How Healthcare Providers Can Expand Their Treatment Offerings With Custom Cosmetic Products
Healthcare providers, medical practices, aesthetic clinics, and med spas can expand their offerings by developing custom cosmetic products that complement their existing services.
Custom cosmetic products can help practices provide a more personalized patient experience, extend their brand beyond the treatment room, and create an additional retail revenue opportunity.
What Are Custom Cosmetic Products for Healthcare Providers?
Custom cosmetic products are professionally formulated skincare, haircare, or personal care products developed specifically for a healthcare practice or brand.
Products may include:
Facial cleansers and moisturizers
Serums and creams
Post-procedure skincare
Body care products
Hair and scalp products
Professional-use topical products
The product's intended use, claims, labeling, and ingredients determine which regulatory requirements apply.
How Can Custom Products Benefit a Healthcare Practice?
Create a Personalized Patient Experience
Custom products allow providers to offer products that align with their treatment philosophy and the needs of their patient population. A practice can develop a product specifically intended to complement an existing skincare or aesthetic routine.
Extend the Patient Experience Beyond the Office
Products used at home can keep patients connected with a practice between appointments. When clinically and legally appropriate, providers can incorporate cosmetic products into their broader recommendations for at-home care.
Strengthen the Practice's Brand
Custom formulation allows a practice to create products under its own brand rather than relying entirely on third-party products. Custom packaging, product positioning, and formulation can help create a consistent brand experience.
Create an Additional Revenue Stream
Retail products can provide an additional revenue opportunity for practices that are appropriately structured to sell them. Many businesses start with one or two products that complement their most popular services and expand their product line based on customer demand.
Custom Formulation vs. Private Label
Private-label products use an existing formula that is packaged and branded for a specific business.
Custom formulation involves developing a formula around the client's specific goals, such as desired ingredients, texture, product performance, or target customer.
For healthcare providers with a specific product concept, custom formulation can provide greater control over the final product.
What Should Providers Consider Before Developing a Product?
Before starting a custom cosmetic project, providers should consider:
What patient or customer need will the product address?
How will the product complement existing services?
Is the product a cosmetic or could its intended claims make it subject to drug requirements?
What claims will be made on the label and website?
What testing and documentation will be appropriate?
How will the product be manufactured and labeled?
In the United States, cosmetic products must comply with applicable FDA requirements. Claims that a product treats or prevents disease or affects the structure or function of the body can cause a product to fall under drug regulations rather than cosmetics regulations.
Providers should also ensure that any prescribing, dispensing, or product recommendations comply with their professional scope of practice and applicable state and federal requirements.
How to Get Started With Custom Cosmetic Formulation
The best place to start is with the product concept. Define the intended use, target customer, desired ingredients or product characteristics, packaging, and business goals.
A professional cosmetic formulation and manufacturing partner can then help determine the appropriate development process, formulation, testing, packaging, labeling, and manufacturing requirements.
At Compounding Cosmetics, we help businesses develop and manufacture custom cosmetic products from concept through finished product. Our team works with clients throughout the formulation, development, testing, and manufacturing process.
If you are a healthcare provider interested in developing a custom cosmetic product for your practice, let's discuss your product concept and development options.
This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, medical, or regulatory advice.
