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Resveratrol serum OEM/ODM manufacturing
Resveratrol Serum · OEM/ODM
Resveratrol is a stilbene polyphenol that the grapevine produces when attacked by fungi or exposed to injury, stress or UV light; it also occurs in some other plants, and resveratrol dietary supplements in the US contain extract of Japanese knotweed root (Polygonum cuspidatum). The form studied is trans-resveratrol. In the laboratory, resveratrol inhibits tyrosinase and blocks UVB-induced NF-κB activation in keratinocytes, but those are cell and animal data: a 2025 review rated the clinical data as only "nascent", and in the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial we checked, a significant wrinkle reduction was reported only when resveratrol was both taken orally and applied. For a manufacturer, resveratrol poses two clear problems: it dissolves in water at only about 3 mg/100 mL, and under light it converts from the trans to the cis form and then degrades along several pathways. The Butter-C resveratrol serum is an antioxidant, skin-conditioning serum at a cosmetic level, positioned for evening use, with a solvent system tested for crystallization and light-blocking packaging. Resveratrol is not currently stocked at the plant, so it is sourced per order, with a COA stating trans-resveratrol content and origin. Butter-C offers turnkey OEM/ODM manufacturing, from formula development and testing to labeled finished goods and the notification dossier.
Formula base
A water–glycol base carrying a poorly soluble, light-sensitive active
Resveratrol is the named ingredient, but the solvent system and packaging decide how much resveratrol is left in the bottle at the end of shelf life. Because it contains water, the formula needs a preservative system confirmed by a challenge test.
Trans-resveratrol and the solvent system
According to PubChem, resveratrol dissolves in water at about 3 mg/100 mL, roughly 0.003%, but at about 65 mg/mL in ethanol. Resveratrol is therefore first dissolved in co-solvents (Propanediol, Butylene Glycol), placed in a carrier system or an oil phase according to the raw material's technical data, and only then combined with the water base.
Accompanying antioxidants
Tocopherol; Ferulic Acid may be added. The combination data available are for a blend of 1% resveratrol, 0.5% baicalin and 1% vitamin E (Farris et al., 2014); adding ferulic acid or vitamin C is a layered antioxidant strategy but needs its own stability data (resveratrol article on our site).
Humectants and body
Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol; body from Hydroxyethylcellulose or Xanthan Gum. A human study used a carboxymethylcellulose (Cellulose Gum) gel to carry resveratrol (Fabbrocini et al., 2011).
Preservation and chelation
Phenoxyethanol up to 1% (ASEAN Annex VI, Ref 29) with Ethylhexylglycerin; Disodium EDTA to bind metal ions; Citric Acid and Sodium Citrate as a buffer, with the pH range set by stability testing with a resveratrol assay (the sources we checked give no specific pH range).
Key technical points
Four points specific to a serum named after resveratrol
The antioxidant serum base is covered on the general page; the four items below center on the resveratrol raw material itself.
Dissolving and crystallization
Human studies used 1% (in a blend with baicalin and vitamin E) and 1.5% (single active, as a cream). In a water-based serum, how much resveratrol stays dissolved depends on the co-solvent system, so the level is set after crystallization tests through freeze–thaw cycling and cold storage; 1.5% is not put on the label unless the system keeps resveratrol dissolved to the end of shelf life.
Light: more than trans to cis
In 12% ethanol solution under UV and sunlight, besides trans → cis conversion, trans-resveratrol degraded along three main pathways (water addition followed by oxidation and cleavage; cyclization to a phenanthrene; oxidation to an ortho-diquinone), and sunlight also produced "resveratrone" (Rodriguez-Cabo et al., 2015). In sunscreens exposed to UVA, resveratrol degraded significantly (recovery down by about 16%) and was classed as photoreactive (Freitas et al., 2015). Hence light-blocking packaging, evening positioning and separate HPLC assay of the trans and cis forms.
Temperature: a data gap
A resveratrol gel did not convert to the cis form after 30 days at 4 °C (Fabbrocini et al., 2011); the sources we checked have no data at higher temperatures. Accelerated aging at 40°C with trans/cis assay is mandatory before setting shelf life for a hot, humid climate.
Human data: read the design correctly
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled four-arm trial (Rao et al., 2025): 134 women aged 40 and over, 122 completed, applying 1 g of a 1.5% trans-resveratrol cream twice daily and/or taking a 75 mg capsule for 8 weeks. Wrinkle scores fell significantly only in the group that both took and applied resveratrol versus double placebo; the abstract does not report this for the topical-only group; the two topical-resveratrol groups had higher U-zone sebum; other parameters did not differ; some authors work for a company that manufactures and markets this ingredient. The 1% resveratrol + baicalin + vitamin E blend study compared only with baseline and its abstract states no control group (Farris et al., 2014), so its results belong to the whole blend. The single-blind pilot in 20 people with acne (Fabbrocini et al., 2011) is a medical setting. None of these results is a claim for the serum.
Three formulation directions
Three types of resveratrol serum
Clear glycol–water serum
Resveratrol dissolved in Propanediol and Butylene Glycol, then combined with a water base with Glycerin and Sodium Hyaluronate; light and slightly viscous. Its level is lower than in the other directions, limited by the solubility measured in the formula.
Light emulsion serum for normal to dry skin
Resveratrol in a glycol or oil phase with Tocopherol and Squalane; it can carry more resveratrol than a clear water base. A note for oily skin: in one trial, the groups applying a 1.5% resveratrol cream had higher U-zone sebum than the placebo-cream groups (Rao et al., 2025).
Combined antioxidant serum for evening use
Resveratrol with Tocopherol and Ferulic Acid in a glycol base, optionally as a supplier's encapsulated or liposomal form (a review by Cui et al., 2025 notes that carrier systems improve stability). Every added antioxidant is one more stability parameter to monitor.
Packaging is designed with the formula
Dark glass bottles or light-blocking airless pumps; small volumes so the product is used up before the active declines. Clear bottles only with a light-blocking carton and after light-exposure testing in that exact pack.
Parameters we monitor
What our R&D lab measures on every sample
Below are the parameters Butter-C monitors during formula development and scale-up to production. Specific limits are agreed with you on the approved sample and then written into the product's in-house specification.
- Appearance & color
- Color, odor, clarity; color change is tracked at each stability time point as an early sign of photodegradation or oxidation.
- pH
- Measured directly at 25°C; pH drift tracked across stability time points.
- Viscosity
- Rotational viscometer, with spindle and speed recorded; must suit the dropper or pump.
- Crystallization
- Visual and microscopic checks after freeze–thaw cycling, cold storage and at each stability time point, an item specific to an active that is poorly soluble in water.
- Trans- and cis-resveratrol content
- The two forms assayed separately by HPLC at the start and after accelerated aging, the basis for any content claim and for setting shelf life.
- Light exposure in the actual pack
- Stability under light in the bottle that will be used, compared with a light-protected sample.
- Incoming raw materials
- COA checked for every lot: INCI name Resveratrol, CAS 501-36-0, trans-resveratrol content, origin of the raw material as declared by the supplier.
- Microbiology & preservative challenge
- Tested at a GLP / ISO 17025-accredited laboratory; preservative efficacy (challenge) test per ISO 11930.
- Irritation & sensitization
- Volunteer testing before the formula is finalized; we found no CIR or SCCS assessment specific to resveratrol in the sources checked, so testing the complete formula is mandatory.
Claims
Antioxidant and skin-conditioning claims, within cosmetic scope
Data on resveratrol and tyrosinase, NF-κB or sirtuins come from cell and animal studies; the significant wrinkle data belong to the group that both took and applied it. Butter-C reviews the wording on the label and marketing materials as soon as the notification dossier is prepared.
Antioxidant
At a cosmetic level; figures are stated only when measured on the finished product. Instead of: "activates longevity genes, sirtuins", "cellular rejuvenation".
Conditions the skin, helps it look smoother and more hydrated
The "looks smoother and more hydrated" part is stated only after assessment on the finished product against a plain base. Instead of: wrinkle reduction based on a study that combined oral and topical use, anti-aging.
Contains resveratrol
A description of the ingredient with the correct INCI name; a percentage only if it can be measured at the end of shelf life. Instead of: an undefined "high concentration"; "from grapes" when the COA does not confirm the source.
For evening use; sunscreen during the day
Because resveratrol is light-sensitive. Instead of: a substitute for sunscreen, protection from UV rays.
No claims about acne or pigmentation
The acne study is a 20-person pilot in a medical setting; in the placebo-controlled trial, pigmentation did not differ between groups. Instead of: claims of acting on acne, "whitening", "fading dark marks".
Label reminders
Store away from light and close tightly after use; use sunscreen during the day; test on a small area of skin before use and stop if redness or burning occurs; pregnant women should ask a doctor (not enough data for topical use). Do not state "non-irritating".
Manufacturing specifications
Our capabilities
- Texture
- Light, slightly viscous serum; light emulsion serum.
- Pack formats
- Dark glass dropper bottle, light-blocking airless pump. Volume agreed when selecting packaging.
- Resveratrol sourcing
- Not stocked at the plant; sourced per order, as a powder or an encapsulated form chosen from technical data and the formula direction.
- Minimum order quantity
- Agreed per order, depending on the raw material form, formula direction and pack format.
- Testing
- Performed at a GLP / ISO 17025-accredited laboratory; certificate of analysis delivered with every lot.
- Documentation
- Product Information File (PIF) and cosmetic product notification dossier prepared by Butter-C, with the resveratrol COA and trans/cis assay results.
- Packaging
- Label design, printing and packing run in parallel with formula development.
Suggested product concept
Evening resveratrol serum for normal skin
A product direction to help you picture the concept, not a ready-made product for sale. The actual formula is developed to fit your brand's positioning and price range.
Resveratrol
The named ingredient; its level is set by solubility and the trans content remaining, measured on the finished product.
Propanediol, Butylene Glycol
Co-solvents that keep resveratrol dissolved in the water base.
Tocopherol, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate
The accompanying antioxidant and humectants, the basis for a skin-conditioning claim.
30 ml dark glass bottle
Blocks light; label with correct INCI names, evening-use directions and a reminder to use sunscreen during the day.
Customization options
What you can specify
The same product type can be aimed at very different customers. Tell us your requirements in the areas below and our pharmacists will develop a matching formula.
Raw material form
Trans-resveratrol powder or an encapsulated form; origin stated per the supplier's COA.
Texture
Clear serum or light emulsion; for oily skin, a light texture with shine assessed on the finished product.
Supporting ingredients
Vitamin E, Ferulic Acid, Panthenol; vitamin C or retinoids go into a separate product or are combined only with their own stability data.
Fragrance
We recommend fragrance-free; if fragranced, fragrance allergens are declared according to the target market.
Ingredient positioning
Alcohol-free, silicone-free; please state this at the outset, as it directly affects the resveratrol solvent system.
Packaging
Dark glass bottle or airless pump, which sets the level of protection from light and air.
Further reading
Related knowledge
Resveratrol in cosmetics
Mechanisms, the actual level of evidence, solubility, light stability and formulation notes (in Vietnamese).
Anti-aging serum OEM/ODM manufacturing
The general page on active groups, with resveratrol in the antioxidant group.
Vitamin C serum OEM/ODM manufacturing
Another antioxidant serum, with the stability challenges specific to vitamin C.
Coenzyme Q10 cream OEM/ODM manufacturing
An oil-soluble antioxidant active, also light-sensitive, in the same range.
Ferulic acid in cosmetics
An antioxidant often combined with vitamins C and E, useful when building a combined serum (in Vietnamese).
Astaxanthin in cosmetics
A red-orange antioxidant active, also unstable to light; each active has its own data and they do not substitute for each other (in Vietnamese).
How we work
From idea to finished batch
Eight steps and three milestones signed off by both sides: approved sample, notification number, finished batch. Step-by-step details (in Vietnamese) →
Get started
Tell us about the product you plan to launch
Send us your product direction and expected volume. Our team will get back to you during business hours (Vietnam time, GMT+7).
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