Why Anhydrous Formulas Are the Easiest Category to Launch
An oil or balm contains no water. That single fact removes the two biggest cost and complexity drivers in skincare: emulsification and preservation. No preservative system is required, no microbiology challenge testing is mandatory in most markets, and formulation cycles are shorter. For a brand launching its first SKU, a facial oil is often the fastest credible route to market.
It also means small volumes become economically viable. Our MOQ for a bespoke anhydrous formula in stock packaging is 300 units — not 3,000. The development cost is spread across fewer bottles, but the absolute setup cost is low enough that a test order makes sense.
What We Develop
Facial Treatment Oils
Lightweight, fast-absorbing face oils built on jojoba, squalane, macadamia or camellia. Retinol-alternative botanical blends, vitamin C esters, bakuchiol systems.
Sensitive-Area Balms
Formulas for the area around the nose, lips, eyes and cuticles. Low-percentage essential oils, no added fragrance, clinically considerate carrier selection.
Dry Body & Hair Oils
Cyclomethicone-free and silicone-free variants available. Shimmer, botanical-infused and after-sun oil directions.
Precision Formats
3ml to 50ml. Black glass, amber glass, frosted glass and cosmetic-grade PET. Dropper, orifice reducer, roll-on, pump and mist closures.
Sensitive-Area Handling: What We Do Differently
When a product is applied adjacent to the nostril, the mucosa and the thinner perioral skin make both irritation potential and stability far less forgiving than a body product. Our standard protocol for these briefs:
| Parameter | Our Standard Approach |
|---|---|
| German chamomile (Chamomilla recutita) | 0.10%–0.20% w/w, keeping α-bisabolol and chamazulene inside IFRA Category 5A/B leave-on limits. Exact figure confirmed in writing and printed on the COA. |
| Essential oil total load | Capped and disclosed. No hidden fragrance accord, no added parfum. |
| Antioxidant system | Tocopherol at 0.30%–0.50% w/w for poly-unsaturated-rich bases (rosehip, pomegranate). |
| Oxidative stability | Accelerated 40°C/75% RH for 3 months plus real-time data. Peroxide value, anisidine value and organoleptic panel at 0, 1, 2, 3 months. |
| Filling | Nitrogen-flush headspace on request to suppress oxidation during shelf life. |
| Substitutions | Any proposed ingredient substitution is submitted to the client for written approval before the formula is locked. |
| Documentation | COA, MSDS, INCI, stability report and IFRA conformity statement issued per batch. |
Formats & Packaging
| Format | Typical Fill Size | Bottle Options | Closure Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Precision applicator balm | 3ml – 10ml | Black glass, amber glass (approx. 71×11mm and 80×16mm stock moulds) | Orifice reducer, glass dropper, roll-on |
| Treatment facial oil | 15ml – 30ml | Frosted glass, clear glass, gradient glass | Dropper, pump, push-button |
| Full-size face oil | 30ml – 50ml | Heavy-wall glass, square and round | Dropper, pump |
| Balm stick / salve | 5g – 15g | Twist-up stick, tin, jar | Integral twist mechanism |
Labels: in-house printing including wrap labels, front-and-back, foil, spot UV and matte PP lamination. Folding cartons quoted with or without, and any required origin marking applied at no extra charge once your destination market is confirmed.
Pricing Structure
Indicative unit pricing for a stock bottle with printed wrap label, filled and labelled, FOB Guangzhou. Exact figures follow oil-supplier volume lock and artwork approval. No separate bottle mould fee applies on stock glass.
| Quantity | Indicative Unit Price | Formulation Fee | Lead Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300 units (test order) | USD 3.20 – 4.30 | USD 350, credited against a larger order | 25–30 days after sample approval |
| 1,000 units | USD 1.55 – 2.25 | USD 350, credited | 25–30 days after sample approval |
| 5,000 units | USD 0.92 – 1.45 | Waived | 30–35 days after sample approval |
Payment terms: 30% deposit with order, 70% before shipment, T/T. EXW, FOB and DDP (door-delivered) quote bases all available. Samples: USD 120 for a pre-production sample in the final bottle with the final label, credited in full against your order; 7–10 working days. Formula-only samples USD 60, 5–7 working days. Two rounds of formula revision included at no charge.
Compliance & Documentation
We are an ISO 22716 GMP certified manufacturer in Guangzhou, China, with in-house formulation and fragrance laboratories. Every order ships with a batch COA, GHS-compliant MSDS/SDS, full INCI declaration, stability test report and an IFRA conformity statement covering the essential oil content. EU CPR (Regulation 1223/2009) labelling support, CPSR document packs and CPNP notification assistance are available for EU-market brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum order for a custom facial oil or balm?
300 units for a bespoke anhydrous formula in stock packaging. Fully custom bottle moulds require 3,000–5,000 units, since tooling is a one-time cost that only amortises at volume.
How do you confirm essential oil percentages for products used near the nose?
German chamomile is capped at 0.10%–0.20% w/w, which holds α-bisabolol and chamazulene inside IFRA Category 5A/B leave-on limits. The confirmed figure is stated in writing and on the COA. Total essential oil load is capped and disclosed; no hidden fragrance accord is added.
What shelf life can an anhydrous oil achieve?
Typically 24 months unopened and 12 months after opening (PAO), confirmed by accelerated testing. Rosehip- and pomegranate-rich bases need antioxidant support and we monitor peroxide and anisidine values across the stability study.
Do you supply COA, MSDS, INCI and stability test reports?
Yes — all included with every order at no charge, along with the IFRA conformity statement and our ISO 22716 GMP certificate. Challenge testing is available on request, though it is not strictly required for an entirely anhydrous formulation.
Can you ship to a fulfilment centre for dropshipping?
We are a manufacturer, not a fulfilment house, so we do not pick and pack single units. We do ship completed orders directly to a third-party fulfilment centre of your choice, and we can also stagger production into 2–3 call-off shipments so you are not warehousing the full run at once.
Start a Project
Send us your formula brief — base oils, active ingredients, target essential oil percentages, bottle size, target cost and destination market — and you will receive a firm quotation, a sampling schedule and a production window within 24 hours.