Cosmetic Formulation and Product Development
Our in-house laboratory in Istanbul offers cosmetic formulation and product development for brands that want a product built around their own concept. Our cosmetic chemists take your brief through samples, revisions, stability checks and scale-up, and R&D support is free of charge for our manufacturing customers.
Cosmetic R&D next to the production line
Our R&D laboratory sits inside our manufacturing facility in Esenyurt, Istanbul. That matters because a formula is only useful if it can be produced consistently at scale. Our chemists develop each formula with the production equipment, raw-material supply and packaging in mind, so the product you approve in the lab is the product that comes off the filling line.
Custom formulation suits brands that want a signature product, a specific claim direction or a texture they cannot find in a standard range. It also supports brands whose existing formula needs updating for a new market, a new active or a vegan version. If a proven base is closer to what you need, our private label service starts from ready formulas and is usually faster. If you already have a finished formula, see contract manufacturing.
Free R&D support for our customers
We do not charge a separate development fee for R&D support to our customers. Your investment goes into the product and production. If a project needs special raw materials or dedicated packaging for testing, we will discuss it with you before work starts.
What our chemists develop
Our laboratory works across every category we manufacture, with the capability to produce more than 400 different cosmetic products.
Active skin care
Serums, creams, toners and cleansers with actives such as glycolic and salicylic acid, niacinamide, zinc PCA, ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
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Sun care
Sunscreen creams and SPF products, with SPF values verified by laboratory SPF testing before launch.
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Hair care
Shampoos, conditioners, masks, oils and mists with keratin, biotin, argan oil, rosemary oil and UV-protective ingredients.
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Fragrance
Eau de parfum, alcohol-free and oil perfumes, body mists and room sprays, developed following IFRA guidelines.
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Body care
Urea lotions, scrubs, tanning oils, self-tanning mousse and post-depilation care.
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Hygiene and essential oils
Hand soaps, plant-based surface cleaners and essential oil blends for relaxation and sleep.
Learn more →Our product development process
1. Brief
You describe the product: category, target consumer and market, desired texture and scent, key ingredients or claims, ingredients to avoid, packaging type and target retail price. We ask questions to fill the gaps.
2. Formulation concept
Our chemists propose a formulation direction, key actives and a realistic view of what is possible within regulation, stability and budget.
3. Sample development
We prepare the first lab samples for you to test. Where useful, we prepare two or more variations so you can compare texture or fragrance.
4. Revisions
Based on your feedback we adjust the formula and send new samples until you approve the final version.
5. Stability and compatibility
The approved formula is checked for stability and for compatibility with the chosen packaging, so the product stays consistent through its shelf life. Sunscreens also go through SPF testing.
6. Scale-up
We run a trial batch on production equipment to confirm the formula behaves at scale as it did in the lab, then move into full production and filling.
What to include in your development brief
- Product type and format, for example gel serum, rich cream, foaming cleanser or spray
- Target markets, so we can check regulatory requirements early
- Hero ingredients, desired claims and any ingredients you want to avoid
- Texture, colour and fragrance preferences, or a reference product
- Vegan, Halal or other positioning requirements
- Preferred packaging type and size
- Target cost or retail price range and expected quantities
What you receive at the end of development
- An approved final sample that serves as the reference standard for production
- A formula developed for your brief and checked for stability and packaging compatibility
- A full INCI list for your labels and artwork
- Agreed finished-product specifications for quality control of each batch
- SPF test results for sunscreen products
- A production plan covering raw materials, packaging and filling
How to get the most from sample development
The fastest projects are the ones with a clear brief and a small, focused feedback group. Before you receive samples, decide who will test them and what they should assess: texture, absorption, scent strength, foam, lather or finish. Collect feedback in one message so our chemists can make all changes in a single revision rather than several small ones.
It also helps to decide early which elements are fixed and which are flexible. A brand that must have a particular hero active at a visible level, a fragrance-free formula or a vegan certification should tell us at the start, because these decisions shape the whole formula. Packaging should be chosen alongside the formula, not afterwards, since a pump, dropper or tube can affect the viscosity we target.
Vegan formulation and EU-compliant development
We prioritise vegan raw materials in all development work. For brands that want certified vegan products, eligible formulas can carry The Vegan Society trademark, and our facility also holds a Halal certificate for markets where this matters. Around 95% of our raw materials come from European suppliers, which gives our chemists access to a wide range of established cosmetic ingredients.
Formulas are developed in line with EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, and perfumes follow IFRA guidelines. This gives brands a solid starting point for selling in Europe, the UK, the Middle East and other regions, while the final market registration remains with the brand owner or its appointed representative.
Why develop your product in Turkey
Cosmetic product development in Turkey combines European raw materials with production in a single Istanbul facility, between European and Middle Eastern markets. Your formula, samples, packaging and production stay with one team, which shortens communication loops and makes revisions easier to manage. Learn more about our manufacturing facility and certifications or visit our homepage for an overview.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cosmetic formulation really free?
Yes, R&D support is free of charge for our manufacturing customers. If a project needs special raw materials or dedicated packaging for testing, we will discuss this with you in advance.
How many sample rounds are included?
We work with you through revisions until you approve the sample. The number of rounds depends on how specific your brief is and how much the product changes between versions.
Can you develop a vegan formula?
Yes. We prioritise vegan raw materials, and eligible products can carry The Vegan Society trademark.
Do you carry out stability testing?
Approved formulas are checked for stability and compatibility with the chosen packaging before scale-up. Sunscreen products also have their SPF values verified by laboratory SPF testing.
Can you improve or reformulate my existing product?
Yes. We can update a formula for a new active, a new market, a vegan version or better texture, and then manufacture it for you.
What is the minimum order after development?
MOQ is flexible and depends on the product, formula and packaging. We confirm it in your quote once the development brief is clear.
Start your product development
Send us your brief or product idea. Our chemists will review it and our team will come back with next steps and a tailored quote.
Request a Manufacturing Quote
Tell us the product type, estimated quantity, packaging preference and target market — our manufacturing team will get back to you.
- Phone / WhatsApp
- +90 531 835 49 89 · WhatsApp
- export@rowecosmetics.com
- Factory
- Rowe Kozmetik San. ve Tic. Ltd. Şti.
Gökevler Mh. Pasiad San. Sit. 563. Sk. No:3-5J, Esenyurt / İstanbul
ISO 22716 (GMP) · ISO 9001 · The Vegan Society · Halal