Hair Serum Manufacturer Australia
Australian hair serum manufacturer. Anti-frizz, heat-protect, shine and bond-care leave-in serums made in Melbourne.
Epilab is an Australian hair serum manufacturer specialising in custom, science-led formulation for indie and established hair care brands. Hair serum is the finishing and treatment layer — smoothing, frizz control, heat protection, shine or scalp support — and it can be silicone-based, oil-based or water-based depending on the claim you want to own. We’ve formulated 700+ products and manufacture for 100+ brand partners from our GMP-aligned Melbourne facility, in operation since 2011.
Hair serum formulation at Epilab
Unlike a simple hair oil, a serum is defined by its job: a smoothing serum, a heat protectant, a bond-repair leave-in and a scalp-growth serum are four different formulas built on different chemistries. Picking the right base is the first and most important decision.
Systems and ingredients we formulate with. For smoothing and shine we use silicone blends (dimethicone, cyclopentasiloxane, amodimethicone) or silicone-free film-formers for clean positioning. Water-based leave-in serums carry hair and scalp actives — hydrolysed proteins, panthenol, biotin, bond-building and repair systems, and caffeine or peptides for scalp and thinning ranges. Heat-protectant polymers deliver protection claims to around 220–230 °C, supported by humectants and lightweight conditioning agents.
Formats and textures. Lightweight anti-frizz and smoothing serums, heat-protection serums, bond-repair leave-ins, curl-defining serums, and scalp/growth serums — filled into pump bottles and droppers for controlled dosing. We tune the base (silicone, oil or water) and weight to the exact claim and hair type.
The hard parts we solve. A serum has to perform without weight or build-up, so the finish is engineered carefully. Heat-protection claims need the right film-forming system. Silicone-free smoothing is harder and we formulate for it on request. Water-based leave-in serums need a proper preservation system, and scalp actives need to be delivered at effective, well-tolerated levels. We handle each of these during development.
What we offer for hair serum brands
Custom formulation from brief — our core service. A unique hair serum developed from your brief: base system, actives, finish and fragrance 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 serum 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 pumps and droppers, scaling into larger runs once the base is proven.
Common hair serum formulation considerations
The base decision — silicone, oil or water — flows from the claim, and each behaves differently for weight, preservation and performance. Heat-protection claims should be substantiated. Water-based leave-ins need preservation; anhydrous serums need oxidation control. Scalp serums and lengths serums are distinct products. Epilab manages these during development.
A typical hair serum brief
A founder wants a lightweight heat-protectant smoothing serum offering protection to around 220 °C with visible frizz control, in a 100 ml pump retailing under $35. We translate that into a film-forming silicone or silicone-free system, a weightless finish, and a 500-unit pilot that proves the smoothing and protection before scaling.
Realistic hair serum costs
A single-SKU hair serum boutique launch in Australia typically lands between $25,000 and $50,000 all-in — custom formulation ($5k–$9k), stability and (for water-based serums) preservative-efficacy testing, packaging (usually 30–40% of the total), and a 500-unit pilot run. Active-heavy repair and scalp serums sit at the higher end. Full line-by-line numbers are in our cost of cosmetic manufacturing guide.
Frequently asked hair serum manufacturing questions
What’s the minimum order quantity for a hair serum?
500 units per SKU in pumps and droppers.
Can you make a heat-protectant serum?
Yes — film-forming systems that support heat-protection claims to around 220–230 °C are available.
Can you make a silicone-free hair serum?
Yes — silicone-free smoothing and shine systems are available for clean positioning.
Can you make water-based leave-in serums with actives?
Yes — water-based leave-ins with proteins, bond-repair and scalp actives (caffeine, peptides) are all available, with appropriate preservation.
Can you make scalp or growth-support serums?
Yes — scalp and growth-support serums with targeted actives are a common brief.
Are hair serums made here Australian Made eligible?
Yes — formulated and manufactured at our Melbourne facility, meeting Australian Made & Owned criteria.
Start a hair serum project
Email info@epilab.com.au with your hair serum brief: the claim and base you want, target volume, fragrance and ingredient preferences, packaging direction, timeline, and any specific compliance 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 mask page, and Our Process.
Epilab. Australian hair serum 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.