{"id":12125,"date":"2026-10-07T11:47:39","date_gmt":"2026-10-07T09:47:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.srcitaly.it\/from-idea-to-product-inside-srcs-rd-lab\/"},"modified":"2026-10-12T12:43:15","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T10:43:15","slug":"from-idea-to-product-inside-srcs-rd-lab","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.srcitaly.it\/en\/from-idea-to-product-inside-srcs-rd-lab\/","title":{"rendered":"From Idea to Product: Inside SRC\u2019s R&D Lab"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

An interview with Bettina Almonacid, Head of R&D and Regulatory Affairs at SRC<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

Behind every cosmetic product lies a journey built on expertise, technical choices, testing, and ongoing interactions between formulation, production, packaging, and the market.<\/p>\n\n

For a Contract Manufacturer of cosmetic products, Research and Development (R&D) represent far more than just a laboratory where new formulas are created. This is the juncture where an idea must be transformed into a concrete, stable, industrializable and scalable product which aligns with its target market. <\/p>\n\n

At SRC, this journey begins by listening to the client and unfolds through continuous dialogue between R&D, production, quality control, and the client team. It is an approach that allows SRC to accompany a project from its initial concept all the way to the finished product. <\/p>\n\n

Bettina Almonacid, Head of R&D and Regulatory Affairs at SRC,<\/strong> shares how this process works. Dr. Bettina Almonacid is a Chemical Engineer and Cosmetic Safety Assessor<\/strong> with solid experience in laboratory operations, quality control, and formulation development.Having joined SRC in 2016, she contributed to establishing and organizing its R&D and production departments. Since 2024, she has served as Head of R&D and Regulatory Affairs<\/strong>, bringing together expertise in formulation, quality control, production, and client relations. <\/p>\n\n

From Client Idea to the First Formulation<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

When a client first comes to SRC with just a simple product idea, where does the R&D team start? What information is needed to turn that idea into a concrete project? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

R&D work begins above all by listening to the client. Knowing how to interpret their vision and truly understanding the need they want to fulfill is essential. <\/p>\n\n

From there, we can then move on to the more concrete aspects of development: knowing the desired product type, intended use, and target texture provides crucial information for defining and formulating the most suitable base.<\/p>\n\n

Naturally, the marketing aspect plays a key role as well: it is important to understand whether the concept is already fully defined or if it needs to be built together, particularly through the choice of active ingredients and the key claims to be communicated to consumers.<\/p>\n\n

This initial phase highlights an important aspect of SRC\u2019s approach: formulas are never developed in isolation from the commercial strategy. Instead, they are created by taking into account the overall product vision, its application, and the sensory characteristics intended for the consumer.<\/p>\n\n

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“R&D work begins above all by listening to the client. Knowing how to interpret their vision and truly understanding the need they want to fulfill is essential.” Bettina Almonacid – SRC <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

Cosmetic Formula vs. Finished Product: Two Distinct Paths<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

What is the difference between developing a cosmetic formula and developing a complete cosmetic product ready for market launch?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Developing a cosmetic formula means focusing primarily on the formulation and sensory characteristics of the product, such as its texture, while exploring potential applications.<\/p>\n\n

Developing a complete cosmetic product, on the other hand, is a much more specific and complex process: the intended use, target audience, and product claims are already defined. The formulation is then engineered around all these parameters to create a product ready for scale-up and commercialization. <\/p>\n\n

The difference is substantial. A formula can serve as a starting point, whereas a finished cosmetic product must meet a comprehensive set of technical, functional, and market requirements.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n

This is precisely where the expertise of the R&D lab proves decisive: the goal is not merely to create a working formula, but to deliver a product that is fully viable and ready for production.<\/p>\n\n

Standard Formulas, Customization, and Co-Development<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

SRC offers standard formulas, customized formulas, and co-development services. What are the differences between these three approaches, and when should a client choose one over the others?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Standard formulas are pre-developed around specific performance criteria, featuring pre-selected active ingredients and established fragrances. They offer an ideal solution when a client needs a turn-key product with shorter development timelines. <\/p>\n\n

Customized formulas offer greater flexibility: ingredients can be selected or substituted based on the client\u2019s requirements, for instance, to comply with a specific “black list” of restricted ingredients or to meet specific marketing claims. In this case, the formulation timeline is longer, as stability testing must be conducted on the new blend. <\/p>\n\n

In co-development, we take a formulation provided by the client as a starting point and collaborate to update and modernize it, aligning it with current market trends. It is an especially attractive option when a client already has a formulation baseline they want to elevate. <\/p>\n\n

These three distinct approaches allow SRC to tailor the development path to each client\u2019s starting point and specific requirements.<\/p>\n\n

For more Info: Private Label Cosmetici: cos’\u00e8 e come funziona in SRC<\/a><\/p>\n\n

The Product Must Speak to Its Market<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

How important is it for R&D to understand the product’s market positioning, target audience, and sales channel\u2014whether pharmacy, perfumery, mass market, e-commerce, or professional beauty salons?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

This information is crucial because it guides product features from the earliest stages of development.<\/p>\n\n

Knowing the positioning, target demographic, and distribution channel helps determine the base formulation, texture, and scent profile. For instance, a product formulated for professional salon use requires different performance characteristics than one designed for everyday retail consumers. <\/p>\n\n

This principle is fundamental in contract manufacturing: there is no single “perfect” formula in absolute terms\u2014only a formula that is consistent with the product vision and the market context in which it will be sold.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Ingredients, Innovation, and Sustainability<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

How are raw materials and ingredients selected? What features do you evaluate beyond their functional performance? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Ingredient selection extends far beyond basic cosmetic functionality. We place increasing emphasis on innovation, origin, and raw material quality. <\/p>\n\n

Today, for example, incorporating upcycled ingredients<\/a>, natural extracts, or biotechnological ingredients is becoming increasingly important. These components contribute not only to product performance but also to its sustainability narrative and market position. <\/p>\n\n

Formulation research must therefore respond to a market where origin, innovation, and sustainability of raw materials <\/strong>serve as key product differentiators.<\/p>\n

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Sensory Experience: When the Formula Becomes an Experience<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

How much do performance and sensory attributes\u2014texture, absorption rate, scent, and finish\u2014matter in cosmetic development, and how are they evaluated during the process?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Sensory appeal is a cornerstone of cosmetic formulation. Texture, absorption speed, fragrance, and skin finish strongly influence consumer perception and overall product quality. <\/p>\n\n

During development, sensory properties are evaluated internally through application trials conducted by an expert panel. This panel provides structured feedback, enabling fine-tuning of the formula.<\/p>\n\n

A cosmetic product is judged by more than just its active ingredients; how it applies, absorbs, feels on the skin, and performs during use are all critical parts of the user experience.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

That is why testing and feedback collection are integral components of our development pipeline.<\/p>\n\n

From Laboratory to Mass Production: Industrial Scale-Up<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

Is a formula that works in the lab automatically ready for commercial production? What are the main challenges when scaling up from lab to factory floor? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

No, a formula that succeeds in the laboratory is not automatically ready for industrial-scale manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n

Transitioning from lab bench to commercial batches requires adapting the production process. Primary challenges often involve processing time and equipment variations, as manufacturing parameters differ significantly from lab conditions. <\/p>\n\n

It is critical to verify that the formulation retains its target performance, texture, and stability when produced in large volumes.<\/p>\n\n

It is one of the stages where technical expertise and production experience become particularly important.<\/p>\n\n

They are paramount here to ensure seamless transfer from lab to production floor without compromising quality.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

R&D and Packaging: Co-Development in Parallel<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

How significantly do packaging, delivery systems, and materials impact the formulation and stability of a product? Are R&D and packaging developed concurrently? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Dispensing systems and packaging significantly influence formulation design. Knowing the delivery mechanism upfront helps us tailor the viscosity and texture, whether fluid, gel, compact, or rich cream. <\/p>\n\n

Furthermore, interactions between the formula and packaging materials require rigorous quality control and stability testing.<\/p>\n\n

Ideally, formulation and packaging should be developed side by side. When these workflows run independently, project timelines can face delays. <\/p>\n\n

A holistic approach is essential: formula, dispensing mechanism, and primary packaging are interdependent elements of a single product.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Market Demands and the Future of Cosmetics<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

What are the most frequent client requests today, and which trends do you believe will shape the future of cosmetics?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Client demand is increasingly focused on proven efficacy, natural formulations, and bio-based active ingredients.<\/p>\n\n

The future of cosmetics will lean even more heavily toward environmental sustainability through responsible resource management and sustainable raw material innovation.<\/p>\n\n

Performance, naturality, biotechnology, and sustainability are the driving forces behind the daily inquiries received by our lab.<\/p>\n\n

For an R&D department, this means constinously developing solutions that harmonize high performance, innovation, and eco-conscious formulation practices.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

When Direct Client Collaboration Makes the Difference<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Without disclosing confidential details, could you share a memorable project SRC handled\u2014the initial brief, the challenges faced, and how you reached the final product?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Every project is interesting because each brings unique requirements and technical challenges.<\/p>\n\n

One particularly rewarding experience involved developing a complete product line featuring novel, high-sensory textures. As samples were produced, they underwent sensory trials, with formulas iteratively adjusted based on user feedback. <\/p>\n\n

A common challenge during sensory evaluation is accurately interpreting subjective feedback, which is figuring out what users dislike about a sample texturally. To resolve this, we hosted joint testing sessions with the client directly at our facility, observing real-time product application and gathering immediate feedback. <\/p>\n\n

This direct collaboration allowed us to pinpoint specific textural preferences and finalize the desired formulas within just a few iterations.<\/p>\n\n

It highlighted an essential truth about R&D: client feedback cannot always be translated directly into technical terms right away. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Sometimes, you need to observe, test, collaborate, and refine together to turn a subjective preference\u2014the “it’s not quite right yet”\u2014 into actionable formulation parameters. <\/p>\n

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The SRC R&D Team. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

R&D as a Strategic Product Development Partner<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

This interview with Bettina Almonacid illustrates that R&D at SRC is not an isolated phase of the manufacturing chain, but an ongoing dialogue connecting the client, marketing, production, quality control, and packaging.<\/p>\n\n

From the initial briefing and ingredient sourcing to texture engineering, sensory trials, stability testing, and industrial scale-up, every stage plays a vital role in building the final product.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

This defines the true value of an R&D partner: going beyond basic formulation to put technical mastery and industry experience behind the client’s vision, thus transforming ideas into scalable, market-ready products.<\/p>\n\n

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In our R&D lab, we support every client by turning an idea into a concrete, safe, and commercially viable cosmetic product. We listen to market needs, select sustainable raw materials, and refine textures and efficacy through sensory testing and continuous collaboration. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":12121,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[84],"tags":[90,92,91],"class_list":["post-12125","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cosmetics-innovation","tag-cosmetic-rd","tag-head-of-rd","tag-product-idea"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.srcitaly.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12125","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.srcitaly.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.srcitaly.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.srcitaly.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.srcitaly.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12125"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.srcitaly.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12125\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12136,"href":"https:\/\/www.srcitaly.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12125\/revisions\/12136"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.srcitaly.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12121"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.srcitaly.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12125"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.srcitaly.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12125"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.srcitaly.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12125"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}