Darl Skincare

Josie Penn, Co-Founder

• How would you describe working with Flux Lab to another brand founder who has never used a formulation lab or contract manufacturer before?

  We’ve had a very positive experience working with Ayla and the team at Flux. Communication has been clear and considered, and they take the time to properly understand the brief before moving forward. Throughout the process, including multiple iterations they’ve been responsive and supportive, which makes a real difference when you’re developing a product to a high standard. 

  We’ve worked with both smaller and larger manufacturers in the past, and Flux sits comfortably in the middle. In practice, that means your project receives proper attention, while still having the capability to support you as you scale. It’s a good fit for a small to mid-sized brand looking to grow without being deprioritised.

• What made you choose Flux Lab over other manufacturers you considered?

  We were looking for a team with strong formulation expertise and a thoughtful approach to product development. Flux stood out for their technical knowledge and the way they approach building formulations with intention. That gave us confidence in their ability to help bring the products to life.

• What was the moment you knew you'd made the right decision working with us?

  Early on in the process, after our initial discussions and sample reviews, it was clear we were aligned on how the products should come together and the quality of ingredients we wanted to use.

• What was your biggest fear or concern before starting the formulation process, and how did that play out?

  We were conscious that multiple iterations might slow things down or be difficult to manage, but the team handled it well. They were open to refinement and worked with us through the process in a considered way, which made it feel collaborative rather than complicated.

• What would you tell a friend who's about to launch their first product and is considering working with Flux Lab?

  Be clear on what you’re trying to achieve, and be prepared for an iterative process. Flux are a solid team to work with and will guide you through it, but like any good development process, it takes time and clarity.