Having Hair Serum Produced: How Brands Strategically Combine Heat Protection, Shine, and Frizz Control in One Leave-In Product
Having Hair Serum Produced: How Brands Strategically Combine Heat Protection, Shine, and Frizz Control in One Leave-In Product
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CEO & Founder at Labtree GmbH
Hair serum is the leave-in product in hair care. It protects against heat during styling, tames frizz, and provides shine. Silicone or silicone-free composition and sensory profile determine brand positioning and target group.
The topic is short and compact
Heat protection, frizz control, and shine are the three functional promises that a hair serum must deliver.
The silicone strategy is a fundamental positioning decision with clear sensory and communicative consequences.
With formulation basis and early validation of lightness on real hair: 2 to 4 months to market launch.
The choice of carrier base determines the sensory profile, absorption behavior, and brand positioning. Three basic types are common.
Oil-based hair serum (anhydrous): light carrier oils such as cyclopentasiloxanes, dimethicones, or plant-based counterparts (squalane, caprylic/capric triglycerides). Very smooth application, high shine effect, suitable for premium positioning.
Aqueous spray serum (leave-in spray): low active ingredient content, sprayable texture, easy distribution in damp hair. Daily use, detangling function.
Emulsion serum (O/W): hybrid of caring character and lightness, good for heat protection concepts with an additional active ingredient share.
The carrier base is linked to the main function: oil serum for maximum shine and frizz control, spray for daily use, emulsion for balanced multi-functionality.
Which carrier base carries which brand promise
The choice of carrier base determines the sensory profile, absorption behavior, and brand positioning. Three basic types are common.
Oil-based hair serum (anhydrous): light carrier oils such as cyclopentasiloxanes, dimethicones, or plant-based counterparts (squalane, caprylic/capric triglycerides). Very smooth application, high shine effect, suitable for premium positioning.
Aqueous spray serum (leave-in spray): low active ingredient content, sprayable texture, easy distribution in damp hair. Daily use, detangling function.
Emulsion serum (O/W): hybrid of caring character and lightness, good for heat protection concepts with an additional active ingredient share.
The carrier base is linked to the main function: oil serum for maximum shine and frizz control, spray for daily use, emulsion for balanced multi-functionality.
Heat protection as a functional promise
Heat protection is one of the most frequently mentioned purchasing motivations for hair serums. Hair dryers and hair straighteners generate temperatures of 120 to 230 degrees, which can damage the hair structure.
Silicone-based heat protection (Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Quaternium-70): forms a protective film on the hair, reduces water loss during styling, and smooths the cuticle. Very efficient.
Polymer-based heat protection (PVP, VP/DMAPA Acrylates, copolymers): film-forming polymers, often in silicone-reduced or silicone-free concepts combined with caring active ingredients.
Plant-based heat protection components (sunflower oil, argan oil, hydrolyzed proteins): offer limited thermal protection, often as a natural cosmetics alternative in combination with polymers.
For heat protection claims, the active ingredient combination and concentration must be documented in a regulatory and communicatively clean manner, as this should be functionally demonstrable.
Frizz control and shine
Frizz is caused by moisture absorption from the air into a damaged or raised hair cuticle. Shine occurs when the cuticle lies flat and reflects light in a directed manner. Both effects are closely linked.
Silicone strategy: Dimethicone and amodimethicone smooth the cuticle instantly and provide high shine. Cyclomethicone evaporates upon application, leaving a light film.
Silicone-free strategy: plant oils (argan, macadamia, coconut in small amounts), film-forming polymers and proteins achieve a similar, slightly more subtle effect.
Cationic conditioners in low concentrations: complement the smoothing effect and stabilize the results over several hours.
UV protection filters: optional, additionally protect colored hair from sun oxidation.
Frizz control is a central promise, especially in Curly Girl concepts where the ingredients must be consistently silicone- and sulfate-free.
sensory profile and packaging
The sensory profile decides whether a hair serum is used in the long term. Three critical levers:
Lightness: The serum must not weigh the hair down. The carrier base and active ingredient concentration must be very finely adjusted.
Distribution: good spreadability in the hair, easy dosing via pump, pipette, or spray.
Scent: subtle, often coordinated with the shampoo-conditioner system of the line. Perfume oil concentration 0.2 to 0.6 percent.
Standard packaging:
Glass bottle 30 ml to 100 ml with pump or pipette: premium standard for oil serums.
PET spray bottle 100 ml to 200 ml: for watery leave-in sprays, daily-use concepts.
Tube 75 ml to 150 ml: for emulsion serums with a creamy texture.
Time and cost variables
White Label based on a pre-qualified formulation: 2 to 3 months, unit costs from approx. 3 to 8 EUR (depending on carrier base, active ingredients, packaging, batch size)
Individual new development: 3 to 6 months, higher initial costs for stability and skin compatibility tests, heat protection validation for specific claims
Typical MOQ: 1,500 to 5,000 units with standard packaging, higher for premium glass bottles with pipettes
At Labtree, pre-qualified hair serum formulations in various carrier bases and active ingredient systems serve as a starting point. Brands see early on which base fits the planned positioning.
In-depth sources: The legal basis for all cosmetic products distributed in the EU is the EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. In Germany, the health assessment of ingredients is the responsibility of the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR). Industry information and market data are published by the German Cosmetic, Toiletry, Perfumery and Detergent Association (IKW).
The 5-phase process for a hair serum
Conceptualization: Selection of the carrier base, heat protection strategy, silicone positioning and packaging based on brand promise, target group and price point. Allocation to a suitable recipe base from the Labtree pool.
sampling: Standard samples of pre-qualified formulations are shipped within 24 hours from the sample warehouse, free of charge for customers. Initial sensory assessment on real hair.
Individualization: Targeted adaptation of the carrier base, active ingredients, film former system and fragrance. Iterative sample variants until light weight, shine and frizz control are perfect.
Prototyping: Test batch in production-like size including testing of the final pump or spray packaging. In parallel, packaging, design, regulatory requirements and production capability are considered early on, instead of only being addressed after the final recipe approval.
Production: Scaling to final batch size, transition to routine production. Because production capability was already considered during the prototyping phase, the final step takes place in a coordinated manner.
Related articles: Have shampoo produced · Have conditioner produced · Have body oil produced
Own hair serum formulations in the pool: Do bases already exist in oil, emulsion, and spray variants with different silicone strategies, or does every development start from scratch?
Own laboratory: Can carrier and active ingredient adjustments be made in-house, or do they have to be outsourced externally?
Sampling speed: Standard samples within 24 hours is a realistic benchmark. Shipping is also free of charge with Labtree.
Experience with heat protection active ingredients and film-forming polymers: Heat protection must be documented cleanly, both from a regulatory and functional standpoint; documented previous experience shortens the development loops.
Scalability: From the test batch to large-scale production without interface breaks.
Having hair serum manufactured is a well-plannable venture if the strategic decisions (carrier base, heat protection strategy, silicone positioning, sensory profile) are made early and build on a pre-qualified formulation base. Anyone who considers packaging compatibility and regulatory preparation alongside the formulation can achieve market launch in 2 to 4 months.
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FAQ
Does Labtree have its own laboratory?
Yes. Labtree has its own development expertise, including a laboratory. This means that formulations can not only be selected, but specifically developed, tested, and adjusted. Additionally, smaller test batches can be produced in-house in order to validate products early on in real conditions and safely transfer them to production.
What is a hair serum used for?
As a leave-in after washing or before styling. It protects the hair from heat during blow-drying or straightening, controls frizz and provides shine. Unlike a conditioner, it remains in the hair and must be light enough not to weigh the hair down.
Which active ingredients provide heat protection?
Silicones such as dimethicone and phenyl trimethicone form a protective film on the hair. Film-forming polymers (PVP, VP/DMAPA acrylates) are the standard alternative in silicone-reduced concepts. Vegetable oils like argan oil complement the effect, but are less thermally protective.
How long does it take to develop a hair serum?
For White Label on a pre-qualified formulation basis: 2 to 3 months. Individual new development: 3 to 6 months. Decisive factors are sensory iterations for lightness, active ingredient concentration and, if applicable, proof of efficacy for heat protection claims.
What minimum quantity is realistic?
For standard packaging, 1,500 to 5,000 pieces per product. For premium glass bottles with pipettes or particularly small volumes starting from 30 ml, the MOQs may be higher due to the packaging. Test batches starting from approx. 1,000 to 2,000 pieces are possible for market validation.
How much does a hair serum cost to produce?
Project-dependent. Unit costs for White Label with standard packaging are typically 3 to 8 EUR for a medium batch size. Initial costs include stability tests, skin compatibility tests, and regulatory documentation. Premium glass bottles, high-quality vegetable oils, and film-forming polymers drive the unit costs.
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