BUTTER-C
Hair care
Hair serum OEM/ODM manufacturing
Hair Serum · Leave-in Hair Treatment · OEM/ODM
Hair serum is a leave-in product applied to the lengths and ends of damp or dry hair to reduce frizz, hold style and protect hair before using a blow-dryer, curling iron or flat iron. Compared with hair oil, serum is usually a light water-based milk or gel, making it a good fit for fine hair, hair that gets greasy easily and hot, humid climates. Users judge a serum on three things: does the hair feel soft and fall into place, does it turn greasy after a few hours, and does it hold its style in humid weather? Cationic conditioners, hydrolyzed proteins and film-forming polymers are the three ingredient groups that address these needs. Butter-C offers full-service OEM/ODM manufacturing, from formula development to labeled finished goods with a cosmetic product notification dossier.
Formula base
Water base, conditioners, proteins and film-forming polymers
Hair serum has a water base and is lighter than hair oil; the conditioning and film-forming components determine softness and style hold.
Cationic conditioners
Behentrimonium Methosulfate, cationic polymers — detangle and reduce static at a light level so hair stays non-greasy without rinsing.
Water-soluble and modified silicones
PEG-12 Dimethicone, Amodimethicone — provide slip and shine while staying light on the hair.
Hydrolyzed proteins
Keratin, rice protein, wheat protein — form a soft film that helps hair feel stronger when combed.
Film-forming polymers
VP/VA Copolymer, Polyquaternium-11 in small amounts — hold style and limit frizz in humid weather.
Key technical points
Four factors that define hair serum quality
Light yet conditioning
As a leave-in, it uses less conditioning agent than a rinse-off conditioner; the ratio is tuned so hair is soft without greasy roots after a few hours.
Style hold in humidity
Just enough film-forming polymer keeps hair from frizzing, but too much makes hair stiff or leaves white flakes.
Heat protection
A film of silicone and protein reduces friction and heat impact on the hair surface; this claim is stated only after evaluation.
Stable emulsion in small bottles
Milky serums must not separate or change consistency throughout use.
Three formulation directions
Three common hair serum formats
Conditioning milk serum
A light emulsion with cationic conditioners and proteins; applied to damp hair, suits dry, coarse hair.
Styling gel serum
A clear gel with film-forming polymers; reduces frizz and holds a natural style, suits fine hair.
Heat-protection serum
Silicones, proteins and film formers; sprayed or applied before blow-drying, curling or straightening.
Packaging must be planned with the formula
Low-dose pump bottles, spray bottles, tubes. Spray serums need low viscosity and a suitable nozzle.
Parameters we monitor
What our R&D lab measures on every sample
Below are the parameters Butter-C tracks 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.
- pH and viscosity
- Measured at 25°C; they determine the feel and how well the product pumps or sprays.
- Stability
- Centrifugation, freeze–thaw cycling, storage at 40°C; monitoring separation, cloudiness and odor change.
- Detangling performance
- Combing force measured on hair swatches after application.
- Style hold in humidity
- Frizz assessed on hair swatches kept in a high-humidity environment.
- Assessment on hair
- Softness, shine, greasiness at the roots, white flaking.
- Microbiology and challenge test
- Tested at a GLP / ISO 17025-accredited laboratory; preservative efficacy (challenge) test per ISO 11930.
- Heat protection (if claimed)
- Evaluated on heat-exposed hair swatches at a testing facility when you want to make this claim.
- Packaging compatibility
- Monitoring pump force, nozzle clogging and leakage.
Claims
Keeping claims within cosmetic scope
Hair serum acts on the lengths and ends of the hair; promises about hair follicles fall outside this scope. Butter-C reviews the wording on labels and marketing materials while preparing the cosmetic product notification.
Reduces frizz for soft, smooth hair
Instead of: treats frizzy hair, repairs damaged hair from the root.
Holds style, limits frizz in humid weather
Describes a surface effect; do not state "permanent straightening".
Protects hair when using a blow-dryer or flat iron
State only after evaluation; do not state a temperature unless tested.
Helps hair feel stronger, reduces breakage when combing
Instead of: treats hair loss, treats split ends.
Glossy, healthy-looking hair
Instead of: nourishes hair follicles.
Directions for use
Apply to lengths and ends; avoid the scalp if the formula contains silicones and polymers.
Manufacturing specifications
Current capabilities
- Texture
- Light milk, clear gel, solution for spray bottles.
- Format
- Low-dose pump bottles, spray bottles, tubes. Volume agreed when selecting packaging.
- Minimum order quantity
- Agreed per order and per fragrance.
- Testing
- Performed at a GLP / ISO 17025-accredited laboratory; a certificate of analysis is delivered with every batch.
- Documentation
- Product Information File (PIF) and cosmetic product notification dossier prepared by Butter-C.
- Packaging
- Label design, printing and packing run in parallel with formula development.
Suggested product concept
Rice protein and keratin milk serum
A product concept to help you visualize the possibilities — not a ready-made product for sale. The actual formula is developed around your brand positioning and price range.
Rice protein and keratin
Form a soft film on the hair shaft; rice protein offers a familiar, approachable story.
Light, non-greasy
A thin milk base with cationic conditioners at a low level, suited to fine hair.
Reduces frizz in humid weather
A small amount of film-forming polymer holds a natural style.
100 ml pump bottle
A low-dose pump dispenses the right amount for short or long hair.
Customization options
What you can specify
The same product type can target very different customers depending on the brand. Tell us your requirements in the areas below, and our team of pharmacists will develop a matching formula.
Serum format
Milk, gel, spray solution.
Main benefit
Frizz reduction, style hold, heat protection, shine.
Hair type
Fine, thick and coarse, permed and colored, curly.
Hero ingredient
Keratin, rice protein, collagen, argan oil, camellia oil, Panthenol.
Silicone
With or without silicone.
Fragrance
Salon, floral, fruity, or fragrance-free.
Further reading
Related topics
Hair oil manufacturing
A richer oil format for very dry hair.
Conditioner manufacturing
A rinse-off format used after shampooing.
Hair mask and hair treatment manufacturing
Periodic intensive care for damaged hair.
Cosmetic labeling rules
Claims that can be made for leave-in hair products (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).
Head office: Huu Le village, Dai Thanh commune, Hanoi · Factory: Thanh Oai Industrial Cluster, Binh Minh commune, Hanoi, Vietnam
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