw materials: allergens, of animal origin, etc.  
• Nominal content,  
• The graphic charter: typography, colors...

2. The brief

The brief is a document that provides an overview of the project: it must be succinct and focused on understanding the general idea of ​​the project.  

This is a crucial step where the marketing, sales and R&D teams come together to define:  

• The general context: storytelling, founder, legal status, turnover, competitors, market position, etc.  
• Marketing objectives: such as increasing market share...  
• The problem: such as the launch of a new product, the desire to diversify...  
• The target audience: who do we want to address?  
• Competition,  
• Technical and regulatory constraints: deadlines, deadlines, are there any new laws?  
• Distribution: BtoB or BtoC  
• The price: high-end, mid-range….  

Once all this information is accurately described, it is possible to establish a reverse schedule. The economic, regulatory, and technical framework surrounding the project then becomes concrete.

Step 4: Create the formulation and perform the mandatory tests:  

The formulation must perfectly meet the criteria of the specifications and the brief in terms of texture, effectiveness, odor, formulation, appearance and even conservation.  

After the brief and specifications have been developed , product formulation comes into play: chemists and scientists work closely with R&D to select the appropriate ingredients—texturizers, preservatives, etc.—to create an effective, safe formula that complies with current regulations. 

Rigorous testing is conducted to evaluate: 

• Stability tests, 
• Conservation tests,  
• Safety tests,  
• Effectiveness tests  

During this study phase, numerous samples are made and studied to create the ideal formulation.  

These trials are tested in the laboratory and on volunteers in order to collect feedback from potential consumers.  

The results of these tests are analyzed and taken into account to make improvements or adjustments to the product formula if necessary.  

Step 5: Market launch  

This is the final stage of the project with the provision of finished products that meet requirements and regulations, according to the specifications and the initial brief.  

Packaging and mass production are the final stage of cosmetic product development before the finished products are placed on the market.  

This is done first by producing a test quantity, then industrial production can be launched definitively.  

At this stage, the packaging of the products in their dedicated cosmetic packaging also takes place, so it is necessary to ensure:  

• To have the necessary raw materials,  
• To be equipped with the bottles and containers of the product,  
• Having carried out the tests on a pilot batch.  

After the test quantity developed in the laboratory and validated according to the specifications comes the industrial transposition of the formulas produced on hundreds of kilos.  

This production stage includes the manufacture of the formula in bulk on a large scale and its packaging in the selected packaging.

The products are then delivered to the designated location ready for marketing.  

 

From researching cosmetic trends to large-scale production, every detail is carefully considered to deliver an exceptional beauty experience.