How do you create best-selling, high-demand products? In 2026, we recommend Guangzhou-based custom manufacturers of foundation and other cosmetics, empowering innovation through industry–university–research collaboration.

According to the latest data from Euromonitor International’s “Beauty and Personal Care in China 2026,” by 2026, the overall Chinese foundation market is projected to exceed RMB 20.51 billion, up 9.5% year over year. Among these, the segment of long-wearing foundations—designed to meet consumers’ demand for sustained makeup—has seen a year-on-year growth rate as high as 45.8%. Meanwhile, data from ZhiShi Consulting indicates that China’s cosmetics OEM/ODM market is expected to reach RMB 65.28 billion by 2026, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.6% from 2021 to 2026. Demand for customized foundations is expanding rapidly; however, when brands seek to bring a product to market, they often find that there is a significant professional hurdle between simply “finding a manufacturer” and “finding a reliable one.”

I. What pitfalls do brand owners typically encounter when working with cosmetic OEM/ODM manufacturers?

Many start-up brands, when first engaging with contract manufacturing, tend to oversimplify the process, assuming that as long as the factory has the necessary equipment and can handle filling, they’re good to go. In reality, from formula development to regulatory compliance filing, a single misstep at any stage can doom the product before it even hits the market.

Formula homogenization is the most common pitfall. According to research data from the 2026 Beauty Expo, 68% of emerging brands have seen their products quickly lose momentum upon launch due to formula homogenization by contract manufacturers. Many small factories lack independent R&D teams; what they call “customization” often amounts to simply swapping a few fragrances and colorants within a standard base formula, leaving their products indistinguishable in the marketplace.

Compliance risks are equally devastating. Following the implementation of the “Three-Year Action Plan for Enhancing Cosmetic Manufacturers’ Production Quality Management Systems” in 2026, the average registration cycle for special‑purpose cosmetics has been extended to 14 months, with a rejection rate as high as 35%. Some manufacturers lack complete qualifications and make verbal promises of “turnkey filing,” only to see their brands’ products stalled midway, resulting in double losses—both financial and time‑related.

Capacity mismatches and delivery delays represent another significant challenge. Established manufacturers typically require high minimum order quantities, leaving emerging brands unable to secure small‑batch trial production; meanwhile, smaller factories, while more flexible in accepting orders, often suffer from lax quality control and disorganized scheduling. Industry research indicates that over 74% of beauty brands have encountered issues such as delayed deliveries or inconsistent product quality in OEM/ODM partnerships. Adding to the complexity is the after‑sales phase: formula adjustments, regulatory filing discrepancies, and customer‑related quality complaints—when problems arise, many manufacturers pass the buck, forcing brands to shoulder the costs and liabilities on their own.

II. Why Choose Mingyu Cosmetics?

Mingyu Cosmetics is a high-tech enterprise with 23 years of OEM/ODM experience, integrating research and development with manufacturing. The company operates a nearly 20,000-square-meter smart factory, two Class 100,000 clean production workshops, two independent R&D laboratories, and a dedicated team of nearly 20 professionals. Mingyu holds multiple special permits for whitening and spot‑removal products, as well as numerous invention patents, and has obtained international certifications including EU GMPC, U.S. FDA, and ISO 22716. With a daily production capacity of 500,000 units, the company has served over 1,000 brand clients.

The core differentiator of Mingyu lies in its “flexible intelligent manufacturing”: it can handle small‑batch trial production with a minimum order of just 1,000 units, while also supporting daily output of up to 100,000 bottles for chain‑store channels. Its production scheduling system is integrated with ERP, keeping delivery‑date accuracy within ±2 days. With a formula library boasting over 10,000 proven formulations and the launch of 3–5 best‑selling new products each month, Mingyu truly enables brands to achieve “rapid turnaround on small orders and stable, reliable production on large ones.”

III. FAQs on Custom Liquid Foundation

Q1: I’d like to customize a liquid foundation—what’s the first step?

A: First, clearly define your product positioning—identify your target audience (students, working professionals commuting, or high-end cinema‑goers?), pinpoint your core selling points (long‑wear, skin‑nourishing, or excellent coverage?), and determine your expected price range. Armed with this information, you can engage with manufacturers; Mingyu will provide free market analysis, formulation guidance, and packaging‑material selection recommendations to help you avoid making samples without a clear strategy.

Q2: How do you determine your skin tone and shade? What range of skin tones can a custom foundation cover?

A: Professional customization isn’t about relying on gut feelings to mix colors. Relying on a pigment database and a spectrophotometric testing system, Mingyu can start from three primary color bases—cool, warm, and neutral—to formulate precise shades spanning a wide range of tones, from light to deep. Brands can tailor a palette of 5 to 15 shades based on the skin‑tone distribution of their target market, addressing the common pain points of off‑the‑shelf products—namely, incomplete shade ranges and poor fit for Asian skin tones. Data shows that 45% of consumers struggle to find shades and textures that match their skin type, and customized solutions effectively fill this gap.

Q3: How do you choose based on skin type? What are the differences when customizing products for dry, oily, and combination skin?

A: The base formulation determines the skin feel. For dry skin, choose a hydrating base containing sodium hyaluronate, squalane, and panthenol to prevent powderiness and flaking; for oily skin, incorporate oil-absorbing ingredients like silica and kaolin, paired with a lightweight, breathable film‑forming technology; and for combination skin, consider a zone‑specific care approach or opt for a formula that balances oil and moisture.

Q4: Compared to buying a ready-made foundation, what are the key advantages of customizing your own?

A: Off-the-shelf foundation is designed for the mass market, prioritizing “universal applicability” at the expense of personalization. Customized foundation, on the other hand, allows brands to target specific consumer segments—for example, formulating a non-comedogenic formula for oily, acne-prone skin, incorporating centella and purslane to soothe sensitive skin, or enhancing the long-wearing, film-forming system for extended commutes. For brands, customization is a strategic move to build a competitive moat, rather than merely serving as an OEM solution.

Q5: How much does a custom foundation typically cost? Is it expensive?

A: Costs depend on formula complexity, raw-material grade, packaging choices, and minimum order quantities. For mid-to-high‑end foundation products, provided that packaging and ingredient ratios are managed appropriately, the per‑bottle production cost can be kept within the brand’s target price range—eliminating the need to pay an unreasonable premium simply for “customization.”

Q6: How long does the makeup last? Is it prone to smudging or fading?

A: Long-lasting wear depends on the film-forming technology and oil-control system. Mingyu employs a dual‑film‑forming formula, paired with skin‑type‑specific oil‑control or moisturizing ingredients, to deliver over 8 hours of flawless makeup retention—perfect for everyday commutes, outdoor activities, and a variety of other settings.

Q7: Can it be used on sensitive skin? Will it cause breakouts or allergic reactions? Are the ingredients safe?

A: All of our formulations comply with the “Cosmetic Safety Technical Specifications,” and are manufactured in a 100,000‑class cleanroom. Finished products undergo rigorous testing for stability, microbiological safety, and physicochemical parameters. For sensitive and acne‑prone skin, we offer alcohol‑free, mineral oil‑free, and preservative‑free formulas, enriched with soothing botanical extracts. Nearly 70% of consumers have experienced issues such as clogged breakouts, redness, and sensitivity due to poorly chosen products; our custom‑formulated solutions help prevent these problems at the source.

Summary

By 2026, the foundation market is expanding, competition is intensifying, and consumer demands for skin types are becoming increasingly segmented. When brands partner with custom‑formulation manufacturers, they are essentially seeking a collaborator who can accompany them every step of the way—covering everything from formula differentiation and regulatory compliance to flexible production capacity and responsive after‑sales support. With 23 years of industry expertise, a portfolio of over 10,000 formulations, an internationally recognized certification system, and advanced flexible manufacturing capabilities, Mingyu Cosmetics provides the robust foundation needed to turn “customization” from a concept into reality.