Running a salon
Skincare product supply for beauty salons: what to look for when buying wholesale
Quick answer
When sourcing products for a salon, first list your services and work out which product each service uses and how much. Then request quotes for products with complete label information, a salon size and reliable supply. Compare cost per treatment, not price alone.
Start with your treatment menu
Your product list should follow from the services your salon offers. A classic facial includes cleansing, toner, exfoliation, mask and moisturising, and each step needs a professional product. Write down the services on your menu first, then match each service with the products it uses.
This overview shows which products run out quickly and should be bought in salon size. For example, the cleanser and toner used at the start of every treatment run out much faster than a peel used once a week.
Always ask for label and ingredient information
The product you use in the salon comes into direct contact with your client's skin. So ask your supplier for the following:
- Full ingredient list (INCI): so you can answer questions about allergies or sensitivities.
- Directions and warnings: application time, frequency and who should not use the product.
- Barcode and volume: for stock control and reordering.
- Period after opening: the open-jar symbol on the pack (e.g. 12M).
The product details of every Croen product show the ingredient list, directions, storage and warnings from the label, and you can review the label texts for the entire salon line.
Compare cost per treatment, not price
When buying wholesale, comparing two products by bottle price alone can be misleading. The right comparison is based on the amount used in one treatment:
Cost per treatment = Product price ÷ (Volume ÷ amount used per treatment)
For example, a 500 ml bottle of a product that uses about 5 ml per treatment is good for around 100 treatments. Doing this calculation for each product clarifies both your service pricing and your stock plan.
Buying a complete line from one supplier
Working with one line from cleanser to mask gives clients a consistent experience and makes ordering easier. You can also recommend the retail sizes of the same line for home use after the treatment.
Croen's 500 ml salon line includes a cleansing gel, cleansing milk, toner, intense peeling cream, moisturising cream, vitamin complex cream mask and head massage shampoo; the alginate line consists of five different 500 g peel-off masks.
Frequently asked questions
Which products should a salon buy in its first order?
A good start is the cleanser, toner and moisturiser used in every treatment, plus the mask for your best-selling facial. Peels and special masks can be added according to demand.
How do I get a wholesale quote?
Simply add the products you are interested in to the quote list from the product cards on the website, with variants and quantities, and send the form.
Where can I see the products' ingredient lists?
Each product's details include the ingredient list from the label as well as directions, storage and warnings.
This article is for general information only and does not replace medical advice. If you have a persistent skin condition, please consult a dermatologist.
