BUTTER-C
Signature ingredients
Hydrolyzed collagen essence OEM/ODM manufacturing
Hydrolyzed Collagen Essence · OEM/ODM
Collagen is a familiar word on sheet masks, creams and essences, and one that is often overpromised. The featured ingredient is Hydrolyzed Collagen: a mixture of peptides obtained by breaking down bovine, porcine or fish collagen; according to the CIR Expert Panel, materials under this INCI name range from 400 to 25,000 Da in molecular weight. Applied to the skin, hydrolyzed collagen is a surface conditioner: in simulated-use experiments the peptides adsorb onto the stratum corneum and hair; reviews describe a moisture-retaining role, but human measurements for this ingredient are still scarce. Current evidence does not show that topical collagen adds to or replaces the collagen in the skin; a 6-month randomized, placebo-controlled trial of a 2.5% serum found no difference in the dermis, and results for oral collagen do not apply to topical products. That is why this collagen essence is built as a moisturizing essence with clear sourcing documentation: the material Butter-C holds is a fish-source collagen peptide, so the label needs information that lets people allergic to fish recognize it. Butter-C offers turnkey OEM/ODM manufacturing, from formula development and testing to labeled finished goods and the notification dossier.
Formula base
Hydrolyzed collagen, humectants and water
An essence is almost entirely water, so the four groups below decide the skin feel, the stability and the product story.
Hydrolyzed Collagen: one INCI name, many materials
From the CIR table: Collagen (intact protein) 130,000 to over 1,000,000 Da; Soluble Collagen (not hydrolyzed, triple helix retained) 30,000–40,000 Da; Hydrolyzed Collagen (a peptide mixture) 400–25,000 Da. The same INCI name can mean peptides of a few hundred Da or of more than twenty thousand Da, from cattle, pigs or fish; comparing two materials requires their COAs.
The material we hold: fish-source collagen peptide
According to our internal records, the material Butter-C holds is a water-soluble cod collagen peptide powder that the supplier grades as “3 kDa”. That figure is only a supplier specification: the COA needs to state the species, the source tissue and the molecular weight distribution with the measurement method, not just a nominal number.
Base humectants
Glycerin, butylene glycol, betaine, trehalose, panthenol and a small amount of sodium hyaluronate; together with the hydrolyzed collagen, the basis for the moisturizing claim.
No substitute for actives with their own data
The word “collagen” on a label does not replace actives that have their own data. Hydrolyzed collagen is also different from synthetic signal peptides (such as palmitoyl tripeptide-1 or acetyl hexapeptide-8), which are covered on the peptide serum page.
Key technical points
Sourcing file, molecular weight, odor and microbiology
Animal-source documentation
ASEAN Annex II, Ref 419 prohibits “Category 1 material and Category 2 material as defined in ASEAN definition of animal products”; Category 3 (not prohibited) includes aquatic animals, except sea mammals, showing no signs of communicable disease. Butter-C's reading, to be confirmed by regulatory affairs: the supplier must show the fish source falls in Category 3 (a food-processing establishment, material status). A bovine source also needs a BSE/TSE statement.
Choose molecular weight for the purpose, not the slogan
In Franz diffusion cells, 3,500 and 4,500 Da fish-scale peptides showed higher cumulative penetration than 2,000 and 1,300 Da peptides (Chai 2010), so “smaller molecules penetrate better” is not a reliable rule. Hydrolysates with larger peptides and a low isoelectric point adsorbed better onto keratinized surfaces in simulated-use tests (Turowski 1985). A change of molecular weight grade or supplier means reassessing the formula.
Odor and color of fish sources
Fish collagen hydrolysate solutions can have a fishy odor and a greyish tint; odor and color are checked on every incoming lot, the level and fragrance are chosen to mask the odor, and the sensory profile is assessed on the finished sample. The pH of a 10% solution of the raw material is 4.0–6.5 according to CIR; that is the raw material pH, and the formula pH range follows the TDS and stability testing.
Protein in a water base needs robust preservation
Peptides support microbial growth: a preservative efficacy test to ISO 11930 on the final formula, with phenoxyethanol ≤ 1% (ASEAN Annex VI) or a benzoate–sorbate system at a suitable pH. Added to the water phase following the TDS temperature guidance (we have no verified source on heat stability in the formula).
Three formulation directions
Three styles of collagen essence
Water-light collagen essence
Hydrolyzed collagen with glycerin, betaine and panthenol; patted on by hand after cleansing. For normal and dry skin, with a short ingredient list.
Lightly thickened collagen and hyaluronate essence
Sodium hyaluronate, trehalose and a low level of gum for a plumper feel. It differs from the HA hydrating serum page in that hydrolyzed collagen is the featured ingredient and comes with its fish-source documentation.
Collagen essence that soothes the feeling of dryness
Panthenol, allantoin and beta-glucan in a fragrance-free collagen base, for dry skin and tightness from air conditioning. “Suitable for sensitive skin” is stated only after tolerance testing of the finished product.
Packaging is designed with the formula
Opaque plastic or frosted glass bottles with screw caps or pumps to limit contamination during use. A spray format needs its own assessment and is not assumed.
Parameters we monitor
What the R&D lab measures on every sample
These are the parameters Butter-C tracks during formula development and scale-up. Specific limits are agreed with you on the approved sample and then written into the product's in-house specification.
- Appearance, color & odor
- Clarity, color and odor against the reference sample across stability time points; the fishy odor of a fish source is tracked separately.
- pH
- Measured directly at 25°C; pH drift tracked across stability time points.
- Density & viscosity
- Quick lot identification; viscosity matters for the lightly thickened version with sodium hyaluronate.
- Stability
- Accelerated aging at 40°C, freeze–thaw cycling, light exposure and storage at 4°C; watching for haze, precipitation and odor change.
- Incoming raw material file
- COA for every lot: species and source tissue, molecular weight distribution with the measurement method, heavy metals and microbiology; sourcing documentation under Ref 419 and fish-allergen information.
- Microbiology & preservative challenge
- Tested at a GLP / ISO 17025-accredited laboratory; preservative efficacy test to ISO 11930 on the final formula.
- On-skin evaluation
- To state a hydration figure or “helps skin look smoother”, measure on volunteers using the finished product itself; tolerance testing as the target market requires.
- Packaging compatibility
- Filled into the actual bottle, cap or pump to be used; checked for material odor and seal.
Claims
Claims matched to the evidence for hydrolyzed collagen
A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled factorial trial in 56 postmenopausal women aged 60–93 with age-related fragile forearm skin (stage I dermatoporosis): a 2.5% hydrolyzed collagen serum and/or 5 g a day by mouth for 6 months made no significant difference in any measure, including clinical scores, elasticity, dermal thickness and echogenicity, and histology (Guadanhim 2023). Positive topical results come from a single-arm study without a control group (Lee 2022, 22 women, collagen tripeptide) or from an abstract without figures (Egner 2025, 0.5–1.5% gels). Data on increased collagen synthesis come only from cultured cells. Oral collagen is a different context: a meta-analysis of 23 trials (Myung 2025) found no effect in high-quality studies or in studies without pharmaceutical-industry funding. Level of evidence for topical use: limited, including a negative result. CIR (final report 2017, published 2022) concluded that 19 skin and connective tissue-derived proteins and peptides, including Hydrolyzed Collagen, are safe in the present practices of use and concentration described. Annex 03-MP of Circular 06/2011/TT-BYT does not accept claims to prevent or reverse aging.
Helps moisturize, helps skin feel soft and smooth
Based on hydrolyzed collagen and the humectants in the formula. Instead of: supplies collagen to the skin, replaces lost collagen, boosts collagen production.
Helps skin look smoother and plumper (tested on the finished product)
Instead of: anti-wrinkle, reduces wrinkles, firms the skin, anti-aging.
Contains fish-source hydrolyzed collagen
State the source per the COA. Instead of: “fresh collagen”, “ultra-small molecules that reach the dermis”, oral collagen results quoted for a topical product.
Information for people allergic to fish
CIR notes that fish protein is a food allergen causing immediate hypersensitivity in sensitized people, while the INCI name does not reveal a fish source; without data ruling out such reactions, the Panel advises labeling so that people sensitive to fish protein can recognize it. Instead of: leaving the material's source unstated.
Ingredient-preference wording
Collagen is animal-derived: no “vegan” claim; “halal” or “bovine-free” only with certification. Instead of: vegan, all-natural.
Warnings
People allergic to fish or prone to allergies should patch-test on a small area first; stop use if a rash or itching appears. Pregnant or breastfeeding: not enough data, ask a doctor. Instead of: hypoallergenic, safe for all skin types, safe during pregnancy.
Manufacturing specifications
Capabilities
- Texture
- Clear liquid or lightly thickened essence; may carry a slight tint and odor from the fish-source material.
- Format
- Screw-cap or pump bottles in opaque plastic or frosted glass. Fill volume agreed when the packaging is selected.
- Minimum order quantity
- Agreed per order, depending on the formula direction and the format chosen.
- Testing
- Performed at a GLP / ISO 17025-accredited laboratory, with a certificate of analysis delivered with every lot.
- Documentation
- The Product Information File (PIF) and the notification dossier are prepared by Butter-C, together with the supplier's COA, animal-source documentation and allergen information.
- Packaging
- Label design, printing and packing run in parallel with formula development.
Suggested product concept
A moisturizing collagen essence for dry skin
One product concept to help you picture the result; not a ready-made product for sale. The actual formula is built around your brand's positioning and price range.
Fish-source hydrolyzed collagen as the featured ingredient
Level fixed after odor, color and stability testing; COA with molecular weight distribution and sourcing documentation attached.
Humectant group
Glycerin, betaine, panthenol and sodium hyaluronate; the basis for the moisturizing claim.
Light fragrance, alcohol-free
A low level of fragrance to mask the fish-source odor; pH fixed on the sample, preservative system challenge-tested to ISO 11930.
Opaque pump bottle
The label shows the INCI Hydrolyzed Collagen with fish-source information for people with allergies; claims stop at moisturizing and softening.
Customization options
What you can specify
The same product type can serve very different customers. Tell us your requirements in the areas below and our pharmacists will build the matching formula.
Collagen source
Fish, or bovine or porcine where the supplier can document it; a fish source needs allergen information, a bovine source needs BSE/TSE documentation; consider the religious requirements of the target market.
Molecular weight grade
Chosen for the purpose (surface conditioning, skin feel) and the COA molecular weight distribution, not for an “ultra-small molecule” slogan.
Skin feel
Water-light or lightly thickened; fast-absorbing or leaving a moist layer.
Co-actives
Sodium hyaluronate, panthenol, niacinamide, peptides; chosen together with the pH range and stability testing. A serum featuring synthetic peptides or multi-weight HA is covered on our peptide serum and HA hydrating serum pages.
Fragrance and color
Fragrance-free or a light fragrance to mask the raw material odor; no added color, or colorants per Annex IV.
Ingredient preferences
Alcohol-free, fragrance-free; please state these at the outset. A vegan positioning cannot use collagen.
Further reading
Related topics
Hydrolyzed collagen in topical cosmetics
Molecular weight, topical evidence, bovine and fish sources, and ASEAN rules for hydrolyzed collagen (in Vietnamese).
HA hydrating serum manufacturing
A hydrating serum featuring multi-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid.
Peptide serum manufacturing
Synthetic peptides calculated on actual content, unlike hydrolyzed collagen.
Sheet mask manufacturing
A product type that often uses hydrolyzed collagen for surface moisture.
Hyaluronic acid in cosmetics
A humectant often paired with hydrolyzed collagen in essences (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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