Top 12 Third-Party Skincare Manufacturers in India (2026)

BlogIshaan VardhanOct 25, 202615 min read

If you are launching a D2C skincare brand in India, you will almost certainly start with a third-party (contract or private-label) manufacturer that already holds a state cosmetic manufacturing licence. Below are 12 manufacturers of creams, serums, sunscreens and face washes whose claims we checked on their own websites on 4 October 2026, ranked by how much verifiable licence and certification evidence they publish, followed by a buyer’s guide to the Cosmetics Rules, 2020.

Key takeaways

• Only two of the 12 companies publish a state-issued document showing their cosmetic manufacturing licence number: HCP Wellness (Gujarat, Form COS-8 No. GC/1348) and Vasa Cosmetics (Maharashtra, Licence No. MH/103305).
• Under the Cosmetics Rules, 2020, cosmetic manufacturing licences are granted by the state, not by CDSCO, and each factory needs its own licence.
• If your product is made in someone else’s factory, the label must carry the actual manufacturer’s name and address and its manufacturing licence number.
• Published minimum order quantities (MOQs) run from about 500–1,000 units for ready formulations to 6,000–10,000 units for tube-packed products.
• “USFDA certified” usually means a US facility registration. The US FDA says registration does not mean it has approved the facility or its products.

The list at a glance

Scroll the table sideways →

How we chose and ranked these manufacturers

We started with 28 companies that rank for “third-party skincare manufacturer” searches or appear in reporting on the industry. Each entry had to have a working official website, a named factory address in India, and a published skincare range covering at least some of creams, serums, sunscreens and face washes. Companies that publish the strongest evidence rank highest: a state-issued licence or GMP certificate first, then published capacity, MOQ and certification details, then a second signal such as news coverage or a stock-exchange listing. Contacts are copied only from each company’s own website. Where a site lists only individuals’ mobile numbers, we link to the contact page instead.

No company paid to be listed. Inclusion is not an endorsement; verify before you order.

The 12 manufacturers

1. HCP Wellness, Ahmedabad

HCP Wellness makes private-label skin care, oral care and hair care, and its site lists face serums, sunscreen, face wash and sheet masks. It is the only company on this list that publishes a Gujarat Food and Drugs Control Administration GMP certificate naming its licence: Form COS-8, No. GC/1348, for a factory at Ozone Industrial Park on the Bavla–Bagodara highway. The certificate is dated 14 July 2025 and valid for two years, according to the copy on HCP’s site. HCP says MOQs start at 1,000–3,000 units for jars and bottles and 6,000–10,000 for tubes, or 500–1,000 units with its ready formulations. It describes its plant as having a monthly capacity of 1.5 million pieces.

Contact: info@hcpwellness.in, +91 97234 55627 (website).

2. Vasa Cosmetics, Navi Mumbai

Vasa Cosmetics is a Vasa Group company at MIDC Rabale. It lists moisturising creams, face serums, sunscreen creams, face wash and anti-acne gels, and offers private label alongside its own brands. Its certifications page carries a Maharashtra FDA GMP certificate showing cosmetic manufacturing Licence No. MH/103305, covering creams, lotions, emulsions, cleansing milks and shampoos. The GMP certificate shown is for 3 March 2023 to 2 March 2024, so ask for the current one. Vasa says its plant covers more than 25,000 sq ft and that it supplies more than 35 countries.

Contact: info@vasacosmetics.com, +91 22 4500 8600 (contact page).

3. Akums Drugs and Pharmaceuticals, Delhi

Akums is best known as a pharmaceutical contract manufacturer, and its about page calls it India’s largest contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO). Its cosmetics division lists facewash and cleansers, skin serums, toners, lip care and sun care. Its sunscreen page offers creams, lotions, gels, sprays and sticks under private label for D2C, retail and pharmacy brands, with MOQs given on request. Its shares have traded on the BSE and NSE since 6 August 2024, according to Business Today, so it faces more public disclosure than most firms here. It does not publish a cosmetic licence number online.

Contact: enquiry@akums.net (cosmetics page).

4. AG Organica, Noida

AG Organica makes private-label skincare, hair care and essential oils, and its catalogue includes SPF 15 to 100+ sunscreens, serums, cleansers and men’s face wash. Its site describes a 50,000 sq ft GMP-certified facility in Noida with 12 production lines and claims ISO 22716 certification. Forbes India reported in December 2024 that its clients included Mamaearth, MyGlamm and WishCare, and quoted a minimum order of 10,000 units for 100 ml products. The company’s website now advertises pilot runs from 2,000 units.

Contact: info@agorganica.com, sales ag@agorganica.com, 0120 431 0497 (contact page).

5. Zymo Cosmetics, Gandhinagar

Zymo makes private-label skin care, skin cleansers, hair care, oral care and baby care at a plant in Santej, Kalol taluka, with a corporate office in Ahmedabad. Its timeline says it began commercial production in 2010, obtained a GMP certificate from FDCA Gujarat in 2017 and later gained ISO 22716 certification. It publishes monthly capacities of about 16.4 lakh bottles, jars or pouches and 13.3 lakh tubes (one lakh is 100,000), plus 2,70,400 kg of bulk. Zymo does not publish a licence number or certificate copy, so request both.

Contact: +91 78638 06875 (contact page).

6. Acticon Life Sciences, Gandhinagar

Acticon runs two units in GIDC Electronic Estate, Sector 25, Gandhinagar, which together cover 40,000 sq ft according to its manufacturing page. It makes creams, lotions, serums, face wash and cosmeceuticals for private-label and third-party clients. It started in 2014 as Acticon Pharma and rebranded in 2017. Unusually, its about page names who issued each certificate: WHO-GMP and ISO 13485 by UKCERT, ISO 9001:2015 by QRO and ISO 22716 by QVA. It also lists FDCA and US MoCRA registration.

Contact: info@acticonlifesciences.com, +91 76004 43515 (contact page).

7. Orchid Lifesciences, Ahmedabad

Orchid Lifesciences works from Gopalcharan Industrial Estate, Bakrol, and offers third-party moisturisers, face and body wash, face packs, face serums and sunscreens, along with a large toothpaste business. Its facility page gives a total premises area of 60,000 sq ft, with filling areas kept under class 1,00,000 HEPA filtration. It cites ISO 22716 cGMP and WHO-GMP certification and runs a startup support programme for new brands. It says it holds all required licences but does not publish the numbers.

Contact: marketing@orchidlifesciences.com (contact page).

8. Arise Cosmetic, Gandhinagar

Arise runs a 10,000 sq ft production floor in GIDC Electronic Estate, Sector 26. Its about page gives batch capacity as one tonne per batch, four batches a day. It makes serums, creams, gels, lotions and face wash, and says it is GMP and ISO certified and FDCA approved. Its skin care page sets the MOQ at 1,000 units per variant and offers 300 kg trial batches for startups. Arise lists a Gmail address and mobile numbers rather than a company-domain email, so ask for licence documents before you pay any deposit.

Contact: via the contact page.

9. BO International, Gurugram

BO International says it was founded in 2013 and runs a 1,30,000 sq ft facility in Udyog Vihar, Gurugram. It offers private-label skincare, including sunscreen gels, sticks and lotions, plus essential oils and perfumes. Forbes India named its founder, Aayush Gupta, in its 2024 report on contract manufacturers. Its certifications page shows an FSSAI food licence for vegetable oil processing and a WHO-GMP compliance certificate from SM Certification Services that expired on 11 May 2026. No cosmetic manufacturing licence is shown, so ask for its COS-8 and a current GMP certificate.

Contact: info@bointernational.net (contact page).

10. Vive Cosmetics, Mohali

Vive Cosmetics, at JLPL Industrial Area, Sector 82, Mohali, lists face wash, cleansers, creams, face serums, sunscreen and toners for third-party clients. It claims more than three decades in cosmetics. It publishes a WHO-GMP compliance certificate for “cosmetics and personal care products” at that address, issued on 18 August 2025 and expiring on 17 August 2028. The certificate comes from a private certification body (UK Certifications), not a state regulator. Vive says MOQs depend on the product and packaging.

Contact: info@vivecosmetic.com, +91 76969 30773 (contact page).

11. Amor Wellbeing Products, Jaipur

Amor Wellbeing is a younger company: its government startup-recognition certificate gives its incorporation date as 20 September 2022. It makes face and skin care at the EPIP Zone in Sitapura, Jaipur, and offers white labelling, contract manufacturing and custom formulation. Its licences page shows a GMP compliance certificate for “manufacturer of cosmetic products”, issued on 3 October 2025 by a private body. It also shows a US FDA cosmetic facility registration through Registrar Corp, valid to 31 December 2026. That certificate itself says registration does not denote FDA approval.

Contact: info@amorwellbeing.com, +91 99293 62000 for sales (licences page).

12. Reviera Overseas, Ahmedabad

Reviera Overseas, at Sunshine Industrial Park, Changodar, focuses on derma and salon-style skincare: tan removers, peels, facial kits, serums, peptides and SPF moisturisers, plus some hair care. It says it has operated since 2008 and describes itself as both a manufacturer and a trader of beauty products. It claims GMP certification and ISO 9001:2008, an older edition of that quality standard. Ask for current certificates and confirm which products are made in its own unit.

Contact: info@revieraoverseas.com (contact page).

Cosmetics Rules 2020: the licence basics

India regulates cosmetics under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the Cosmetics Rules, 2020. According to CDSCO, state licensing authorities license manufacturing, while the Central Licensing Authority handles import registration. The main points from the rules as published by CDSCO:

• Licence vs loan licence. A manufacturer applies in Form COS-5 and is granted a licence in Form COS-8. A brand that wants to manufacture at another licensee’s site applies in Form COS-6 for a loan licence, granted in Form COS-9 (rules 23 and 25). Most D2C brands use neither: they simply buy finished goods from a COS-8 holder.
• Timelines. The state authority must grant or reject the application within 45 days. A copy of the licence must be uploaded to CDSCO’s website before production starts, and the site is inspected within 30 days (rule 23).
• One licence per factory. Each manufacturing premises needs its own licence (rule 24), so check that the licence address matches the plant making your product.
• Validity and fees. Licences remain valid indefinitely as long as a retention fee is paid every five years (rule 30). The Third Schedule sets the grant fee at ₹10,000 for up to ten items in a category, plus ₹500 for each additional item.
• Quality duties. Licensees need qualified technical staff, must follow the Seventh Schedule’s GMP requirements, and must test every batch of raw material and finished product. They can do this in-house or through an approved NABL-accredited laboratory. Batch records are kept for three years (rule 26).
• New ingredients. A “new cosmetic” needs prior permission in Form COS-3 from the Central Licensing Authority before a state licence can cover it (rules 23(3) and 32).

This is a summary, not legal advice. Confirm your obligations with your State Licensing Authority or a qualified regulatory professional.

Labelling basics for a private-label skincare product

Rule 33 bars the sale of any Indian-made cosmetic that was not made by a licensed manufacturer and labelled under the rules. Rule 34 sets out what the label must say:

• The product name, and the name and full address of the premises where it was made. If it was not made in the brand owner’s own factory, the actual manufacturer’s name and address must appear.
• A batch number (prefixed “B. No.” or “Lot”) and a “use before” or expiry date.
• The manufacturing licence number, prefixed “M”, “M. L. No.” or “Mfg. Lic. No.”.
• Net contents on the outer label.
• An “INGREDIENTS” list, with those above 1% in descending order. This is not required on packs of 60 ml or less (liquids) or 30 g or less (solids).
• Directions and warnings where a hazard exists.

Rule 36 separately bans false or misleading claims. Products covered by the Ninth Schedule must also meet Bureau of Indian Standards specifications, such as IS 6608 for skin creams and IS 7884 for shampoo.

How to choose a manufacturer

Verify the paperwork, not the badges

Ask for the COS-8 licence and check three things: the factory address, the product categories covered (Vasa’s certificate, for instance, lists creams, lotions, emulsions and cleansing milks), and whether it is current. Some states let you check documents online: Maharashtra’s certificate carries a link to the state FDA’s verification portal. Treat certificates from private certification bodies as supporting evidence only. A “USFDA” claim deserves the same caution: the US FDA says it does not issue registration certificates and that a registration number “does not indicate FDA approval”.

Understand MOQs and cost drivers

Published MOQs vary widely: from 500–1,000 units for ready formulations at HCP Wellness to 1,000 units per variant at Arise and 10,000 units for 100 ml packs in AG Organica’s 2024 terms. Tubes usually need larger runs than jars or bottles. Forbes India reported that contract manufacturers work on margins of roughly 6–10%, and that some reuse one base formula across several brands, changing only the actives. If exclusivity matters to you, put formula ownership and tech-transfer terms in writing.

Questions to ask before signing

• Which licence number and address will appear on my label, and is that the plant making my product?
• Is the formula exclusive to me, and can I get a full tech transfer if I switch suppliers?
• Which tests do you run on each batch (in-house or at an NABL lab), and will you share the certificates of analysis?
• For sunscreens, who tests SPF, and can I see the report?
• What is the MOQ per SKU for my pack type, and what are the lead times for samples and production?

Red flags

• Certificates that have expired or name a different address.
• Only a Gmail address and mobile numbers, with no factory address.
• Placeholder text on the website.
• Claims of being “USFDA approved”.
• Refusing a factory visit or a licence copy.

Bottom line

Choosing a contract manufacturer is mostly a paperwork decision before it becomes a formulation decision. Start with the companies that publish state-issued documents (HCP Wellness and Vasa), ask the rest for their COS-8 licences, and visit the factory before you place your first purchase order. Once you launch, you can list your brand on our launches page. If you are raising money to fund your first production run, the funding tracker shows who is backing consumer brands.

FAQ

Do I need my own licence to sell a private-label skincare product?

If you buy finished products from a manufacturer that holds a COS-8 licence, the manufacturing licence is theirs. Your label must name the actual manufacturer and its licence number. Making the product yourself at another licensee’s site requires a COS-9 loan licence. Confirm your situation with your state authority.

Who issues a cosmetic manufacturing licence in India?

The State Licensing Authority (the state’s drugs control or FDA office) issues the licence under the Cosmetics Rules, 2020. CDSCO handles import registration and permissions for new cosmetics.

What is the minimum order for third-party skincare in India?

It depends on the manufacturer and the pack. Published figures range from 500–1,000 units for ready formulations to 1,000–3,000 units for jars and bottles, and 6,000–10,000 for tubes.

How long does a COS-8 licence take?

The rules give the state authority 45 days to grant or reject a complete application, followed by an inspection within 30 days of grant.

Is a WHO-GMP certificate the same as a state licence?

No. Several manufacturers here display WHO-GMP certificates issued by private certification bodies. Only the State Licensing Authority grants the COS-8 licence that the label must carry.

Does “FDA approved” on a manufacturer’s site mean anything?

In India, “FDA” often refers to a state Food and Drug Administration. For the US, the FDA says facility registration is not an approval.

Sources

1. Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), “The Cosmetics Rules, 2020“, 4 October 2026 (accessed).
2. CDSCO, “Cosmetics“, 4 October 2026 (accessed).
3. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, “Registration and Listing of Cosmetic Product Facilities and Products“, 9 September 2026.
4. Forbes India, “India's beauty boom and contract manufacturers: A love-hate story?“, 26 December 2024.
5. Business Today, “Akums Drugs & Pharma shares list at 7% premium on BSE, NSE“, 6 August 2024.
6. HCP Wellness, “Cosmetic Manufacturer in India for Private Label Cosmetic“, 4 October 2026 (accessed).
7. Food and Drugs Control Administration, Gujarat (published by HCP Wellness), “GMP Certificate, HCP Wellness Pvt. Ltd.“, 14 July 2025.
8. HCP Wellness, “About us / company profile“, 4 October 2026 (accessed).
9. Vasa Cosmetics, “World's Leading Manufacturer & Exporter of Cosmeceuticals“, 4 October 2026 (accessed).
10. Vasa Cosmetics, “Certifications & Achievements“, 4 October 2026 (accessed).
11. Vasa Cosmetics, “Manufacturing plant“, 4 October 2026 (accessed).
12. Vasa Cosmetics, “Contact us“, 4 October 2026 (accessed).
13. Akums Drugs and Pharmaceuticals, “Third Party Cosmetic Manufacturer in India“, 4 October 2026 (accessed).
14. Akums Drugs and Pharmaceuticals, “Sunscreen Manufacturer in India“, 4 October 2026 (accessed).
15. Akums Drugs and Pharmaceuticals, “About Akums“, 4 October 2026 (accessed).
16. AG Organica, “Private Label Cosmetic Manufacturer“, 4 October 2026 (accessed).
17. AG Organica, “Manufacturing Facility“, 4 October 2026 (accessed).
18. AG Organica, “Contact“, 4 October 2026 (accessed).
19. Zymo Cosmetics, “About“, 4 October 2026 (accessed).
20. Zymo Cosmetics, “Contact us“, 4 October 2026 (accessed).
21. Zymo Cosmetics, “Private label manufacturing“, 4 October 2026 (accessed).
22. Acticon Life Sciences, “Manufacturing“, 4 October 2026 (accessed).
23. Acticon Life Sciences, “About“, 4 October 2026 (accessed).
24. Acticon Life Sciences, “Private Label Cosmetic Manufacturer India“, 4 October 2026 (accessed).
25. Orchid Lifesciences, “India's Leading Cosmetic Third Party Manufacturer“, 4 October 2026 (accessed).
26. Orchid Lifesciences, “Facility“, 4 October 2026 (accessed).
27. Arise Cosmetic, “About us“, 4 October 2026 (accessed).
28. Arise Cosmetic, “Skin care products manufacturer“, 4 October 2026 (accessed).
29. Arise Cosmetic, “Third Party & Private Label Cosmetics Manufacturer in India“, 4 October 2026 (accessed).
30. BO International, “About“, 4 October 2026 (accessed).
31. BO International, “Certifications“, 4 October 2026 (accessed).
32. BO International, “Private Label Sunscreen“, 4 October 2026 (accessed).
33. BO International, “Contact us“, 4 October 2026 (accessed).
34. Vive Cosmetics, “Cosmetic Manufacturers in India“, 4 October 2026 (accessed).
35. UK Certification & Inspection Ltd (published by Vive Cosmetics), “Certificate of Compliance, WHO-GMP, Vive Cosmetics“, 18 August 2025.
36. Amor Wellbeing Products, “Licenses & Certification“, 4 October 2026 (accessed).
37. Amor Wellbeing Products, “Manufacturing“, 4 October 2026 (accessed).
38. Reviera Overseas, “Cosmetics Manufacturer in India“, 4 October 2026 (accessed).
39. Reviera Overseas, “About Reviera Overseas“, 4 October 2026 (accessed).

Featured image: Many brands on a pharmacy shelf are made by third-party manufacturers that hold the actual cosmetic licence. · Photo: ArionStar / Wikimedia Commons, CC0

How this article was made: researched and drafted with AI assistance by the 100xFounder editorial desk, using only the sources listed in it; every figure links to its source. Read our editorial policy, or report an error through our corrections policy.