Eye Cream Manufacturer Australia

Epilab is an Australian eye cream manufacturer specialising in custom, science-led formulation for indie and established beauty brands. The eye contour is the most technically demanding area in skincare — thin skin, high sensitivity, and actives that have to perform without irritating — so it rewards real formulation expertise over an off-the-shelf base. We’ve formulated 700+ products and manufacture for 100+ brand partners from our GMP-aligned Melbourne facility, in operation since 2011.

Eye cream formulation at Epilab

Eye creams sit alongside serums as the most actives-dependent category we make — the difference is that the eye area magnifies both results and mistakes, so formulation discipline matters more here than almost anywhere else on the face.

Actives we formulate with. Peptides are the workhorse of modern eye care: acetyl hexapeptide-8 for expression-line softening, palmitoyl tripeptides for collagen support, and copper peptides for repair and firmness. For texture and wrinkle claims we work with encapsulated retinol and gentler alternatives like bakuchiol that suit the eye area’s low tolerance for irritation. Caffeine and its derivatives target puffiness and dark circles; niacinamide, alpha arbutin, kojic acid and vitamin C derivatives address pigmentation and under-eye brightness; and hyaluronic acid, ceramides and squalane build the hydration and barrier base that keeps the whole formula comfortable.

Formats and textures. We develop rich occlusive night creams, lightweight gel-creams for daytime and layering under makeup, fluid roller-applied serums, and cooling metal- or ceramic-tip applicator gels for de-puffing. Texture is a formulation decision, not an afterthought — an eye product has to absorb cleanly, sit under concealer without pilling, and never migrate into the eye.

The hard parts we solve. Preservation and fragrance are dialled down for eye-area sensitivity, and formulas are built to pass ophthalmological-tolerance expectations. Caffeine needs proper solubilisation to stay stable. Retinoids need the right concentration, stabiliser and opaque packaging to work without over-irritating. Brightening actives have to be paired with the assumption of daily SPF to actually deliver. Airless packaging protects sensitive actives from light and air across shelf life. We make these calls during development so your finished eye cream performs the way the label promises.

What we offer for eye cream brands

Custom formulation from brief — our core service. A unique eye cream developed from your brief: active selection, texture, fragrance and sourcing built around your positioning, and you own the finished formula. Typically $5,000–$9,000 per SKU, 8–16 weeks from approved brief to production-ready formula.

Ready-to-brand base options. If you want to validate the category faster, we can adapt a proven Epilab eye cream base with your fragrance, minor tweaks and packaging (from $1,000–$3,000 per SKU, 4–8 weeks).

Minimum order quantity. 500 units per SKU for standard airless pump, jar, dropper and roller formats. Specialty applicators (ceramic tips, chilling rollers) can affect MOQ.

Common eye cream formulation considerations

Eye-area skin is the thinnest and most sensitive on the face, which drives ingredient choice, preservation, and fragrance loading. Caffeine for puffiness needs specific solubilisation; retinol needs careful concentration and stabiliser selection; brightening for pigmentation needs actives that work alongside daily SPF. Epilab handles these during development.

A typical eye cream brief

A founder wants a peptide-and-caffeine de-puffing gel-cream in an airless metal-tip applicator, natural-leaning, under a $40 retail price. We translate that into an active panel that stays stable in that pack, a texture that de-puffs without stinging, and a 500-unit pilot that proves the product before scaling to 3,000+ units.

Realistic eye cream costs

A single-SKU eye cream boutique launch in Australia typically lands between $25,000 and $50,000 all-in — custom formulation ($5k–$9k), stability and (where needed) preservative-efficacy testing, packaging (usually 30–40% of the total), and a 500-unit pilot run. Eye care sits slightly above a basic cream because of specialty applicators and extra tolerance testing. Full line-by-line numbers are in our cost of cosmetic manufacturing guide.

Frequently asked eye cream manufacturing questions

What’s the minimum order quantity for an eye cream?

500 units per SKU for standard packaging; specialty applicators can shift it.

Can you formulate a retinol or peptide eye cream that won’t irritate the eye area?

Yes — encapsulated retinol, bakuchiol and peptide systems formulated at eye-appropriate concentrations, with dialled-down preservation and fragrance, built to pass tolerance testing.

Can you make a caffeine de-puffing product with a metal or ceramic applicator?

Yes — we solubilise caffeine for stability and fill into metal-tip and ceramic-applicator packaging (which can affect MOQ).

Do you offer fragrance-free or sensitive eye formulations?

Yes; fragrance-free and low-sensitiser formulas are standard for eye care.

Are eye creams made here Australian Made eligible?

Yes — formulated and manufactured at our Melbourne facility, meeting Australian Made & Owned criteria.

How long from brief to stock?

Custom: around 16–32 weeks (formula plus concurrent stability and production). A ready-to-brand base compresses to about 8–12 weeks.

Start an eye cream project

Email info@epilab.com.au with your eye cream brief: target volume, fragrance and ingredient preferences, packaging direction, timeline, and any specific compliance or claim requirements. We respond within one business day.

For the full skincare overview see our Skincare Manufacturer Australia page, our cost transparency guide, our sibling facial serum page, and Our Process.

Epilab. Australian eye cream manufacturer. Custom, science-led formulation in Melbourne since 2011.