How to Tell When It’s Time to Reformulate Your Skincare or Beauty Product

Skincare trends move fast. One day your formula is everyone’s favorite, the next it’s being dragged on TikTok for outdated ingredients or bad texture. So how do you know when it’s time to give your product a formula makeover?

If you’re seeing complaints, declining sales, or want to clean up your ingredients, a strategic reformulation might be what your brand needs. Let’s walk through the reasons to reformulate, what signs to look for, and how working with a cosmetic chemist or product development expert can seriously level things up.

Why Reformulate Your Skincare Product in the First Place?

Reformulation is basically upgrading your product without starting from scratch. You might tweak ingredients, improve texture, boost effectiveness, or swap out anything that’s no longer working — for your customer or for your bottom line.

Here are a few common reasons brands decide to reformulate:

People are complaining. If you’re getting consistent feedback about irritation, a weird smell, or “it just doesn’t work,” that’s a clear signal.
Rules and regulations changed. Ingredients get banned or restricted all the time. You’ve got to stay compliant if you want to stay on shelves.
Your ingredients are outdated. Trends evolve. Today’s skincare buyers want clean, sustainable, and effective.
You’ve got supply chain issues. If your go-to raw materials are suddenly hard to find or way too expensive, it’s time to rethink.
You’re rebranding or expanding. Maybe your product was great for one audience, but now you’re going after a new market or skin type. That can call for some formula changes.

Signs Your Product Needs a Formula Glow-Up

Let’s get specific. Here are the big red flags:

1. Sales Are Dropping and Reviews Are Harsh

If you were killing it and now you’re not, don’t ignore it. Consistent negative reviews about how a product feels, smells, or performs are a big “hey, fix this.”

2. You’ve Got Regulatory Drama

The EU, FDA, and other groups update cosmetic safety rules often. If any of your ingredients are restricted or banned, reformulating isn’t optional — it’s urgent.

3. Your Ingredients Feel Stale

Some ingredients that used to be everywhere (looking at you, parabens) are now turn-offs. Consumers want transparency and science-backed choices.

4. Supply Chain Chaos

If key ingredients are delayed, discontinued, or overpriced, it’s smarter to reformulate than pause production.

5. You’re Targeting a New Audience

Selling in a different climate? Marketing to sensitive skin? Shifting to a vegan or clean beauty angle? Your formula needs to reflect that.

What Reverse Engineering Can Do for You

If you want to upgrade your formula — or figure out what makes a competitor’s product so good — reverse engineering is your best friend.

Basically, a chemist takes apart a product to see what’s in it and how it’s made. From there, you can rebuild something better, smarter, and totally custom.

Here’s what reverse engineering can help with:

Pinpoint which ingredients are actually doing the work
Avoid common irritants or allergens
Keep the good stuff and ditch the weak links
Make sure your new formula is unique and fully yours

And no, it’s not copying. It’s learning and improving. When it’s done right, reverse engineering can help you create something even better than the original.

Why Bringing in a Pro Is Totally Worth It

Reformulating a beauty product isn’t just about changing ingredients — it’s about protecting your brand, saving money, and giving customers something they’ll love.

Here’s what a cosmetic chemist or formulation consultant brings to the table:

Better product performance. They know how to make ingredients play nice for maximum results.
Regulatory confidence. No guesswork. You’ll know your formula is safe and compliant.
You own the formula. A good chemist helps you lock in full rights to your custom product.
You’ll stand out. Custom formulas let you offer something totally unique.
It can actually save you money. Better ingredient choices and smarter production mean fewer headaches and lower costs.

Tips for a Smoother Reformulation Process

Want to avoid common mistakes? Start here:

Talk to your customers. Find out what they like, what they don’t, and what they’re looking for.
Work with an experienced formulator. DIY is tempting, but this is one area where expertise really matters.
Protect your IP. Make sure your formula is yours — legally.
Test thoroughly. That means stability testing, consumer trials, safety checks, the whole deal.
Keep your audience in the loop. If your product is changing, be clear about why and how it’s better now.

Thinking About Reformulating Your Product?

Reformulating your skincare or beauty product is a smart move when done for the right reasons. Whether your goal is better performance, cleaner ingredients, or adapting to a new market, the right expert can help you do it right — without losing your product’s identity.

If you’re considering a refresh or want to explore custom product development, reach out to Freelance Formulations. Our team helps brands take their formulas to the next level, whether you need a minor update or a complete overhaul.