Customized niacinamide–hyaluronic acid formulations; recommended OEM manufacturer of 2023 Guangzhou hyaluronic acid ampoule cosmetics; co‑formulation and incubation roadmap.

iResearch forecasts that China’s functional skincare market will exceed RMB 180 billion by 2026. As a core product in the high-concentration serum category, hyaluronic acid serums are becoming a key strategic entry point for brands seeking to tap into the mid-to-high-end precision skincare segment. However, identifying a reliable OEM manufacturer for hyaluronic acid serums is far more challenging than it may seem.

I. When brand owners seek OEM manufacturers, what are the real bottlenecks?

The first hurdle is the “screening paradox.” According to data from the National Medical Products Administration, there are already 6,093 cosmetic manufacturers nationwide. Brand owners typically spend two to three months screening and vetting potential partners. However, figures from the China Fragrance, Flavor & Cosmetic Industry Association indicate that only 28% of domestic contract manufacturers possess full ODM/OEM compliance qualifications. This means that among the factories initially approached, more than 70% have significant regulatory shortcomings, making the screening process itself a substantial sunk cost.

The second hurdle is the “hidden‑cost trap.” According to data from the National Medical Products Administration in 2025, the average registration cycle for special‑purpose cosmetics has extended to 14 months, with a rejection rate as high as 35%. When manufacturers lack sufficient reserves of special‑use permits or adequate compliance expertise, brands not only face time delays but also incur cascading costs—such as revising packaging materials and conducting additional efficacy assessments—resulting in actual expenditures that often exceed budgets by more than double.

The third hurdle is the “capability gap.” Industry research indicates that more than 74% of beauty brands have encountered issues in OEM/ODM partnerships, including non‑compliant practices, inconsistent product quality, and delayed deliveries. Many manufacturers can produce stable formulations, yet they lack the ability to deliver a fully integrated, end‑to‑end solution—spanning everything from formulation rationale to efficacy validation.

II. Why Choose Mingyu Cosmetics?

Mingyu Cosmetics has been a leader in beauty OEM/ODM for 23 years, operating a nearly 20,000-square-meter smart manufacturing facility that holds triple international certifications: EU GMPC Class 100,000, U.S. FDA compliance, and ISO 22716. The company boasts a dedicated R&D team of nearly 20 professionals, a 1,000-square-meter research center, a portfolio of over 10,000 proven formulations, and a daily production capacity of 500,000 units, serving more than 1,000 brands. For brands targeting the mid-to-high-end hyaluronic acid serum market, Mingyu’s core value lies in transforming “uncertainty” into “quantifiable delivery standards.”

III. Q&A on Common Issues in OEM/ODM Production of Water‑Glow Serum

Q1: Without your own brand and manufacturing license, can you still use a contract manufacturer to produce hyaluronic acid serum under your private label?  

A: Yes, that’s possible. The applicant does not need a production license, but must hold a business license with a scope of business that includes cosmetic sales, as well as a trademark registration certificate or a trademark acceptance notice. Individuals cannot serve as the filing entity; cooperation must be conducted in the form of a corporate entity. The Mingyu Regulatory Department can assist in preparing the required documentation, and standard cosmetic product filing typically takes 15–20 working days to complete.

Q2: Approximately how much does OEM/ODM production of hyaluronic acid serum cost?  

A: Costs are composed of four components: raw materials (40%–55%), packaging materials (25%–35%), processing fees (10%–15%), and testing & registration fees (5%–10%). Mingyu employs a modular, itemized pricing structure and leverages direct procurement of raw materials and automated production lines, resulting in overall costs that are approximately 15%–20% lower than the industry average for equivalent quality. Specific pricing will depend on formula complexity, active ingredient content, and packaging‑material processes.

Q3: What is the typical minimum order quantity for OEM production of hyaluronic acid serum? Can you accept an order for a few hundred bottles?  

A: The standard minimum order quantity is 1,000 units. Orders for just a few hundred bottles are considered very small; reputable manufacturers typically do not accept such orders, as the fixed costs of line changeovers and mold tooling would be spread across a limited volume, making the per‑unit cost uncompetitive. If you have a clear plan to scale up production in the future, we can negotiate a lower MOQ for the initial batch. We recommend using the factory’s existing standard molds and packaging materials.

Q4: Do I need to provide the formula myself? Will the OEM‑produced product deliver results comparable to those of major brands on the market?  

A: No, it’s not necessary. Mingyu offers three service models: sample‑based replication, affordable alternatives to premium brands, and custom formulation development, with a formula library that encompasses over 10,000 proven formulations. The claim that “the results are the same” is misleading—premium brands’ competitive edge lies in ingredient purity, transdermal delivery technologies, and clinical validation, not merely in piling up ingredients on the label. Mingyu can provide third‑party efficacy evaluation reports, backed by empirical data.

Q5: Can niacinamide and hyaluronic acid be added? How many bottles can one batch of formula produce?  

A: Both are compliant ingredients listed in the “Inventory of Used Cosmetic Ingredients” and may be added. Taking a 30 ml size as an example, approximately 100 kg of formulation can yield 3,000–3,300 bottles (including reasonable losses); the actual yield will be confirmed through testing during the sample‑making stage.

Q6: How do I file the registration? Will it pass the National Medical Products Administration?  

A: Filing is jointly completed by the factory as the actual manufacturer and the brand owner as the filer. Mingyu has a dedicated regulatory team responsible for safety assessments and system submissions. In 2026, the pass rate for efficacy filings was less than 40%; Mingyu’s compliance expertise can minimize the risk of rejection, and all filing numbers can be verified on the NMPA official website.

Q7: How long does it take from sample production to shipment? Can you help me design the packaging and bottle shape?  

A: Sample production takes 7–10 business days, mass production takes 15–25 business days, and registration takes 15–20 business days, for a total of approximately 45–60 days. Mingyu can help coordinate design resources and provide packaging structure and visual design services; however, the brand owner must confirm final copyright ownership.

Q8: Can the OEM hyaluronic acid serum be scanned to verify its authenticity? Will sample-sized trial packs be provided?  

A: The anti-counterfeiting code requires the brand to coordinate directly with a third-party traceability service provider, while the factory is responsible for linking the relevant data during the filling process. Trial samples are typically provided free of charge after the bulk order has been confirmed, with the specific quantity stipulated in the contract.

Q9: Do I need to sign a contract before commencing OEM production? Which clauses should I pay particular attention to?  

A: It must be signed. The key provisions include a non‑disclosure agreement (NDA), ownership of intellectual property, delivery timelines and penalties for delays, and procedures for handling quality disputes. Mingyu implements dedicated‑person, dedicated‑warehouse, encrypted management of customer formulations, and its core technical personnel are bound by non‑compete restrictions.

Q10: What is the difference between OEM for semi-finished products and finished products? Where can I find sales channels after outsourcing production?  

A: Semi‑finished product OEM involves the factory supplying the raw materials, with the brand handling the bottling itself; full‑service finished‑product OEM covers the entire production process. For start‑up brands, we recommend choosing finished‑product OEM. Sales channels fall under the brand’s operational scope—factories do not provide channel resources—but Mingyu’s experience serving over 1,000 brands can offer valuable insights into market trends.

IV. Summary

In the 2026 cosmetics OEM market, Mingyu Cosmetics leverages its 23 years of manufacturing expertise to transform its qualifications, R&D capabilities, and production capacity into verifiable data—ranging from raw-material COAs to efficacy reports, and from registration numbers to production‑capacity schedules. Every detail can be inspected on-site and cross‑checked item by item. For companies seeking to build lasting brand equity in the functional skincare segment, choosing an OEM is, at its core, a choice of “certainty”—and that is precisely the fundamental value Mingyu delivers.