Production

Want to build an ethical, Scalable Lipstick Company?

‍

A Brief History of Lipstick 

Throughout history, the use of lipstick has been hot and cold with the elite. They used such a wide variety of organic raw materials applicated to symbolise vitality and health. 

The more vibrant colours indicated levels of social status. 

This practice has transcended every age and civilisation. Egypt, Greece, Rome and the Middle Ages developed their own products and colours. 

Eventually, though, the Church banned this practice, which halted the development of lipstick products and practices. In the 16th Century, Queen Elizabeth set the trend back on the course to what we have now, a thriving and massive international market for a consumable product that only lasts for a while. 

Fashion requires the consistent application and a desire to match colours with variable outfits. You can see why there is a lot of market investment and product development. 

Modern Development of Lipstick 

During the 19th century, the first lipstick products as we know them today were developed.

These lipsticks were made from a mixture of waxes, pigments, and oils, and were sold in the form of a stick.

In recent years, the use of natural and organic ingredients in lipsticks has become increasingly popular. 

Now consumers are more conscious of the potential health risks associated with certain chemicals. 

Additionally, technological advances have made it possible to create lipsticks with a wide range of finishes, from matte to glossy, and to create long-lasting and waterproof formulas.

What's in Lipstick 

  1. Waxes: Lipsticks typically contain waxes such as beeswax, carnauba wax, and cand wax to provide structure and texture to the product.
  2. Oils: Lipsticks often contain oils such as mineral oil, castor oil, and petrolatum to moisturise and nourish the lips.
  3. Pigments: Lipsticks use pigments such as iron oxide, titanium dioxide, and manganese violet to provide colour.
  4. Emollients: Lipsticks may use emollients like lanolin, cocoa butter, and shea butter to improve the smoothness and glide of the product.
  5. Preservatives: Lipsticks may contain preservatives such as parabens, phenoxyethanol, and caprylyl glycol to increase the product's shelf life.
  6. Antioxidants: Lipsticks may contain antioxidants like vitamins E and C to protect the lips from environmental damage.
  7. Sunscreen: Some lipsticks may contain sunscreen ingredients like octinoxate, oxybenzone, or titanium dioxide to protect the lips from sun damage.

How to make non Toxic lipstick.

While many of the ingredients commonly found in lipsticks are considered safe for cosmetics, some have been found to be potentially harmful to humans. Here are a few examples of ingredients that have been linked to adverse health effects:

  1. Parabens: Parabens are a group of preservatives that are commonly used in cosmetics, including lipsticks. Some studies have suggested that parabens may mimic estrogen in the body and potentially increase the risk of breast cancer.
  2. Phthalates: Phthalates are a group of chemicals that are used to increase the flexibility and durability of cosmetics. Some studies have suggested that phthalates may cause reproductive and developmental harm and may also be linked to certain cancers.
  3. Lead: While it's not a common ingredient, some lipsticks have been found to contain lead, which is a toxic heavy metal that can be harmful to the brain and nervous system, especially for children and pregnant women.
  4. Oxybenzone: Oxybenzone is a commonly used sunscreen ingredient that is found in some lipsticks. Studies have shown that it can cause skin irritation and also it's not environmentally friendly.
  5. Fragrances: Lipsticks may contain fragrances, mixtures of various chemicals. Some people may be allergic or sensitive to certain fragrances, leading to skin irritation or other reactions.

How is lipstick made? 

In making lipstick, some companies may use other steps, like sterilisation or adding fragrances or sunscreens. They also may use additional equipment and technology. It's important to note that the ingredients and process may vary depending on the type of lipstick (matte, glossy, liquid, etc) and the brand.

  1. Ingredient preparation: The ingredients needed to make lipstick, such as waxes, oils, pigments, and emollients, are carefully measured and prepared according to the desired recipe.
  2. Melting: The ingredients are melted together, typically in large stainless steel kettles, to create a homogenous mixture. The temperature is carefully controlled to ensure that the ingredients are fully melted and well blended.
  3. Pigment Dispersion: Pigments are added to the mixture and are mixed to ensure that the colour is evenly distributed.
  4. Cooling and solidifying: The mixture is cooled and solidified, typically poured into moulds. The lipsticks are then removed from the moulds and inspected for quality.
  5. Packaging: The lipsticks are packaged, typically in plastic or metal tubes, and are labelled with the brand name, shade name, and ingredients list.
  6. Testing: The lipsticks are tested for quality, consistency, and stability. They are also tested for any possible allergic reactions.

Where is Lipstick made? 

China is the leading cosmetics manufacturing country, and the two top provinces are Shanghai, Su Zhou(Jiang Su Province), Guang Zhou & Zhu Hai(Guang Dong Province).

Fengxian district, also known as "Oriental Beauty Valley", is the core carrying area of Shanghai's cosmetics industry. According to a report in November 2022, the industry scale of Fengxian is close to 70 billion yuan ($14,968,098,187.00 AUD) , and the total brand value has exceeded 28 billion yuan. This district has become one of the largest and most well-known cosmetics gathering places in Shanghai.

On the other hand, Guangdong Province is also a major player in the cosmetics industry in China. The total output value of the cosmetics industry in Guangdong has ranked first in the country, and the exports of cosmetics from Guangdong accounted for 35.1 percent of the country's total exports in 2021, also ranking first in the country. 

There are 3008 certified cosmetics manufacturing enterprises in Guangdong, which accounts for about 56.5% of the national total. The province has formed a robust industry supply chain scale due to the industrial development level of the Pearl River Delta. Guangdong is now trying to catch up with the Shanghai block, where brand creation and technology research are more developed through advanced technological innovation.

Who are the market Leading manufacturers of lipsticks?  

We Assist Co determines the market-leading manufacturers. Companies who can help you build a business that can contribute to an ethical and sustainable future. These suppliers' management relationships would fit a circular economy. 

Lu Fan Xi

上海露凡西化妆品有限公司

http://www.leeshin.cn/m/2000-1003-779.php?Lang=zh-cn

Thai Ho Group is a company that prioritises quality, R&D, innovation, and service. The company invests over 7% of its annual revenue in product research and innovative design to maintain its image and status as a leader in developing and innovating household beauty products worldwide. 

Working with world-leading brands L 'Oreal, LVMH, Shiseido and brands such as Proya, Florasis, Perfect Diary, Judydoll, Timage. 

Paristy

上海巴黎蒂日用化学品有限公司

(http://www.paristy.com/goods.php?catId=41

Shanghai Paristy Daily Chemical Co., Ltd, with a mother company based in Taiwan with over 40 years of experience in the manufacturing of colour cosmetics, was founded in 1994. 

The company specialises in cosmetics OEM and ODM supply chain management, supplier management and quality assurance systems.

Paristy has a wide range of capabilities in cosmetics manufacturing, including mixing, pressing, filling, assembling, and packaging for items such as lipsticks, blushes, eyeshadows, pressed powders, mascaras, eyeliners, eyebrows, and emulsions. 

As a full-service supplier, they also offer customised componentry services such as moulding, injecting, assembling, and decoration. 

The factory is certified by ISO 9001, GMP international standard, HACCP and ISO 14001, ISO 22716, SA8000, and their laboratory procedures and systems are also ITS authenticated. They strive to produce high-value-added products and maintain a strict quality assurance process to make their clients more competitive in the cosmetics market.

Clients - L 'Oreal, Maybelline 

An Te

苏州安特化妆品股份有限公司

https://www.antecosmetic.com/?lips/

Suzhou Ante Cosmetics Co. Ltd. is a designer and manufacturer of colour makeup and personal care products founded in December 2011. The company located in Gaoxin district, Suzhou city, China. They offer an all-in-one service that includes product planning, formula development, packaging design, physical-chemical testing, filling, packing, and logistics. 

They have a total factory area covering over 6,000 sqm2 of highly automated production lines, 4,000 sqm2 of warehouse space, and two independent R&D labs in Suzhou and Guangzhou.

Ante cosmetics is committed to quality assurance.

They strictly comply with ISO 9001, ISO14001 environmental management, and ISO22716 good manufacturing practices standards to ensure product quality. 

They are an excellent OEM/ODM supplier. They follow the business philosophy of constantly striving for perfection, honesty, and improvement, with a customer satisfaction-first approach. 

All these factors make Ante cosmetics a more straightforward supplier to manage and a trusted cosmetics OEM/ODM supplier for clients and end-users.

Clients - Watsons, Boots, TONY MOLY, MARCELLE etc

Shen Cai

珠海神采生物科技有限公司

http://www.sheencolor.com/index.html

Sheencolor Biotech Co., Ltd is known for its state-of-the-art facilities and expertise in R&D, manufacturing and quality assurance. 

The company has a Cosmetic Development, Laboratory and Manufacturing space of over 35,000 square meters, with a team of professional chemists, pharmacists, scientists and engineers, making it a prominent cosmetic industry world leader. Sheencolor Biotech's facilities follow the international GMPC standard, and they use raw materials imported from Japan, Taiwan, U.S. and Western Europe to ensure the highest quality for its products and meet U.S. FDA standards and Europe EEC standards. They provide full product development services to meet various marketing demands, including packaging selection, formula research, finished product designs, and production. They would be a viable option for a business based on Product Stewardship focused business. 

Their manufactured products are exported to the United States of America, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Russia, Holland, Australia and various other countries. Regular clients include Sephora, Oriflame, Watsons and MAXYgirl.

3INS

广东三好科技有限公司

http://3ins.net/index.php?m=Product&a=index&id=24

3INS is a cosmetics manufacturer that prioritises customer service by providing product development and manufacturing and an all-in-one service that includes product planning, packaging design, quality assurance management and a customer service tracking system. 

They have 21 world-class automated production lines with sets of automatic equipment imported from South Korea, Taiwan and Germany, such as an automatic emulsification system, automatic water filling machine, automatic cream filling machine, automatic sealing machine, automatic powder pressing machine, automatic lipstick filling machine, automatic mascara filling machine, and automatic EDI water treatment equipment. 

They use an ERP system to optimise and integrate internal management, from material storage to the finished product's information management process, and to collect data throughout the production life cycle.

Additionally, they use standards of industrial 4.0 in their factory, making it more intelligent with automated production equipment, intelligent central control system, raw material weighing system and quality assurance.

Clients - Hera, Rojank etc

Who can help me optimise my Cosmetic Business? 

In conclusion, China is a leading player in the cosmetics industry, with a sophisticated supply chain and infrastructure that enables it to produce high-quality cosmetics at a relatively low cost. 

Several significant areas in China produce cosmetics, specifically lipsticks, such as the "Oriental Beauty Valley" in Shanghai and Guangdong province.

If you are a new or existing business looking for a new manufacturer focused on cosmetics or lipsticks that could support product stewardship, these are viable options. Additionally, consider working with a company that specialises in supplier management and can help you find the proper manufacturer for your business.

‍

Click here to talk to one of our Product Stewards Today!

‍

Share

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Production
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Want to build an ethical, Scalable Lipstick Company?

‍

A Brief History of Lipstick 

Throughout history, the use of lipstick has been hot and cold with the elite. They used such a wide variety of organic raw materials applicated to symbolise vitality and health. 

The more vibrant colours indicated levels of social status. 

This practice has transcended every age and civilisation. Egypt, Greece, Rome and the Middle Ages developed their own products and colours. 

Eventually, though, the Church banned this practice, which halted the development of lipstick products and practices. In the 16th Century, Queen Elizabeth set the trend back on the course to what we have now, a thriving and massive international market for a consumable product that only lasts for a while. 

Fashion requires the consistent application and a desire to match colours with variable outfits. You can see why there is a lot of market investment and product development. 

Modern Development of Lipstick 

During the 19th century, the first lipstick products as we know them today were developed.

These lipsticks were made from a mixture of waxes, pigments, and oils, and were sold in the form of a stick.

In recent years, the use of natural and organic ingredients in lipsticks has become increasingly popular. 

Now consumers are more conscious of the potential health risks associated with certain chemicals. 

Additionally, technological advances have made it possible to create lipsticks with a wide range of finishes, from matte to glossy, and to create long-lasting and waterproof formulas.

What's in Lipstick 

  1. Waxes: Lipsticks typically contain waxes such as beeswax, carnauba wax, and cand wax to provide structure and texture to the product.
  2. Oils: Lipsticks often contain oils such as mineral oil, castor oil, and petrolatum to moisturise and nourish the lips.
  3. Pigments: Lipsticks use pigments such as iron oxide, titanium dioxide, and manganese violet to provide colour.
  4. Emollients: Lipsticks may use emollients like lanolin, cocoa butter, and shea butter to improve the smoothness and glide of the product.
  5. Preservatives: Lipsticks may contain preservatives such as parabens, phenoxyethanol, and caprylyl glycol to increase the product's shelf life.
  6. Antioxidants: Lipsticks may contain antioxidants like vitamins E and C to protect the lips from environmental damage.
  7. Sunscreen: Some lipsticks may contain sunscreen ingredients like octinoxate, oxybenzone, or titanium dioxide to protect the lips from sun damage.

How to make non Toxic lipstick.

While many of the ingredients commonly found in lipsticks are considered safe for cosmetics, some have been found to be potentially harmful to humans. Here are a few examples of ingredients that have been linked to adverse health effects:

  1. Parabens: Parabens are a group of preservatives that are commonly used in cosmetics, including lipsticks. Some studies have suggested that parabens may mimic estrogen in the body and potentially increase the risk of breast cancer.
  2. Phthalates: Phthalates are a group of chemicals that are used to increase the flexibility and durability of cosmetics. Some studies have suggested that phthalates may cause reproductive and developmental harm and may also be linked to certain cancers.
  3. Lead: While it's not a common ingredient, some lipsticks have been found to contain lead, which is a toxic heavy metal that can be harmful to the brain and nervous system, especially for children and pregnant women.
  4. Oxybenzone: Oxybenzone is a commonly used sunscreen ingredient that is found in some lipsticks. Studies have shown that it can cause skin irritation and also it's not environmentally friendly.
  5. Fragrances: Lipsticks may contain fragrances, mixtures of various chemicals. Some people may be allergic or sensitive to certain fragrances, leading to skin irritation or other reactions.

How is lipstick made? 

In making lipstick, some companies may use other steps, like sterilisation or adding fragrances or sunscreens. They also may use additional equipment and technology. It's important to note that the ingredients and process may vary depending on the type of lipstick (matte, glossy, liquid, etc) and the brand.

  1. Ingredient preparation: The ingredients needed to make lipstick, such as waxes, oils, pigments, and emollients, are carefully measured and prepared according to the desired recipe.
  2. Melting: The ingredients are melted together, typically in large stainless steel kettles, to create a homogenous mixture. The temperature is carefully controlled to ensure that the ingredients are fully melted and well blended.
  3. Pigment Dispersion: Pigments are added to the mixture and are mixed to ensure that the colour is evenly distributed.
  4. Cooling and solidifying: The mixture is cooled and solidified, typically poured into moulds. The lipsticks are then removed from the moulds and inspected for quality.
  5. Packaging: The lipsticks are packaged, typically in plastic or metal tubes, and are labelled with the brand name, shade name, and ingredients list.
  6. Testing: The lipsticks are tested for quality, consistency, and stability. They are also tested for any possible allergic reactions.

Where is Lipstick made? 

China is the leading cosmetics manufacturing country, and the two top provinces are Shanghai, Su Zhou(Jiang Su Province), Guang Zhou & Zhu Hai(Guang Dong Province).

Fengxian district, also known as "Oriental Beauty Valley", is the core carrying area of Shanghai's cosmetics industry. According to a report in November 2022, the industry scale of Fengxian is close to 70 billion yuan ($14,968,098,187.00 AUD) , and the total brand value has exceeded 28 billion yuan. This district has become one of the largest and most well-known cosmetics gathering places in Shanghai.

On the other hand, Guangdong Province is also a major player in the cosmetics industry in China. The total output value of the cosmetics industry in Guangdong has ranked first in the country, and the exports of cosmetics from Guangdong accounted for 35.1 percent of the country's total exports in 2021, also ranking first in the country. 

There are 3008 certified cosmetics manufacturing enterprises in Guangdong, which accounts for about 56.5% of the national total. The province has formed a robust industry supply chain scale due to the industrial development level of the Pearl River Delta. Guangdong is now trying to catch up with the Shanghai block, where brand creation and technology research are more developed through advanced technological innovation.

Who are the market Leading manufacturers of lipsticks?  

We Assist Co determines the market-leading manufacturers. Companies who can help you build a business that can contribute to an ethical and sustainable future. These suppliers' management relationships would fit a circular economy. 

Lu Fan Xi

上海露凡西化妆品有限公司

http://www.leeshin.cn/m/2000-1003-779.php?Lang=zh-cn

Thai Ho Group is a company that prioritises quality, R&D, innovation, and service. The company invests over 7% of its annual revenue in product research and innovative design to maintain its image and status as a leader in developing and innovating household beauty products worldwide. 

Working with world-leading brands L 'Oreal, LVMH, Shiseido and brands such as Proya, Florasis, Perfect Diary, Judydoll, Timage. 

Paristy

上海巴黎蒂日用化学品有限公司

(http://www.paristy.com/goods.php?catId=41

Shanghai Paristy Daily Chemical Co., Ltd, with a mother company based in Taiwan with over 40 years of experience in the manufacturing of colour cosmetics, was founded in 1994. 

The company specialises in cosmetics OEM and ODM supply chain management, supplier management and quality assurance systems.

Paristy has a wide range of capabilities in cosmetics manufacturing, including mixing, pressing, filling, assembling, and packaging for items such as lipsticks, blushes, eyeshadows, pressed powders, mascaras, eyeliners, eyebrows, and emulsions. 

As a full-service supplier, they also offer customised componentry services such as moulding, injecting, assembling, and decoration. 

The factory is certified by ISO 9001, GMP international standard, HACCP and ISO 14001, ISO 22716, SA8000, and their laboratory procedures and systems are also ITS authenticated. They strive to produce high-value-added products and maintain a strict quality assurance process to make their clients more competitive in the cosmetics market.

Clients - L 'Oreal, Maybelline 

An Te

苏州安特化妆品股份有限公司

https://www.antecosmetic.com/?lips/

Suzhou Ante Cosmetics Co. Ltd. is a designer and manufacturer of colour makeup and personal care products founded in December 2011. The company located in Gaoxin district, Suzhou city, China. They offer an all-in-one service that includes product planning, formula development, packaging design, physical-chemical testing, filling, packing, and logistics. 

They have a total factory area covering over 6,000 sqm2 of highly automated production lines, 4,000 sqm2 of warehouse space, and two independent R&D labs in Suzhou and Guangzhou.

Ante cosmetics is committed to quality assurance.

They strictly comply with ISO 9001, ISO14001 environmental management, and ISO22716 good manufacturing practices standards to ensure product quality. 

They are an excellent OEM/ODM supplier. They follow the business philosophy of constantly striving for perfection, honesty, and improvement, with a customer satisfaction-first approach. 

All these factors make Ante cosmetics a more straightforward supplier to manage and a trusted cosmetics OEM/ODM supplier for clients and end-users.

Clients - Watsons, Boots, TONY MOLY, MARCELLE etc

Shen Cai

珠海神采生物科技有限公司

http://www.sheencolor.com/index.html

Sheencolor Biotech Co., Ltd is known for its state-of-the-art facilities and expertise in R&D, manufacturing and quality assurance. 

The company has a Cosmetic Development, Laboratory and Manufacturing space of over 35,000 square meters, with a team of professional chemists, pharmacists, scientists and engineers, making it a prominent cosmetic industry world leader. Sheencolor Biotech's facilities follow the international GMPC standard, and they use raw materials imported from Japan, Taiwan, U.S. and Western Europe to ensure the highest quality for its products and meet U.S. FDA standards and Europe EEC standards. They provide full product development services to meet various marketing demands, including packaging selection, formula research, finished product designs, and production. They would be a viable option for a business based on Product Stewardship focused business. 

Their manufactured products are exported to the United States of America, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Russia, Holland, Australia and various other countries. Regular clients include Sephora, Oriflame, Watsons and MAXYgirl.

3INS

广东三好科技有限公司

http://3ins.net/index.php?m=Product&a=index&id=24

3INS is a cosmetics manufacturer that prioritises customer service by providing product development and manufacturing and an all-in-one service that includes product planning, packaging design, quality assurance management and a customer service tracking system. 

They have 21 world-class automated production lines with sets of automatic equipment imported from South Korea, Taiwan and Germany, such as an automatic emulsification system, automatic water filling machine, automatic cream filling machine, automatic sealing machine, automatic powder pressing machine, automatic lipstick filling machine, automatic mascara filling machine, and automatic EDI water treatment equipment. 

They use an ERP system to optimise and integrate internal management, from material storage to the finished product's information management process, and to collect data throughout the production life cycle.

Additionally, they use standards of industrial 4.0 in their factory, making it more intelligent with automated production equipment, intelligent central control system, raw material weighing system and quality assurance.

Clients - Hera, Rojank etc

Who can help me optimise my Cosmetic Business? 

In conclusion, China is a leading player in the cosmetics industry, with a sophisticated supply chain and infrastructure that enables it to produce high-quality cosmetics at a relatively low cost. 

Several significant areas in China produce cosmetics, specifically lipsticks, such as the "Oriental Beauty Valley" in Shanghai and Guangdong province.

If you are a new or existing business looking for a new manufacturer focused on cosmetics or lipsticks that could support product stewardship, these are viable options. Additionally, consider working with a company that specialises in supplier management and can help you find the proper manufacturer for your business.

‍

Click here to talk to one of our Product Stewards Today!

‍

Share

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