What Skincare Brands Should Prepare Before OEM Production?

A successful OEM project usually comes down to one thing: how prepared you are before the factory starts sampling. If your inputs are clear, you get accurate quotes, faster samples and fewer revisions.

If your inputs are vague, you'll still get samples, but the timeline delays, costs continue to rise, and decisions get made too late (often after packaging is already printed).

For South American brands, the risks are higher because heat, humidity, and long shipping routes can expose formula and packaging weaknesses quickly.

Below is a practical pre-production checklist you can use before you send your first message to an OEM.

Step 1: Confirm Your Product Direction

First, summarize the product positioning in one sentence. It keeps you focused and helps the OEM propose the right base system.

Example:
"This is a lightweight daily facial moisturizer built for oily to combination skin that needs hydration without shine in warm, humid weather."

Then lock in 1–2 hero outcomes you want to lead with. Avoid trying to do everything in one SKU (brightening + anti-aging + acne control + soothing + barrier repair). That's how formulas become expensive, unstable, or underwhelming.

Based on our experience, brands that launch on time have clear product direction. And developed their first product into a sales-driven product that can be repeatedly sold.

Also decide your first lineup size. If you're not sure about demand, start with 1–3 SKUs. Every extra variant adds sampling cycles, packaging work, and MOQ complexity.

Step 2: Build an OEM Brief That Gets Accurate Quotes

A structured brief to the OEM that they can quote accurately and avoid rework.

Here's what actually worked for buyers who want predictable outcomes: use an OEM brief with fields the factory can actually work with.

Copy/paste OEM brief template

• Product type: serum / cream / cleanser / body lotion / sunscreen / body oil
• Target user + skin type: (and what they struggle with)
• Target finish/texture: gel-cream, fast absorbing, non-sticky, dewy, matte, etc.
• Target market(s): where you will sell first (affects compliance and labeling)
• Reference products: 1–3 links/photos + what you like about them
• Must-have ingredients: and why (marketing story vs functional need)
• Must-avoid ingredients: allergens, fragrance-free, “no mineral oil,” etc.
• Packaging type + size: pump, airless, tube, jar; 30ml/50ml/200ml
• Decoration direction: label, silkscreen, hot stamping, color requirements
• Estimated first order quantity: even a rough range helps
• Required documents: INCI, spec sheet, COA/MSDS availability
• Timing: target launch window + any fixed dates

This brief does two things: it reduces misunderstanding and gives you leverage later because you have a written baseline.

Step 3: Prepare Your Decision Flow

OEM work isn't slow. Decision-making is slow. If your team needs two weeks to respond to each sample, the project will crawl.

Before you start, define four sign-off checkpoints:

1. Formula direction approved (texture, odor, appearance, cost range)

2. Packaging approved (type, material, size, decoration approach)

3. Label + claims approved (final text locked)

4. Pre-production golden sample approved (your reference for bulk)

Set one internal rule that saves weeks: name a decision owner who can respond within 48–72 hours for sampling feedback and approvals.

We've seen this fail when the brand waits for everyone’s opinion on every round. The lab can adjust quickly, but only if your feedback is fast and consistent.

Step 4: Validate the OEM Before You Go Deep

Don't wait until after three sampling rounds to discover the factory can’t handle your packaging, or doesn't have real QC controls.

Capability match checklist

Ask the OEM:

• What product formats do you manufacture regularly (emulsions, gels, oils, sunscreen-type systems)?
• Do you have in-house testing support (basic stability, micro checks, compatibility checks)?
• What are your typical MOQs and lead times for similar products?
• What does your QC process look like: incoming, in-process, final inspection?

Ask for an "evidence chain," not just certificates

Request:

• A sample finished-goods spec sheet template
• A high-level QC flow (incoming → in-process → outgoing)
• An anonymized batch record structure (even a blank template)
• Retention sample policy (do they keep samples from each batch?)

These are practical proof points. A factory that can provide them is usually operating with real process discipline.

For a step-by-step list of QC evidence to request (COA, spec sheets, batch records, golden samples), read our guide on how brands can validate OEM product quality before production.

Step 5: Sampling Prep

Your real goal is to confirm the formula can be repeated and will behave well in your chosen packaging.

Use a sample evaluation sheet

Include:

• Appearance, color, odor strength
• Spreadability, absorption, residue, after-feel
• pH target range (the OEM can propose a range)
• Viscosity target (again, range, not a single number)
• Any irritation notes (very important for sensitive-skin positioning)

Use version control from day one

Ask for:

• Formula version code (V1, V2, V3)
• Fragrance code (if used)
• Agreement on acceptable substitutions (or "no substitution without approval")

This prevents the classic problem: sample is one thing, bulk becomes another.

Choose a testing plan by risk level

• Basic: microbiology + quick stress checks
• Standard: accelerated stability + packaging compatibility
• Retail-ready: challenge testing (when relevant) + claim support tests if needed

If you sell into warm, humid climates or plan long-distance shipping, stability and compatibility are risk control.

Step 6: Packaging & Artwork Prep

Decide early whether you want stock packaging or custom packaging.

Stock vs custom packaging

• Stock: faster, lower risk, better for first launches
• Custom mold / special finishes: longer lead time, more approvals, more ways to delay

Also treat packaging as functional, not just pretty:

• Will the pump work with the viscosity?
• Will the formula discolor in a clear bottle under strong light?
• Does the cap seal well for transport vibration?

If you're still deciding between jars, tubes, pumps, or airless bottles, our packaging options guide breaks down what each format is best for and what to watch out for.

Artwork readiness checklist

• Have these ready early:
• Brand files (logo, fonts, color codes)
• Barcode plan (or who generates it)
• Carton/case pack specs if you sell B2B
• Batch/expiry format rules (varies by market and OEM process)

Step 7: Compliance & Label Prep

Label work becomes painful when it happens late. Before you finalize design, lock the inputs:

• INCI list order (from the OEM)
• Net content format
• Batch/expiry coding placement
• Manufacturer/Responsible Party info (depends on market)

Then set a rule for claims: only claim what the formula and testing can support. Over-claiming causes last-minute label rewrites and can create real compliance risk.

Step 8: Commercial Terms Prep

A professional OEM relationship is not only about the formula. Prepare your commercial assumptions up front.

Cost drivers you should understand

• Active ingredient level and complexity
• Fragrance choices and allergen considerations
• Packaging type and decoration method
• MOQ and production batch size
• Testing requirements
• Lead time and peak-season scheduling

Incoterms and landed cost planning

Confirm what your quote includes:

• FOB vs CIF vs DDP
• Shipping method and buffer time
• Customs clearance and local fees

For South American buyers, shipping time and storage conditions can be unpredictable. Build a buffer.

Step 9: Protect Your Brand

Before you pay for custom work, clarify ownership:

• Who owns the formula (and what "custom" means)?
• Who owns artwork files and packaging molds (if any)?
• What happens if you change suppliers later?

Also define change control:

• What changes trigger re-sampling or re-testing (fragrance, preservative, packaging material)?
• What requires a new approval and what doesn't?

These conversations feel uncomfortable, but they prevent bigger conflicts later.

• Final Pre-Production Go/No-Go Checklist
• Before you approve bulk production, confirm:
• OEM brief finalized + quote/PI confirmed + lead time agreed
• Formula version locked + sample approval documented
• Packaging specs confirmed + compatibility checks planned or completed
• Label copy and claims locked
• QC evidence confirmed (spec sheet, COA expectations, batch record structure)
• Golden sample and release criteria agreed
• Shipping method, incoterms, and buffer time confirmed

If you want to shorten the timeline safely, focus on two things: a strong brief and fast approvals. Everything else becomes easier.