How to Start a Hair Care Brand in the Philippines

Starting a Hair Care Brand in the Philippines

Hair care is a high-penetration category in the Philippines. Shampoo is purchased by nearly every household. Conditioners, treatments, serums, and scalp products serve a growing premium segment. Filipino consumers have diverse hair types, predominantly fine to medium thickness with high moisture needs.

Launching a hair care brand is achievable with a licensed manufacturer, clear product positioning, and FDA compliance. This guide covers the process from product definition to first production batch.

Step 1: Define Your Hair Care Category

Hair care covers a broad range of products. Common entry points for new brands:

• •Shampoo: moisturizing, anti-dandruff, volumizing, color-safe, keratin, sulfate-free
• •Conditioner: rinse-out conditioner, leave-in conditioner, deep conditioner or hair mask
• •Scalp treatment: anti-dandruff serum, scalp tonic, growth treatment
• •Hair serum or oil: finishing serum, argan oil treatment, heat protectant
• •Hair mask: weekly deep treatment, bond repair, protein treatment

Start with one or two products that address a clear consumer need. Anti-dandruff claims put a product into drug or special cosmetic territory, so verify regulatory requirements if that is your category.

Step 2: Find an FDA-Licensed Manufacturer

All cosmetics and personal care products sold in the Philippines require the manufacturer to hold an FDA Cosmetics LTO. Orsolab Inc. holds FDA Cosmetics LTO No. LTO-3000006301418 and operates a GMP-certified facility in Tanza, Cavite. MOQ is 250kg per SKU.

For hair care manufacturing, confirm the manufacturer can produce your specific product type and has experience with the ingredient systems you want to use: sulfate-free surfactant blends, silicone-based conditioners, botanical extracts, protein treatments.

See Personal Care Manufacturer Philippines and Cosmetics Skincare Manufacturer Philippines for guidance on manufacturer selection.

Step 3: Formulation Development

Shampoo formulations use surfactant blends (SLES, CAPB, cocamide DEA or alternatives) adjusted for foam, viscosity, and conditioning feel. Sulfate-free variants use milder surfactants. Conditioners use cationic polymers and quaternary ammonium ingredients that deposit on hair during rinsing.

Provide the manufacturer with target properties: lather level, viscosity, fragrance preference, color, conditioning feel, and key claims. If you have signature ingredients (castor oil, rice water, keratin, biotin), specify those. Formulation development takes 2 to 4 weeks for initial samples.

Request stability test data (minimum 3-month accelerated) and a challenge test (preservative efficacy) before locking the formula.

Step 4: FDA Product Notification

Hair care products are registered as cosmetics under FDA Philippines. File a Certificate of Product Notification (CPN) through the FDA eSERVICES portal before selling.

Required documents: full ingredient list (INCI), product label draft, safety assessment, and manufacturer's FDA LTO. Processing takes 15 to 30 working days under the standard track.

Anti-dandruff products with active pyrithione zinc, selenium sulfide, or similar agents may be classified as OTC drugs. Confirm classification with an FDA regulatory consultant before finalizing claims.

Step 5: Packaging

Hair care packaging formats: flip-top bottles (most common), pump bottles (conditioners and treatments), tubes (masks and intensive treatments), dropper bottles (serums and scalp treatments).

Packaging must withstand moisture and the product's pH. Compatibility testing with your packaging supplier is important for formulas with low pH or active ingredients.

Labels must include: product name, net contents, INCI ingredient list, directions for use, warnings, CPN number, manufacturer LTO, and expiry or batch code.

Step 6: Sales and Launch Strategy

Hair care sells across all channels. Online (Shopee, Lazada, TikTok Shop) is the most accessible entry point for new brands. Salons and barbers are an underutilized channel for professional-positioned brands. Supermarket and drugstore require trade support but provide visibility.

Content marketing works well in hair care: before-and-after results, ingredient explanations, and hair type targeting drive discovery and conversion.

See How to Start a Private Label Business Philippines for the full brand launch overview.

FAQs

What FDA registration do I need for shampoo in the Philippines?

You need a Certificate of Product Notification (CPN) from FDA Philippines. The manufacturer holds the facility LTO; the brand owner files the product notification before selling.

Can I use sulfate-free formulas?

Yes. Manufacturers experienced with mild surfactant systems can formulate sulfate-free shampoos. Specify this requirement when requesting formulation development.

What is the MOQ for hair care manufacturing at Orsolab?

MOQ is 250kg per SKU. For a standard 200mL shampoo, this is approximately 1,000 to 1,200 units per batch.