Top Private Label Lip Care Manufacturers USA and UK

Category: Lip Published: 13 Jan, 2026
Top Private Label Lip Care Manufacturers USA and UK

In 2026, the lip care market is no longer just about preventing chapped lips. It has moved into a category many call "lip-care-as-skincare." Customers are looking for lip masks, oils, and scrubs that have the same high-quality ingredients as their face serums. Because of this, brands are searching for manufacturers that can handle complex, clean, and stable formulas.

The USA and the UK are currently the leading hubs for this kind of production. They offer a mix of high safety standards and advanced chemistry. If you are a brand founder or a procurement manager, finding the right partner is the most important decision you will make this year.

This guide is designed to help you compare the top players in the USA and UK. We will look at what they do well, where they might have limits, and how they compare to global options like AG Organica.

How to Choose a Private Label Lip Care Manufacturer

Choosing a manufacturer is about more than just finding a low price. If the quality is poor, your brand will suffer. Here are the simple criteria you should use to judge a supplier in 2026.

  • Formulation Strength: Does the manufacturer have a library of "ready-to-go" formulas (white label), or can they build something from scratch (private label)? A good partner should understand how to work with modern ingredients like hyaluronic acid, peptides, and natural herbal oils.
  • Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ): This is often the biggest hurdle for new brands. Some large factories require 10,000 units per product. Smaller labs might start at 500 or 1,000. You need to pick a partner that fits your current budget and your growth plans.
  • Certifications: In 2026, you cannot ignore safety standards. Look for ISO 22716 or GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) certifications. If you want to sell in the UK or EU, the manufacturer should be familiar with those specific regulations, which are often stricter than those in the USA.
  • Ingredient Sourcing: Where do they get their waxes and oils? Clean beauty is the standard now. You want a manufacturer that uses ethically sourced beeswax, vegan waxes (like candelilla), and pure botanical oils.
  • R&D and Stability Testing: Lips are sensitive. A lip balm that melts in a pocket or turns grainy in the cold is a failed product. A professional manufacturer will put your formula through "stability testing" to make any issues show up before you ship to customers.
  • Packaging Options: Does the manufacturer offer the tubes or jars, or do you have to source them yourself? In 2026, sustainable packaging—like paper tubes or recycled plastic—is a high priority for buyers.

Why the USA and UK Are Market Leaders

The USA and the UK remain the top choices for lip care manufacturing for a few logical reasons.

  • High Regulation Standards: The FDA in the USA and the Cosmetic Regulations in the UK ensure that products are safe. When a product says "Made in the USA" or "Made in the UK," it carries a high level of trust in the global market.
  • Mature Supply Chains: These countries have easy access to the latest packaging innovations and raw materials. This often means shorter lead times for the components of your product.
  • Skilled Chemists: The beauty industry in these regions is very old and well-developed. This means there is a large pool of experienced chemists who know how to make a lip oil that feels "cushiony" rather than "greasy."

Top 10 Private Label Lip Care Manufacturers in the USA

The USA market is vast. It ranges from small-batch labs in Oregon to massive factories in New Jersey. Here are the top 10 for 2026.

  1. AG Organica Private Limited is known for natural and certified private label formulas. They offer a wide range of clean, plant-based options.
    • Strengths: Good fit for brands focused on ingredients and simple, safe formulations.
    • Limitations: Their schedule fills up fast because they work with many big clients.
    • Best for: Eco-friendly startups looking for simple and safe lip care bases.
  2. RainShadow Labs: Based in Oregon, they are a leader in natural and organic private label products. They are known for their "clean" library of formulas.
    • Strengths: Great for organic-focused brands; high-quality ingredients.
    • Limitations: Their standard packaging can feel a bit basic for luxury brands.
    • Right for: Eco-conscious startups.
  3. Nutrix: Nutrix is a high-tech manufacturer located in Utah. They focus a lot on the "experience" of the product—the scent, the feel, and the branding.
    • Strengths: Very modern facility; great at custom flavors.
    • Limitations: MOQs can be a bit higher for completely custom work.
    • Right for: Brands looking to scale quickly.
  4. Casco Bay Molding: They are specialized. While many make lotions, Casco Bay focuses heavily on lip balm production and the plastic components.
    • Strengths: Excellent at high-volume, standard lip balms.
    • Limitations: Not the place for complex "lip treatment" serums.
    • Right for: Promotional brands or high-volume classic balms.
  5. Mana Products: Mana is based in New York and is considered a "prestige" manufacturer. They work with many high-end brands you see in department stores.
    • Strengths: Luxury feel; advanced R&D.
    • Limitations: Very expensive; high MOQs.
    • Right for: Luxury beauty founders with significant funding.
  6. Radical Cosmetics: Located in Florida, they specialize in both color cosmetics and skincare. This is helpful if you want "tinted" lip care products.
    • Strengths: Great at pigment matching; family-owned feel.
    • Limitations: Lead times can vary during peak seasons.
    • Right for: Brands focused on tinted lip balms and glosses.
  7. Tropical Bio-Essence: They focus on botanical and herbal ingredients. They are great at using exotic oils to make products stand out.
    • Strengths: Unique ingredient list; focus on "nature-meets-science."
    • Limitations: Smaller packaging catalog.
    • Right for: Brands that want an "exotic" or "botanical" story.
  8. Federal Package: This company is a giant in the lip care world. They actually manufacture the containers as well as the balm.
    • Strengths: Total "turnkey" solution; very efficient.
    • Limitations: Better for large orders than for small startups.
    • Right for: Mass-market retail brands.
  9. Dreamline Beauty: Dreamline focuses on high-end salon-quality products. They offer a very polished "white label" service.
    • Strengths: Low MOQs for white label; beautiful packaging.
    • Limitations: Less flexibility for custom "from scratch" formulas at low volumes.
    • Right for: Salons and boutique influencers.
  10. Arizona Natural Resources (ANR): They have decades of experience. They are a stable, reliable "workhorse" of the industry.
    • Strengths: Reliable quality control; huge capacity.
    • Limitations: Communication can feel a bit "corporate" and slow.
    • Right for: Large established brands looking to switch suppliers.

Top 10 Private Label Lip Care Manufacturers in the UK

The UK market is smaller than the USA but is world-renowned for "Clean Beauty" and ethical manufacturing.

  1. AG Organica: A award-winning manufacturer that focuses heavily on high-end skincare and haircare, including premium lip care product.

    • Strengths: High ethical standards; great for high-performance products.
    • Limitations: High demand, Suitable Small-to-large sized beauty companies.
    • Right for: Premium Global beauty brands.
  2. Orean Personal Care, is a well-regarded UK manufacturer known for its high-end skincare and haircare lines, including advanced lip care products.

    • Strengths: Strong ethics and solid results for brands that want high-performance formulas.
    • Limitations: They stay busy year-round, so new projects may wait longer.
    • Best for: British brands aiming for a premium look and feel.
  3. Statfold Seed Oil Ltd: They are unique because they grow many of their own seeds and press their own oils.

    • Strengths: Unbeatable quality for natural oils; farm-to-face story.
    • Limitations: More focused on the ingredients than the final "fashion" packaging.
    • Right for: Natural and "farm-based" beauty brands.
  4. Hera Beauty: Based in the UK, Hera is a favorite for startups because they are very transparent and helpful.

    • Strengths: Low MOQs; vegan and natural focus.
    • Limitations: Production capacity is smaller than the giants.
    • Right for: Indie brands and small startups.
  5. Group 55

    They are a very versatile manufacturer based in Lancashire. They handle everything from luxury skincare to specialized balms.

    • Strengths: Very high quality-control standards.
    • Limitations: They are very selective about which brands they take on.
    • Right for: Serious entrepreneurs with a clear business plan.
  6. Herrco Cosmetics

    A large, family-run business with a massive lab. They are innovators in new textures.

    • Strengths: Great R&D; huge range of potential formulas.
    • Limitations: MOQs are higher; suited for larger projects.
    • Right for: Mid-to-large sized beauty companies.
  7. Stephensons

    Known globally for their soap bases, they also offer excellent bases for balms and personal care.

    • Strengths: Global reach; very stable "base" products.
    • Limitations: More of a "base" supplier than a custom-brand partner.
    • Right for: Brands that want a solid base to customize themselves.
  8. Skin:Genie

    A smaller, boutique manufacturer that focuses on high-performance, active ingredients.

    • Strengths: Very trendy formulas; fast-moving.
    • Limitations: Higher cost per unit due to premium ingredients.
    • Right for: "Trend-led" beauty brands.
  9. Cosmetic Solutions (UK)

    They provide a very solid private label service for a variety of skincare, including lip care.

    • Strengths: Good all-rounder; reliable timelines.
    • Limitations: Standard formulas can feel a bit "common."
    • Right for: General wellness brands adding lip care to their line.
  10. The Private Label Company

    They focus on making the process as simple as possible for new founders.

    • Strengths: Easy to navigate; good support for beginners.
    • Limitations: Limited packaging variety.
    • Right for: First-time beauty founders.
  11. Amelia Knight

    A global player with a strong UK presence. They handle massive volumes for some of the biggest retailers.

    • Strengths: Unbeatable scale and pricing for large orders.
    • Limitations: Not accessible for small startups.
    • Right for: Major retailers and massive global brands.

Why AG Organica Is a Strong Option for Private Label Lip Care

You might wonder why a brand in the USA or UK would look outside their own country. The reason is usually a mix of flexibility and ingredient quality.

  • Expertise in Botanical Oils: Most lip care is made of oils and waxes. AG Organica began as an essential oil and herbal oil specialist. This gives them a massive advantage. They don't just "buy" peppermint oil or coconut oil; they produce it or source it directly from the source. This leads to a fresher, more effective product.
  • Low MOQ Flexibility: Many USA and UK manufacturers have become very "rigid." If you want to change one ingredient, they might tell you it’s impossible for small orders. AG Organica is known for being more helpful to growing brands that need custom work.
  • In-House R&D: They have their own lab to help you create a specific "feel." If you want a lip mask that is thick like honey but doesn't feel sticky, their chemists can work on that. You get the same level of science you find in a NYC lab but with more personalized service.
  • Bulk + Private Label: Some companies only do one or the other. AG Organica can sell you 5,000 unit of lip balm. This makes them a one-stop shop for both raw material buyers and finished-brand owners.

Final Buying Advice

So, which one should you choose? Here is a direct and honest way to decide.

  1. Choose a USA Manufacturer if:

    • Your primary market is the USA and you want to say "Made in USA" for marketing reasons.
    • You are doing massive retail volumes (over 20,000 units) and need a local factory for fast shipping to a US warehouse.
  2. Choose a UK Manufacturer if:

    • You are building a premium "British Heritage" brand.
    • You want very close, local control over a small-batch organic line.
    • You need someone who understands the "Soil Association" or specific EU/UK organic standards perfectly.
  3. Choose AG Organica if:

    • You want the highest quality botanical and herbal ingredients at a better price point.
    • You need custom formulation but have a smaller budget or lower MOQ requirements.
    • You want a partner that can grow with you from a small brand to a global one.
    • You want a "one-stop-shop" that handles both the raw oil quality and the final packaging.

FAQ Section

  • How much does private label lip balm cost? It varies wildly.
  • What is the best MOQ for new brands? Most experts suggest starting with 5,000 units. It is enough to test the market and sell on your website, but not so much that you are stuck with thousands of dollars of inventory if you decide to change the scent later.
  • Can I ask for custom fragrance or essential oil blends? Yes, most private label manufacturers allow this. However, if you are using essential oils, make sure the manufacturer knows the "dermal limits." Some oils, like cinnamon or peppermint, can irritate the lips if the concentration is too high.
  • Does packaging affect lip balm stability? Yes, very much so. For example, cardboard tubes are great for the environment, but they don't seal as tightly as plastic. If your formula has a lot of water-based ingredients, it might dry out in cardboard. Your manufacturer should help you match the formula to the container.
  • Should small brands start with white label? Usually, yes. White label means the formula is already tested and stable. It’s faster and cheaper. Once you have a loyal customer base and more money, you can move into "Private Label" where you create your own unique formula from scratch.

Conclusion

Finding a manufacturer for your lip care brand is a long-term relationship. Whether you choose a local partner in the USA or UK, or a global specialist like AG Organica, the key is communication.

In 2026, the brands that succeed are the ones that are honest about their ingredients and consistent with their quality. Take your time, order samples from at least three different companies, and test them in real-world conditions.

Your lip care product is often the first thing a customer buys from your brand. Make sure it’s a product that makes them want to come back for more.