Got a product you love (or a competitor product you want to understand) and want to know what makes it tick? Reverse engineering is the process of working backwards from a finished product to figure out the formula, the method, and the logic behind it.
I’ll analyse the product (INCI list, sensory profile, physical characteristics, pH, viscosity) and develop a formula that reproduces the key attributes. This isn’t an exact clone (because formulation is as much art as science and manufacturing conditions matter heaps), but it gets you as close as practically possible while being a genuinely good formulation in its own right.
Standard reverse engineering covers straightforward cosmetic products. Starts from $2,450 AUD, includes up to three tweaks, and sample handling and shipping are additional.
This service analyses an existing product (one that’s already on the market) to understand its formulation principles, then recreates a similar formulation adapted to your brand requirements. This is not about making knockoffs. It’s about understanding why successful products work, and building on those proven frameworks whilst respecting IP boundaries.
What’s Included |
| Analysis of the benchmark product (texture, performance, ingredient assessment)
Recreation of similar aesthetics and performance characteristics Custom adaptation to meet your specific ingredient preferences, market needs, or brand positioning Up to 3 samples (30mL – 50mL) Formulation documentation (ingredient list, manufacturing method, supplier suggestions) Preliminary stability assessment (freeze + thaw + heat cycling x six 24 hr cycles) |
What You Receive |
| Formulation documentation with adapted formula
Ingredient list with INCI, % w/w, manufacturing method Supplier recommendations Up to 3 samples (30mL – 50mL) Up to 3 tweaks (beyond 3 incurs $300 per tweak, substantial changes may require new service). Tweaks defined in terms and conditions. |
Your Responsibility |
| Purchase and post the benchmark product and packaging to me, along with speciality ingredients and fragrance to be included in samples
Confirm you have legal rights to commission reverse engineering of the specified product Ensure compliance with intellectual property laws, trade secret regulations, and patent protections in your jurisdiction Specify your target market, ingredient preferences, and any restrictions Complete all required forms Pay for all sample handling and shipping costs Source ingredients and confirm availability from your manufacturer or supplier Arrange and conduct all stability, microbiological and consumer testing (I am not involved in this) Arrange all manufacturing independently Responsible for all consumer safety, regulatory requirements and product safety |
What’s Not Included |
| Exact replication (this is technically not achievable due to proprietary ingredients and analytical limitations)
Exact ingredient identification and percentages (professional interpretation, not analytical certainty) Legal or IP advice (seek independent legal counsel) Stability testing, PET, safety assessment, or manufacturing |
How To Engage |
| Step 1: Contact me to discuss the product you want to analyse
Step 2: Purchase and post the benchmark product and packaging to me (along with speciality ingredients and fragrance to be included in samples) Step 3: Complete Reverse Engineering Forms and provide your brief (target market, ingredient preferences, restrictions) Step 4: Sign contract and pay 50% deposit as per agreed terms Step 5: I analyse the product and develop your adapted formulation Step 6: You source ingredients, and confirm availability from manufacturer or supplier Step 7: I order ingredients, develop the formula, and send first samples (additional 25% payment due before samples shipped) Step 8: You pay for sample shipping and handling Step 9: You review samples and request up to 3 tweaks Step 10: Pay final 25% and receive your completed formulation document Step 11: You complete stability, consumer safety and microbiological testing (I am not involved from this point) Step 12: You take the formula to your manufacturer (I am not involved from this point) |
