Small batch cosmetic manufacturing in the UK
Flexible Low MOQ Manufacturing for Start-ups, Indie Brands and New Product LaunchesWe manufacture cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and toiletries in small batches — with minimum order quantity of 1000 units designed to work for brands at every stage. ISO 9001:2015 and GMP certified, with the same quality standards applied to every run regardless of size.
Why small batch cosmetic manufacturing matters
Starting with a smaller production run reduces financial risk, lets you test the market before committing to volume, and means you can iterate quickly on formula, packaging, or positioning without being stuck with excess stock.
At Star Colour Laboratories, small batch doesn’t mean second-class. Every product we manufacture — whether it’s 200 units or 20,000 — goes through the same formulation process, the same QC checks, and the same regulatory compliance review. The only thing that changes is the quantity.
We work with first-time founders launching their debut product, established brands adding a new SKU, salon owners launching their own-label range, and retailers testing a private label concept. If your launch requires flexibility and quality, we’re the right fit.
Two ways to develop your small batch products
We offer two routes into production. Both result in a fully compliant, market-ready product.
Your product from scratch.
Your product from scratch
You brief us on what you want to make — product type, format, claims, fragrance, actives, and target audience. Our in-house formulation team develops it from the ground up, creates a sample for your approval, then moves into production once you’re happy. Ideal for brands building something genuinely new.
Faster to market.
Off-the-Shelf Base Formula
Choose from our library of pre-tested base formulas and customise scent, actives, packaging, or claims. Lower development cost, faster timelines, and still entirely yours — your brand, your name, your product. A practical option for first launches or range extensions where speed to market matters.
Small batch products we manufacture
The following categories are available in small batch runs. If what you need isn’t listed, contact us — this isn’t exhaustive.
Skincare
We formulate and manufacture skincare in small quantities — from a first serum launch to a full day-and-night range. Natural, vegan, and SPF formulations available.
Face Care
- Day creams
- Night creams
- Serums
- Eye creams and serums
- Cleansing balms
- Face masks
- SPF moisturisers
- Toners and micellar water
Body & Specialist
- Body lotions and body butters
- Hand creams
- Tanning and bronzing creams
- Mother and baby skincare
Colour Cosmetics
From bold lip products to full-coverage foundation — small batch colour cosmetics for indie brands and new launches.
Products include
- Lipsticks
- Lip glosses
- Lip balms
- Mascaras
- Liquid eyeliners
- Foundations
- BB and CC creams
- Concealers
- Primers
- Pressed and loose powders
- Bronzers and contour products
Body & Specialist
- Body lotions and body butters
- Hand creams
- Tanning and bronzing creams
- Mother and baby skincare
Bath, Body & Spa
Everyday ranges, gift sets, or wellness-focused collections — manufactured in the quantities that suit your launch.
Body Care
- Body lotions
- Body butters
- Body washes
- Hand washes and hand creams
- Body scrubs
Bath & Spa
- Shower gels
- Bath foams and soaks
- Liquid soaps
- Spa treatment products
Haircare
Sulphate-free, vegan, and natural formulations available. Suitable for salon own-label ranges and DTC haircare brands.
Products include
- Shampoos
- Conditioners
- Hair masks
- Hair styling products
- Heat protection products
- Dry shampoo
Men’s Grooming
A fast-growing category well suited to small batch launches. Vegan and natural options available.
Products include
- Shave creams, foams and gels
- Post-shave balms
- Face wash
- Moisturisers
- Hair styling products
Fragrances
Fragrance blending, filling, and pack-off in small runs. All ingredients IFRA-compliant, blended and filled in our UK facility.
Available formats
- Eau de Parfum (EDP)
- Eau de Toilette (EDT)
- Body sprays
- Solid scents
This Is Not Everything We Can Make
This is not an exhaustive list of the products we can manufacture in small batches. If you have something in mind, contact us — we can most likely make it, and we’re happy to talk through options before you commit to anything.
What’s the minimum order quantity?
Our minimum order quantity is 1,000 units for most product types. This applies across skincare, haircare, colour cosmetics, bath and body, and men’s grooming — though the exact figure can vary depending on format, packaging, and formulation complexity.
For start-ups and first-time brands, 1,000 units is a practical entry point — large enough to supply an initial launch across your sales channels, small enough to test the market before committing to volume. As your brand grows, scaling up is a straightforward conversation rather than starting from scratch.
Get in touch with a brief and we’ll confirm the MOQ for your specific product along with a guide to production costs.
How it works
1 Brief us
Tell us what you want to make. A rough idea is fine — we ask the right questions to build it out into a proper brief.
2 Formulation
Our team develops the formula, sources ingredients, and prepares a sample for your review. For off-the-shelf base routes, this step is significantly faster.
3 Sample approval
You review and approve the sample. We iterate if needed. Nothing moves to production until you’re happy.
4 Manufacturing
We manufacture your approved batch at our facility in Linton, Cambridgeshire, to ISO 9001:2015 and GMP standards.
5 Pack-off and delivery
Products are filled, labelled (if applicable), packed, and dispatched to you.
What is your minimum order quantity?
Typically the MOQ is 1000 for most orders.
I'm a start-up with no manufacturing experience — can you still work with me?
Yes. We’ve helped many first-time brands through the full process, from brief to finished product. We’ll guide you through formulation, sampling, regulatory requirements, and production.
Can I scale up easily after a first run?
Yes. The formulas and documentation we use for your small batch are the same ones used for larger production runs. Scaling up is a straightforward conversation rather than starting from scratch.
Do you offer vegan and natural formulations in small batches?
Yes. Vegan, natural, and organic formulations are available across skincare, haircare, colour cosmetics, and bath and body — in the same small batch quantities as standard formulations.
Get In Touch!
Great projects start with great relationships. Fill out the form and a member of our team will get back to you within 2 working days.