Private Label vs Custom Manufacturing
Private label vs custom manufacturing represents a key decision for skincare founders. Therefore, understanding the differences helps avoid costly pivots.
Private label manufacturing offers speed and lower MOQs. Because formulas already exist, brands launch quickly while minimizing R&D expense. As a result, private label suits startups and market testing.
In contrast, custom manufacturing delivers full formulation ownership. Consequently, brands achieve differentiation and intellectual property control. However, custom development requires higher budgets and longer timelines.
From a compliance standpoint, both models require FDA-aligned labeling and safety testing. Therefore, manufacturer expertise matters regardless of the chosen path.
Many founders begin with private label, then transition to custom as demand grows. Thus, scalability remains achievable without early overinvestment.
Compare Private Label & Custom Manufacturing with GEN Skincare