Due to High Volume of Orders, Lead Times are Longer Than Usual.

FAQ

Quick answers to the most common questions.

We do not disclose our customer names. You will find many of our client's retail and spa products in stores national and regional stores, including Whole Foods, New Seasons, Made in Oregon, Market of Choice, Nordstrom's, Stroud's and Sephora. Customers regularly appear on HSN and QVC, and have competed on Shark Tank. Retail stores, spas and boutiques all over the US, Canada, Europe and Asia sell our customers' products. We also have many clients who sell at festivals and open-air markets.

Yes! All of our wholesale products are available for us to fill for you. You can find a wide variety of products from lotions and creams to masks, serums, sprays and balms and more. We can also add or change the scent profile for you. Minimum order for filling is 10 gallons. You can also see if we have a Ready to Label solution for you, too.

Unfortunately, no. Ingredient sourcing is a critical component of our commitment to sustainability, quality and safety. Occasionally a customer will want an ingredient we do not want to source, and we will ask a customer to provide it along with an Safety Data Sheet, Technical Specs and Certificate of Analysis for each ingredient.

Yes! EWL does not provide packaging or brand components. The options are almost infinite, and you should be free to select what best suits your brand. We are happy to help you find a provider for your containers, bottles, and labels. Learn more about packaging here.

We will need benchmark of the product along with the ingredient deck. It will not necessarily be a true reverse formulation, meaning we cannot guarantee exact ingredient concentration, but we can do a method of figuring out the formula based on the sample and ingredient list. The fee will vary based on the actual formulation required.

Yes! Our cosmetic formulators will work with you to create a custom formula just for your brand. Fees will vary based on the product you need created. A complete and true custom formulation can take six to nine months to finalize and often requires challenge stability testing.

The formula will remain under Essential Lab’s ownership. For those interested in purchasing the formula we create for them, the cost of the formula is set when the product is approved, and the formula confirmed. The price will depend upon the complexity of the formula.

No. Once we complete the research and development of a custom formula, we will only manufacture the formula for the customer who commissioned and/or owns the formula.

Absolutely. Every client's products and product ideas are kept confidential. Without explicit consent from our clients, any information given to us is treated as confidential and is not shared. We do not share lists with companies or disclose any information related to your business with us to anyone.

You’ll first complete an intake form so that we understand your complete needs. Then we’ll ask to see a benchmark and your formula. Our formulators will then talk with you and address any issues you or our formulators see and give you an estimate. From there you can choose to go into our lab for us to create prototypes and get your approval.

All formulas are a little different; however, we typically can provide samples in six to eight weeks from payment if it is a semi-custom formulation or a formula that you have already created, tested and tried. If we need to order a special ingredient for your prototype, it could take more time. If the formulation is completely custom, meaning neither Essential Wholesale & Labs nor you have ever tried this before, the samples may require six to nine months of intense development and challenge testing. You'll want to discuss this with your Account Manager to get more specific details.

R&D fees vary based on the project and begin at:

  • $2100 for custom formulation or for scaling and stabilizing customer-provided formulas for commercialization (up to five rounds of prototypes for your approval)
  • $495 for semi-customizing our stock formulas (up to three rounds of prototypes for your approval)
  • $199 Scenting our stock products (Three samples – light, medium and heavy)

No, the minimum is per SKU. Your Account Manager can assist you in figuring out what will work for you.

On average, production lead times are six weeks for bulk delivery and eight to 10 weeks on private label if we are filling your bottles. Some formulations may take longer. Production will begin when we have all of the components (bottles, tops, boxes, labels, seals, contract, etc.) required for your project on site in our facility and the deposit is paid.

Sometimes. We can provide an estimate on stock bases that are being filled into your packaging or some semi-custom formulas. When it comes to custom formulas, we cannot always provide estimates before we create the formula, although we will work with you to determine your price point requirements prior to developing your formula. You will receive a firm price for your approval once packaging and product has been approved.

On Private Label & Custom orders, we do not accept returns unless Essential Wholesale & Labs did not deliver previously agreed upon items.

We ship to certain countries, but request that you do your due diligence into the country for their dossier, custom and commerce requirements. This is your responsibility as the importer.

The countries we ship to include:

USA, Canada, Finland, Japan, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, Singapore, New Zealand, Netherlands & Iceland

While you can come and visit our administration offices, for both safety and customer confidentiality reasons we do not give tours of our manufacturing facility.

Do you want to make skincare and hair care for yourself, family or friends? 

Want to learn the basics of cosmetic science and formulation before committing to a longer, more professional program? 

Want to make natural skincare and haircare and even use organic ingredients?

Cosmetic science for beginners is an on-line workshop series perfect for you! 

Learn how to make 11 natural skincare and hair care products, including: face and body cleansers, serums, lotions, creams, body butters and balms, as well as shampoo and conditioner for normal, oily and dry hair types.

Our on-line lectures will guide you through the learning and provide step-by-step instructions on how to make natural skincare and hair products from your own kitchen. Start any time with no end date! 

What you get: 

  • Electronic Formulation Starter Booklet
  • Access to 9 detailed beginners cosmetic science on-line training sessions
  • 11 natural based skincare and haircare formulations
  • Learn how to make:

Plus: purchase the optional practical kit with everything you need to get making great skincare and hair care products straight away! 

All cosmetic brands – even those just starting out – need to be able to prove the safety and suitability of their cosmetic products over their shelf life. The only way you can do this, is to conduct cosmetic shelf life testing, also known as cosmetic stability testing. 

You can learn how to conduct your own cosmetic shelf life (stability) testing with our easy to follow workshops. Designed for small brands on a tight budget, this workshop series will teach you:

  • the essentials of cosmetic shelf life (stability) testing
  • how to prepare stability testing protocols and paperwork for the regulators
  • how to conduct essential stability tests 
  • how to interpret the results of your tests
  • how to confirm and prove your cosmetic formula shelf life
  • Don’t risk a product recall, and learn how to comply with cosmetic regulations, by learning the essentials of cosmetic shelf life (stability) testing. 

What you get: 

  • 6 detailed lectures guiding you on cosmetic stability testing principles
  • 18-page detailed booklet with training notes
  • Stability testing templates you can use for your cosmetic brand
  • Learn:
  • Start at any time with unlimited lecture access

Are you confused with how to select the right emulsifier for a serum, lotion or cream? Not sure on how much emulsifier you should use for different cosmetic formulas? Wonder why there are single and blended emulsifiers available? Find out the answers, and make great emulsifier selections with our how to choose cosmetic emulsifiers workshop. 

Learn how to choose and use between more than 20 different cosmetic emulsifiers, as well as how much should be used and how natural they really are. This workshop has been designed to help you choose between different cosmetic emulsifiers easily – and confidently - when creating cosmetic formulations. Find out how, enrol now! 

This workshop can be started at any time and includes:

  • Detailed lecture guidance
  • Explanation of how emulsifiers differ and when each type is best to use
  • Summary table with important input information
    Variety of natural emulsifier choices
  • Guidance on emulsifier selections and inputs for lotions, creams, gels and even water in oil (w/o) emulsions

A great natural cosmetic formula needs a knock out natural fragrance – what better to do that with than the perfect essential oil blend. But – did you know, just because they are natural, doesn’t mean they are safe? 

Blending essential oils to get the best aroma is trickier than you may think, but our workshop makes it easy for you to create amazing aromatic blends whilst also making sure you use essential oils within important safety limits. 

In this workshop you will learn:

  • How to choose from 55 different types of essential oils
  • How to blend essential oils correctly for lasting, captivating aromas
  • How to add essential oil blends to cosmetic formulas
  • How to check safety of essential oils

This workshop can be started at any time, and includes:

  • Detailed lecture guidance
  • Notes to ensure safe use of essential oils
  • Summary table showing inputs and compatibilities of various essential oils
  • Blending notes to help you create amazing aromas
  • Cosmetic formulation tips and guides

Cosmetic gums and gelling agents are important additions to cosmetic formulas, but you need to know how to select them carefully to avoid pilling, a sticky feeling and to even get them to work properly. Each type of gelling agent needs a very specific input to provide the ideal performance, as well as the right method, to even work! 

Learn how to select between 15 natural gums, gelling agents and polymers used in cosmetic formulas, the types of formulas each is best used in, and important input rates and processing information. Learn how the correct gum selection can benefit your formula, rather than cause issues. Find out how, enrol now! 

This workshop can be started at any time and includes:

  • Detailed lecture guidance
  • Explanation of the different types of cosmetic gums, gelling agents and polymers
  • Summary table with input information
  • Guidance on how each different material should be added to a cosmetic formula for the best results
  • Plenty of natural gum choices
  • Selection criteria for gum, gelling agent and polymer selections and inputs for gels, serums, lotions, creams and even foaming products.

Make your cosmetic formulas a sensory delight with the right choice of oils, butters and waxes. They are also a crucial addition to get the best moisturising, conditioning and hydrating benefits from different types of cosmetic formulas.  

But with so many different cosmetic oils, butters and waxes to choose from, how do you know which ones will provide the best benefits, suit each type of product, and how much should you use? 

Learn how to choose from 50 different cosmetic oils, butters and waxes, including plant oils and butters, natural waxes, naturally derived esters and even silicone materials, to help you make the right selection for different cosmetic formulas. Be confident when selecting cosmetic oils, butters and waxes for your next formulations. Find out how, enrol now! 

This workshop can be started at any time and includes:

  • Detailed lecture guidance
  • Explanation of how oils, butters and waxes differ with an emphasis on natural choices
  • Summary table with input information
  • Guidance on oil, butter and wax selections and inputs for balms, lotions, creams, gels and even foaming products.

Cosmetic preservatives are often essential but controversial. Did you know, different cosmetic formulas can need different preservatives to be effective? Do you know how much of each preservative you should use – and it isn’t always 1%! Do you know how to make a broad spectrum selection to ensure your formula is protected?  

Learn how to choose from 14 commonly available preservatives, including natural choices, to help you make the right selection and input when it comes to selecting a preservative for each of your cosmetic formulas. Make the right cosmetic preservative choices for your products, customers and formulas - enrol now! 

This workshop can be started at any time and includes:

  • Detailed lecture guidance
  • Explanation of the difference between 14 different commonly available preservatives
  • Selection guidance and tips to help you make the right preservative choice
  • Summary table with input information
  • Guidance on preservative selection and inputs for balms, lotions, creams, gels and even foaming products.

Do you know the difference between anionic, non-ionic and cationic surfactants, and when each is needed? Do you know which surfactants are truly natural, and how much you need to use for the face compared to the body or hair? Do you know how to get a great foam from a mild feeling product? 

You need different inputs of surfactants to suit different purposes, like cleansing dry compared to oily skin and hair, and different products for the face, hair and body. In this workshop, learn how to choose between 30 different cosmetic surfactants and solubilisers along with their various uses, inputs and how to put them together in a formula. This workshop will help you select between different cosmetic surfactants easily – and confidently - when creating your next cosmetic formulations. Find out how, enrol now! 

This workshop can be started at any time and includes:

  • Detailed lecture guidance
  • Explanation of the difference between various cosmetic surfactants
  • Summary table with input information
  • Plenty of natural surfactant choices
  • How to combine different surfactants to get the best results
  • How much of each surfactant should be used in various types of cosmetic formulas
  • Guidance on surfactant selections and inputs for face and body cleansers to suit different skin types; as well as inputs for shampoos for different hair types.

Do you want to manufacture cosmetic products in batch sizes from 5 – 100kg? This workshop series is for you! Perfect for small brands wanting to manufacture cosmetic products for themselves, this workshop series contains:

  • Information on the type of equipment you will need to manufacture cosmetic products in batches from 5 – 100kg
  • Filling equipment to make the filling step easy
  • How to set up your small manufacturing area
  • Cleaning, water and air supply needs
  • Good manufacturing guidance
  • Sample room layouts
  • Batch book templates

Make sure every batch turns out right! When you enrol in this workshop series, you get access to:

  • Three detailed lectures guiding you on how to set up your manufacturing area, the equipment you will need, and quality control standards
  • Written booklet to support what you learn in the lectures
  • Quality control specifications
  • Templates to use when manufacturing product

Waterless formulas for cosmetic sticks and bars are one of the top trending products right now – they’re great for travel, save on water use in formulation, but can be tricky to formulate. Learn how to formulate waterless cosmetic sticks and bars to be just the right level of hardness, yet still easy to use.

In this workshop series, you will learn how to select and change ingredients in various types of waterless formulations to help ensure your bars are always the right consistency, with the right performance, to keep your customers happy. 

Over a series of 4 workshops, learn how to create:

  • Waterless shampoo and body wash bars
  • Waterless moisturiser bars
  • Waterless conditioner bars
  • Waterless face cleansing sticks

Each workshop comes with:

  • detailed lecture guiding you on how to put each waterless cosmetic formula together
  • a video demonstration showing how the product is put together
  • detailed formulation to accompany each lecture so you can follow along
  • explanation of how to make ingredient substitutions confidently for yourself.

Find out how, watch now!

Do you want to start a cosmetic business but not sure how? Then this how to start a cosmetic business workshop series is for you! 

It also comes with a FREE e-book to accompany the lecture training with worksheets to put your learning into practice.

Over 7 step-by-step lectures you will learn how to:

  • Find gaps in the cosmetic market to suit your cosmetic business
  • Get your products noticed with a strong market position
  • Price your cosmetic products to suit your target market and have a sustainable profit
  • Market your cosmetic products within the rules
  • Plan essential quality tests for your products
  • Stay within budget and launch in a timely manner
  • Prepare a cosmetic business plan
  • Develop a marketing strategy

This workshop series comes with:

  • 7 detailed lectures
  • Step-by-step guidance on how to start a cosmetic business
  • FREE e-book to accompany the lectures
  • Industry guidance on how to start your cosmetic business and help your brand succeed
  • FREE cosmetic business plan template specific to the needs of the cosmetic industry

Think it’s easy to win sales with social media posts? Think again!

Social media is a very cost effective way to promote your cosmetic brand to your ideal audience, but you need to be smart about your posts and advertising strategy to see the sales really grow! 

Just posting photos of your product won’t win sales – find out the strategies that will convert likes to followers, and followers to sales. Learn how to:

  • Run a successful social media strategy on a tight budget
  • Make your cosmetic products stand out from other small cosmetic brands
  • Use the social media channels that really help your cosmetic brand grow
  • Use paid social media wisely
  • Build a strong unpaid media strategy to boost followers and sales

Start our social media for cosmetic brands workshop series at any time. What you get:

  • Two detailed lectures
  • Step-by-step guidance on how to build your social media strategy
  • Industry specific guidance on what works, and what doesn’t
  • Key social media strategies for small cosmetic brands
  • E-booklet to accompany lectures
  • Specific guidance to maximise your learning and success

Cosmetic brands in the EU must comply with a specific set of regulations, and the products must also be registered on the Cosmetic Product Notification Portal (CPNP). You will also need to appoint a Responsible Person, ensure your labels contain specific information, and each product must have their own Product Information File. 

Achieve full EU cosmetic compliance with this set of 4 workshops. You will learn:

  • How to conduct EU cosmetic compliance searches
  • How to prepare labels, claims and evidence for EU cosmetic compliance
  • Quality, safety and performance tests required for each cosmetic product
  • What information is required in a Product Information File (PIF)
  • How to prepare a PIF
  • What information is required on the CPNP (portal)
  • How to prepare a cosmetic product safety evaluation
  • How to be a Responsible Person for a cosmetic brand and its products

This workshop series can be started at any time and includes:

  • Set of 4 lectures
  • Step-by-step guidance to break the complicated EU cosmetic regulatory system down
  • Easy to check and follow compliance steps
  • E-book with PIF and label templates
  • Detailed testing and compliance information
  • Example searches and PIFs to ensure thorough understanding