What You Need to Test Before Selling as a New Maker

Don’t skip this checklist before you launch new products

It’s tempting to start selling as soon as your products look good, but there’s more to it than just scent and sparkle. Testing makes sure your creations are safe, consistent and that they actually work the way they should.

Here’s a clear checklist of what to test before you put your products out there, so you can launch with confidence.

Safety First 🧪

If you’re making cosmetic products like bath bombs, scrubs or body butters, you must follow cosmetic safety regulations.

This means getting a Cosmetic Product Safety Report (CPSR) from a qualified assessor (like us!) which proves your formula is safe for use and legally allows you to sell it in the UK.

You’ll also need to label your products correctly and register them on the UK’s cosmetic portal.

Stability and Shelf Life 🕒

How long do your products last? Do they change colour, lose scent or soften after a few weeks? You need to know.

Make a test batch and store it in normal room conditions. Check it weekly over time to spot any signs of mould, separation or fading. Keep notes and photos.

For example, with melt and pour soap, watch for sweating or shrinkage. For body butters, look for graininess or oil pooling.

Packaging Tests 📦

Your packaging needs to protect the product, but it also needs to survive being picked up, shipped or stored.

Drop it. Shake it. Leave it on a sunny windowsill. See how it holds up. Check that labels stay stuck, jars don’t leak, and boxes don’t crush too easily.

If anything gets damaged or messy during testing, fix it now rather than hearing about it from a customer later.

Water and Humidity Exposure 💧

Products like bath bombs are sensitive to moisture, so test how they hold up in different conditions.

Leave a few testers in a humid bathroom, a cool cupboard and near a sunny window. If they sweat, crack or crumble, adjust your ingredients or packaging until they stay stable.

This step is especially important during warm, damp summer months.

Customer Experience ⭐

Use your products as your customers would. How do they smell in the bath? How long do they fizz? Do they leave a film or make the tub slippery?

Get friends or family to try them too and give honest feedback. This helps you catch anything that might cause disappointment or confusion when someone uses your product for the first time.

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Join Our Facebook Support Group 🫱🏼‍🫲🏾

Want advice on testing or need help figuring out where to start? Come chat with other makers in the Soak Rochford Support Group on Facebook. 

It’s full of friendly tips, support and real-life lessons from people who have been there too.