One of the most common mistakes international buyers make when starting a Korean cosmetic ODM project is trying to describe their desired product entirely in words. 'I want a lightweight serum with fast absorption and a dewy finish' — this sounds clear, but to a formulation chemist, it could mean a hundred different things.
Why Words Are Not Enough in Cosmetic Development
Texture, absorption rate, finish, spreadability, and skin feel are sensory qualities. They exist in the physical world, not in language. Two people can describe the same product completely differently, and two products described identically can feel completely different on skin.
This is why the most experienced Korean cosmetic manufacturers will always ask: do you have a target product? A benchmark product you love, or a competitor product you want to match or improve upon?
What Makes a Good Target Product?
- A product you personally love and use regularly
- A competitor product that sells well in your target market
- A premium product you want to offer at a more competitive price
- A product with a specific texture or finish your customers are asking for
- Any product that represents the performance standard you want to achieve
How to Send Your Target Product
When sending benchmark products to your Korean ODM partner, include the following information alongside the physical product:
- 1The product name and brand (for reference, not for copying)
- 2What you love about it — texture, scent, finish, absorption
- 3What you want to improve or change
- 4Your target price point and market positioning
- 5Any ingredients you want to include or exclude
What Happens After You Send the Target Product
Your Korean cosmetic manufacturer's R&D team will analyze the benchmark product in the lab. They will identify the key formulation characteristics — viscosity, emulsion type, active ingredient profile, and sensory properties. From this analysis, they develop a custom formula that matches or improves upon the target.
“Sending a target product is not about copying. It is about giving your R&D team a precise, shared reference point. It reduces sample iterations from 6-8 rounds to 2-3 rounds, saving weeks of development time and thousands of dollars in sampling costs.”
What If You Don't Have a Target Product?
If you genuinely don't have a benchmark product, the next best approach is to provide detailed sensory descriptions combined with reference images, market positioning documents, and a clear target consumer profile. Your Korean ODM partner can suggest base formulations from their existing library as a starting point.
Have a target product in mind? Send it to us and we'll analyze it for free as part of your initial consultation.
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