How to Start a Body Lotion, Hair Food or Cosmetics Business in Kenya
- Start with 1–2 products
- Hygiene and batch records
- Piston filler for creams
- KEBS before shops
On this page
Choose Your First Products
- Body lotion and creams: large market, repeat buyers.
- Hair food and leave-in conditioners: strong salon demand.
- Shampoo and liquid soap: easier formulations, high volume; see liquid soap bottling.
- Petroleum jelly and balms: simple, but packaging must look premium.
Production Basics
- Use a written formula with exact weights and a tested preservative system.
- Clean and sanitise vessels and fillers before each batch.
- Heat, mix and emulsify following the formula; cool to filling temperature.
- Fill, cap or seal, and label.
- Keep a batch record: date, ingredients and lot numbers, quantity, who made it.
- Retain samples from each batch.
Filling and Packing Equipment
Manual Liquid & Paste Filling MachineKSh 95,000
Pneumatic liquid fillerKSh 350,000
Automatic Induction Sealing MachinesKSh 260,000
Induction Seal LinersKSh 1,500
Manual Labelling MachineKSh 50,000
Manual Coding MachinesKSh 25,000
Batch Coding StampKSh 36,000| Product | Price |
|---|---|
| Manual Liquid & Paste Filling Machine | KSh 95,000 |
| Pneumatic liquid filler | KSh 350,000 |
| Automatic Induction Sealing Machines | KSh 260,000 |
| Induction Seal Liners | KSh 1,500 |
| Manual Labelling Machine | KSh 50,000 |
| Manual Coding Machines | KSh 25,000 |
| Batch Coding Stamp | KSh 36,000 |
Current listed prices incl. VAT (updated 13 October 2026).
Piston fillers handle thick creams and pastes accurately; the pneumatic filler’s contact parts are 304 or 316 stainless steel (see the product page). More: liquid filling machine guide and bottle labelling guide.
Approvals and Labels
- Register the business and get a county permit.
- Meet the relevant KEBS standards for your product type and apply for product certification before selling in shops.
- Label: product name, full ingredient list, net content, batch number, manufacture and expiry dates, directions and warnings, and your address.
- Do not make medical claims (such as treating eczema) on cosmetics.
Costing and Pricing
Cost per unit = raw materials + container, cap and label + labour + power + overheads. Use the cost per bottle calculator, then price for the outlet: salon packs, retail packs and bulk for hotels.
Where to Sell
- Salons and barber shops (hair products).
- Beauty shops, chemists and kiosks.
- Online and social media, with a shop page.
- Hotels and gyms (bulk liquid soap and lotion).
Frequently asked questions
How do I start a lotion business in Kenya?
Develop a tested formula, set up a clean room, buy a filler and packaging, meet KEBS standards and start with salons and beauty shops.
Do I need KEBS to sell cosmetics?
Products sold in shops are expected to meet KEBS standards and certification.
What machine fills lotion bottles?
A piston filler, manual or pneumatic, handles creams and lotions.
How long does homemade lotion last?
It depends on the formula and preservative; test stability and set a realistic expiry date.
Can I sell cosmetics from home?
Small-scale sales can start informally, but shops need certified, properly labelled products.