Unveiling the Distinct Roles of OEM and ODM in the Cosmetics Manufacturing Industry

If you’re researching how to manufacture skincare products in South Korea, you’ve likely come across the terms OEM and ODM. While often used interchangeably, they represent two very different paths — especially in the world of K-beauty manufacturing.

Let’s break down what these terms mean and how they apply to skincare product development, with specific reference to how MAYK offers these services.

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ODM: Original Design Manufacturing

What is ODM in Skincare Manufacturing?

ODM stands for Original Design Manufacturing, and in the skincare world, it refers to a manufacturing model where the product — including the formula and sometimes the packaging — is already developed by the manufacturer. Brands can then purchase these pre-developed products and customize the branding, label, and packaging to make them their own.

Unlike OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturing), where a product is made entirely from scratch, ODM allows brands to skip the research and development phase and launch with a formula that’s already tested, approved, and production-ready.

This is why ODM is also sometimes referred to as white label manufacturing or private label manufacturing — though there are important nuances we’ll get into below.

How Does ODM Skincare Manufacturing Work?

ODM is essentially a plug-and-play manufacturing model: you take an existing product developed by a manufacturer and rebrand it as your own. But while that may sound “off-the-shelf,” it’s often more strategic and customizable than most people realize — especially in the context of Korean skincare manufacturing.

Here’s a look at the typical ODM process:

1. Formula Selection

The manufacturer provides a catalog of ready-made skincare formulations — these are products that have already undergone:

• Ingredient testing

• Safety and stability evaluation

• Performance optimization

• Packaging compatibility checks

These formulas are often created based on popular trends, customer demand, or functional skincare goals (e.g. brightening, soothing, hydrating, anti-aging).

The brand chooses a formula that aligns with their goals, product vision, and target audience.

2. Packaging Selection

In traditional ODM skincare manufacturing, some manufacturers may offer a limited selection of compatible packaging options for their pre-developed formulas — such as bottles, jars, tubes, or pumps that have already passed compatibility testing. Depending on the supplier, brands may be able to choose between different materials, caps, or finishes.

However, at MAYK, ODM is split into two tiers:

• White label manufacturing (Retail-ready Formulations)
  These are fixed formulas with fixed packaging — meaning no customization is available for either the formula or the container. This allows for the lowest MOQs and the fastest production timeline. You simply add your branding (label design) to launch. This is what we refer to as Retail-ready Formulations at MAYK — a ready-made product you can rebrand, but not alter. Example: If you choose our bestselling Rice Toner from the catalog, you cannot change the bottle, pump, or texture — only the outer label is customizable.

• Private label manufacturing (Custom Formulation a.k.a OEM)
  If you want to change the packaging — whether it's to use glass instead of plastic, switch to a pump format, or design something more premium — this moves the project into a custom formulation category (OEM). That’s because changing the container requires:

  • Compatibility testing with the formula

  • New component sourcing

  • Updated production line setup

  This shift typically comes with higher MOQs and longer lead times, but it also opens the door to deeper brand differentiation and elevated packaging experiences.

3. Branding and Label Customization

Once the formula and packaging are selected, you can add your own:

• Logo and brand colors

• Product name

• Design elements (label, box)

The end product is a skincare item that looks and feels custom — even though the formulation itself is not exclusive to your brand.

When Is ODM the Right Path?

ODM is ideal when:

• You're just getting started

• You want to launch fast

• You need lower MOQs

• You have a small budget

• You want to rebrand a proven product

• You're not ready for custom formulations (yet)

Why Choose MAYK for ODM?

• We work only with vetted, GMP-certified manufacturers in Korea

• We curate formulas that reflect what’s trending in K-beauty right now

• We provide English-speaking project management and clear communication

• We help you find the perfect balance between speed, quality, and cost-efficiency

Whether you’re an indie brand, esthetician, influencer, or retailer launching your first skincare line — or a seasoned business owner looking to expand into Korean-made products — MAYK’s ODM services are designed to make the process easier, faster, and more professional.

Want to see our formulas? Explore MAYK’s ODM catalog here →

OEM: Original Equipment Manufacturing

What is OEM in Skincare Manufacturing?

OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturing, and in the context of skincare, it refers to the process of creating a completely custom product from scratch, made exclusively for a specific brand.

While the term “OEM” is used across many industries — from electronics to fashion — in beauty and skincare, it takes on a more nuanced, development-heavy meaning. It’s the most customizable and brand-specific path available in skincare manufacturing, and it allows you to bring your own vision to life — whether that’s a never-before-seen product, a new texture, or a formulation that aligns with your brand’s ethics, performance goals, and target customer.

How Does OEM Skincare Manufacturing Work?

At its core, OEM skincare is a collaborative development process between a brand and a manufacturer. The brand comes with an idea — sometimes as detailed as an ingredient wish list, and other times just a concept or desired outcome — and the manufacturer develops a formulation that meets those specifications.

The process typically includes:

1. Product Planning and Conceptualization

This is where the brand defines the product’s identity:

• What skin concern is it addressing?

• Who is it for?

• What texture, finish, and sensory experience should it have?

• What claims should it deliver (e.g. hydration, wrinkle reduction, brightening)?

2. R&D (Research & Development)

The manufacturer’s R&D team works to formulate a product that meets these requirements. This includes:

• Ingredient selection based on efficacy, safety, and synergy

• Establishing the right concentration of actives

• Ensuring stability, texture, and sensory performance

• Matching market trends or functional requirements (e.g. vegan, fragrance-free, silicone-free, etc.)

Some brands also work closely during the R&D process to incorporate signature ingredients, or to replicate the texture and feel of a product they admire — while ensuring the end result is original. This ensures that the brand gets what they want. This is more prominent in brands that have done a thorough market research on the product they want to sell and the marketing claims they want the product to have.

3. Sampling and Revisions

Once the lab develops the initial formula, the brand receives a prototype sample. The brand can test it and provide feedback, leading to revisions such as small tweaks (like adding more slip or adjusting the viscosity). This phase may go through multiple iterations before the final version is approved for production.

4. Packaging Customization

With OEM, packaging is fully customizable — from the structure (bottle, jar, pump) to material choices (glass, PCR plastic, airless) and finishes (matte, glossy, screen-printed, embossed).

Brands can choose packaging that reinforces their identity, sustainability values, or price point — creating a premium, cohesive look and feel.

When Is OEM the Right Path?

OEM is ideal when:

• You have a strong brand vision or product concept

• You’re creating a hero product or flag-bearing item in your line

• You want to scale or eventually distribute globally

• You’re planning to register functional claims (e.g. wrinkle care, skin brightening)

• You want to own or license your formula

• You want to create a line of cohesive products (e.g. cleanser, serum, cream)

• You have a large budget and are ready to invest or scale

OEM Skincare with MAYK

At MAYK, our OEM service — called Custom Formulation — is designed to help beauty brands bring their skincare ideas to life through trusted Korean manufacturers.

We work closely with clients and labs to:

• Translate your vision into a lab-ready brief

• Manage the R&D and sampling process

• Recommend market-proven ingredient combinations

• Support clinical testing (for functional cosmetics)

• Coordinate packaging sourcing and design

• Ensure smooth communication between client and manufacturer

Our partners are GMP-certified labs in Korea that specialize in innovative, dermatologically tested, and globally compliant skincare — from minimalist vegan formulas to advanced actives like PDRN, fermented botanicals, or microneedling serums.

Whether you're creating one signature product or launching a complete skincare line, MAYK makes the OEM journey easier, faster, and more strategic — so you can focus on building a brand that stands out.

What's an easier way to do custom formulations?

In addition to full custom formulation, MAYK also supports semi-custom development by helping brands start from existing or trending products in the Korean market. Through our network of manufacturers, we can make custom adjustments to ingredients, textures, fragrance, or packaging based on existing products in the market. This is ideal for brands who want have an exact vision of what they want to achieve. It also

Want to learn more? Start your custom skincare formulation journey with MAYK →

Choosing the Right Manufacturing Path for Your Brand

Deciding between OEM and ODM largely depends on a company's specific needs, resources, and objectives. Companies seeking to launch a new cosmetic product quickly and efficiently might opt for OEM, while those aiming for unique offerings and brand differentiation might prefer ODM. Both of these options are available at MAYK. In fact, we make manufacturing easier to understand and start, and have simplified our services to Retail-ready Formulations and Custom Formulation.  

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Here are a few examples of situations that we've come across in our clientele: 

a. A client who already has their own established product, but wishes to source for a Korean manufacturer, can inquire for a custom formulation with specified formula and designs. MAYK will then source for the most appropriate Korean suppliers that can recreate the same product. 

b. A client who has an idea of what they want to produce, but does not find the product in MAYK's private labeling catalog, can inquire for a custom formulation with the concept or idea that they have in mind. MAYK will then source for Korean cosmetic manufacturers who can formulate a new product based on the client's ideas. 

c. A client who has no idea of what they want to produce, but wishes to source for trending K-beauty products to sell in their own countries, can explore MAYK's private labeling catalog for products that were curated based on trend data. 

Whether you're looking for ODM or ODM, MAYK is here to guide you to success.