How to find good cosmetic ingredient suppliers

 

You’ve found the cosmetic ingredient you want to use on e-bay or amazon, is it still a good purchase? And why does one supplier sell an herbal extract at twice the price of another?


Are you struggling to know the difference between a supplier, and a good supplier for your cosmetic ingredients? Read on, this blog will give you tips and tricks to check the quality of your cosmetic raw material supplier before you purchase your ingredients…

 

How to find good cosmetic ingredient suppliers

 

Cosmetic ingredient sourcing tip #1: Get familiar with the cosmetic ingredient suppliers in your region.

Cosmetic formulas contain multiple ingredients, and even when you are formulating cosmetics professionally, you cannot get all your cosmetic ingredients from one source. It is quite normal for a cosmetic formula to need materials from at least 3 or more different suppliers, especially if you are really particular about the ingredients you want your cosmetic formula to contain.


Read this blog to learn how to source cosmetic ingredients and watch this video where Belinda shows you how to search for cosmetic ingredient suppliers.


Cosmetic ingredient sourcing tip #2: Check the suppliers paperwork.


Before you purchase a cosmetic ingredient, make sure you check the suppliers paperwork for that material. From their website (or the site where you have found it), you should be able to find the following information without difficulty:

  • An INCI name – make sure it lists all components of the cosmetic ingredient, so you know what will need to appear on your product label. Watch our video same INCI, different results and checking cosmetic ingredients: when INCI gets it wrong.
  • A recommended input rate, appropriate for cosmetic formulation use.
  • A technical data sheet, efficacy information or at the very least, description of the cosmetic ingredients’ functionality.
  • An MSDS, or link to where you can order an MSDS for the cosmetic ingredient.

If you can’t find all of the above information, you could ask the supplier to provide it; if they refuse or unable to, then you can’t properly check the quality, use or regulatory requirements of the cosmetic ingredient. Where this is the case, you should not use that ingredient.
 

Cosmetic ingredient sourcing tip #3: Ingredients with the same name may not be at all similar.


This can be confusing for cosmetic formulators when they are new to sourcing cosmetic ingredients, yet it is incredibly important. Different cosmetic ingredient suppliers may use the INCI name, trade name or other name to list and describe their ingredient, but it may or may not be the same as an ingredient with the same (or similar) name from another supplier. Do not purchase cosmetic ingredients without checking the paperwork (listed in tip #2) – this is why checking this paperwork is so important, and a supplier that cannot provide it should not be used.
 

 

Cosmetic ingredient sourcing tip #4: If you pay peanuts, expect monkeys.


Comparing the price of cosmetic ingredients is a good thing; but if you see what appears to be the same ingredient from a supplier at an unexpectedly low price, be careful of tips #2 and #3 above – because it may not be the cosmetic ingredient you are looking for. A common example are herbal extracts:

  • cost effective herbal extracts with a description but no clinical efficacy data can be nice to add to a cosmetic formula for marketing appeal and some benefits;
  • the herbal extracts with clinical performance results and significant benefits will usually cost at least 3 times more.

If you want the higher quality, high performing herbal extract, you will need to purchase it from the cosmetic ingredient supplier who has the paperwork proving/confirming its performance. It is not correct to assume that the cheaper herbal extract, from another supplier, could have the same benefits if they don’t have the efficacy data (paperwork) to prove it.


Watch our video on how to add herbal extracts to cosmetic formulas and read our blog why natural ingredients are a great choice in cosmetic formulas for more insight.

 

Cosmetic ingredient sourcing tip #5: When you are ready to start sourcing highly active ingredients…


When you are ready to make more professional cosmetic formulations, you will need to start sourcing materials from larger cosmetic raw material suppliers.

Happy formulating!
 

Did you know there are three types of the create cosmetic formulas program that make it easy for you to create cosmetic formulas fast and easily – and always get a formula that works!

 

Haven’t tried the create cosmetic formulas program yet? Enjoy it RISK FREE for 24 hours, to see how easy it can make formulating for you.
 


Ready for more professional cosmetic formulation training?


If you are ready to take the next step and want to learn how to make all cosmetic ingredient and input choices for yourself, study either:

  • Certificate in Advanced Cosmetic Science – ideal if you want to develop formulas for your own cosmetic brand where you don’t need the qualification or title ‘Cosmetic Chemist’ OR
  • Diploma of Personal Care Formulation – this qualification will give you the title ‘Cosmetic Chemist’ and is the qualification that employers look for on a resume. If you want a career in the Personal Care Industry or to be a properly qualified Cosmetic Chemist, this is the course you should study with the Institute of Personal Care Science.

Both of the above training programs contain full cosmetic quality and stability testing training, as well as how to create unique cosmetic formulations specific to your needs.