Small-Batch skincare and body products brand

Online shoppers, visitors to craft fairs and farmers markets, and gift buyers who like handmade, niche products.

You sell products at a retail price well above the cost of ingredients and packaging, through your own website, Etsy-style marketplaces and local events. Gift sets and repeat customers help raise sales.

• Following recipes and measuring precisely
• Product photos and simple branding
• Record keeping for batches and ingredients

• FDA rules on cosmetic labeling, ingredients and safety substantiation; check whether facility registration and product listing apply to you, as small businesses may have some exemptions
• Cottage food laws usually do not cover cosmetics, so check with your state and county on any manufacturing license or home production limits
• Products with SPF, acne or other drug-like claims are regulated differently, so avoid medical claims
• Product liability insurance, plus HOA, lease or home occupation permit rules
• Keep batch records and ingredient lists in case of a customer complaint or recall

Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $6,000, depending on your product range, ingredients, packaging and equipment. Monthly revenue is typically around $500 to $2,500, depending on your sales channels and how much you make. These are estimates, not guarantees.

Check FDA rules on cosmetic labeling, ingredients and safety substantiation, including whether facility registration and product listing apply to you. Cottage food laws usually do not cover cosmetics, so ask your state and county about manufacturing licenses and home production limits. Avoid medical claims.

Estimates start at around 10 hours a week. Useful skills include following recipes and measuring precisely, taking product photos, simple branding, and keeping batch and ingredient records in case of a customer complaint or recall.