Whether you’re just now stepping into the idea of starting your own skincare line or it’s a thought process you’ve been toying around for years now, you likely can’t deny the excitement of the prospect. Starting your own, personal skincare line seems exciting, exhilarating, and totally thrilling—just think of all the people out there that you could help introduce to beautiful, healthy skin! Just the thought of all the positive change you could make through your skincare line is probably overwhelming, right?

But, as it often goes, the good overwhelming feelings likely go hand-in-hand with the complicated overwhelming feelings. Sure, a skincare line seems great—but how the heck do you actually go about starting one?

If you’re sitting there wondering where to begin, then we’ve got good news—you’re in the right place! We’ve taken some of our expertise and experience to cultivate a little, helpful guide for how to start a skincare line. Consider this your must-enroll-in intro course—a how-to-start-a-skincare line-101, if you will—to help you get your feet wet and the ball rolling.

Why are we setting this up? Because we believe the more quality, well-researched, and helpful skincare lines out there, the better this world will be—that includes yours! Further, the beauty industry is one of the fastest-growing consumer product categories. It’s growing every year, and with an expanding market, there’s room for fresh ideas, dedicated people, and innovative products.

So, buckle up, settle in, and take notes, because you’ll definitely want to implement a few of these general tips, tricks, and insights to get your own skincare brand going!

Learn Everything—And We Mean Everything—About Skincare Before You Start Your Line

We’re not saying that you necessarily have to be a dermatologist to start your own skincare line, but we do expect you to be knowledgeable about skin in general, your products, and who and how they can help. You’ll need to focus on the types of products you’ll want to make (we’ll hit this point a little harder later), skincare in a nutshell, and the types of skin that could benefit from your product.

If possible, take a few courses about skincare, read every book you can get your hands on, work with a professional, find a mentor, do tons of online research—no matter what you do, ensure that you’re seeking out as much knowledge as possible before you start developing a skincare line.  

Here’s an additional pro tip you’ll want to keep in your pocket: keep learning, always! Learning is a never-ending process, no matter what industry you’re in. The skincare world is a constantly evolving space—with new advances in technology and science, we’re never going to hit a point in skincare where we can just stop putting effort into learning. Never give up on staying in the loop.

Create Products That Solve Problems (But Also Have High Demand & High Margin)

You can develop an entire line of skincare that works wonders for people, but if you’re just starting out, sometimes it can help to position yourself with a single, hero product. The hero product is your main claim-to-fame. Maybe it’s an anti-aging cream, maybe it’s a blemish solution, or maybe it’s a product that gives skin a healthy, moisturized glow. Whatever it might be, focus on that hero product before you get going with your entire line. Make sure that you’re creating a product that’s in demand, works effectively, and changes lives—it also doesn’t hurt if you’re creating a product that has potential for high-profit margin, too.

This is where learning all you can about skincare and the ingredients of your products can come in handy. The more you know, the better a product you can create, and the more you understand how to create products that solve the problems that people are dealing with, the more successful your business will be.

Pick a Kick-Ass Name

What’s a good skincare line without a great name? We’re not saying that the name is everything, but we’d be foolish to say that a great name doesn’t help. People love well-named products, they love great brands, and they love fantastic marketing—it only makes sense that a mindfully crafted name for your products, your line, and your business would be beneficial for you.

Once you have a few name ideas in your hat, it’s time for the most important part of the naming process—making sure they’re available. Do not—we repeat—do not skip this step. The worst possible thing that could happen for your skincare line is that you pick a great name, put a ton of money and effort into that line, get your marketing on lock, and then realize that you’re not legally able to use that name. It’s a nightmare.

There are a few ways you can go about this. First things first, do a simple Google search and check domain names. That should give you a good indication if there are companies out there who already exist with “your” name. Then, check out the United States Patent and Trademark Office, too—that can help indicate whether you’re able to use a specific name for your product, line of products, or brand. (We don’t recommend skipping this step!)

Start Manufacturing Efficiently

Whether you’re planning on working with a manufacturer or you want to find a way to manufacture your skincare line yourself, one thing matters above all else—efficiency. Notice how we didn’t say affordability. Sure, it’s probably important to stay within a budget, but when it comes to running a premium skincare line, it’s always better to make sure you’re working with a quality manufacturer—not just the cheapest option.

If you’re selecting a manufacturer for your skincare line or products, make sure to keep a few important things in mind, like:

• Expertise and professionalism
• Location of their warehouse and factory
• Customers service and response time

 

Get All Your Legalities Out of the Way

Make sure, before you start, that you have all the licenses you need to run a business, create a skincare line, and more. If you need permits, get them. If you need to file for product liability insurance, do that, too. We suggest checking in with a local business attorney to help make sure you’re squared away on all fronts. The last thing you want to do is to start a booming business only to be shut down because you (unknowingly) didn’t follow the rules.

Build a Brand, Not Just a Business

When it comes to creating a skincare line (or truly, any product) it’s vital to remember that you’re not just starting a business, you’re creating a brand. Your skincare line should have a story, your business should have a cohesive narrative—people want to feel like they know your brand, what it stands for, and the building blocks that have crafted it. Don’t just start a business and slap a name on it, take the time to develop a brand theme, a narrative, and a strong foundation for your business to stand on.

Don’t Forget to Market Your Line

Once you’ve got your skincare line all worked out, you’re legally up and running, and you’ve crafted a beautiful brand, it’s vital that you market your products! Don’t skimp out on some of the very basics—set up a website, get social media pages up and running (never underestimate the power of digital marketing tactics), and consider email campaigns.

It can also be helpful to market in grassroots ways, like sell wholesale to local health stores, spas, and salons, or, host at-home skincare products to encourage word of mouth sales, too!

Want to know more about how to craft a quality skincare line? Looking for tips, tricks, and insights to running a skincare business? Simply looking for inspiration to help grow your skincare line to its fullest potential? Good, because if so, you’re in the right place. Check out Spa De Soleil’s regularly updated blog here for all the skincare know-how you’re looking for!