Natural, organic, and vegan cosmetics products have increased in popularity due to brands like Lush and ILIA. That said, most contract manufacturers in the cosmetics industry are not specialised in producing cosmetics made from natural, organic, or vegan ingredients. As such, manufacturing natural cosmetics requires the selection of suppliers that are specialised in this field – some of which are listed in this guide.
Supplier Overview
Supplier qualifications
Natural ingredients
Private label
MOQ
Industry overview
Product scope
Not all natural cosmetics manufacturers produce the same types of cosmetics. Here are some areas of specialisation that must be taken into consideration when you select a manufacturer:
- Colour cosmetics
- Skincare products
- Haircare products
Natural ingredients
Natural, organic, and vegan cosmetics are not strictly defined and can mean different things depending on the market, or even the supplier. It should also be noted that not all cosmetics manufacturers have access to all types of ingredients that could potentially be classified as natural, organic or vegan. It’s therefore essential that you have a clear idea of the types of ingredients you want to go into the cosmetic product before you engage suppliers.
This also relates to claims, as you could face fines or a recall if you falsely claim that a product is natural, organic, or vegan when it is in fact not – or if it does not reach the legal definition of these terms. Again, that definition can differ between countries, or may not even be defined in the first place.
Private label
Some natural cosmetics product manufacturers offer private-label cosmetics. This means that you can have your brand label printed on a product developed by the factory. As mentioned, it is essential that you assess if the ingredients list reaches the requirements of your target markets – assuming you intend to claim that it is natural, organic, or vegan.
COSMOS-standard
The COSMOS standard defines criteria that must be met in order to claim that a cosmetic product or ingredient is truly organic and natural. Applying this standard can help you ensure that your natural cosmetics are compliant with national regulations, while also ensuring that you do not make false claims.
Product compliance
Using natural, organic or vegan ingredients does not exempt the cosmetic product from the applicable regulations. Cosmetic regulations tend to both list banned and accepted substances. In short, you cannot assume that anything goes in terms of ingredients simply because it is natural, organic, or vegan.
For example, the Cosmetic Products Regulations only accept certain substances to be used as UV filters or colourants. Further, cosmetics sold in the EU, UK, and US are also subject to labelling, testing, registration, and documentation requirements.
| Country/market | Examples |
| EU | 1. Cosmetic Products Regulation (EC) 1223/2009
2. Aerosol Dispensers Council Directive 75/324/EEC |
| UK | 1. The Cosmetic Products (Safety) Regulations
2. The Aerosol Dispensers Regulations |
| USA | Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) |
MOQ requirements
MSLAB Cosmetic Laboratory in Spain sets the minimum order volume at 1000 pcs per type of product. They also clarify that this MOQ cannot be divided between two or more products. This MOQ requirement can be said to be fairly standard among natural cosmetics manufacturers in Europe.
Italy
KOSMETIKAL SRL
KOSMETIKAL SRL, located in Italy, develops natural formulations and produces organic cosmetic products, which include natural body care and beauty cosmetics such as lotions, beauty masks, gels, and eye products.
According to its website, the company is ISO 9001, ISO 22716, and GMP certified. It has a research and development laboratory where it provides specific formulations for its clients. It offers a full-service formula, which follows the manufacturing process from conception to promotion.
The company also controls its production chain and ensures compliance with current EU regulations by implementing quality checks and using accredited external labs to test its products.
Main products
- Organic and natural creams
- Organic and natural exfoliants
- Organic and natural anti-wrinkle products
- Organic and natural lip products
- Organic and natural skin-lightening products
Location: Maria (PU), Italy
Germany
NELE KOSMETIK GMBH
NELE KOSMETIK GMBH, located in Igensdorf, Germany, produces natural cosmetics products, as well as natural and organic formulations for cosmetic products for the eyes, lips, and face. These products include items such as mascara, lipstick, and concealer.
It has various kinds of production services, such as contract filling and bulk production, as well as full-service production. The company manufactures its products to be FDA-compliant for the US market, and it is even compliant with certification standards such as Ecocert, Natrue, Cosmos, and BDIH. It also carries out compatibility and preservative exposure tests and offers consultation services for product refinement.
Its services include production and filling, as well as labelling and packing. According to its website, the company is ISO 22716, DIN 9001, and GMP certified.
Main products
- Organic and natural eye shadows
- Organic and natural lip gloss
- Organic and natural concealer
- Organic and natural nail care products
Location: Igensdorf, Germany
Spain
MSLAB Cosmetic Laboratory
MSLAB Cosmetic Laboratory, located in Barcelona, Spain, uses natural ingredients and formulas to produce facial cosmetic products for the face and body. These cosmetic products include cleansers, creams, facial masks, and serums.
According to the company’s website, its certifications and qualifications include being GMP-certified and FSC-certified. It also has an ISO 8 White Room in which it manufactures its products, which according to the website, are not tested on animals. The company’s products are also dermatologically tested. It can create natural formulas as part of its process of producing natural cosmetics.
MSLAB Cosmetic Laboratory offers OEM private label services and specialises in producing, formulating, packaging, and documenting its processes.
Main products
- Natural facial cosmetics (e.g., cleansers)
- Natural body cosmetics (e.g., creams)
- Natural hair cosmetics (e.g., hair masks)
- Natural perfumery (e.g., cologne)
Location: Barcelona, Spain.
