Cosmetic Laboratory: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the World of Cosmetology, from Development to the Commercialization of Everyday Care Products

Nowadays, cosmetic laboratories,  also known as cosmetic manufacturing labs, are becoming increasingly common. But what exactly is their purpose, and how do they work? We’re happy to explain it in this article!

These labs don’t just develop and formulate cosmetic products. They also handle packaging and ensure all regulatory requirements are met. Whether you already have a thriving brand and want to outsource part of your production, or you’re just starting out and need help launching your product line, cosmetic labs are here to support you.

Step 1: From Idea to Project Definition

Have you spent hours brainstorming and finally landed on that one brilliant idea? Great, now it’s time to bring it to life. The first step is conducting market research to gather the essential information for developing your project — and thus your future brand.

You need to identify trends, analyze competitors, define your target audience and customer profile, and establish your brand’s positioning. This preparatory step is crucial and should happen before contacting a cosmetic laboratory. After all, how can you sell a product successfully if you don’t understand the market behind it?

Step 2: Contact a Cosmetic Laboratory – Specifications & Design

Now it’s time to reach out to a cosmetic laboratory. But to do that effectively, you need to provide the lab with detailed information bundled into a functional specifications document. This is where you define your expectations for the product and the requirements for the service provider.

Think of details such as: intended use, desired effects, ingredients, fragrance, claims, target price, packaging size… Once the lab understands your specifications, the development phase can begin.

Today, there are many laboratories out there. Choosing the right partner is essential. Pay attention to their reputation, experience, flexibility, and above all, whether their vision aligns with yours. A strong partnership with a modern laboratory is often the key to a successful product launch.

At a lab like Anybrand Cosmetic, you can even receive guidance in creating your specifications document, so you’re never left to figure it out alone.

Step 3: Development – Formulation & Mandatory Testing

Once the specifications are set, the R&D team begins selecting raw materials, exploring packaging options, and formulating initial prototypes. This is done step by step until the perfect formula is achieved in terms of performance, texture, fragrance, and more.

Next, the lab conducts mandatory tests: microbiological tests, stability testing, safety assessments, efficacy studies, and shelf life tests.

These are essential to prove the product’s safety and effectiveness. Then, the Product Information File (PIF) is compiled, along with the legal labeling requirements.

The PIF includes the formula, test results, toxicological report, and all documentation related to product safety. This file is mandatory and must be kept for 10 years from the moment the product hits the market.

As you can see, this approach is far from homemade “DIY creams.” Developing a cosmetic product is highly regulated and complex. That’s why we recommend working with an experienced lab like Anybrand Cosmetic.

Step 4: Production – Industrialization & Conditioning

This phase is the final one before commercialization. At this point, the lab sources the raw materials and packaging components. It’s a key moment in the process, as the lab must now coordinate with suppliers, manufacturers, logistics partners, and more.

Production planning follows: a pilot batch is tested, and then full-scale manufacturing begins. Throughout the entire process, the lab ensures quality and traceability.

In addition, the lab takes care of registering your product on the European CPNP portal, as required by Regulation 1223/2009.

The information submitted there is essential for emergency services, such as poison control centers, and the relevant authorities. Once again, this highlights just how technical and strictly regulated everything is.

Step 5: Commercialization – Launching Your Product

And then the moment arrives: your product is ready to leave the lab and hit the shelves — whether in physical stores or through e-commerce. It’s time to promote your brand, and there are plenty of ways to do that: social media, advertising, trade fairs…

Our advice? Invest in digital marketing. We live in a digital era, and it would be a missed opportunity not to leverage that channel. In fact, we’ve written a blog article about how to make your brand stand out through digitalization.

And yes, at Anybrand Cosmetic, we also help with your marketing and communications. Because, as we said — our guidance doesn’t end at the lab bench.

Even after the launch, it’s important to stay vigilant. You’ll need to monitor customer feedback, flag any issues, and report them. This is what’s known as cosmetovigilance: the system that tracks and analyzes unwanted effects from cosmetic products. Launching a great product is one thing, but it also needs to be properly followed up.

In Conclusion…

The most important takeaway: if you want to launch a cosmetic brand, the smartest thing you can do is partner with a specialized cosmetic subcontracting laboratory, whether that’s a dermocosmetic lab or a general cosmetics lab.

They have the knowledge and experience to bring your project to life, tailored to your needs and fully compliant with regulations.

At Anybrand Cosmetic, your partner in cosmetic creation, we help turn your ideas into reality. Always professional, always reliable — and always with you as our priority.