Formulation development
Bench work, priced by complexity
A flat base fee by product type, a flat fee per variant once a base formula exists, and an optional monthly retainer if you are actively scaling a line.
1. Base fee
Complexity bands
| Band | Example products | Base fee | Add |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple | Body oil, lip balm, single-phase serum | $800 to $1,200 | |
| Standard | Lotion/cream (O/W or W/O emulsion), cleanser | $1,500 to $2,200 | |
| Complex | Multi-phase emulsion, active-heavy serum, SPF, foaming formats | $2,500 to $4,000 |
One base formula through a working prototype: bench trials, INCI-compliant formula sheet, one round of sensory refinement.
2. Variants
Priced per variant, not per reformulation
| Variant | Fee, each | Add |
|---|---|---|
| Simple variant (fragrance/color change only) | $150 to $250 | |
| Formula variant (actives swap, viscosity/texture change) | $350 to $600 |
Quantity on your request is the number of variants you want.
3. Retainer
A formulator on call
| Tier | Scope | Monthly | Add |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maintenance | Minor tweaks, batch troubleshooting, supplier substitution support, up to ~5 hrs/mo | $600 to $900 | |
| Growth | Above + 1 new variant or line extension per quarter, priority turnaround | $1,200 to $1,800 |
Retainer clients get a discount on testing and regulatory work. That needs accounts, so it arrives after launch.
Request a project
Tell us what you are making
If you would rather describe the project before picking a band, send it here instead. No request list needed.