Building a beauty brand today isn’t about finding the most famous manufacturer. It’s about finding the right fit for your business: a partner who can meet your minimum order quantities (MOQs), navigate complex regulations, and ship on time without drama.
This guide offers a concise, no-fluff shortlist of top private label makeup and skincare suppliers in the US, UK, Korea, China, Australia, and Italy, along with a practical playbook to brief, sample, and scale your brand.
Read Also: How To Sell Skincare Wholesale?
The Foundational Steps
Before you contact a single supplier, you need a plan. Rushing this step is the most common and costly mistake new brands make.
1. The Vendor Brief: Be Clear from Day One
A simple, one-page brief saves you months of back and forth. You should send the exact same brief to every potential partner to compare them fairly. Include:
- Your Brand: Who is your brand for, what’s your price point, and where will you sell?
- Product Scope: What are the hero products you want to launch? Don’t ask for 30 SKUs at once; start with two to four key items.
- Non-Negotiables: Are you vegan? Do you need a fragrance-free formula? Do you require ISO 22716 (GMP) certification? Be explicit about your must-haves.
- Performance Targets: What do you want the product to do? For color, this might be “transfer-proof after 30 seconds.” For skincare, it’s a specific pH range or a stability claim.
- Packaging: The single biggest cause of launch delays is packaging compatibility. Lock in your packaging early. Provide the manufacturer with your component choices so they can test them.
2. The Sampling Plan: Protect Your Budget
Once you’ve narrowed your list to two or three partners, it’s time to sample.
- Request Bench Samples: Don’t ask for a full catalog. Focus on your hero products. Request 2–3 texture or shade options to start.
- Run Your Own Tests: Perform simple “pocket tests.” Wear a color product for a day to check for transfer. Let a skincare sample sit on your desk for a week to check for separation. This can save you from a major problem later.
- Order a Pilot Run: Once you approve a sample, order just one master carton per SKU. This small pilot run is your final test. It confirms your supply chain, lets you see the finished product, and validates that the product will sell.
3. Know Your MOQs
Your financial reality starts with MOQs. Be realistic about what you can afford.
- Skincare MOQs (minimum order quantities) can be more flexible. Many manufacturers offer a wide selection of “stock bases” you can use as a foundation, with small tweaks like a new active ingredient or fragrance. You can upgrade to a custom formula once your brand proves itself.
Color MOQs are often higher because they can be per-shade. A single lipstick shade requires a unique production run for both the bulk formula and the component with your branding. This is why it’s a mistake to ask for 30 shades on your first order.
10 Best Private Label Makeup and Skincare Suppliers (Category-wise)
There’s no single “best” manufacturer; there’s only the best fit for your stage and your channel.
Category 1: For Speed & Low MOQs
These partners are perfect when you’re just starting, need to test the market quickly, or want to launch a small, focused line without massive capital.
1. Cosmetic Solutions (USA)
A long-running, turnkey operation known for fast product launches. They’re a great fit for med-spa style skincare lines with a focus on active ingredients.
2. RainShadow Labs (USA)
Excellent for small runs. They offer a catalog of hundreds of stock formulas you can tweak, which makes them ideal for quickly launching a tight skincare line to test the market.
3. Lady Burd (USA)
A decades-old specialist in color for startups. They publish per-shade minimums on many products, which makes planning a new collection much easier.
For Premium & Global Scale
Choose these partners once you’ve proven your concept and need to scale, innovate, or launch across multiple regions at once.
4. Orean Personal Care (UK & USA)
A modern formulator with a presence on both sides of the Atlantic. They’re a good choice if you need a single technical team to manage your launch in both the UK/EU and the US.
5. Intercos Group (Italy)
A top-tier global partner. They work with major labels and are known for scale and innovation. Engage with them when you’re past the pilot stage and can meet their higher MOQs for new product formats.
6. COSMAX (Korea)
The powerhouse of K-beauty. They’re known for their deep expertise in R&D and their ability to produce innovative formats like cushion foundations at a global scale.
Category 2: For Specific Needs & Niches
These manufacturers are perfect when your brand has a very specific focus or a key logistical requirement.
7. Radical Cosmetics (USA)
A premium color specialist. Go to them when your brand is built on complexion, eye, and lip products and you need to get the feel, payoff, and shade range just right.
8. HCT by kdc/one (Global)
A specialist in both formulas and packaging. They’re ideal when a product’s packaging, applicator, or overall industrial design is as important as the formula itself.
9. Nox Bellcow (China)
A high-volume leader in masks and wipes. If your brand is built on these types of products and you need large-scale output and a low per-unit cost, they are a primary consideration.
10. New Laboratories (Australia)
An excellent choice for brands selling in the Australia/New Zealand region. They are ISO/COSMOS certified and are already familiar with US MoCRA regulations, making them a suitable option for brands planning to export to North America.
Process After Shortlisting The Partner
Your job doesn’t end when you place an order. A successful launch depends on careful planning after the manufacturing stage.
Here are a few important things you should do after shortlisting a private label makeup and skincare partner:
i. Regulatory Compliance
This is a non-negotiable step that protects your brand and your customers.
- US (MoCRA): All beauty brands must register their facilities and list products. You must have safety substantiation for your products and a plan for reporting serious adverse events. Ask each supplier for their MoCRA plan.
- EU/UK: You need a Responsible Person to handle all regulatory duties. You must also compile a Product Information File (PIF) and submit notifications via the CPNP or UK’s SCPN portals.
- Global: Be aware of other regional rules, from INCI labeling in Canada to halal certifications for the Middle East.
ii. Costing That Protects Your Margin
Your profit is determined by more than just the cost of the formula.
- Packaging: The most expensive part of your product is often the component. A cheap formula in a fancy airless pump can cost more than a premium formula in a simple bottle.
- Fill Labor: Small production runs with many shades and separate components raise labor costs.
- Claims: If you want to say your product is “clinically proven” or “dermatologist tested,” that is a separate budget line item. Price it in from the start.
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Final Summary On Private Label Makeup & Skincare Suppliers
A strategic approach that puts the right fit ahead of the biggest name is necessary when creating a private-label beauty brand. A straightforward, replicable strategy is the foundation of a successful launch: begin with a thorough brief, test the formula and supply chain with a small product line, and only scale what works.
In addition to producing excellent products, your partner of choice must offer strong support for important compliance matters such as the PIF in the EU and MoCRA in the US. You can create a successful brand without taking unnecessary risks by concentrating on intelligent, measured growth and complete transparency with your selected manufacturer.
Frequently Asked Questions On Private Label Makeup & Skincare Suppliers
What is the biggest difference between a stock formula and a custom one?
An existing base that has been created and tested by a manufacturer is known as a stock formula. Small adjustments, like adding a particular active ingredient or fragrance, are frequently possible. A unique formula is created from the ground up to precisely match the requirements of your brand. Custom requires more time, a larger R&D budget, and higher MOQs, but it also gives you complete control and unique intellectual property.
What should I do if a supplier’s MOQ is too high for my budget?
If a supplier has a high MOQ but a great reputation, don’t dismiss them. Instead, focus on using their stock bases. This allows you to launch a product with a lower initial commitment because the R&D and stability testing have already been done. You can also ask about their bulk options and work with a local filler.
How can I protect my brand if a product fails a stability test?
A product’s stability test determines if it will remain safe and effective over its shelf life. If a formula fails a test (e.g., separates, changes color), you should not proceed with the production run. Go back to the manufacturer and request a reformulation. If the formula is a stock base that you have not modified, the manufacturer should assume the cost of reformulation.
How much should I budget for claims and certifications?
The cost of your claims depends on the claim’s strength. A simple claim like “hydrating” can be substantiated with basic tests, but a claim like “clinically proven to reduce fine lines” requires a full-scale clinical trial with a separate budget. This can range from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars. Always get a clear quote for these tests before you brief your manufacturer.
What are the biggest red flags when talking to a new manufacturer?
The biggest red flag is a lack of transparency. If a manufacturer is unwilling to share their GMP or ISO 22716 certificates, won’t provide a list of their testing capabilities, or is vague about the details of their MoCRA plan, it’s a major warning sign. A reputable partner should be open and eager to show you their processes and documentation.
What does MoCRA readiness actually mean for my business?
MoCRA is the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act in the US. Being “MoCRA ready” means your manufacturer has a plan to help you with the required facility registration and product listing. Your brand will also be responsible for maintaining safety substantiation for your products and reporting any serious adverse events. Your manufacturer should be able to clearly outline their process for handling all of these requirements.
