Supply Chain and Materials – Have You Been Impacted by Tariffs?
At Ourlyfe, we’re proud to be an Australian company—formulated, designed, and financed right here at home. Half of our powder hand wash product is manufactured in Australia, and the other 50% is produced in Taiwan and China. Why? Because without that balance, our business simply wouldn't exist.
Why Not Manufacture Fully in Australia?
We explored local manufacturing in full. However, potential manufacturers told us it wasn’t even worth quoting. The cost of assembling our innovative, plastic-free product in Australia was prohibitively expensive, making the end product unviable for retail.
We’re on a mission to develop plastic-free, planet-friendly alternatives, and we believe it’s a battle worth fighting.
The Hidden Impact of Tariffs
With the introduction of Trump’s tariffs, our China-based manufacturers are facing serious pressure. Some are even considering closing their factories—putting our Australian operations, and many others like us, at risk.
It may be a political win for some, but it’s a significant loss for millions of small-to-medium product innovators worldwide. Tariffs ripple through entire supply chains, affecting designers, packaging suppliers, accountants, freight forwarders, warehouses, employees—and ultimately, customers.
Why Global Manufacturing Matters
Manufacturing in China has made it possible for small businesses around the world to innovate, compete, and improve quality. In the skincare industry, this means creating less toxic, more sustainable products. When competition is stifled, quality declines—and that affects both our health and our planet.
Who Really Loses?
While China and other manufacturing hubs may seem like the immediate losers, small businesses and consumers are caught in the crossfire. The result? Less competition, fewer sustainable alternatives, and a loss of momentum in innovation. This undermines the idea that simply reducing consumption is a win for all.
At Ourlyfe, we’ll keep pushing forward. But it's time to ask—who truly benefits from these trade barriers, and who bears the real cost?
