Article: How is skincare made?
How is skincare made?
How Dermatologist-Approved Skincare is Made
Riddle me this: would many skincare brands tell you how they create their products? Probs not. At Yours Only we’re all about transparency, like that friend who admits you’ve got spinach in your teeth.
While most brands rely on white-labeled skincare (AKA: grab a formula off the shelf, slap on a logo, and call it a day), I decided to play in the big leagues and create custom skincare formulas that are dermatologist approved for sensitive skin. Five core products, each with less than 15-ish ingredients in them (some have only eight).
Because before us, products on the market for sensitive skin still had common allergens and fragrances in them.
It was a two year process to get The Yours Only 8-in-1 CLEAN Cleanser and Yours Only COAT Moisturiser down pat as skincare for eczema-prone skin.
Tim, a dermatitis warrior that loves Yours Only CLEAN Cleanser and Yours Only COAT Moisturiser. PSSST: You can get them in a secret bundle on our site – the Daily Pair Bundle.
1. Creative Direction
Every brand that makes an impact starts with a strong ‘why’, and not a ‘oh, this could be cool’. In a market brimming with thousands of brands, some backed by investors and celebs, ask yourself:
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Is there a unique gap to fill?
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How do I stand out in a saturated industry?
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What ingredients truly make a difference?
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And is there demand for what I’m making?
This isn’t a quick Google search situation. Save that for checking your fave celebs’ star sign.
2. Finding a chemist / formulator
Imagine speed dating, but with science. Finding your manufacturers is such a personal process, and so many chemists turned us away because of our huge ‘no’ list. Our products couldn’t include:
• salicylates
• gluten
• nuts
• soy
• fragrance
• parabens
• triclosan
• mineral oils
• petrolatum
• sulfates
• colourants
• animal-derived products.
Eventually, we found someone who’s dealt with the same intolerances as me, and understood me. They have over 40 years experience in the space and really understood how removing common irritants would leave some customers with results like the below.
Emma, who’s obsessed with Yours Only COAT Moisturiser.
3. Research
Ever tried to read the back of a skincare bottle? The list of ingredients is usually LONG.This is where months of research came in, to create small ingredient listings that nourished the skin (tenfold). Having the right team here is soooo important.
You can see our full ingredient list here.
4. Samples
Once our chemist concocts the initial formulation, it’s time for samples. We rigorously test each batch. Feeling the texture, the efficacy, and making sure it meets our high standards. If it doesn’t work, we start again.
We also get our community to test these, which you can see below. 
Brooke, our community member who helped us create the Yours Only scalp, body and hair MASK for flaky scalps.
5. Testing
Everyone likes the sample? Woo. It’s time for the hard (er) sh*t.
• Stability testing: Does it withstand time, heat, everyday dramas?
• Vegan Australia testing: Is it vegan and cruelty free?
• Dermatologist testing: We subject our formulations to RIPT (Repeat Insult Patch Testing) at certified facilities, ensuring everyone can use it — even the most sensitive humans.
Science-backed, dermatologist tested + approved skincare for eczema prone skin is KEY.
This process takes months, but we wouldn’t compromise on it, ever. 
6. Packaging
The brief: cute, memorable and easy to use.
While all the formulation is happening, we work with packaging suppliers to make sure the product is functional AND fun. We need to make sure we use sustainable skincare packaging too.
This process includes:
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Getting a shape down pat
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Lots of packaging mock-ups with our designer
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Organising boxes and barcodes
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Receiving lots of samples until we love it
7. Production lines
Once your product and packaging is perf, it’s getting them on a production run that truly tests you. Timing is everything: our packaging, formulation, and production schedules all have to line up.
8. Transfer to warehouse
FINALLY. After months (or years) of research, emails, testing, and hopefully minimal mental breakdowns, the products make their way to the warehouse.
Then we can bring it to market (!!!!!)
Not sure where to start, but wanna get in on the fun?
The Yours Only Starter Bundle is everyone’s fave.
Three products to cleanse, moisturise, and look after areas that need more TLC.
For a tailored recommendation — send us a message! Or go for our skin quiz, here.
