For brands with a distinct vision, a desire for exclusive ingredients, or a truly unique product concept, Custom Formulation is the ultimate path. This service allows you to craft a skincare product entirely from the ground up, ensuring your brand stands out with a signature item that perfectly embodies your identity and values.
At Mayk, we specialize in transforming your innovative ideas into high-quality, market-ready Korean skincare. This article will guide you through everything you need to know about custom formulation, from concept to creation.
Custom Formulation, also known as OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturing), is the process where a manufacturer produces a unique product specifically designed and developed for your brand based on your exact specifications. Unlike Retail-Ready (ODM/White Label) products which utilize existing formulas, OEM means:
Bespoke Development: Your product's formula, texture, scent, color, and key ingredients are created uniquely for you.
Brand Exclusivity: The resulting formula is proprietary to your brand, giving you a truly unique offering in the market.
Full Control: You have significant input and control over aspects of the product's development, from concept to final packaging.
Custom formulation is an ideal choice for brands that:
Have a clear, innovative concept or a specific niche they want to fill.
Desire to use unique active ingredients, achieve novel textures, or offer specific benefits not found in existing formulations.
Are looking to build a distinctive brand identity with signature products.
Are prepared for a higher initial investment and a longer development timeline compared to Retail-Ready options.
Have a strong marketing strategy to support a bespoke product.
Partnering with Mayk for custom formulation means a guided, collaborative process designed for efficiency and precision.
Your journey to a unique K-Beauty product begins by initiating your custom sample order. You'll choose between a Core Custom Formulation project ($199) or a Full Custom Formulation project ($249), which includes your initial customized sample and one round of revisions.
Learn the differences between Core Custom Formulation and Full Custom Formulation here.
Upon payment for your initial sample, you will receive a comprehensive R&D Specification Form. This crucial document is where you'll articulate your vision in detail. We encourage you to be as specific as possible, outlining your desired ingredients, target benefits, and other key preferences. As a best practice, we highly recommend providing a benchmark product – an existing item whose texture, feel, or overall sensory experience you admire. Providing all three – desired ingredients, desired benefits, and a benchmark product – is the most effective way to convey your vision and expedite the development process.
Once we receive your completed R&D form, we will translate your vision and convey it to our Korean manufacturer partner, who will immediately begin formulating your product.
Development: Based on your detailed specifications and benchmark (if provided), our chemists will craft your unique formula.
Initial Sample Delivery: Your first customized sample will then be developed. Samples for custom formulations typically take about 3-6 weeks to develop for the first round.
Revised Sample: We'll then produce a revised sample incorporating your feedback on the initial version. Each subsequent round of revision (if needed) will also take approximately 3-6 weeks and costs $69 per additional revision.
Important Note on Exact Costs: Unlike Retail-Ready formulations, the exact cost per unit for a custom product cannot be determined until the sampling stage is complete and the final formulation is approved. This is because the precise ingredient quantities, manufacturing complexity, and packaging compatibility are all finalized after R&D is complete.
As insiders, we want to share a key insight: Korean manufacturers prioritize efficiency. While we never "copy" formulations, providing a clear benchmark product is invaluable. It allows us to expertly replicate desired sensory qualities (like texture or viscosity) while tailoring the unique ingredient profile to your brand. Creating a formula truly "from scratch" without a benchmark often requires multiple revisions, incurring additional fees and extending timelines. Without a clear direction, developing a novel formula can even be exceptionally challenging or unfeasible for some manufacturers, and repeated revisions can strain relationships.
Once you are fully satisfied and approve the final sample, we will then provide you with a precise Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) and the definitive cost per unit for your approved custom formulation.
With your formulation locked in, attention turns to packaging.
Customization: The level of packaging customization available depends on your project type:
For Core Custom Formulations (MOQs 1,000 - 3,000 units): We typically work with generic, transparent plastic containers featuring white lids for primary packaging. This helps maintain efficiency and cost-effectiveness at these MOQs.
For Full Custom Formulations (MOQs 3,000 units and above): You have a much wider range of options for primary (bottles, jars) and secondary (boxes) packaging materials, shapes, colors, and printing techniques to create a truly unique look. For exceptionally unique designs or specialized materials, MOQs may be as high as 5,000 units or higher.
Design Support: We provide dielines for your designer, or you can utilize our convenient template-based design service for $199.
Important Note: Packaging is typically finalized after formulation approval to ensure compatibility. However, if your concept requires a very specific or unusual primary packaging upfront (e.g., a serum stick), it's crucial to disclose this during your initial consultation so we can factor it into the formulation development.
Upon final approvals of your formulation and packaging, a 50% downpayment is required to begin mass production at our trusted Korean manufacturing facilities. We adhere to the highest cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practices) standards and strict quality control. The production lead time is typically 6-8 weeks after confirming all label designs.
After production is complete, the remaining 50% balance payment is due. Shipping costs will be calculated at this stage, as they depend on the final packed weight and dimensions of your order. You will then receive essential documents such as the MSDS, INCI list, and COA. Additional documents like the Product Information File (PIF) and Certificate of Free Sale (CFS) can be requested if they're need for your target market. Specific test reports for marketing claims are available at an extra cost. We then manage the dispatch of your finished products.
Learn more about shipping here.
MOQs: While Mayk offers competitive MOQs for custom formulations starting from 1,000 units, typical industry MOQs in Korea for bespoke development often range from 5,000 to 10,000 units.
Initial Investment: Beyond the unit cost, custom formulation involves an investment in R&D and sampling. For Full Custom Formulation projects ($249), your initial sample fee will be credited towards your production cost.
Longer Lead Times: The entire process, from R&D to production, takes longer than Retail-Ready options. Factor in R&D time (3-6 weeks per sample round) plus a production lead time of 6-9 weeks after label design confirmation.
Exception - Sunscreens for the US Market (FDA OTC): Products like sunscreens intended for the US market are classified as OTC drugs. These require extensive, multi-year testing (1-2 years) and a minimum budget of at least USD 100,000 per product (including R&D, and registration fees, excluding production costs) with MOQs starting at 5,000 units. This is a significant exception to standard timelines and costs.
Sample Validity: From the point of sample payment, you have one year to proceed with production for your custom sample. After this period, a new sampling process (and fee) would be required to ensure we are producing with the most current formulation, optimal ingredient stability, and up-to-date compliance standards.
No Obligation to Produce: Your investment in sampling is an exploration. You are under no obligation to proceed with full production after receiving your custom sample.