Cosmetics 101: Ingredients and Formulation Essentials

Learning from unreliable sources on the internet can only provide you with ‘half knowledge’. As a result, you may overlook one or more important factor(s) [temperature, pH levels adjustment, preservatives selection, % of active ingredients….], while formulating your cosmetic product. A minor displacement in any of the above factors can lead to complete wastage of your batch, time and resources!

Discussions with your contract manufacturers can only provide a short-term fix. But in the long-term, the absence of a strong scientific foundational knowledge will make ingredient selection a constant challenge and result in repeated batch-to-batch inconsistency.

Join this cosmetic formulation course today to:

• Solidify the knowledge of the basics that is necessary for composing/writing a formula, selecting basic actives, adjusting pH levels, etc.


• Bust the myths related to preservative selection and use.


• Communicate/Convey every specification of the cosmetic formulation precisely to the manufacturer or any other person preparing the formulation which will further help in achieving the desired results.

Cosmetic Formulators starting off in the industry or formulators with 0-3 years of experience looking to enhance their foundational knowledge must opt for this cosmetic formulation course.

 

Additionally, the expert recommends to checkout Cosmetics 102: Tailoring Formulas to Your Needs to acquire full grip on the topic.

• How formulas are written?
• What to do for achieving batch-to-batch consistency?
• Why there is a need for specificity while writing formula?
• How writing a precise formula helps the manufacturers or other formulators?


• Trade names vs INCI names and why we use them as well as how materials can differ


• Concept of pH adjustment and why it’s important


• Basics of active ingredient selection
• What you intend to achieve and what is your active ingredient claiming of delivering?
• How important it is to make your cosmetic formulations ‘natural’?
• What parameters (ex-vivo, in-vitro, physiological claims) can’t be used while making the selection)?


• Basics of preservative selection
• What is organic certification?
• What role regulatory compliances and company philosophy play in preservative selection?
• Do’s and Don’ts while selecting preservatives.
• How to comply with requirements of free from claims (example: paraben-free)

Have a query ? Email us for any help !

About the Expert

Belinda Carli is the Director of the Institute of Personal Care Science, an International Training Organisation. She is a member of the Australian Society of Cosmetic Chemists (ASCC) and the winner of the 2013 Annual Industry Award from CHC Australia for her contribution to research and training.