Hair Oil Manufacturer Australia
Australian hair oil manufacturer. Lightweight finishing oils, treatment oils, scalp oils and overnight masks made in Melbourne.
Epilab is an Australian hair oil manufacturer specialising in custom, science-led formulation for indie and established hair care brands. Hair oils run the full range from weightless anti-frizz shine drops to rich pre-wash and scalp treatments — and the weight and finish you choose is the positioning. We’ve formulated 700+ products and manufacture for 100+ brand partners from our GMP-aligned Melbourne facility, in operation since 2011.
Hair oil formulation at Epilab
Hair oil is an anhydrous product, so like a body oil it needs no emulsion and little preservation — but hair is unforgiving of weight, and the wrong blend turns “nourishing” into “greasy” in one application.
Ingredients we formulate with. We blend lightweight, hair-friendly oils (argan, jojoba, camellia, grapeseed) with fast-absorbing dry esters to control weight, and add penetrating oils like coconut for pre-wash treatments. Slip and frizz control can be delivered with silicones (dimethicone, cyclopentasiloxane) or through silicone-free systems for clean positioning. Scalp ranges can carry actives such as rosemary and caffeine, and vitamin E and antioxidants protect shelf life.
Formats and textures. Lightweight finishing and anti-frizz oils, richer nourishing and pre-wash oils, scalp and growth-support oils, and high-shine serums — filled into glass dropper bottles and pumps that let customers dispense just a few drops. We tune the blend so the finish matches the hair type and daily-use promise.
The hard parts we solve. The balance is weightlessness versus nourishment — fine hair shows grease immediately, so a daily oil has to sink in and disappear. We manage oxidation and shelf life through oil selection and antioxidants, engineer silicone-free slip when the brief needs it, formulate scalp actives at effective levels, and match viscosity to a dropper or pump for controlled dosing.
What we offer for hair oil brands
Custom formulation from brief — our core service. A unique hair oil developed from your brief: oil blend, finish, actives, 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. To validate the category faster, we can adapt a proven Epilab hair oil 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 in glass dropper bottles and pumps. Anhydrous oils are simple to scale once the blend is locked.
Common hair oil formulation considerations
Weight is everything: fine hair needs a dry, weightless oil while thick or curly hair can carry a richer blend. Anhydrous formulas skip water-based preservation but demand oxidation control. Scalp oils and lengths-and-ends oils are different products. Dispensing control (a few drops, not a pour) matters for the pack. Epilab manages these during development.
A typical hair oil brief
A founder wants a lightweight, silicone-free anti-frizz shine oil built on argan for daily use on fine-to-medium hair, in a 50 ml glass dropper retailing under $35, that adds shine without greasiness. We translate that into a dry-finish oil-and-ester blend, an antioxidant system for shelf life, and a 500-unit pilot that proves the weightless feel before scaling.
Realistic hair oil costs
A single-SKU hair oil boutique launch in Australia typically lands between $25,000 and $50,000 all-in — custom formulation ($5k–$9k), stability testing, packaging (usually 30–40% of the total, higher with premium glass), and a 500-unit pilot run. Anhydrous oils avoid the preservative-efficacy testing water-based products need, but premium oils and glass droppers add to ingredient and pack cost. Full line-by-line numbers are in our cost of cosmetic manufacturing guide.
Frequently asked hair oil manufacturing questions
What’s the minimum order quantity for a hair oil?
500 units per SKU in glass droppers and pumps.
Can you make a lightweight, non-greasy daily hair oil?
Yes — a dry, weightless finish for fine-to-medium hair is the most common brief and the blend is built around it.
Can you formulate silicone-free hair oils?
Yes — silicone-free shine and slip systems are available for clean positioning.
Can you make scalp oils with actives?
Yes — scalp and growth-support oils with actives such as rosemary and caffeine are available.
Do hair oils need a preservative?
Anhydrous oils don’t need a water-based preservative system, but they do need an antioxidant system and suitable packaging to protect shelf life.
Are hair oils made here Australian Made eligible?
Yes — formulated and manufactured at our Melbourne facility, meeting Australian Made & Owned criteria.
Start a hair oil project
Email info@epilab.com.au with your hair oil brief: desired weight and finish, 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 hair care overview see our Haircare Manufacturer Australia page, our cost transparency guide, our sibling hair serum page, and Our Process.
Epilab. Australian hair oil manufacturer. Custom, science-led formulation in Melbourne since 2011.
Let's create something exceptional together.
Email us with your category, target volume, and timeline. We respond to every enquiry within one business day.