Imagine wanting a serum that feels light, absorbs quickly, and smells just right — but you’re not sure how to explain it to a lab. This is where a benchmark product comes in. At Nain Lab, we’ve found that having a reference product can completely simplify the custom skincare process.
When you start making your own skincare product — like a serum, cream, toner, or cleanser — there are so many things to consider: ingredients, texture, scent, absorption, and even packaging. With so many details, it can be confusing to know where to begin.
That’s why a benchmark product is so helpful. It’s a product you already like that shows the lab what you’re aiming for. Instead of describing everything in words, you can simply say, “I want something like this, but better.” This makes the process faster, smoother, and easier for everyone involved.
A benchmark product is simply a skincare product that already exists, which you use as a reference when creating your own.
It can be from another brand or even something you’ve made before. The idea is to show your formulation team what kind of result you’re looking for. For example.
With a benchmark product, the lab can see exactly:
• How the product feels on the skin
• How thick or light it is
• How fast it absorbs
• How it smells”
You’re not trying to copy that product exactly — and most of the time, that’s not even possible. Instead, it just helps give a clear direction. It’s like saying, “This is the kind of result I want.”
So instead of guessing, the lab has something real to look at, test, and understand. It helps them create a formula that matches your vision much more closely.
1. It Clearly Shows What You’re Looking For
This way, there’s less confusion, and the final product turns out much closer to what you have in mind.
When the lab has an actual product to look at and compare, things move much faster.
They can quickly understand things like:
• What kind of ingredients will help create a similar texture
• How to balance water-based and oil-based ingredients
• What the thickness, feel, and spread should be like
So instead of starting from zero, they already have a clear direction.
This means fewer back-and-forth changes, quicker samples, and overall a faster and smoother product development process.
Making a custom skincare product takes time, especially if you’re not completely sure what you want.
A benchmark product gives everyone a clear reference — so both you and the lab know what “success” should look like.
It also helps prevent surprises later. If you’ve only imagined the texture or feel in your mind, the first sample might not match what you expected. But with a benchmark product, expectations are clear, and your feedback becomes much more helpful and specific.
Then include your points:
You might describe your perfect product as “a lotion that glides on like silk.” This is a great idea, but it can mean different things to different people.
A benchmark product takes this creative idea and turns it into something tangible — something the lab can touch, test, and use to create a formula that matches (or even improves on) your vision.
You don’t have to pick a product from the same category or one that does exactly what your product will do. Some good options are:
• A product with the texture you love, even if the ingredients are different
• A product that has the kind of packaging you want
Many clients even bring multiple benchmarks — one for texture, another for ingredients, and a third for packaging ideas. The goal is to give the lab a clear picture of what “success” looks like for your custom formula.
A benchmark product is a helpful guide, but it’s important to know that the lab will not copy an existing product exactly. Formulas and intellectual property are protected — and they should be.
Instead, the benchmark is just a starting point. The lab will create a new, original formula that delivers similar results, texture, or effect, while making sure it’s safe, stable, and follows your brand’s values and all regulations.
At Nain Lab, we always ask our custom formulation clients to bring at least one benchmark product when they send us their initial brief.
Once we have it, we:
• Look closely at the product’s texture, feel, finish, and how it works
• Use it to guide which ingredients to choose and how to make samples
• Make sure your preferences are clearly shared with our lab team
• Help you decide which parts to copy and which parts to improve
This way, the process is smoother, and the final product matches your vision more closely.
Creating a custom skincare product doesn’t have to be stressful.
Using a benchmark product makes the process smoother and more precise. Ready to create your own custom skincare formula? Bring your benchmark, share your vision, and let Nain Lab help turn it into reality
Ready-Made Formulation Assistance
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©2023 Nainlab | All Rights Reserved | Web Design Service by Aarav Infotech
Discover the future of cosmetics with Nainlab.
©2023 Nainlab | All Rights Reserved | Web Design Service by Aarav Infotech
