BUTTER-C
Hair care
Scalp essence OEM/ODM manufacturing
Scalp Essence · Scalp Serum · OEM/ODM
Scalp essence has been one of the fastest-growing hair care categories in recent years, as consumers come to see that strong hair starts with a clean, comfortable scalp. The product is applied directly to the scalp, massaged in gently and left on, so it must absorb quickly, not weigh hair down and not cause itching or stinging. This category has a very clear regulatory boundary: stimulating hair growth is outside cosmetic scope, and substances such as Minoxidil are prohibited in cosmetics. A properly made scalp essence focuses on scalp care and on helping hair feel stronger with less breakage and fall — claims cosmetics are permitted to make. Butter-C offers full-service OEM/ODM manufacturing, from formula development to labeled finished goods with a cosmetic product notification dossier.
Formula base
A fast-absorbing base, scalp care actives and herbs
Scalp essence is a very light solution or gel; the base must pass quickly through the hair to the scalp without leaving a greasy feel.
Solution base
Water, glycols and a moderate amount of alcohol for quick drying; no heavy oils, so hair stays non-greasy.
Care actives
Caffeine, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Biotin, peptides — condition the scalp and help hair feel stronger with regular use.
Soothing and balancing
Centella and licorice extracts, low-level Salicylic Acid, Piroctone Olamine — help keep the scalp clean and comfortable and limit oil buildup.
Herbs and sensory feel
Rosemary, ginger, ginkgo and fo-ti (he shou wu) support a herbal story; Menthol adds a light cooling feel.
Key technical points
Four factors that define scalp essence quality
Fast absorption, non-greasy hair
The ratio of water, glycols and alcohol is tuned to dry quickly on the scalp; no heavy oils or film-forming silicones.
Gentle enough for daily scalp use
Alcohol, essential oils and acids are kept at mild levels; stinging and itching are assessed after several days of continuous use.
Soluble, stable actives
Caffeine and Niacinamide must fully dissolve and stay clear; some peptides need a suitable pH and storage temperature.
Compliant claims
The formula uses only actives permitted in cosmetics; marketing materials do not mention hair growth benefits beyond cosmetic scope.
Three formulation directions
Three common scalp essence lines
Essence for hair breakage and fall
Caffeine, Niacinamide, peptides, Biotin; helps hair feel stronger and reduces breakage and fall when combing.
Essence for oily scalp
Low-level Salicylic Acid, zinc, green tea; helps the scalp feel fresh and less oily.
Herbal essence
Rosemary, ginger, honey locust, fo-ti; a natural story with a warm or lightly cooling feel.
Packaging must be planned with the formula
Dropper bottles, comb-applicator dropper bottles, spray bottles. A comb-style applicator delivers the essence directly to the scalp.
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.
- Clarity and color
- No cloudiness or crystallization after cold storage; color compared with the reference sample.
- pH
- Measured at 25°C; gentle on the scalp and suited to active stability.
- Content of hero actives
- Tracked per formula; assayed when an active's concentration is stated on the label.
- Stability
- Storage at 40°C and at low temperature; monitoring discoloration, crystallization and odor change.
- Microbiology and challenge test
- Tested at a GLP / ISO 17025-accredited laboratory; preservative efficacy (challenge) test per ISO 11930.
- Irritation assessment (recommended)
- Testing on volunteers' skin at an independent facility for products used daily on the scalp.
- Efficacy assessment (if data is claimed)
- Counting hairs shed during combing on volunteers at a testing facility, when you want to state a figure.
- Packaging compatibility
- Monitoring dropper cap leakage and plastic softening from alcohol and essential oils.
Claims
Keeping claims within cosmetic scope
This category sits very close to the boundary of cosmetics, so wording needs careful review. Butter-C reviews the wording on labels and marketing materials while preparing the cosmetic product notification.
Reduces hair breakage and fall
Instead of: treats hair loss, prevents hair loss, stops hair loss.
Supports hair care, helps hair feel stronger
Instead of: stimulates hair growth, grows new hair, thickens hair.
Cares for the scalp, helps keep it clean and comfortable
Instead of: treats scalp dermatitis, treats scalp fungus.
Provides a light cooling sensation
Instead of: boosts blood circulation to nourish hair follicles.
Results after a number of weeks
State only when supported by evaluation on people; do not guarantee results.
Drug substances not used
Minoxidil and other drug substances that stimulate hair growth may not be included in cosmetics.
Manufacturing specifications
Current capabilities
- Texture
- Clear solution, very light gel.
- Format
- Dropper bottles, comb-applicator dropper bottles, spray bottles. Volume agreed when selecting packaging.
- Minimum order quantity
- Agreed per order.
- 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
Caffeine, Niacinamide and rosemary scalp essence
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.
Caffeine and Niacinamide
Two familiar scalp care actives, easy to combine and stable in solution.
Rosemary
Rosemary essential oil at a gentle level, for a herbal scent and an ingredient story.
Fast-absorbing, lightly cooling
A water–glycol base with a little alcohol and Menthol; dries quickly without weighing hair down.
60 ml comb-applicator bottle
A comb-style dropper delivers the essence straight to the scalp.
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.
Focus
Hair breakage and fall, oily scalp, sensitive scalp.
Hero active
Caffeine, Niacinamide, Biotin, Panthenol, peptides, red clover extract.
Herbs
Rosemary, ginger, honey locust, ginkgo, fo-ti.
Sensory feel
Cooling, warming or neutral; with or without alcohol.
Target users
Men, women, postpartum women.
Product range
Shampoo, scalp essence and leave-in spray in one line.
Further reading
Related topics
Herbal shampoo manufacturing
A shampoo to pair with scalp essence.
Anti-dandruff shampoo manufacturing
When a scalp with dandruff needs dedicated actives.
The cosmetic PIF
Safety documentation for products used daily on the scalp (in Vietnamese).
Cosmetic labeling rules
Claims that may not appear on hair product labels (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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