Cosmetics shaping: manufacturing process and outsourcing

Creating a wide range of cosmetics products is not just about having a good idea or attractive packaging.

It involves managing the formulation, packaging, standards, safety requirements... and above all, having a service provider capable of ensuring flawless cosmetics production.

In an industry as demanding as cosmetics, outsourcing production to a reliable partner becomes a strategic lever.

Whether you are launching a line of creams or natural skincare products, the right partner will enable you to go faster and further — with less risk.

In this article, we will show you how outsourced cosmetics production works, why it has become a pillar in the development of innovative brands, and how to choose the laboratory or service provider that is right for your ambitions.

Understand cosmetic shaping

1. How does outsourcing work in the cosmetics industry?

Outsourcing cosmetics manufacturingis the art of transforming an idea into a finished product — while complying with quality, compliance, and safety standards.

What does it mean in concrete terms? It is the process that allows a brand to outsource the design, packaging, and sometimes even the composition to a cosmetics manufacturer manufacturer.

This outsourcing model makes it possible to produce larger or smaller volumes without having to invest in a factory or recruit a complete technical team.

You provide your specifications, and the subcontractor takes care of the rest: raw materials, ready-made formulas,packaging, labeling and traceability.

There are several levels of cosmetic outsourcing:

Standard, where you use existing cosmetic formulas;
Tailor-made, where the laboratory develops a unique product according to your specific criteria.

Whether you are aiming to create a toothpaste, an innovative formula or a skin care product, industrializing your idea without sacrificing your values requires a reliable service provider.

Why outsource production in the cosmetics industry?

Today, 80% of cosmetics companies — whether large and small — call upon a cosmetics manufacturer.

Why? Because if time, costs, certifications, and regulatory complexity are made 100% in-house, the bet is risky.

Outsourced production in cosmetics allows you to:

Benefit from the expertise of a technical partner who is familiar with European regulations,
Access proven solutions,
Reduce development costs and time to launch the product on the market,
Quickly test concepts before scaling up.

A good cosmetics manufacturer does more than just manufacturing products.

He will support you in development, technical choices, packaging, ISO or COSMOS standards, and even final packaging.

For example, at Dôm Labs, we integrate the stages of composition, testing, quality control, and compliance into a single full process service.

You gain reliability and responsiveness, and you can stay focused on what matters most: your image and your customers.

Cosmetics manufacturing process

1. The stages of a cosmetics manufacturing process

Cosmetics manufacturing is based on a thorough sequence of industrial steps. Each stage is governed by strict procedures, safety protocols, and constant quality requirements.

Here are the 6 stages of a professionnal cosmetics manufacturing process:

Brief & project definition: the service provider analyzes your needs, objectives, quantity constraints and deadlines. This is where it all begins.
Formulation & testing: based on your specifications, the laboratory develops a stable cosmetic formula that complies with legal criteria. This stage involves galenic testing, stability testing, and sometimes adjustments depending on the active ingredients or conditioning chosen.
Regulatory validation: the R&D department checks that your product complies with European regulations (EC 1223/2009), COSMOS criteria, organic standards, or health standards if necessary.
Conditioning and packaging: once the formula has been validated, the product moves on to the filling and labeling phase. This conditioning can be done in bottles, jars, tubes, sticks, etc., depending on your choice and the format of the product (gel, oil, etc.).
Quality control: each batch is tested to ensure weight compliance, homogeneity, etc. These protocols guarantee a level of consistent quality, even on a large scale.
Logistics & market implementation: the subcontractor prepares the specified volumes, manages the packaging, and delivers a turnkey solution that is ready to be marketed with a professional and personalized finish.

At Dôm Labs, this process is 100% integrated: from composition and packaging to the delivery of the first standard or customized series. Do you have a goal? We will support you every step of the way.

2. Innovative technologies in cosmetic shaping

The cosmetics industry is evolving rapidly.

To remain competitive, a cosmetics manufacturer must innovate — not only in terms of formulas, but also in terms of industrial tools.

At Dôm Labs, our vision is not limited to ingredients: it extends to the manufacturing technologies themselves.

Here are four examples of technical advances we use:

High-precision filling: to guarantee the same active dose, down to the ml, even on small batches.
Advanced galenic equipment: to handle complex textures — rich creams, transparent gels.
Modular packaging lines: to quickly adapt to custom projects or multiple collections.
Automated monitoring & full traceability: to ensure compliance with procedures at every stage of the chain.

This level of innovation allows us to offer our customers more effective, safer products — and often with a much shorter time to launch on the market than the industry average.

This approach is our strength: a combination of expertise, adaptability, and a culture of execution.

Outsourcing in cosmetics shaping

1. The advantages of outsourcing

Entrusting the design of your cosmetic products to a service provider is not just a matter of optimization. It is a strategic decision. Outsourcing allows you to move faster, better control your costs, and above all, rely on expertise that few organizations can develop in-house.

In practical terms, this frees you from all the technical stages: composition, testing, packaging, logistics, etc. A single service provider manages the entire process, in compliance with the legal criteria in force (ISO 22716, GMP, CE marking, etc.) As a result, you save time, reduce errors, avoid unforeseen events, while securing your implementation on the market.

Another major advantage is flexibility. You can produce small quantities, launch a product test, adjust a collection and explore new formats.

Whether you want an original cosmetic design, tailor-made packaging, or a specific product, calling upon a Cosmetics Laboratory partner allows you to adjust your strategy.

Finally, you are never alone. A good service provider supports you from start to finish: choosing active ingredients, validating galenic formulations, etc. You remain the captain, but with a team of experts on board.

At Dôm Labs, that's exactly what we offer: comprehensive, rigorous, tailor-made support, with the transparency of a true partner.

2. How to select a reliable industrial partner?

Outsourcing can be an accelerator... or a risk if you choose poorly. The right manufacturer does more than just manufacturing products: he understands your industry, advises you, and above all, commits to you.

Before signing, ask yourself a simple question: does this service provider understand the specific aspects of my project? Because, producing shampoo or face serum is not the same as developing a high-tolerance organic elixir or a multi-active serum. It requires real knowledge of manufacturing, regulatory constraints, and traceability.

But there is more. The right partner is flexible. He is able to offer concrete solutions to your issues with volumes, packaging, deadlines, or standards. He explains what is possible and what should be avoided. He does not sell a fixed process, but works with you to develop a realistic, consistent, and compliant approach.

And above all, he sees beyond the end result. He understands your brandchallenges, your image, and your business objectives. He speaks the same language as your marketing team. He is professional, reliable and committed.

At Dôm Labs, this requirement is part of our DNA. We are not here to execute, but to build, with you, a solid, tailor-made product designed to perform in a demanding industry.

Trends and future prospects

1. Trends and future prospects

In the cosmetics field, industrial outsourcing is undergoing a real revolution.

It is no longer just a matter of manufacturing — it is a real differentiation strategy. Companies are no longer looking for a supplier. They want an agile laboratory capable of transforming an idea into a concrete product, with a smooth experience from the brief to the bottle.

And to stay in the game, manufacturers must keep up. Today's industry demands more personalized, cleaner compositions that can be launched more quickly. And that is exactly what is changing the game: collections thought out from the outset to adapt to a demand that no longer wants to wait 18 months to see a product on the shelves.

Recent years have shown that it is the most flexible players — those offering standard, adaptable, tested lines — who stand out from the crowd. This model makes it possible to quickly launch face, body and hair care products while maintaining standard packaging that is cost-controlled and in tune with end consumer expectations.

In this context, the notion of “clean” takes on a double meaning: first in the sense of clean (composition, impact, sourcing), but also specific to each brand's identity. It is this thoughtful personalization that makes all the difference.

2. What innovations will transform cosmetics production?

The future of outsourced cosmetics design lies in three areas...

On the one hand, planning tools are becoming smarter. Design sites are equipping themselves to handle fluctuating volumes while ensuring flawless efficiency. On the other hand, the customer approach is evolving: companies want more than just a service provider, they want a committed partner who can integrate their marketing constraints from the outset.

We are also seeing a rise in high-end “plug & play” offerings: the solid processes of standard packaging are retained, but the details — texture, fragrance, promise, storytelling — are tweaked to create a meaningful range. No longer need to invent everything from scratch. All that is required is to adjust, position and tell a story.

And this rapidly changing industry is increasingly open to new developments in the field: 3D printing to prototype a cap, analysis of procedures from the R&D phase onwards, data-enriched composition to improve formulas in real time... Companies want to innovate, but methodically.

At Dôm Labs, we see it every day: it is the young, agile brands — two or three years old — that are challenging the big players. They ask the right questions. They test. They measure. They want visible results, without sacrificing regulatory compliance or product stability.

What will tomorrow's cosmetics outsourcing look like? It will be more connected, more demanding, more creative, and above all, more strategic.

At Dôm Labs, we offer comprehensive support.

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