Many brands come to us with one sentence: "We want to do a freeze-dried product." But lyophilization isn't a single SKU-it's a whole format platform. Our freeze-dried platform now spans ten formats and more than thirty proven active systems, from the classic lyophilized powder to emulsion, floc, microspheres, spheres, crystal ice gel, tablets, eye masks, face masks and oil-gel, all available for OEM/ODM private label. Here is what each format does, where it fits, and how to choose, so you can short-circuit the early-stage guesswork.
Why freeze-dry at all
Freeze-drying uses low-temperature vacuum drying to lock actives into a dry, sterile matrix. With so little water around, microbes struggle to grow, so formulas can use little or no preservative, and sensitive actives no longer sit oxidizing in a water-based bottle. The product is reconstituted with a matching solvent and applied fresh at point of use, which preserves far more activity. That is exactly why peptides, PDRN, recombinant collagen, copper peptide and astaxanthin are increasingly delivered this way.
The ten formats
1. Lyophilized powder - the classic vial format, mixed with a dedicated solvent at point of use. High active concentration; the workhorse for high-efficacy skincare and post-procedure repair.
2. Lyophilized emulsion - actives and oils sealed by freeze-drying, self-emulsifying into a fresh milk the instant solvent is added. Serum-level penetration with cream-level nourishment; friendly to dry and sensitive skin.
3. Lyophilized floc - high-concentration actives freeze-dried into a feathery floc that melts into a lightweight serum on rehydration. Fast penetration, ideal for high-load peptides.
4. Lyophilized microspheres - actives wrapped in micron-scale beads that burst on contact with liquid for controlled release, better stability and higher bioavailability.
5. Lyophilized spheres - essence concentrated into single-dose beads sealed one by one. Precise dosing and full potency for intensive, salon-grade care.
6. Lyophilized crystal ice gel - rehydrates into a clear gel that melts to water on skin, with an instant cooling feel. Hydration and redness relief.
7. Lyophilized tablets - actives pressed into individually blister-sealed tablets that dissolve with water. Precise, portable, easy at home or on the go.
8. Lyophilized eye masks - active collagen and peptides sealed into crescent masks, soaked right before use to target dryness, fine lines, sagging and dark circles.
9. Lyophilized face masks - essence freeze-dried directly onto the sheet, dry and preservative-free, turning into a fresh essence mask after soaking.
10. Lyophilized oil-gel - freeze-dried actives paired with nourishing oils that melt into a silky oil-gel, locking in moisture and repairing the barrier for anti-aging and very dry skin.
The active library
On the same lyophilization platform we have built a library of ready-to-label, easily tweakable formulas across the main benefit tracks: PDRN (DNA sodium), blue copper peptide GHK-Cu, multi-peptide complexes, Argireline, conotoxin, astaxanthin, recombinant collagen, rh-EGF oligopeptides, SOD (superoxide dismutase), sodium hyaluronate, Centella asiatica and madecassoside, ginseng, astragalus, camellia, squalane, white tea and rose, osmanthus and argan oil, pearl and more. Active level, skin feel and set specifications can all be tuned to your positioning.
How far OEM/ODM customization goes
You can customize active ingredients and levels, powder-plus-solvent set specs, vial/blister/box packaging, scent and skin feel, and a brand-exclusive formula. We work three ways-bring a sample, a brief, or just an idea-and provide cosmetic filing and registration support with a full compliance kit. Standard powder and emulsion sets usually start at around 1,000-5,000 PCS; masks, eye masks and tablets vary slightly with packaging and process.
The manufacturing base behind it
Weitai Group has spent more than 20 years on biopharmaceutical and high-efficacy skincare contract manufacturing, with an in-house R&D center, a dedicated freeze-drying workshop and 100,000-class GMP cleanrooms, certified to ISO22716/GMPC cosmetics good manufacturing practice, with verifiable cosmetic filings. Four production bases and automated lines underpin stable delivery from sampling to mass production. Bring us a sample, a brief or an idea, and we will build a stable, compliant product together.
Q: What formats does Weitai's lyophilized platform include? A: Ten formats: lyophilized powder, emulsion, floc, microspheres, spheres, crystal ice gel, tablets, eye masks, face masks and oil-gel, spanning 30+ proven active systems including PDRN, copper peptide, astaxanthin, recombinant collagen and peptides, all available for OEM/ODM private label.
Q: What is the difference between powder, emulsion, microspheres and spheres, and how do I choose? A: Powder is the classic high-activity vial format; emulsion self-emulsifies into a nourishing milk suited to dry and sensitive skin; microspheres wrap actives in micron beads that burst and release on contact for extra stability; spheres are concentrated single-dose beads for precise intensive care; floc carries high-load peptides with fast penetration; crystal ice melts to water for hydration and soothing; tablets are portable and precise; eye masks, face masks and oil-gel cover eye contour care, intensive sheet treatment and oil-based anti-aging.
Q: Why can lyophilized products use few or no preservatives? A: The dry, sterile matrix makes it hard for microbes to grow, so formulas need little or no preservative. Actives are sealed by low-temperature vacuum freeze-drying and restored at point of use through powder/liquid separation or single-dose vial and sachet packaging, keeping them as fresh as possible.
Q: What is the MOQ and customization scope for a private-label lyophilized product? A: Standard powder and emulsion sets start at around 1,000-5,000 PCS; other formats vary with packaging and process. You can customize actives and levels, set specs, vial and packaging, scent and skin feel, and an exclusive formula, with cosmetic filing and registration support.
Q: What lyophilization-related qualifications does Weitai hold? A: Weitai runs an in-house R&D center and a dedicated freeze-drying workshop with 100,000-class GMP cleanrooms, is certified to ISO22716/GMPC cosmetics good manufacturing practice, and holds complete cosmetics production qualifications with verifiable cosmetic filings to support compliant export and brand registration.
If you are planning a new freeze-dried line, tell us your target benefit, price band and market, and our formulators will lock in the format and active system first, then arrange samples. Contact Weitai Group for a tailored proposal and benchmark samples.