Planning to launch a new skincare product? In this guide, we list some of Europe’s leading skincare product manufacturers, located in Italy, Germany, Spain, France, and Poland. We also explain what brands must know about private label cosmetics, developing new skincare formulations, and why ISO certification is so important when selecting a manufacturer.
Supplier Overview
Supplier qualifications
Private label
Cosmetics formulations
ISO certification
Industry overview
Private label
Many European skin care product manufacturers allow buyers to affix their brands on the products selected from the factory catalogue. This is also what is normally referred to as private label cosmetics, which has been the go-to choice for many influencers in Europe and the Americas in recent years.
Unless you have the expertise to develop your own cosmetics formulation, then private label might be your only option. The drawback is that you will not be selling an entirely unique product.
Cosmetics formulations
All skincare products are manufactured based on a formula. Skin care formulation requires the involvement of professionals who understand the chemistry and ingredients, and the regulatory compliance in terms of both banned and allowed substances in cosmetics.
Companies such as Art Cosmetics s.r.l. provide the option for buyers to develop their skincare formula. This essentially allows you to create your lotions, oils, serums, toners, creams, and face masks. That being said, taking part in such a process requires that you can clearly communicate your requirements and that you have the order volumes to motivate such a commitment from the skincare product manufacturer.
ISO certification
Manufacturing skincare products require strict adherence to quality management and sanitation management systems. ISO certification is based on document submissions and on-site inspections, which in turn indicates that the manufacturer fulfils the criteria of the ISO standard. The table below lists some ISO standards that are relevant in the cosmetics industry.
| Standard | Description |
| ISO 9001 | Quality management system |
| ISO 22716 | Good Manufacturing Practices for Cosmetics |
Cosmetics compliance
Skincare products and other cosmetics are subject to product regulations in the EU, US, UK, and most other markets. While the exact requirements differ, these regulations tend to cover substances, labelling, testing, documentation, and product registration. The table below lists examples of such regulations.
| 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
There is no standard minimum order quantity in the skincare industry. Some suppliers are more open to smaller brands than others. That being said, private label skincare products are often available in smaller volumes compared to products based on custom formulations.
Keep in mind that the MOQ requirement also depends on the minimum order quantity applicable to the cosmetics packaging. It is possible that the skincare factory is willing to accept a lower volume than the packaging supplier. However, the MOQ is in these situations dictated by the cosmetics packaging subcontractor.
Italy
Art Cosmetics s.r.l.
Art Cosmetics s.r.l. was founded in 1990 near Bergamo, Italy. The company implemented new cosmetic labs and technologies for manufacturing OTC products, including skincare products. In the next two decades, before expanding overseas.
Art Cosmetics s.r.l. Produces skincare products, as well as makeup products such as primer and blush, mascaras and eyeliners, and lip balms and lipsticks.
According to the company’s website, it uses naturally-grown raw materials compliant with ISO 16128 guidelines. Its suppliers are FSC-certified for their paper packaging, and RSPO-certified for sustainable palm oil. It was also awarded the Ecovadis Platinum Medal in 2022.
It has 2 innovation and R&D centres, 2 production labs, and 3 industrial sites for manufacturing its products.
Main products
- Skincare products for the face
- Skincare products for eyes
- Skincare products for lips
- Body care products
Location: Bergamo, Italy
COSMOFARMA
COSMOFARMA was founded in 1974 in Pistoia, Italy, as a shampoo and conditioner manufacturer. The company has since grown to manufacture products such as hair treatments, toiletries, and skincare products.
It has three skincare lines, each of which includes products such as body butter, massage oils, and creams.
The company is a member of the General Confederation of the Italian Industry, the Italian Federation of Chemical Industry Associations, and Cosmetica Italia. According to its website, it is also ISO 9001 certified, its products are not tested on animals and it complies with relevant EU laws and regulations. Its BIO VERA line is also ICEA-certified.
COSMOFARMA also offers a private label service, where it offers manufacturing and production, and ensures its quality ingredients come from its ISO-certified suppliers.
Main products
- Argilla clay masks
- Essential and natural oils
- Body butter
Location: Pistoia, Italy
Germany
MANN & SCHRÖDER COSMETICS
MANN & SCHRÖDER COSMETICS was founded in 1951 and has its main sites at Siegelsbach and Hüffenhardt, Germany. The company produces body care products for private labels, and its products can be used by the whole family.
It manufactures personal care products such as those for facial care, shampoo, and foot cream. It also produces hair care and oral and dental care products as well.
According to its website, the company’s certificates include ISO 9001, BRC certificate, ISO 14001, IFS certificate, GMP certificate, and ISO 50001. It also has a ClimatePartner certificate.
Its professional private label services include a 6-step process: category management, product management and sales, research and development, production, quality control, and stock and logistics.
Main products
- Makeup remover
- Eye cream
- Lip scrub
- Shower oil
- Body butter
- Hand gel
- Face sunscreen
- Foot cream
Location: Siegelsbach, Germany
France
Laboratoire Orescience
Laboratoire Orescience was founded to produce various cosmetic products that fit different skin types and different contexts. For instance, the products might help with fatigue, temperature variations, and dryness.
The company manufactures different types of skincare products such as colour-correcting creams, makeup removers, slimming gels, floral waters, eyebrow growth serums, and muscle relaxant creams.
The company offers R&D, packing and packaging, quality and regulation services. The R&D division offers OEM private label services too. Finally, Laboratoire Orescience is a member of France’s Cosmetic Valley and FEBEA.
Main products
- Anti-ageing serum
- Solid body scrub
- Slimming anti-cellulite gel
- Makeup-removing oil
Location: Gennevilliers, France
Spain
Derex S.A.
Derex S.A. was founded in 1982 by offering pharmaceutical compounding courses for pharmacists. After that, the company began producing finished products such as shower gels. It now has a production unit and can produce various kinds of cosmetic products, including skincare products such as moisturising cream.
According to its website, the company has an ISO 9001 certificate, and is GMP certified. It specifies its services on its website comprehensively – for instance, Derex S.A. defines ideas before trialling and testing its products. It then designs and markets its product following relevant procedures (e.g., CPNP), before manufacturing and packaging the products.
Main products
- Moisturising cream
- Products for hand and foot care
- Sun protection products
- Depigmentation products
- Ointments
- Cream gels
Location: Rafelbuñol, Spain
Poland
Elfa Pharm sp. z o.o.
Elfa Pharm sp. z o.o. was founded in Poland, and produces its cosmetic products using its materials as well as client-provided ones. The company manufactures various categories of cosmetics and skincare products, such as butter, creams, serums, gels, and soaps.
It offers research and development services, which include recipe development and modification, as well as preparation of production documentation.
The company also offers private label contract production services, as well as ODM and OEM. Its process begins at the concept stage and extends to handling the logistics of the finished product.
It exports products to countries such as the United States, Malaysia, and the Persian Gulf countries. According to its website, the company is ISO 9001 and ISO 22716 certified.
Main products
- Shower gels
- Face creams
- Massage oils
- Hand creams
- Foot scrubs
- Micellar gels
- Soaps
Location: Widawa, Poland
