A recent informal review of the UK cosmetics manufacturing landscape has highlighted a surprising absence: while women are highly visible as brand founders, very few appear to have founded and own cosmetic manufacturing businesses themselves. Companies responsible for formulation, compliance, production, and supply for the brands.
“I didn’t set out to be ‘the only one’ and in truth it doesn’t really matter but with all the female led brands out there, why aren’t there more women in the manufacturing side. It’s a privilege to make for some of the best brands and businesses out there.” says Emma Webber, founder of Natural Spa Factory, a UK-based cosmetic manufacturing business. “ We specialise in the LVHM, low volume, high mix. It’s a complex combo but doesn’t explain why there are few woman who start manufacturing businesses.”
The beauty industry is often cited as one of the most female-driven sectors globally, yet ownership of the infrastructure that makes beauty products tells a different story. Manufacturing requires significant capital investment, technical expertise, regulatory accountability, and long-term risk barriers that may disproportionately affect women entering the industry.
While many women-led brands rely on third-party manufacturers, few women appear to have crossed into owning and operating those manufacturing facilities themselves.
“This isn’t about visibility for visibility’s sake,” Emma adds. “It’s about asking why women are so present at the front of the industry, but so absent behind it and what that means for innovation, control, and opportunity.”
The conversation has already begun to resonate across industry networks, sparking dialogue around access to capital, technical pathways into manufacturing, and the need for greater transparency around ownership in the cosmetics supply chain.
As the beauty industry continues to evolve with increasing focus on sustainability, ethics, and traceability questions around who owns and operates manufacturing infrastructure are becoming more relevant than ever.
Natural Spa Factory hopes this moment prompts broader discussion and connection, particularly among UK-based female founders, manufacturers, and suppliers working — often quietly — behind the scenes.
Brands, ecommerce and hospitality businesses seeking UK-based cosmetic manufacturing, formulation, and compliant production are invited to contact MAKE IT to discuss new product development and manufacturing partnerships.
For more updates, follow Natural Spa Factory on LinkedIn.
