In the fiercely competitive cosmetic market today, more and more brands (especially emerging domestic brands and cross-border e-commerce brands) choose to cooperate with cosmetic OEM manufacturers. The OEM model helps reduce production thresholds and shorten product launch cycles. However, in reality, many brands fall into pitfalls due to choosing the wrong cosmetic OEM manufacturers: some face consumer complaints due to inconsistent product quality across batches; some face regulatory penalties due to incomplete OEM qualifications; others miss peak sales seasons due to delivery delays. In fact, the selection of cosmetic OEM manufacturers directly determines a brand’s product quality, compliance, and market competitiveness—choosing the right partner enables a brand to gain a foothold quickly, while the wrong choice can waste all initial investments. Combining 2025 industry regulations and practical cases, this article breaks down the core criteria, common misconceptions, and collaboration processes for selecting cosmetic OEM manufacturers, helping you avoid 90% of potential risks.
I. Why “Choosing the Right Cosmetic OEM Manufacturer = Half the Success of a Brand”?
For most brands without self-built factories, cosmetic OEM manufacturers are not just “producers” but also “supply chain partners” and “compliance guardians”. Their importance is reflected in three core dimensions:
1. Quality Control: Directly Affects Brand Reputation
Raw material procurement, formula stability, and production cleanliness of cosmetics are all determined by cosmetic OEM manufacturers. If an OEM uses inferior raw materials (such as illegal preservatives or heavy metal-exceeding powders) or operates in workshops that fail to meet cleanliness standards (e.g., failing to reach the GMPC Class 100,000 cleanroom standard), products are prone to allergies, d
eterioration, and other issues. Once inspected by regulatory authorities or complained about by consumers, the brand may face removal from shelves, fines, or even revocation of business qualifications .
2. Compliance Capability: Avoid Policy Risks
After the revision of the Regulations on the Supervision and Administration of Cosmetics in 2024, qualification requirements for OEM production have become stricter: cosmetic OEM manufacturers must hold three certificates simultaneously—the Cosmetic Production License, ISO 22716 Cosmetic Good Manufacturing Practice Certification, and GMPC Certification. They must also assist brands in completing product filing (including formula submission and efficacy claim evaluation reports) . Without compliant qualifications, a brand’s products cannot be legally marketed .
3. Flexible Production: Adapt to Brand Development Stages
Emerging brands usually need small-batch trial production (e.g., 500-1,000 units initially), while mature brands require large-volume stable supply (e.g., 100,000+ units). High-quality cosmetic OEM manufacturers offer “flexible production capacity”: they support small-batch trials to reduce trial-and-error costs and ensure large-order delivery through multiple production lines (usually promising 20-30 day lead times), preventing brands from missing market opportunities due to capacity issues .
II. 5 Core Criteria for Choosing Cosmetic OEM Manufacturers in 2025 (Non-Negotiable)
When screening cosmetic OEM manufacturers, you should not only focus on quotes or scale but also verify the following 5 dimensions, which are key to mitigating cooperation risks:
1. Qualification Certification: 3 “Hard Indicators” Must Be Complete
Compliance is the prerequisite for cooperation. High-quality cosmetic OEM manufacturers must have:
- Cosmetic Production License: The “entry permit” for domestic production. Verify its validity period (usually 5 years) and approved production scope (e.g., “general liquid products” or “cream/lotion products”) to avoid partnering with OEMs that can only produce skincare but take makeup orders ;
- Dual Certifications of ISO 22716 and GMPC: Internationally recognized production standards—ISO 22716 is the EU standard, and GMPC is the US standard. These are mandatory for entering cross-border e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Shopee ;
- Efficacy Claim Evaluation Qualification: 2025 regulations require efficacy-claimed products (e.g., “whitening” or “anti-wrinkle”) to submit evaluation reports. Leading cosmetic OEM manufacturers build in-house efficacy laboratories (equipped with human efficacy test chambers and skin detectors) to assist brands in completing evaluations quickly, eliminating third-party service costs .
2. Formula R&D: Prioritize “Customization Capability” Over “Ready-Made Formulas”
Many brands mistakenly believe cosmetic OEM manufacturers only offer ready-made formulas, but customization is the core competitiveness of high-quality OEMs:
- R&D Team Verification: Check for at least 5 full-time R&D engineers (with cosmetic engineer qualifications) and collaborations with universities (e.g., Jiangnan University, Beijing Technology and Business University) or raw material suppliers (e.g., BASF, DSM) to access new raw materials and formula technologies;
- Test Cases: Request similar product R&D cases (e.g., sensitive-skin skincare, high-SPF sunscreen) and formula stability test reports (e.g., 45°C high-temperature and -15°C low-temperature cycle tests to ensure no deterioration under different conditions).
3. Production Capacity: Balance “Scale” and “Flexibility”
Capacity is not about being the largest but matching brand needs:
- Small-Batch Trial Capacity: Whether it supports trials under 500 units (some small workshops refuse small orders due to costs, preventing brands from market testing);
- Large-Batch Delivery Capacity: Check the number of production lines (at least 3 automated lines) and daily output (e.g., ≥50,000 skincare units/day). Request production schedules for the past 3 months to avoid peak-season delays;
- Quality Control Processes: “Three-inspection systems” (incoming raw material inspection, semi-finished product inspection, and finished product outgoing inspection) must be in place, with batch-specific Certificates of Analysis (COA) to ensure product consistency .
4. Raw Material Supply Chain: Prioritize “Traceability” Over “Low-Cost Materials”
Raw materials determine cosmetic quality. High-quality cosmetic OEM manufacturers disclose raw material sources:
- Partnerships with top-tier suppliers (e.g., France Silab, Japan Kosei) and provision of procurement certificates (avoiding “unqualified raw materials without certification, origin, or quality inspection”) ;
- Custom Raw Material Support: Ability to source and verify the purity of brand-specified imported active ingredients;
- Environmental Friendliness: Prefer OEMs using biodegradable packaging and cruelty-free raw materials to align with consumer demand for “green beauty” .
5. After-Sales Service: Dual Guarantees of “Filing + After-Sales Support”
Cooperation does not end with delivery. High-quality cosmetic OEM manufacturers provide full-process support:
- Filing Assistance: Dedicated teams to help complete domestic/imported cosmetic filing (including information completion and test report upload). Compliant OEMs typically finish filing in 7-10 days ;
- After-Sales Response: Commitment to 48-hour solutions (e.g., re-delivery or rework) for quality issues (e.g., leakage, deterioration) and assumption of corresponding responsibilities (avoiding OEM evasion) .
III. 2 Real Cases: The Gap Between Choosing the Right vs. Wrong Cosmetic OEM Manufacturer
Case 1: Right OEM Choice Doubles Emerging Brand Sales in 6 Months
An emerging domestic brand (focused on sensitive-skin skincare) initially partnered with an uncertified workshop. Its products were removed from shelves due to preservative overuse complaints. It later switched to an ISO 22716-certified cosmetic OEM manufacturer:
- The OEM optimized the formula (replacing with mild plant-based preservatives) and provided skin irritation test reports;
- Supported 500-unit trials, allowing the brand to validate market demand via Xiaohongshu reviews before scaling to 10,000 units;
- After 3 months of cooperation, product repurchase rate reached 35%, and sales exceeded RMB 1 million in 6 months.
Case 2: Wrong Cheap OEM Choice Leads to Brand Collapse
A cross-border makeup brand chose a cosmetic OEM manufacturer with 30% lower quotes to cut costs, signing contracts without verifying qualifications:
- Post-production issues included loose eyeshadow powder, easily broken lipsticks, and failure to provide COAs;
- Products were removed from Amazon for lacking GMPC certification, with a 40% consumer return rate;
- Regulatory inspections later found heavy metal overuse, resulting in a RMB 500,000 fine. The brand collapsed due to capital chain 断裂 .
IV. 3 Common Misconceptions in Choosing Cosmetic OEM Manufacturers (90% Will Fall For Them)
Misconception 1: Focus Only on Price, Ignoring “Hidden Costs”
Many brands think “lower quotes = better deals”, but cheap cosmetic OEM manufacturers cut costs through:
- Using expired raw materials or inferior packaging, causing quality issues;
- Refusing filing assistance, forcing brands to pay RMB 5,000-10,000/sku for third-party services;
- Delivery delays, making brands miss promotional events (e.g., 618, Double 11) and lose sales.
Misconception 2: Blind Faith in “Big Factories”, Ignoring “Matching Degree”
Some brands blindly choose cosmetic OEM manufacturers with million-unit capacity, neglecting their own needs:
- Big factories usually reject orders under 10,000 units, leading to “capacity waste” for low-sales early-stage brands;
- Big factories excel at mass-market products (e.g., basic toners/lotions), while medium-sized OEMs are more professional in niche categories (e.g., acne-prone skin serums) .
Misconception 3: Relying Only on Online Information, Skipping On-Site Inspections
Many brands finalize cooperation via websites/WeChat without visiting cosmetic OEM manufacturers:
- Some OEMs claim “Class 100,000 cleanrooms” online but operate in dirty ordinary workshops;
- Others boast “R&D teams” but have no full-time engineers, purchasing formulas externally and lacking customization capabilities .
V. 4 Actionable Steps to Cooperate with Cosmetic OEM Manufacturers (For Beginners)
Step 1: Clarify Needs to Avoid “Blind Communication”
Define core requirements before contacting cosmetic OEM manufacturers:
- Product Information: Category (skincare/makeup/haircare), efficacy (whitening/anti-wrinkle/cleansing), and specifications (e.g., 30ml serum, 50g cream);
- Capacity Needs: Trial quantity, monthly sales, and peak-season demand (e.g., Double 11 capacity increase);
- Compliance Requirements: Export plans (needing country-specific certifications) and efficacy claims (needing evaluation reports);
- Budget Range: Clarify unit production costs (e.g., OEM fee per serum bottle) to avoid pricing disputes.
Step 2: Multi-Channel Screening, Prioritize “OEMs with Cases”
Screen cosmetic OEM manufacturers through efficient channels:
- Industry Exhibitions: Events like Shanghai Beauty Expo and Guangzhou International Beauty Expo allow on-site inspections of production equipment and samples;
- Industry Associations: Query compliant OEM lists on the China Fragrance, Flavor and Cosmetics Industry Association website;
- Peer Recommendations: Consult mature brands in the same category (avoid direct competitors) for trusted OEM partners.
Step 3: On-Site Inspections, Focus on 3 Key Areas
After shortlisting 3-5 cosmetic OEM manufacturers, conduct on-site visits focusing on:
- Laboratories: Check for professional equipment (e.g., HPLC for active ingredient testing) and on-site R&D staff;
- Production Workshops: Inspect cleanliness (dust-free floors/equipment) and independent raw material warehouses (to prevent cross-contamination);
- Quality Control Departments: Verify full-time inspectors and recent batch COAs .
Step 4: Sign Detailed Contracts, Clarify “Rights and Responsibilities”
Avoid verbal agreements—sign written contracts specifying:
- Quality Standards: Agree on raw material brands and inspection indicators (e.g., microbial limits, heavy metal content). The OEM must be responsible for rework or compensation if standards are violated;
- Delivery Terms: Define delivery dates and late penalties (e.g., 1% of order value per day);
- After-Sales: Specify filing support scope and quality issue resolution processes .
Conclusion
For cosmetic brands, cosmetic OEM manufacturers are not just “contract manufacturers” but “brand growth partners”. When choosing cosmetic OEM manufacturers in 2025, avoid the misconceptions of “price-only focus” and “big factory blind faith”. Evaluate comprehensively from 5 dimensions: qualifications, R&D, capacity, supply chain, and after-sales. Implement the 4-step process of “need clarification → screening → inspection → contract signing”. Remember: Choosing the right cosmetic OEM manufacturer saves brands 3 years of detours; the wrong choice can wipe out all investments.