Epilab is an Australian contract manufacturer of face serums and high-active treatment skincare. We formulate, manufacture, fill, and pack serums of every kind — from everyday hydrating serums through to clinical-grade vitamin C, retinol, niacinamide, and peptide treatments — from our GMP-aligned facility in Cheltenham, Melbourne. Serums are one of the highest-margin skincare categories. We help brand owners launch them properly.

The serum types we formulate

Vitamin C serums (L-ascorbic acid, ethyl ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbyl phosphate, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate), retinol and retinoid serums (retinol, retinaldehyde, granactive retinoid, bakuchiol), niacinamide and B-complex serums, peptide serums (matrixyl, copper peptides, signal peptides), hyaluronic acid serums (low-, mid-, and high-molecular-weight blends), AHA/BHA exfoliating serums, plant-derived growth factor serums, brightening and pigmentation-targeted serums, and bespoke active-blend formulations developed to your brief.

Why serums need specialist formulation

Serums concentrate active ingredients at higher levels than most skincare — which makes them powerful, but also more challenging to keep stable. Vitamin C oxidises, retinol degrades on light exposure, peptides are pH-sensitive, hyaluronic acid molecular weights change feel and efficacy. Getting a serum right takes proper formulation work, stability testing, and packaging compatibility checks. We have done it many times.

Premium positioning and price points

Serums sit at the premium end of most brand portfolios. They typically command 2-3x the price-per-millilitre of basic moisturisers and are often the hero product in a skincare line. We formulate to that positioning — high-quality actives at meaningful concentrations, elegant textures, packaging compatible with premium retail (glass, dropper, pump). Our team will help you brief the right formulation for the price point you want to hit.

GMP-aligned manufacturing for high-actives

High-active products demand rigorous formulation, stability work, and quality control — actives are challenging to keep stable, and consumer trust depends on the product still working at month six on a retailer’s shelf. Epilab manufactures to Good Manufacturing Practice standards aligned with ISO 22716 cosmetic GMP, with documented stability testing, microbial safety, and packaging compatibility checks for every formulation.

Concept to launch in 3-6 months

A typical face serum project moves from initial brief to first production run in 3 to 6 months. Custom-formulated serums with novel active blends take longer than private-label or established formulations. MOQs for serum-category products typically start at 1,000 units per SKU because of the multi-active formulation complexity.

Talk to us about a serum project

Browse our services, six-step process, pricing, related private label skincare and clinic-grade skincare capabilities, common questions in our FAQ, or contact us for a tailored quote.