How To Start A Skincare Line In South Africa

Skincare is the range of practices that support skin integrity, enhance its appearance, and relieve skin conditions.

Practices that enhance appearance include the use of cosmetics, botulinum, exfoliation, fillers, laser resurfacing, microdermabrasion, peels, retinol therapy, and ultrasonic skin treatment.

Below is How To Start A Skincare Line In South Africa

Learn Everything About Skincare Before You Start Your Line

We’re not saying that you necessarily have to be a dermatologist to start your own skincare line, but we do expect you to be knowledgeable about skin in general, your products, and who and how they can help. You’ll need to focus on the types of products you’ll want to make (we’ll hit this point a little harder later), skincare in a nutshell, and the types of skin that could benefit from your product.

If possible, take a few courses about skincare, read every book you can get your hands on, work with a professional, find a mentor, do tons of online research—no matter what you do, ensure that you’re seeking out as much knowledge as possible before you start developing a skincare line.  

Here’s an additional pro tip you’ll want to keep in your pocket: keep learning, always! Learning is a never-ending process, no matter what industry you’re in. The skincare world is a constantly evolving space—with new advances in technology and science, we’re never going to hit a point in skincare where we can just stop putting effort into learning. Never give up on staying in the loop.

Create Products That Solve Problems

You can develop an entire line of skincare that works wonders for people, but if you’re just starting out, sometimes it can help to position yourself with a single, hero product.

The hero product is your main claim-to-fame. Maybe it’s an anti-aging cream, maybe it’s a blemish solution, or maybe it’s a product that gives skin a healthy, moisturized glow. Whatever it might be, focus on that hero product before you get going with your entire line. Make sure that you’re creating a product that’s in demand, works effectively, and changes lives—it also doesn’t hurt if you’re creating a product that has potential for high-profit margin, too.

This is where learning all you can about skincare and the ingredients of your products can come in handy. The more you know, the better a product you can create, and the more you understand how to create products that solve the problems that people are dealing with, the more successful your business will be.

Pick a Kick-Ass Name

What’s a good skincare line without a great name? We’re not saying that the name is everything, but we’d be foolish to say that a great name doesn’t help. People love well-named products, they love great brands, and they love fantastic marketing—it only makes sense that a mindfully crafted name for your products, your line, and your business would be beneficial for you.

Once you have a few name ideas in your hat, it’s time for the most important part of the naming process—making sure they’re available. Do not—we repeat—do not skip this step. The worst possible thing that could happen for your skincare line is that you pick a great name, put a ton of money and effort into that line, get your marketing on lock, and then realize that you’re not legally able to use that name. It’s a nightmare.

There are a few ways you can go about this. First things first, do a simple Google search and check domain names. That should give you a good indication if there are companies out there who already exist with “your” name. Then, check out the United States Patent and Trademark Office, too—that can help indicate whether you’re able to use a specific name for your product, line of products, or brand. (We don’t recommend skipping this step!)

Start Manufacturing Efficiently

Whether you’re planning on working with a manufacturer or you want to find a way to manufacture your skincare line yourself, one thing matters above all else—efficiency. Notice how we didn’t say affordability. Sure, it’s probably important to stay within a budget, but when it comes to running a premium skincare line, it’s always better to make sure you’re working with a quality manufacturer—not just the cheapest option.

If you’re selecting a manufacturer for your skincare line or products, make sure to keep a few important things in mind, like:

Expertise and professionalism

Location of their warehouse and factory

Customers service and response time

Get All Your Legalities Out of the Way

Make sure, before you start, that you have all the licenses you need to run a business, create a skincare line, and more. If you need permits, get them. If you need to file for product liability insurance, do that, too.

We suggest checking in with a local business attorney to help make sure you’ve squared away on all fronts. The last thing you want to do is to start a booming business only to be shut down because you (unknowingly) didn’t follow the rules.

Build a Brand, Not Just a Business

When it comes to creating a skincare line (or truly, any product) it’s vital to remember that you’re not just starting a business, you’re creating a brand. Your skincare line should have a story, your business should have a cohesive narrative—people want to feel like they know your brand, what it stands for, and the building blocks that have crafted it. Don’t just start a business and slap a name on it, take the time to develop a brand theme, a narrative, and a strong foundation for your business to stand on.

Don’t Forget to Market Your Line

Once you’ve got your skincare line all worked out, you’re legally up and running, and you’ve crafted a beautiful brand, it’s vital that you market your products! Don’t skimp out on some of the very basics—set up a website, get social media pages up and running (never underestimate the power of digital marketing tactics), and consider email campaigns.

It can also be helpful to market in grassroots ways, like sell wholesale to local health stores, spas, and salons, or, host at-home skincare products to encourage word-of-mouth sales, too!

Want to know more about how to craft a quality skincare line? Looking for tips, tricks, and insights to running a skincare business? Simply looking for inspiration to help grow your skincare line to its fullest potential? Good, because if so, you’re in the right place. Check out Spa De Soleil’s regularly updated blog here for all the skincare know-how you’re looking for!

Do you need a license to sell cosmetics in South Africa?

The South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) together with the CTFA (SA) and industry has developed a range of standards. Cosmetic products are not subject to registration. There is an in-market control system rather than a pre-market control system.

How big is the beauty industry in South Africa?

The sales value of the beauty and personal care market in South Africa amounted to an estimated 3.5 billion U.S. dollars in 2018. The South African beauty market was forecast to have a value of about 6.16 billion U.S. dollars in 2024.