In this episode we dive deep into what it really takes—financially and strategically—to create a custom skincare formula from scratch. We’ll break down every phase of the journey: concept and R&D, ingredient sourcing and actives, formulation rounds and prototyping, stability and safety testing, manufacturing and minimum order quantities (MOQs), packaging and branding, compliance and regulation, and the hidden overheads that sneak up on you. If you’re a skincare founder, brand owner, or reseller looking to go beyond private label and create something truly owned, this is your play-by-play map of where the money goes, why it adds up, how to budget smart, and where you might misstep. By the end of this conversation you’ll walk away with actionable insight to evaluate whether custom formula development fits your business model (it might), how to pick your battles (actives vs packaging vs MOQs), and how to structure your first product the way a savvy entrepreneur does—so you don’t get bogged down or burned.