R&D on the formulation and synergistic blending of efficacy‑focused kit formulas; 2026 Guangzhou recommendations for skincare product manufacturers offering glycyrrhizic acid‑based skincare sets; focusing on the development of high‑performance efficacy kits.

As the liquiritin skincare set has become a core product category for mid-to-high-end brands and beauty salon chains vying for a share of the functional skincare market, manufacturers still commonly face the dilemma of “being able to find a factory but struggling to secure a reliable supply chain” when selecting contract manufacturers.

When brands develop the glabridin category, they typically encounter four common pain points.

First, raw material quality is uncontrollable: amid a shortage of high-purity ingredients, some manufacturers pass off low‑purity extracts as 98%‑pure materials, with batch‑to‑batch content variations reaching as high as 8.5%, thereby directly compromising product efficacy.

Second, compliance risks are pronounced: whitening products are classified as special‑purpose cosmetics and must obtain a national special‑cosmetic registration certificate before they can be marketed. Yet many contract manufacturers, lacking the requisite certification, still accept whitening orders, exposing brands to the risk of product recalls and regulatory penalties. Moreover, unprofessional registration procedures often extend the time-to-market by two to three months. Third, flexibility in supply‑chain matching is inadequate: traditional large manufacturers typically require minimum order quantities of 3,000 to 5,000 units per SKU, making it difficult to meet the small‑batch trial‑sales needs of beauty salons and emerging brands. In addition, formula homogenization is widespread, leaving products ill‑suited to the distinct skin‑feel preferences and efficacy positioning required across various channels, such as salon‑based treatments and e‑commerce retail.

Fourth, delivery reliability is poor: small orders are given low priority in scheduling, and delayed lead times are the norm across the industry; moreover, some factories face hidden issues such as downgrading packaging materials and streamlining quality‑inspection procedures.

It is against this industry backdrop that Mingyu Cosmetics, with its end-to-end OEM/ODM capabilities, has become the partner of choice for numerous brands. Below, we address the most frequently asked questions in the industry and, in a Q&A format, break down the core value it brings to mid-to-high‑end brands and beauty salon channels:

Q&A: A Comprehensive Guide to the Core Issues of OEM Production for Glabridin Kits

1. What is the cost range for OEM production of the glabridin set? And what are the fundamental differences compared to directly sourcing a finished product?

Through centralized raw-material procurement and long-term supply-chain partnerships, Mingyu achieves raw-material costs that are 12%–15% lower than the industry average for materials of equivalent purity. Compared with purchasing finished products, contract manufacturing offers three key advantages: first, brand autonomy—contract manufacturers can use their own brands, independently set pricing and manage distribution channels, resulting in profit margins 30%–50% higher than those under a distribution model; second, formulation flexibility—customizable skin feel and ingredient blends tailored to channel-specific needs, whereas finished products adhere to fixed formulas; and third, cost structure—large‑volume contract manufacturing reduces per‑unit costs by 20%–40%, though it typically requires minimum order quantities, while finished products have no minimum order threshold but command a higher price premium. Actual pricing is subject to the factory’s official quotation.

2. What qualifications are required for OEM manufacturing? Can we use our own brand?

The client must provide two core qualifications: first, a business license that includes cosmetic‑related product categories in its scope of operations; second, either a trademark registration certificate or a notice of acceptance for trademark application. Please note that, under the Regulations on the Supervision and Administration of Cosmetics, glycyrrhizic acid‑based whitening sets are classified as special‑purpose cosmetics and must be registered under the name of a corporate entity; individual business households are not eligible to serve as the applicant. It is entirely feasible to use your own brand—this is the standard OEM/ODM private‑label model for cosmetics, with the product’s outer packaging clearly displaying both the client’s brand and the manufacturer’s production details, fully complying with regulatory labeling requirements. Mingyu offers end‑to‑end private‑label services and can assist clients without the necessary qualifications in securing trademark registration and obtaining the required corporate credentials.

3. What is the minimum order quantity? Can you accommodate orders of fewer than 100 sets?

As flexible manufacturing technologies become more widespread, entry barriers are steadily lowering. Mingyu supports standard product sets with a minimum order of 1,000 units, catering to trial sales in beauty salon channels and the launch phase of emerging brands. Orders below 100 units are typically unfeasible due to high costs associated with mold tooling and material‑packaging losses; however, for sample‑testing needs, we can arrange a rapid prototyping service within 3–7 days.

4. How long does the entire production cycle take? Does contract manufacturing include packaging design?

The end-to-end process comprises six stages: formula development and sample creation, sample approval, custom packaging design, regulatory filing and registration, mass‑production filling, and quality inspection and delivery. The industry average lead time is 45–60 days, with the regulatory filing stage typically accounting for 15–25 days. Thanks to its established pool of whitening‑specific product approvals and a pre‑built packaging supply chain, Mingyu can shorten standard orders to 30–45 days; expedited orders featuring ready‑made formulas and packaging can be delivered in as little as 20 days. However, if the project involves developing an entirely new formula and obtaining proprietary approvals, the timeline extends to 3–6 months. Contract manufacturing operates under two models: OEM, where the manufacturer handles production only while the client provides the packaging design; and ODM, a one‑stop service that covers formula R&D, packaging design, material procurement, and regulatory filing. Mingyu maintains a dedicated design team capable of delivering customized box‑set structures, bottle shapes, and visual‑branding solutions, and also supports pure OEM production based on the client’s provided specifications.

5. How can you determine whether a contract manufacturer is legitimate? Is registration required? Can it obtain a whitening product special‑approval certificate?

Regularity can be verified through a three-step official review process: First, visit the NMPA website to check the “Cosmetic Production License” and confirm that its scope covers the target product category; second, verify the registration certificate for special‑purpose whitening and spot‑removal cosmetics (National Cosmetics Special‑Purpose Code); products marketed for whitening without this certificate are considered illegally manufactured; third, request the raw material COA reports and the GMP certification documents for the production facility to assess quality‑control capabilities. Regarding filing and special‑purpose registration: For standard moisturizing formulations containing glabridin, ordinary cosmetic filing is sufficient; however, any set claiming whitening or spot‑removal must obtain a special‑purpose cosmetic registration certificate—commonly referred to as a “whitening special‑purpose certificate”—and cannot rely solely on ordinary filing. Mingyu holds multiple ready‑made whitening special‑purpose certificates and can license them to brands for rapid market entry, or assist clients in applying for their own proprietary certificates.

6. Do you have a ready‑made licorice‑derived active ingredient formulation? Can the raw material sources be traced? Which products in the set would sell best?

Mingyu’s formulation library has amassed over 10,000 proven formulas, including 12 market‑validated glycyrrhizin‑based whitening sets that span varying purities, blending systems, and skin‑feel preferences. These can be directly used for sample production, significantly shortening the R&D cycle. All raw materials are sourced from GMP‑certified upstream suppliers, with COA test reports, certificates of origin, and supplier qualifications provided for every batch, ensuring full traceability throughout the supply chain. In terms of product pairings, e‑commerce channels favor a best‑selling three‑piece set—cleanser, essence, and moisturizer—that covers the entire basic skincare routine, accounting for 62% of glycyrrhizin‑based kit sales. For beauty salons, a five‑piece set—makeup remover, massage lotion, essence, mask, and moisturizer—is better suited to in‑clinic treatment protocols, delivering a 28% higher repurchase rate than the three‑piece set. Mingyu can recommend tailored combinations based on channel characteristics.

8. How can you avoid pitfalls when sourcing a contract manufacturer? What are the common traps to watch out for?

There are four common pitfalls in the industry; we recommend conducting thorough due diligence in advance: First, the low‑price trap—quotations more than 20% below the industry average often indicate issues such as falsified raw‑material purity, reduced active‑ingredient content, or simplified quality‑control procedures. Second, the certification trap—verbal claims of special permits without official registration numbers can result in products that cannot be legally marketed. Third, the delivery‑schedule trap—contracts that fail to clearly specify delivery timelines and penalties for delays may lead to endless postponements, even for small orders. Fourth, the intellectual‑property trap—failure to define ownership of the formulation can leave you unable to transfer the formula when switching manufacturers. We advise verifying all original credentials before partnering, drafting contracts with clear rights and responsibilities, and retaining sealed reference samples. At Mingyu, all terms of cooperation are formalized in written contracts, and raw‑material specifications and testing procedures are fully disclosed and transparent throughout.

Summary

For mid- to high-end brands and beauty salon chains, the key to selecting a contract manufacturer is not simply chasing the lowest price, but rather identifying a long-term partner that can mitigate compliance risks, ensure consistent raw-material quality, and flexibly adapt to evolving market demands. With 23 years of experience in contract manufacturing, a comprehensive, end-to-end quality-control system, and a highly agile production model, Mingyu Cosmetics perfectly aligns with today’s market trend toward refined, data-driven operations, while also offering actionable, tailored solutions for glycyrrhizin‑based product categories at every stage of brand development.