At six in the morning, when the first truck loaded with raw materials enters the Baiyun District Cosmetic Industrial Park, the supply chain systems of Guangzhou’s 1,857 cosmetic production enterprises are already running efficiently.
From filling and packaging to quality control and shipping, Guangzhou Cosmetic Factories generate an annual output value exceeding 100 billion yuan, accounting for over one-third of China’s total cosmetic production.
01 The Heart of Global Cosmetics: The Industrial Landscape of Guangzhou’s Factory Clusters
The foundation of Guangzhou’s cosmetics industry is the factory clusters spread across its various districts. As of October 2025, Guangzhou is home to 1,857 licensed cosmetic production enterprises, a figure representing approximately 30% of the national total.
These Guangzhou Cosmetic Factories constitute the world’s most complete cosmetic supply chain network. The entire process, from raw material procurement and formula R&D to production filling and packaging design, can be completed within a “half-hour supply chain circle.”
02 Production Clustering: Specialized Division of Labor in Four Major Districts
The layout of Guangzhou Cosmetic Factories exhibits clear clustering characteristics. Baiyun District’s “Baiyun Beauty Bay” is the area with the highest concentration of factories, forming a pattern of “production in the north, trade in the south.”
The Baiyun Beauty Bay Wulonggang Industrial Park is now officially operational, attracting 14 cosmetic companies to set up factories. These Guangzhou Cosmetic Factories share infrastructure and talent resources, creating significant cost advantages and synergistic innovation effects.
Table: Distribution of Guangzhou’s Major Cosmetic Factory Clusters
| District | Industrial Cluster | Factory Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Baiyun District | Baiyun Beauty Bay | Nation’s most complete industrial chain, largest scale |
| Huangpu District | Southern Beauty Valley | Concentration of domestic beauty brand enterprises |
| Huadu District | China Beauty Capital | Modern fragrance production lines |
| Conghua District | Greater Bay Area Beauty Valley | Full industry chain for beauty and daily chemicals |
03 The Rise of R&D-Oriented Guangzhou Cosmetic Factories
Guangzhou Cosmetic Factories are undergoing a transformation from OEM contract manufacturing to ODM R&D and production. An increasing number of factories are establishing their own R&D centers.
Taking Bavei Co., Ltd. as an example, this former contract manufacturer has successfully transformed into a dual-drive enterprise powered by “technology R&D + brand operation.” By 2025, the total number of invention patent applications from Guangzhou Cosmetic Factories reached 14,900.
04 The Quality Revolution: In-House Factory Laboratories
Entering any modern Guangzhou Cosmetic Factory, one will almost invariably find a standardized testing laboratory. This has become the new standard for high-quality development in the industry.
This integrated “factory + laboratory” model ensures that quality control permeates every step from raw material intake to finished product shipment, significantly shortening product development cycles for Guangzhou Cosmetic Factories.
05 Smart Production Lines: Digital Transformation
In Guangzhou’s modern cosmetic factories, intelligent transformation is underway across the board. The “Intelligent Manufacturing Factory” of Carslan Group is a prime example.
Digital management systems allow Guangzhou Cosmetic Factories to adjust production plans in real-time based on market orders, achieving flexible production for “small batch, multi-variety” runs.
06 Pioneers in Global Expansion
As domestic market competition intensifies, Guangzhou Cosmetic Factories are actively expanding into overseas markets. In 2024, the export value of Guangzhou’s beauty and personal care products approached 10 billion yuan.
Beyond product exports, Guangzhou Cosmetic Factories have established over 15 factories overseas, located in countries including France, Australia, and Vietnam, achieving a leap from “Made in China” to “Made Globally.”
07 Cultural Empowerment: The Fusion of Eastern Aesthetics and Modern Factories
The new generation of Guangzhou Cosmetic Factories are no longer merely production bases; they have become carriers of cultural creativity. Many factories incorporate elements of Eastern aesthetics into their design.
Weng Zhenguo, Chairman of Guangzhou Xueleli Cosmetics Co., Ltd., notes that the core competitiveness of today’s Guangzhou Cosmetic Factories has shifted towards the ability for content expression, storytelling, and delivering emotional value.
As night falls, the lights of Guangzhou Cosmetic Factories continue to shine brightly. In today’s increasingly competitive global landscape, Guangzhou’s 1,857 cosmetic factories are completing their transformation from the “World’s Factory” to “Global Brands.” When consumers worldwide use these products, they experience not only the quality of Guangzhou’s manufacturing but also the innovative power and cultural confidence of China’s beauty industry.