R&D · ICH Q2(R2) · NABL Analytical & Testing Laboratories

Formulation Development India: Cosmetics, Personal Care, Nutraceuticals & Pet Care

Auriga Research provides custom formulation development for personal care, cosmetics, nutraceutical, and pet care brands. Our R&D team develops formulations from concept through stable, scalable, and regulatory-ready product, supported by 5 NABL-accredited analytical and testing laboratories.

Capabilities span formulation feasibility and research, ingredient selection and screening, pre-formulation studies, formulation optimisation, stability and microbiological testing, efficacy and packaging compatibility studies, and scale-up to a validated commercial process. Analytical method development is aligned to ICH Q2(R2), the current ICH method validation guideline effective March 2024.

Because our R&D operates within a CDMO that includes analytical testing and GMP-certified manufacturing under the same management, the transition from bench-scale formulation to commercial production is direct, with no external handoff or third-party coordination overhead.

Start Your Formulation Journey Call +91-7428116100

R&D Formulation Laboratory

Bench-scale formulation, prototype development, and pre-formulation studies are conducted in our R&D laboratory, with analytical and stability support from our NABL-accredited testing laboratories.

Auriga R&D laboratory bench with formulation beakers and prototype samples

Formulation R&D

Bench to Pilot to Commercial

Who Engages Auriga for Formulation Development

Five buyer profiles use our formulation development service, each with a different starting point and regulatory destination.

D2C Beauty & Personal Care Brands

Founders with a product concept and a market positioning, but no in-house formulation team to take the idea to a stable, manufacturable product.

Established Brands Reformulating

Existing brands updating formulations for regulatory compliance, ingredient changes, cost optimisation, or entry into a new market.

Nutraceutical Companies

Nutraceutical brands developing proprietary blends, functional supplements, or new dosage forms backed by analytical and stability data.

Pet Care Brands

Pet care brands developing new product formats such as shampoos, paw care, ear cleaners, dental products, and supplements.

Brands Needing Regulatory Dossiers

Brands that need documented formulation dossiers, stability data, and analytical method validation packages for CDSCO, BIS, or EU regulatory submissions.

Why Auriga for Formulation Development

Four reasons brands choose Auriga as their formulation partner.

Backed by Our Analytical Laboratories

Our formulation scientists work alongside 5 NABL-accredited analytical and testing laboratories. Stability, microbiology, and analytical characterisation run in-house, which removes external lab turnaround from your timeline.

In-House Claim Substantiation Instruments

Eight instruments available in-house to validate performance claims, including Corneometer, Cutometer, Mexameter, Tewameter, pH Meter, Sebumeter, DermLite DL5, and BTBP Clarity 2D and 3D imaging.

ICH Q2(R2)-Aligned Method Development

Analytical method development for active ingredient quantification, impurity profiles, and stability-indicating assays aligned to ICH Q2(R2), the current method validation standard effective March 2024.

40+ Years of Group Pharmaceutical Heritage

Our formulation team is supported by 40+ years of group pharmaceutical and cosmetic science heritage. Formulations are designed for manufacturability, regulatory compliance, and consumer performance from the outset.

How Formulation Development Works

Six stages aligned with the Mind to Market journey. Each stage is owned end to end by Auriga, so the formula you approve at the bench is the same formula that goes into commercial manufacturing.

Brief

Share your product concept, target consumer, and performance goals with your SPOC. We discuss positioning, ingredient direction, claim ambitions, and target regulatory markets.

Feasibility

Our formulation scientists assess ingredient compatibility, regulatory requirements, supply availability, cost target, and claim feasibility. You receive a feasibility note and an outline development plan.

Lab Prototype

Bench-scale formulation developed and evaluated for stability, texture, pH, viscosity, and aesthetic profile. Prototype samples shared for sponsor review.

Iteration

Sensory and consumer-driven refinements based on your feedback and panel evaluation. Iteration cycles continue until the prototype matches your concept brief.

Pilot Batch

Scale-up to a pilot batch with full stability and microbiological testing in our NABL-accredited laboratories. Analytical methods validated per ICH Q2(R2).

Lock & Manufacture

Formula locked with a complete specification sheet, master formula record, and stability dossier. The locked formula is handed to our GMP manufacturing operation for commercial production.

Formulation Development Services

Custom Formulation

New product development from your concept brief. Ingredient selection, compatibility studies, prototype development, and sensory optimisation.

Reformulation & Improvement

Improving existing formulations for stability, cost reduction, ingredient substitution such as natural or clean-label profiles, or performance enhancement.

Stability Studies

Accelerated and real-time stability testing aligned to current ICH stability guidelines. Preservative efficacy testing and photostability studies as applicable.

Analytical Characterisation

Physicochemical profiling including pH, viscosity, particle size, zeta potential, active content by HPLC, heavy metals, and microbiological limits.

ICH Q2(R2) Method Development

Analytical method development and validation aligned to ICH Q2(R2) for active ingredient quantification, impurity profiles, and stability-indicating assays.

Scale-up Process Optimisation

Translating lab-scale formulations to manufacturing-scale processes. Equipment selection, mixing parameters, temperature profiles, and batch consistency.

Formulation Types

Cosmetics & Skincare

✓ O/W and W/O emulsions (creams, lotions)
✓ Serum and essence formulations
✓ Gel-based and gel-cream systems
✓ Sunscreen formulations (chemical, mineral, hybrid)
✓ Anhydrous formulations (balms, oils, sticks)

Personal Care, Nutraceuticals & Pet Care

✓ Surfactant systems (shampoos, cleansers)
✓ Conditioning systems (hair masks, conditioners)
✓ Powder blends and granulations
✓ Tablets, capsules, softgels, and sachets
✓ Pet shampoos, paw creams, ear cleaners, and supplements

Claim Substantiation Instruments

Eight instruments available in-house to validate performance claims alongside formulation development. The same batch you formulate with us can carry the clinical proof your packaging claims need.

Corneometer CM 825

Skin hydration capacitance

Moisturising, hydrating, scar treatment

Mexameter MX 18

Melanin and erythema indices

Skin brightening, de-pigmentation, melasma

Cutometer Dual MPA 580

Skin elasticity and firmness

Anti-ageing, firming, rejuvenating

Tewameter TM Hex

Transepidermal water loss

Skin barrier, anti-pollution, antiperspirant

Sebumeter SM 815

Sebum on skin and scalp

Anti-dandruff, pore refining, anti-acne

Skin-pH Meter

Skin surface pH

pH-balanced, mild, sensitive-skin compatibility

DermLite DL5

Polarised dermatoscopy

Hair and scalp condition, acne imaging

BTBP Clarity 2D & 3D

Standardised facial imaging

Wrinkle reduction, texture, pigmentation visualisation

See the full Cosmetics Clinical Studies capability

Related Services

CDMO Hub Mind to Market journey overview Private Label Manufacturing Full brand manufacturing Contract Manufacturing GMP production facility Nutraceuticals Manufacturing Tablets, capsules, powders Cosmetics Testing Safety, stability, compliance Cosmetics Clinical Studies HRIPT, SPF, and efficacy studies

Frequently Asked Questions

What does formulation development at Auriga include?

Formulation feasibility and research, ingredient selection and screening, pre-formulation studies, formulation optimisation, stability and microbiological testing, efficacy and packaging compatibility testing, and scale-up to a validated commercial process. You receive prototype samples, a complete formulation dossier, and stability data before manufacturing begins.

How long does formulation development take?

Simple formulations such as basic emulsions, cleansers, and toners can be developed in 3 to 4 weeks including prototype approval. Complex formulations such as multi-phase emulsions and actives-loaded serums may require 6 to 8 weeks. Accelerated stability studies run for an additional 4 to 12 weeks depending on the target shelf life. Most formulation projects complete within 8 to 14 weeks inclusive of stability data.

Which method validation standard do you use?

Analytical method development and validation at Auriga is aligned to ICH Q2(R2), the current ICH method validation guideline effective from March 2024. ICH Q2(R2) updates the prior framework to cover analytical procedure development and validation in a single guideline. Stability studies are conducted per the relevant current ICH stability guidelines applicable to the climatic zone and product type.

Can you reformulate an existing product or match a competitor product?

Yes. Our R&D team can reverse-engineer and reformulate existing products, improve current formulations for stability, cost, or ingredient substitution, or develop products that match a target sensory and performance profile. We conduct analytical characterisation of the reference product and develop a compliant, manufacturable formulation.

Do you provide claim substantiation alongside formulation development?

Yes. Eight claim substantiation instruments are available in-house, including Corneometer, Cutometer, Mexameter, Tewameter, pH Meter, Sebumeter, DermLite DL5, and BTBP Clarity 2D and 3D imaging. Sponsors can scope claim substantiation studies alongside formulation development so the resulting batch carries the clinical proof your packaging claims need.

Is the formulation locked and protected?

Yes. All client formulations and product concepts are protected under NDA signed before project initiation. Custom formulations developed for you remain your intellectual property. On completion, the formula is locked with a complete specification sheet, master formula record, and stability dossier before commercial manufacturing.

Start Your Formulation Journey

Custom formulation development with ICH Q2(R2)-aligned analytical methods, NABL-accredited stability testing, and a direct path to GMP manufacturing. Get a project proposal within 5 business days.

+91-7428116100 Start Your Formulation Journey