How It Works
Four paths. One hero product.
Whether you're building from scratch, reverse engineering, bringing a formula, or going private label — we have a structured process for each. See the full cosmetic manufacturing services overview, or read why brands choose Formula 117.
Development
Option 1
Option 2
Custom formula development
Reverse engineer a product
01
Product concept & targets1–2 weeks
01
Benchmark product analysis1–2 weeks
02
Formulation & prototyping4–12 weeks
02
Reformulation & prototyping3–8 weeks
03
Stability testing12 weeks
03
Stability testing12 weeks
04
First production run2–4 weeks
04
First production run2–4 weeks
Best for
Brands looking to recreate or improve an existing product.
Learn more about Reverse engineer a productManufacturing
Option 3
Option 4
Bring your own formula
Private label
01
Discovery2 weeks
01
Discovery1 week
02
Tech transfer2–3 weeks
02
Select from formula library1–2 weeks
03
Pilot validation3 weeks
03
Sample approval & customization1–2 weeks
04
Production & fulfillment1–2 weeks
04
Production & fulfillment7–14 days
Best for
Brands with an existing, approved formula ready for production.
Learn more about Bring your own formulaBest for
Brands that want to launch fast with a proven, ready-made formula.
Learn more about Private labelTransparent pricing.
Manufacturing
$2–$3+
per unit, at 2,500–5,000 units
Production floor
MOQ: 500 unitsPer-unit pricing scales with volume
Standard emulsion-based products. Per-unit cost varies by formula complexity, actives, packaging, and fill size.
Custom Development
Custom
Based on project scopeper project
Pricing is scoped to your project — factoring in formula complexity, revision cycles, testing requirements, and ingredient sourcing.
1–3 weeks
Raw Materials
2–3 days
~1K Unit Runs
7–14 days
Larger Runs
1–6 months
New Product Dev
More questions about MOQ, stability testing, IP, or what a project timeline actually looks like? See the cosmetic contract manufacturing FAQ.
Ready to start production?
Send your project details. You'll hear back within 48–72 hours with next steps.
Start a Project