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Phoenix Compliance Start-Up Guide: How to Launch Your Skincare Brand

PHOENIX SAFETY CONSULTANTS 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 Phoenix Safety Consultants, we’ve supported numerous cosmetic businesses on their path to compliance and success. This guide outlines the essential steps you need to take to bring your vision to life and ensure your products are legally compliant, safe, 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 complete dossier containing product information, safety assessments, and testing documentation.

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

  • PET (Preservative Efficacy Test): Required for water-based formulations to ensure adequate microbial protection.

  • Responsible Person (RP): Every cosmetic brand must appoint an authorised RP to ensure compliance with UK Cosmetic Regulation 2020 and EU Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.

For additional details, see our [Cosmetic Legislation FAQ].

2. Choosing the Right Product Development Route

There are three main options for launching compliant skincare or cosmetic products:

1. Pre-Assessed Products

The fastest and most cost-effective route. These are ready-made, tested, and fully compliant products that can be branded and marketed immediately.

  • MOQ: 1 unit (bulk jar) or 50 units (pre-packaged)

  • Best for: New brands testing product concepts or early market entry

→ [Browse Pre-Assessed Products]

2. White Label

Ready-made formulations packaged and labelled under your own brand identity. Phoenix Safety Consultants ensures all documentation and testing remain compliant with UK/EU cosmetic legislation.

  • MOQ: 50 units

  • Best for: Businesses wanting brand customisation without the cost of developing new formulations

  • Free Labelling Guidance: We provide complimentary label compliance checks for white-label orders of 100 units or more.

→ [View White Label Range]

3. Custom Formulation

Exclusive formulations developed from scratch with our certified formulation chemists and toxicologists.

  • Starting Price: £750 + VAT (includes three sample iterations)

  • MOQ: 500 units for manufacturing

  • Best for: Established brands investing in bespoke product development

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

3. Branding & Labelling

Your cosmetic products must have legally compliant labels before they can be sold in the market.

Key Labelling Requirements:

  • INCI ingredient listing

  • Net weight or volume

  • Responsible Person details

  • Warnings and usage instructions (where applicable)

While Phoenix Safety Consultants does not offer design or creative branding services, we provide free labelling guidance and compliance checks for white-label orders of 100 units or more.

For further clarification, visit 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 Products: 1 – 50 units

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

  • Custom / Bespoke Formulations: 500 units

5. Selling Your Products

Once your cosmetic products meet all compliance requirements, you can legally sell and distribute them through various channels.

Common Sales Channels:

  • Your own e-commerce website (e.g. Shopify or WooCommerce)

  • Marketplaces such as Etsy or Not On The High Street

  • Local salons, spas, and boutiques

  • Wholesale and retail distributors as you scale

Other Essential Considerations:

  • Register Products on the Official Portals:

    • [UK SCPN Portal]

    • [EU CPNP Portal]

  • Product Liability Insurance: Obtain suitable coverage for cosmetics manufacturers and small brands.

6. Next Steps

If you’re ready to begin your compliance journey, follow these steps:

  • Explore Pre-Assessed Products: [Browse Collection]

  • Explore White Label Range: [View Products]

  • Learn About Compliance: [Cosmetic Legislation FAQ]

  • Provide Details for Custom Work: [Complete Product Brief Form]

When you are ready to scale and meet production MOQs, Phoenix Safety Consultants can help transform your concept into a compliant, market-ready product with professional formulation, manufacturing, and safety documentation support.