Derma Talks
Derma Talks is where skincare founders, brand builders, and beauty entrepreneurs get real about what it takes to build a successful skincare brand. Hosted by Derma Essentials Lab, each episode breaks down the business of beauty—from product formulation and packaging to branding, scaling, and distribution. Whether you’re creating your first serum or managing a growing private label line, Derma Talks gives you the insider knowledge, strategies, and manufacturing perspective that turn ideas into profitable brands. These are the real conversations behind skincare success.
Derma Talks
When to Bring Manufacturing In-House (and When Not To)
In this episode we dig into one of the most pivotal strategic decisions a skincare or bath-body brand founder can make: should you bring manufacturing in-house or continue outsourcing (or keep a hybrid model)? We’ll break down the key triggers that signal it’s time to internalize production—such as quality control demands, IP protection, rapid iteration and brand reputation—and the warning signs that suggest outsourcing remains the smarter path. You’ll get a clear framework to assess your business: fixed vs variable cost impacts, volume thresholds, equipment and staffing investment, speed to market, regulatory implications, supply-chain flexibility, and how these factors play out for brands like yours (running De Soap Boutique with 30+ years of manufacturing experience). By episode end you’ll know how to decide whether your brand’s next evolution includes your own production floor, or whether you should double down on partner-contract manufacturing to scale smart.