Having worked in the global beauty supply chain for 5 years, I’ve been frequently asked by clients from overseas DTC brands and salon & professional skincare lines: “How do I find a facial serum factory that can compete in the local market?” To be honest, finding a reliable manufacturer isn’t just about looking for those with large-scale facilities. The key lies in their ability to accurately grasp the needs of different regions and provide solid cross-border services. For instance, European clients are strict about organic certifications, the North American market places great emphasis on compliance for sensitive skin products, and Asian consumers care a lot about skin feel. Over the past few years, I’ve traveled around the world—from London to Seoul—and conducted on-site inspections of more than 20 factories. Today, I’d like to share 6 facial serum manufacturers that specialize in overseas business; all of them are “hidden gem” factories proven through actual order performance!
I. When Choosing Facial Serum Manufacturers for Overseas Markets, These “Cross-Border Advantages” Are the Most Critical
Many overseas brands are hesitant about whether to choose non-local facial serum manufacturers that specialize in cross-border services. In fact, these manufacturers stand out for three core values:
1. “Seamless connection” in cross-regional compliance
For instance, regarding certifications such as the EU’s ECOCERT organic certification and the US FDA’s GMP registration, professional cross-border facial serum manufacturers will pre-prepare a complete set of documents. This eliminates the need to repeatedly supplement materials, a common issue when collaborating with small local-only factories. Last year, when I helped a Berlin-based DTC brand connect with a Sino-German joint venture factory, the latter submitted the UKCA certification and MHRA ingredient test report within 3 days—saving nearly 2 weeks compared to working with a small European-only factory.
2. “Dual adaptability” in formulations
Their formulas can not only cater to the climates of overseas markets (e.g., high moisture-locking properties for dry Northern Europe, oil-control functions for humid Southeast Asia) but also keep production costs under control. For example, Sino-German joint venture factories will adjust formulas for European skin types (such as reducing irritating ingredients) while leveraging the advantages of China’s supply chain to keep unit prices in a more competitive range—something that purely local factories rarely achieve.
3. “Global synergy” in logistics
These leading cross-border facial serum manufacturers have bonded warehouses in Europe and North America. Take this as an example: the production base in Guangzhou, China, is connected to the Port of Rotterdam, allowing goods destined for the EU to be delivered within 3 days. Additionally, there are bonded warehouses in Los Angeles specifically supporting North American DTC brands, enabling the service of “order placed on the same day, goods received the next day.”
Just last year, right before Black Friday, a client in Toronto suddenly needed a replenishment of 20,000 bottles of facial serum. Thanks to the pre-stocked inventory in the bonded warehouse, the stock was replenished in 10 days. If they had to source goods from a local factory on short notice, they would have completely missed this critical peak sales period.
II. On-Site Evaluation of 6 Facial Serum Manufacturers: Precise Matching Based on Overseas Market Needs
These 6 enterprises, which cover markets in Europe, America, Japan, South Korea and offer cross-border services, each have clear advantages in serving overseas markets. Overseas brands can choose based on their own positioning:
1.Cosmax：The “Capacity Leader” Among Global Cross-Border Brands
As a leading facial serum manufacturer that has served Estée Lauder and Lancôme, Cosmax’s core advantages lie in “global compliance + large-scale production”. Its R&D center at the Seoul headquarters has more than 500 formulators, capable of meeting the regulatory requirements of over 130 countries simultaneously. For example, serums exported to the Middle East will obtain halal certification, while those shipped to Australia will undergo additional sunscreen synergy tests.
Last year, when assisting a Dubai client in developing hyaluronic acid serum, Cosmax used its patented “liposome encapsulation technology” to reduce hyaluronic acid molecules to 1/3 the size of ordinary versions, increasing penetration by 40%. The serum feels non-greasy after application, making it particularly suitable for the hot climate in the Middle East. Its production capacity is also impressive: with a daily output of 300,000 bottles, a minimum order quantity (MOQ) of 5,000 bottles for the 50ml specification, and a unit price of $12-$18, it is well-suited for mid-to-high-end brands looking to distribute their products globally.
The most hassle-free aspect is its “cross-border service package”: from Chinese label design to the registration of China’s cosmetic product notification (CPN), there is a dedicated team to handle the process. Last year, it helped a client launch their serum on Tmall Global, and the entire process took only 28 days—twice as fast as the industry average.
2.DESIFINE: The “Flexible Cross-Border Partner” for Small and Medium-Sized European Brands
This Sino-German joint venture facial serum manufacturer based in Guangzhou may have its headquarters in China, but thanks to its German technical foundation and cross-border service experience, it has become extremely popular in Europe—earning a reputation as a “cost-saving expert” among many DTC brands and niche salon skincare lines! Notably, it holds the EU GMPC certification. What makes it so appealing to small and medium-sized clients? It’s the low entry threshold, plus its deep understanding of the “nuances” of the European market.
Previously, I helped a Manchester-based beauty influencer launch their personal brand. The influencer only dared to start with a trial production of 1,000 bottles of vitamin C serum. Not only did DESIFINE accept the order, but it also adjusted the formula with the support of its German R&D team—replacing pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) with the gentler VC-IP (ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate) to suit the generally thinner stratum corneum of Europeans. After launch, the rate of allergic reactions was less than 0.5%. Additionally, through its long-term logistics partners, the manufacturer connects Guangzhou Port to Rotterdam Port in Europe, and the shipping costs to France and Germany are 15% lower than those from purely UK-based factories—making it incredibly friendly for small brands.
3.Intercos: The “Innovation Benchmark” for Makeup-Series Serums
As a long-term facial serum manufacturing partner of Dior and Armani, Intercos excels at breaking the boundary between “skincare and makeup”. Its R&D center in Milan integrates the skin-feel technology of makeup products into serums, resulting in products that not only have the efficacy of skincare items but also the smooth texture of makeup products.
Last year, when assisting a Rome-based client in developing a “serum primer”, Intercos used its patented “microsphere suspension technology” to encapsulate moisturizing ingredients in colored microbeads. When applied to the skin, the product melts instantly and can also slightly even out skin tone. After being launched on Sephora, it quickly became a “best-selling out-of-stock item”. For the 30ml specification, the minimum order quantity (MOQ) is 1,000 bottles, with a unit price of $15-$22—making it particularly suitable for brands focusing on “functional makeup”.
In addition, its compliance team can handle certifications for niche markets such as the Middle East and Latin America. For example, it has helped clients develop serums that meet Saudi Arabia’s SASO standards, and even the packaging materials have passed local heat resistance tests—a capability rarely seen in other European factories.
4.OBAGI: The “Prescription-Grade Repair Expert” for the North American Sensitive Skin Market
Obagi, headquartered in Irvine, California, is widely recognized as a “savior for sensitive skin” in the North American cosmeceutical channel. As a facial serum manufacturer with 30 years of dermatological expertise, its core competitiveness lies in “clinically proven low-irritation formulas” and a production system strictly registered with the FDA.
When customizing post-procedure repair serums for a New York-based medical aesthetics clinic, its patented formula left a deep impression: 0.1% kinetin combined with 5% biosaccharide gum-1 can relieve redness and burning sensations after medical aesthetic treatments within 48 hours. This technology has also passed clinical tests at Harvard Medical School, with the allergy rate controlled below 0.03%. To meet the needs of the North American mother-and-baby market, Obagi replaces retinol with the gentler HPR derivative, making the product safe for breastfeeding mothers to use. Just 3 months after its launch on Target, it ranked among the top 3 bestsellers.
Its production capabilities are equally robust: the workshop has obtained ISO 22716 Cosmetic Good Manufacturing Practice certification, and each batch of products is accompanied by a detailed CPSR report. For the 30ml specification, the minimum order quantity (MOQ) is 2,000 bottles, with a unit price of $18-$25 and a production cycle of 18 days. Additionally, it can connect to the bonded warehouse in Los Angeles to achieve 3-day delivery within the U.S., significantly reducing the capital turnover pressure for clients operating DTC brands.
5.TOA: The “Skin-Feel Master” for the Asian Light Luxury Market
As the core facial serum manufacturer for Shiseido, Kao Japan’s understanding of Asian skin types can be described as “textbook-level”. Its Osaka laboratory houses a database of 100,000 Asian skin samples, and the serums it develops perfectly cater to the needs of Easterners—who “dislike greasiness and pursue quick absorption”.
When assisting a Tokyo-based client in developing a cherry blossom brightening serum, Kao Japan utilized its patented “nano-penetration technology” to process arbutin molecules into nano-sized particles. When applied to the face, the serum absorbs in just 10 seconds, completely free from the greasiness associated with traditional brightening serums. Moreover, it adjusts formulas according to seasons: the spring and summer version adds green tea extract for oil control, while the autumn and winter version incorporates squalane for moisturization. After being launched on Rakuten Market, its repurchase rate was 30% higher than that of ordinary serums.
For the 50ml specification, the minimum order quantity (MOQ) is 5,000 bottles, with a unit price of $10-$16 and a production cycle of 20 days. It also offers a full set of Japanese-style packaging design, and even the font of the instruction manual complies with Japan’s Pharmaceutical Affairs Law. Brands aiming to take the “Japanese light luxury” route should definitely consider it as a top priority.
6.CLR: The “Ingredient Leader” in the High-End Anti-Aging Market
This Berlin-based facial serum manufacturer is a global leader in “active ingredient R&D”. It holds over 200 patented technologies and partners with luxury skincare brands such as La Prairie and Helena Rubinstein. Its core advantage lies in “transforming laboratory research results into practical serums”.
During a visit to its laboratory, the most impressive part was the extraction process of “Bifida Ferment Lysate” — from strain selection to the completion of fermentation, the entire process is carried out in a sterile environment, and the active retention rate is 60% higher than the industry average. When developing an anti-aging serum for a Munich-based salon brand, it added 5% of its patented CLR ingredient. Customer feedback indicated that “fine lines could be seen fading after 28 days of use”, and the repurchase rate in high-end German beauty salons reached 45%.
For the 30ml specification, the minimum order quantity (MOQ) is 3,000 bottles, with a unit price of $25-$40 and a production cycle of 25 days. All products can be provided with EU ECOCERT organic certification and German dermatological test reports, making it suitable for high-end anti-aging salon brands. This level of technical strength is among the top tier of facial serum manufacturers worldwide.
III. When Looking for Facial Serum Manufacturers Serving Overseas Markets, Avoid These 4 “Cross-Border Pitfalls”
- Check “Cross-Border Production Capacity” Instead of “Local Scale”: Last year, I helped a client in Amsterdam connect with a purely European “OEM factory for major brands”. However, after signing the contract, it turned out that the factory had limited production capacity for cross-border orders, and the client’s order was delayed by 2 months before delivery. You must clarify the “exclusive production capacity for cross-border orders” of the manufacturer. For example, DESIFINE has a dedicated production line for European orders and promises to deliver within 15 days.
- Test Samples Based on the “Target Market”: Previously, I helped a client test a serum—it felt great on the skin when tested at a German factory, but became drying once it reached dry Sweden. The correct approach is to ask the facial serum manufacturer to adjust the formula according to the climate of the target market. For instance, serums shipped to Northern Europe should have 10% ceramide added, while those sent to Southeast Asia should have 5% occlusive oils reduced.
- Focus on “Local Compliance Implementation” Instead of “General Certifications”: Don’t just look at how many international certifications a factory holds; the key is whether it can provide “localized compliance documents” for the target market. For example, exporting to the US requires not only FDA registration but also a CPSR report. Obagi can help North American brands achieve dual compliance—both FDA factory registration and product efficacy claim review—and this is what truly qualifies as “compliance implementation on the ground”.
- Finalize the “Cross-Border Logistics” Plan in Advance: Different facial serum manufacturers vary significantly in their logistics coverage: Germany’s CLR is close to the Port of Hamburg, enabling delivery to Europe within 3 days; DESIFINE connects Guangzhou Port to the Port of Rotterdam and realizes “local delivery” through European bonded warehouses; Obagi relies on its production base in California to ensure logistics delivery within 3 days across North America. You must choose a facial serum manufacturer with mature cross-border logistics partnerships, as this can save a great deal of shipping costs and time.
IV. Comparison Table of Core Parameters for 6 Facial Serum Manufacturers
| Manufacturer Name | Core Advantages | Target Market | Minimum Order Quantity (bottles) |
| Korea Cosmax | Global Compliance, Liposome Technology | Global Cross-Border E-Commerce | 5000 |
| Sino-German Joint Venture DESIFINE (Guangzhou) | Flexible for Small and Medium Orders, European Logistics Connection | European DTC Brands, Niche Salons | 1000 |
| Intercos Italy | Makeup-Grade Serum, Compliance for Niche Markets | Functional Color Cosmetics Brand | 1000 |
| OBAGI USA | Prescription-Grade Repair, Low-Irritation Formula | North American Cosmeceuticals and Medical Aesthetics Channels | 2000 |
| Japan TOA | Nano-Penetration, Asian Skin Texture | Japanese-Style Light Luxury, Asian Cross-Border | 5000 |
| Germany CLR | Patented Active Ingredients, Anti-Aging Technology | High-End Professional Beauty Salons, Luxury Skincare Brands | 3000 |
Choosing a Facial Serum Manufacturer for Overseas Markets: The Core Is “Finding the Right Cross-Border Partner”
- Small and medium-sized European brands choose DESIFINE for its flexibility and cost-effectiveness;
- North American brands focusing on sensitive skin prioritize Obagi for its clinical-grade compliance;
- For high-end anti-aging needs, German CLR is selected for its advanced technology.
Remember to ensure that the manufacturer adjusts the formula according to the climate and skin types of the target market. For example, serums made for UK clients should include anti-pollution ingredients, while those for Japanese clients need to emphasize “alcohol-free” properties. These details directly determine market feedback.
Finally, a reminder: when signing the contract, clearly specify the raw material standards, such as “hyaluronic acid content not less than 1%” and “active retention rate of active ingredients ≥ 90%”. The more specific the terms, the less likely you are to encounter issues.
