Cold Process vs Hot Process in Skincare OEM: Choosing the Right Method for Your Formula

In skincare manufacturing, temperature is a silent ingredient. Cold process protects heat-sensitive actives and keeps formulas light, while hot process melts waxes and thickeners for richer textures. Choosing the right method preserves actives and delivers the intended feel.

The Scenario: Three challenges in processing

Choosing a process involves three considerations:

Pain Points

• Heat-sensitive actives degrade in hot process, losing their benefit;
• Waxes and thickeners need heat to melt and build a rich texture;
• The process affects the final feel, stability, and cost of the formula.

The Solution: Three processing solutions

The right method offers three solutions:

1. Cold process for actives Use cold process to protect heat-sensitive actives and keep formulas light.

2. Hot process for texture Use hot process to melt waxes and thickeners for richer, more stable textures.

3. Hybrid processing Combine methods to protect actives while building the intended feel.

The Result: Actives preserved, feel delivered

With the right method, actives stay potent and the texture feels as intended. The process is as much a part of the formula as any ingredient.