The Process of Creating A New Natural Skincare Product

Finding the right product idea

When I first began creating skincare products, I focused on what I personally liked. But as my natural skin care brand grew, I realised that listening to customers was essential. By paying attention to their feedback, I discovered gaps in my range - like the need for a daytime moisturiser. This helped shape the vision for my newest product.

Understanding your audience

Trying to please everyone can lead to connecting with no one. Instead, I narrowed my focus to serve the needs of my ideal customer. Through market research with my current customers and social media followers, I identified their most common skin concerns and goals. This step was key to creating something truly valuable.

Ingredient research

This is where the magic begins for any natural skincare formulator! I researched ingredients that solved specific skin problems while meeting my brand values, like being certified cruelty-free and palm oil-free. I also considered:

• Availability: Reliable supply sources post-Brexit.
• Cost: Keeping the product affordable without compromising quality.
• Sustainability: Using eco-friendly ingredients, avoiding endangered plants, and sourcing local alternatives.

Choosing skin care packaging

Natural products require thoughtful packaging to ensure their freshness and safety. For example, airless pump bottles work well for preserving plant oils and protecting water-based formulas. Sustainable packaging options can be tricky for small brands because suppliers often require high minimum order quantities (MOQs), which can be difficult to manage. To overcome these challenges, it’s important to start the search early.

Learning, formulation and development

Creating a water-based product like a moisturiser was a new challenge for me since my previous products were oil-based. To learn the necessary techniques, I enrolled in a two-year diploma program with Formula Botanica. After many months of testing and refining, I finally created a formula I was proud of.

Certifications and testing

Certifications are vital for building trust. Since my brand is certified palm oil-free, I submitted the new product for verification. I also completed legally required testing, including:

• Challenge Testing: Ensuring that the preservatives I used maintain the product's resistance to bacteria and mould.
• Stability Testing: Checking how the product holds up in different temperatures and vigorous shaking.
• Safety Testing: Obtaining a Cosmetic Product Safety Report (CPSR) that ensures that the product is safe for public use.

Photography and branding

Great photography is key to showcasing the product online. High-quality images on a white background are essential for websites and press, while lifestyle shots help convey the product’s story. Finding a photographer who understands your brand’s vision makes all the difference.

Final touches and launch

The final steps include designing labels, writing website descriptions, and preparing for the big reveal. After over a year of work, I was thrilled to launch Superactive Day Cream, a hydrating face cream for combination skin prone to redness, acne, and hyperpigmentation.

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Developing a natural skincare product is a journey that blends creativity, research, and heart. I hope this behind-the-scenes look inspires a deeper appreciation for the time and effort that goes into creating products that truly work.

Ready to explore more? Check out  Superactive Day Cream - a product born from this very process!