Naturally Balmy Start-Up Guide: How to Launch Your Skincare Brand

Naturally Balmy Start-Up Guide: How to Launch Your Skincare Brand

Launching a skincare brand is an exciting journey, but it can feel overwhelming knowing where to start. At Naturally Balmy, we’ve supported hundreds of businesses on their path to success. This guide outlines the key steps you need to take to bring your vision to life and ensure your products are legally compliant and ready for market.

1. Understanding Cosmetic Legislation

Before selling any cosmetic product in the UK or EU, you must meet strict legal requirements to ensure your products are safe and compliant.

Key Requirements:

  • CPSR (Cosmetic Product Safety Report): A legal requirement for every product placed on the market.

  • PIF (Product Information File): A dossier containing all product information, safety assessments, and testing data.

  • Stability Testing: Confirms your product remains safe and effective throughout its shelf life.

  • PET (Preservative Efficacy Test): Required for water-based products to ensure adequate preservation.

  • Responsible Person (RP): Every brand must designate an RP to ensure compliance with UK and EU cosmetic regulations.

Learn more in our detailed Cosmetic Legislation FAQ.

2. Choosing the Right Product Development Route

There are three main options for launching your skincare products:

1. Pre-Assessed Products
The quickest and most affordable route. These are ready-made, tested, and fully compliant products you can brand and sell immediately.

2. White Label
Ready-made formulations with your own branding. We package these for you under your brand name. Our range is continually expanding, so check back regularly.

  • MOQ: 50 units

  • Best for: Businesses wanting their own brand identity without the cost of custom formulation

  • FREE Labelling Guidance: We offer free label compliance checks for white label orders of 100 units or more.

  • View White Label Products

3. Custom Formulation
Unique products developed from scratch with our Cosmetic Chemist.

  • Starting Price: £750 + VAT for development (includes 3 sample iterations)

  • MOQ: 500 units for manufacturing

  • Best for: Established businesses ready to invest in a bespoke range

Option MOQ Speed to Market Customisation
Pre-Assessed 1-50 units Immediate None
White Label 50 units 4-6 weeks Limited (branding)
Custom Formulation 500 units 3-6 months Full

3. Branding & Labelling

Your products must have legally compliant labels before they can be sold.

Key Labelling Requirements:

  • INCI ingredient listing

  • Product weight/volume

  • Responsible Person details

  • Warnings and usage instructions where applicable

While Naturally Balmy does not offer branding or design services, we provide free labelling guidance and compliance checks for white label orders of 100 units or more.

For more information, see our Cosmetic Legislation FAQ.

4. Typical Start-Up Costs & Minimum Order Quantities

Service/Product Approximate Cost (+VAT)
CPSR (per product) £175
PIF (per product) £195
Stability Testing £195
PET (if applicable) £175
Custom Formulation Fee From £500 + VAT

Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs):

  • Pre-Assessed: 1-50 units

  • White Label: 50 units (100+ units recommended for free label check)

  • Custom/Bespoke: 500 units

5. Selling Your Products

Once your products are compliant, you’re ready to start selling. Common sales channels include:

  • Your own website (Shopify, WooCommerce, etc.)

  • Marketplaces like Etsy or Not On The High Street

  • Local salons, spas, and boutiques

  • Larger retailers (once you scale)

Other Considerations:

6. Next Steps

If you’re ready to get started, here’s what to do next:

  1. Explore Pre-Assessed Products: Browse Collection

  2. Explore White Label Range: View White Label Products

  3. Learn About Compliance: Cosmetic Legislation FAQ

  4. Provide Details for Custom Work: Complete Product Brief Form

When you’re ready to scale and meet our MOQs, Naturally Balmy can help bring your vision to life with expert formulation, manufacturing, and compliance support.