A California company that makes customized beauty products for the likes the Gap, Urban Outfitters and Costco has purchased a pharmaceutical laboratory in Durham.

HatchBeauty has bought Gorbec Pharmaceutical Laboratory on Alston Avenue.

In a statement, the company’s founder and creative director Ben Bennett said the 35,000-square-foot facility will be used for research and development, and manufacturing.

The Durham facility, HatchBeauty Labs, will employ between 45 to 70 employees, according to a company spokeswoman.

“We’ve seen a significant mind-shift from both beauty brands and beauty retailers,” Bennett said in a news release. “They want a high level of strategic, creative, and innovation intelligence all the way through the manufacturing process.”

The company expects to start production of existing product lines including hair care, skin care, bath and body, color cosmetics, nail polish and personal fragrance in the next few weeks.

The privately owned company is based in Santa Monica and has not disclosed what it paid for Gorbec.

Leaders from Durham city and county said the company has not asked for any financial incentives.

Durham is already the home base of Burt’s Bees, the eco-friendly skin care and cosmetics company.

Baird: 919-829-4696