By Jason Lim · Startup Beauty Founder & Contributor · Published 17 Apr 2026
The United Kingdom has one of Europe’s most mature private-label beauty industries, with manufacturers ranging from small-batch specialists that welcome new brands to large facilities producing at serious scale. British production carries a certain credibility in export markets, and it opens the door to the UK and, with the right paperwork, wider European sales. For a brand owner, the UK is a strong option when quality signalling and Western-market access matter.
This guide profiles nine established UK OEM/ODM manufacturers and closes with what a Malaysian brand should consider before sourcing from Britain.
Key takeaways
- The UK spans low-MOQ specialists to large-scale facilities, with strong regulatory rigour.
- MB Professional Beauty and Herrco are among the more accessible for newer brands.
- THG Labs and Sabel offer large-scale, full-service capacity.
- Several hold notable credentials — Orean is a certified B Corp; many hold ISO 22716.
- UK products need SCPN notification for the UK — and NPRA notification via Quest3+ to sell in Malaysia.
Why brands manufacture in the UK
The UK’s private-label sector is deep and well-regulated, operating under the UK Cosmetics Regulation with notification through the SCPN portal and oversight from the OPSS. That rigour, combined with a “Made in UK” signal, appeals to brands that want their quality story backed by a credible regulatory framework. Capabilities span colour cosmetics, skincare, hair, sun care and fragrance.
The trade-offs are cost and, post-Brexit, some added complexity for EU sales. UK manufacturing generally costs more than Asian production, so it suits brands whose positioning or target market justifies the premium rather than purely price-led launches.
How to choose a UK manufacturer
Match scale to your stage: low-MOQ specialists such as MB Professional Beauty and Herrco suit first launches, while THG Labs, Sabel and Cosmetics Lab handle larger volumes with in-house testing. Confirm ISO 22716 compliance and that the manufacturer supports Product Information Files and UK notification. Clarify MOQ and lead time — custom formulations here commonly run into several months.
1. Star Colour Laboratories
Cambridgeshire-based Star Colour Laboratories offers small-batch colour cosmetics, skincare and hair care, holds ISO 9001 and ISO 22716 certification, and takes a cruelty-free stance.
2. THG Labs
THG Labs in Frome, Somerset runs a large facility producing bespoke skincare, hair care, sun care and fragrance at scale, with an affiliated US site.
3. The Beauty of Edinburgh
Scotland’s The Beauty of Edinburgh brings over two decades of ingredient-sourcing experience, a Scottish natural-ingredient focus and in-house design support.
4. Sabel Cosmetics
Sabel Cosmetics of Halifax offers large-scale production across hair, skin, sun care and sanitiser, backed by three decades of experience.
5. Orean Personal Care
Orean is a B Corp-certified manufacturer of high-performance skincare and hair care with a strong sustainability focus.
6. Cosmetics Lab
Cosmetics Lab handles everything from formulation to filling with substantial daily capacity and in-house stability and safety testing.
7. Wormser UK
Manchester-based Wormser UK covers colour cosmetics, skincare, men’s grooming and fragrance, and owns the MUA Makeup Academy retail brand.
8. Herrco Cosmetics
Family-run Herrco Cosmetics (est. 1988) specialises in organic, vegan and waterless beauty, holds multiple certifications, and accepts low minimums — a good fit for values-led startups.
9. MB Professional Beauty
MB Professional Beauty offers low-MOQ entry (from around 500 units per SKU) with formulation, manufacturing, packaging and design — well suited to newer brands.
At a glance: comparing the nine
| Manufacturer | Base | Best known for | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Star Colour Labs | Cambridgeshire | Small-batch colour | Boutique brands |
| THG Labs | Somerset | Large-scale full service | High volume |
| Beauty of Edinburgh | Scotland | Scottish naturals | Natural ranges |
| Sabel | W. Yorkshire | Large-scale multi-category | Scaling brands |
| Orean | UK | Performance skincare (B Corp) | Sustainability-led |
| Cosmetics Lab | UK | Formulation to filling | In-house testing |
| Wormser UK | Manchester | Colour, grooming, fragrance | Broad ranges |
| Herrco | Suffolk | Organic/vegan, low MOQ | Values-led startups |
| MB Professional Beauty | London/Surrey | Low MOQ (~500/SKU) | New brands |
Sourcing from the UK as a Malaysian brand
The UK suits brands that value regulatory rigour and a credible Western manufacturing story, with genuine low-MOQ options for first launches. Expect higher costs than Asian production and factor in shipping and lead times — custom formulas here often take several months. Confirm certifications and capabilities directly before committing.
UK products are notified through the SCPN portal for the British market, but that does not cover Malaysia. To sell here, the product must be notified to the NPRA via Quest3+ with a local notification holder, and any halal claim must meet JAKIM standards. Verify current requirements directly with the authorities.
Frequently asked questions
Are there UK manufacturers that work with small brands?
Yes. Houses like MB Professional Beauty and Herrco accept low minimums, making UK manufacturing realistic for first or boutique launches.
Does UK SCPN notification help with Malaysia?
No — SCPN covers the UK market. For Malaysia you must separately notify the product to the NPRA via Quest3+ before selling it here.
How long do UK custom formulations take?
Custom development commonly runs several months from brief to finished product, so build that lead time into your launch plan.
Is NPRA notification required for UK-made cosmetics?
Yes. Any cosmetic sold in Malaysia must be notified to the NPRA via Quest3+ regardless of country of manufacture.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not regulatory, legal or business advice. Company details reflect publicly available information at the time of writing and may change; verify current certifications, capabilities and regulatory requirements directly with the manufacturer and relevant authorities before making sourcing decisions.
About the author
Jason Lim is a startup beauty founder who writes about product development, sourcing and the practical realities of launching a brand.
