With the help of our Certificate in Making Natural Skincare Products online course, one person’s already full life became more fulfilled, when her interest in making natural skincare products led to her bathroom cabinet being filled with her own homemade creations.

Finding the School of Natural Skincare 

The road to your end goal can be somewhat rocky in the beginning. Google was the go-to for Kristal’s research and it threw back a whole concoction of confusing information.

“There was so much information out there, and everything that I was finding contradicted each other. I was going crazy to the point where I almost just gave up.”

With three young children Kristal didn’t “have the time to sit for two hours every morning getting misleading information.”

Some YouTube videos failed to incorporate preservatives in their recipes, and there was no mention of appropriate packaging or where to buy them.

All the ways in which YouTube failed are ways that the Certificate in Making Natural Skincare Products have excelled in; addressing and explaining them thoroughly in each module of the course.

At almost the point of giving up, Kristal found the School of Natural Skincare. When she started reading about the Certificate in Making Natural Skincare Products her first thought was, “I need to do this.” Her second thought was, “This is going to be outrageously expensive.”

But, 

“When I saw how affordable it was, I just did a little happy dance. I was like, ‘Oh my God, I can actually do this. I can take this class!… I signed up right away.”

Once she had found the Certificate course Kristal was “beyond excited”. An accredited online course existed that would teach her to make her own natural and organic cleansers, toners, moisturizers, creams, lotions, balms, body butters, serums, masks, scrubs and more!

The nature of the Certificate was very appealing to Kristal, who wanted a full end-to-end course that would cover everything from start to finish.

“It wasn’t something where you were going to start and then you’re going to have to do a different course. You were going to start and you were going to learn how to make a cleanser or a toner or a mask, that it was going to take you from the very beginning, all the way up until you successfully have accomplished the knowledge of how to create your own skincare line. And that’s what I wanted, and that’s what it gave me.”

The personal touch

Directors Gail and Gareth Després’ knowledge and understanding of natural and organic ingredients and skincare, creating them safely and professionally, showed Kristal this was an exceptional course.

“The way they spoke about the course, I knew immediately that they knew what they were talking about, that they were very knowledgeable.”

The personable touch also meant a lot to Kristal and showed her that Gail and Gareth knew what it meant to be a student, and the experience involved.

From “the littlest detail, up until the most profound information”, the Certificate course provided it all. It was “very clear and professional” and it gave her the education that she needed to give her “such peace of mind and such confidence.”

Gaining confidence

Information about natural ingredients included in the Certificate course even excelled that provided by Kristal’s training; “I didn’t really know much about ingredients even after going to aesthetic school.”

But after graduating from the Certificate in Making Natural Skincare Products, Kristal felt the knowledge gained gave her the confidence to create her own skincare products. 

“I feel confident making and creating each and every product the correct way, knowing that when I’m making a cleanser, I know exactly what I need to do… the exact measurements of every ingredient and how to properly formulate each product…” 

This was “a big deal” to Kristal, after starting out not knowing “that there needed to be different phases of the process”, or “that things needed to be heated and to what degree”.

Why are natural and organic ingredients so important?

The root of Kristal’s values are her children.

“I just want to be as healthy as I possibly can so that I can be around as long as I can for my children and enjoy their lives as much as I enjoy my own. And any little thing that I can do to prolong my life and my health, and the health of my family, I’m going to do whatever I can that’s in my control to accomplish that.”

With three young children, it seemed finding the time to study wasn’t even an issue for Kristal. The fact that she could start and stop her studies at any time meant she had the flexibility she needed.

“I was so excited every morning to wake up before my children got up to learn more each and every day. It made me so happy that I found something that was giving me such wonderful, accurate knowledge and information that I really felt so confident and so eager to learn more.”

 Kristal has used her knowledge, confidence and skills to create her own four-piece skincare system; a cleanser, toner, serum and moisturizer. And they are in her home, and she uses them every day. And what is more, she knows exactly what ingredients are in them.

“Being able to use something and have my own label staring back at me on my bathroom shelf is an indescribable feeling. I tell my children now, who are very small, ‘I created this skincare line and someday maybe you’ll be able to help me’.”

How to make your own products to sell

If you are inspired by Kristal’s story – who wouldn’t be?! – and are interested in launching your own brand and selling your own natural and organic skincare products, you’ll want to study our online Diploma in Natural Skincare Formulation. 

This is the only course you need to launch your brand as it takes you through every aspect of creating skincare products from scratch, like the professionals! From defining your values and creating your brand, to formulating high-quality, professional skincare products, having them tested and complying with cosmetic regulations. 

It is true that some students of the Certificate in Making Natural Skincare Products, like Kristal, have launched their own brand, but there is much that isn’t covered in this course that you need to know about when making products to sell.

The focus of our online Certificate in Making Natural Skincare Products is not to teach students how to create professional formulations or products from scratch without following recipes, but instead to teach students to develop exceptional, practical, product-making skills. Students follow over 120 recipes created by our professional team and use them to perfect their practical skills and make a complete range of their own natural and organic products.

So, which course is right for you?

If you want to make products for yourself, friends and family using tried and tested recipes, and at the same time develop your practical product-making skills and learn about natural skincare ingredients, the Certificate in Making Natural Skincare Products is for you.

If you want to be able to create your own products from scratch like the professionals without following recipes either for yourself or to launch your own skincare brand, then the Diploma in Natural Skincare Formulation is the right course for you.

And if you have any questions at all or want to learn more about our courses and programs, please do get in touch with us by email using hello@schoolofnaturalskincare.com. Our customer service team will be happy to help.

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Behind every good idea is a person with a dream. Making that dream a reality is the difference between an idea thriving and seeing it disappear.

One member of the Natural Cosmetic Formulation Club has found that her dreams of becoming a brand founder are being nourished by the Club’s information, support and values.

Finding those all important values

Barbara Chwalko began her natural skincare journey when she read an article describing the benefits of not only natural ingredients in your diet but also in your skincare products.

“That was really an eye opener for me. The skin is our largest organ; why would I put any nasties, any chemicals on it?”

Looking through her family’s shop-bought skincare products, Barbara made the “quick decision” to empty the cabinet and start afresh. She began to look “for solutions, new products.”

Barbara wanted to use products that were transparent about what ingredients they contained. She wanted to be in control and choose what went into them.

She wanted to help the environment, by choosing products that had environmentally friendly packaging.

She wanted to spread the word about natural skincare and its holistic benefits.

And so began Barbara’s journey to the School of Natural Skincare and the Natural Cosmetic Formulation Club.

Barbara felt the longing, the need, to create her own skincare brand that represented her values; using natural or organic ingredients, helping the planet and conscious consumerism. But she needed the knowledge to go with it.

A platform to create amazing natural cosmetic products

Barbara’s journey with the School of natural Skincare started when she enrolled in the Diploma in Natural Skincare Formulation. Having tried out some homemade recipes, not so successfully, the Diploma made a real difference.

“I really enjoyed the course; learning, studying, applying the knowledge.”

When the invitation to join the Natural Cosmetic Formulation Club dropped into her inbox, Barbara was compelled to become a member. 

“It really was very attractive for me to join. I thought it would be a really good idea to connect with people who have the same passion that I have; maybe learning from each other, exchanging experiences, as well as all the resources that the Club offers.”

It wasn’t long before Barbara felt the excitement of what new things she could discover in the Club.

“Before, I was making creams and lotions, but I was always dreaming about making soaps, as well. And that’s where it was really one of these extra things that I loved about the Club, that I could actually have access to this course… Making soaps!”

And it wasn’t just the Cold Process Soapmaking course that sparked an interest. Formulating Mineral Makeup also proved to be a course Barbara enjoyed.

Creating makeup was something that Barbara had never even considered in the past. But when she saw the class, she thought, “What a brilliant idea! I can actually make my own makeup, as well!”

The ease at which information can be found in the Club works to everyone’s advantage. If a member is looking for a new ingredient or not sure about certain equipment for a new idea, the answers are all in the Club. And by a click of a button they can just log in and find what they are looking for. 

With more and more classes, formulations, courses and resources being uploaded it’s not difficult to see where the excitement for formulating natural skincare products comes from.

“I know there will always be surprises for me to explore and find in the Club. I love it!”

And Barbara knows that what she creates with the help of the Club will have her values at the heart of it.

“I think it’s just giving me freedom of being the way I want to be. And I think creating something through my values is giving the space for them to be expressed through the products.”

The community that is developed and encouraged within the Club allows members to share knowledge, their journey and experiences, encourage each other and feel part of a worldwide group of like-minded people.

For Barbara, it is important to feel there are people to interact with at the touch of a button; “That was really something that drew me into the Club – just being part of the group.” 

For a great deal of members, the Club can help supply the power to create natural skincare products, and the freedom to believe that goals can be met, and even exceeded.

“It’s a really great experience. It’s a great adventure. There’s a lot of space to give your creativity a go and it is a really nice thing to experience. I feel like I’m quite a creative person, so my creativity and my imagination can grow, while having the knowledge.”

Would Barbara recommend the Natural Cosmetic Formulation Club to someone who was still unsure whether to join? The answer’s pretty clear; 

“Don’t hesitate! It’s a beautiful way of spending time allowing your creativity to be put in something that you will enjoy. It’s pure enjoyment. Just don’t wait, because it’s really good fun!”

If you’d like to know more about the Natural Cosmetic Formulation Club, click here, and join people all over the world in a natural skincare formulation journey.

How one student’s membership to the Natural Cosmetic Formulation Club has given her the confidence to launch her own brand

Having always strived to use products that were good for her skin and hair, Stacey Brown, from the USA, became aware that products with 100% natural ingredients were hard to find.

Aiming to use brands that were holistically beneficial and true to her values of containing effective, natural ingredients, Stacey realized she needed to create her own products.

Once Stacey enrolled onto the School of Natural Skincare’s Natural Haircare and Skincare Formulator Program, her love for natural cosmetics grew. 

But it wasn’t long before Stacey’s passion for natural cosmetics ignited further as the brand new Natural Cosmetic Formulation Club began to launch.

“Something new and exciting was coming! I got really excited about it. I couldn’t wait for the Club to open up so I could get in there!”

An exciting new career

As a retired registered nurse, Stacey Brown found that having time on her hands was a great incentive to start a new hobby; formulating natural skincare products that really work. 

Her 31-year career had led her through a journey of understanding the importance of having safe and effective products that people can support and embrace.

“I understand, it’s not just important what you put in your body, good nutrition, but also what you put on your body. Doing a lot of research has led me to be able to make more informed choices.”

When Stacey retired in 2020, she started thinking about what she wanted her new career path to be.

She wanted to make sure that it was something that aligned with what she already knew, what her skills already were, and what she was passionate about.

Not only did she discover her skin and hair were changing as she grew older, she also found that some of the products that were claiming to embrace these changes with natural, gentle ingredients, weren’t always true.

“I started researching. How can I formulate my own natural cosmetics? I didn’t know anything about it. Can I do this? Is my degree enough? Do I have to go back to school and become a scientist of some sort? I had no clue. In doing some research, I came across some links about the School of Natural Skincare.”

It wasn’t long before Stacey’s research into the School revealed that she could formulate her own natural skincare and haircare products. And she didn’t need any scientific education in order to enroll.

“The School made me believe, wow, I can do this, little old me, I can formulate. That’s what drew me to the School, and that’s what I signed up for. I’ve been totally happy ever since!”

Club Members can share with the School what they’d like to learn about so that the School can feature it inside the Club; something that greatly appealed to Stacey.

“The club makes us feel like we, as members, are stakeholders, that we’re contributing towards the success of the Club.” 

Having never experienced this type of Club before, where “they cared about what we think, and what we want to see, what’s valuable for us”, Stacey knows that it is a plus for other members too;

“It really is a very positive experience, not just for myself, but also for the other members, as I’m hearing things from them, as well. I think it really drives engagement.”

A Club, a family, a team

It is this engagement that runs further inside the Club, with members having the opportunity to meet virtually every month in the Formulators’ Forums, to come together and have a chat about all things formulating!

“I love people and the thought of the monthly Zoom calls; being able to connect and network with the other members, learning from them, sharing and learning about trends and barriers. And what I could also contribute to that with the things that I had learned.”

Members are able to share their creations and ideas with their peers;

“It’s very encouraging, it’s very inspiring. Especially when you see that people have wonderful things that they’ve made, or have had successful launches of a hair or skincare line.”

And failed formulations can be shared, too, in a safe environment, free of judgment, with help and ideas offered by other members of the Club, aiding confidence and nurturing reassurance.

“Being a new formulator was a little intimidating. Everybody’s so quick to jump in and really help and it makes you feel safe, and not afraid to try new things. I would say my confidence level is a lot higher since joining the Club.”

There is something for everyone who is looking to extend their knowledge.

“I am looking forward to the business classes because I’m looking to launch my own skincare and haircare line soon and I know those classes will be very beneficial, and help me be able to leverage that knowledge towards my endeavor.”

So what does the future hold for Stacey?

Launching a new natural cosmetics brand

With the help of the Natural Cosmetic Formulation Club, Stacey plans to use her knowledge to launch her own natural skincare and haircare line.

“I’m leveraging everything, optimizing my experience, my participation in the Club. I want to be fully immersed in it so that I can just really just maximize what I want to do in this new career path of mine.”

Creating a range of skincare and haircare products that are natural, beneficial to the wellbeing of the user, and are safe and effective are part of Stacey’s core values. 

Having her products in households around the world is not only exciting, it is also a call for prudence.

“I want to make sure that the products are really going to be good. I’d rather take the time and launch a successful product that has a really good reputable brand, versus rushing through my excitement. I’m going to take my time and do it all right.”

Stacey’s found a great deal of the Club’s resources reflected her targeted audience;

“A lot of the curriculum was very valuable for me and talked about natural formulation for the customers that I wanted to target; African American women.”

And that the Club was ultimately the driving force behind her decision to launch her brand; 

“If it wasn’t for me being a part of the Club, I don’t know if I would have had the confidence to be able to believe that I can do this, that I can solve problems for other people. I believe it now, and I know I’m going to get there.”

A natural formulation club you can trust

Continually building on and improving formulation skills is a great way to stay on top of the growing market of natural cosmetics, and members are reassured by our professional scientists. 

“We have trust with the School, we have trust with the tutors. We know that they have extensive skills and knowledge, and so we know that they’re only going to give us information that they know is valuable for us, and that’s good for us. The fruition, when we have successful formulations, is due to the School and the Club.”

So, would Stacey recommend the Natural Cosmetic Formulation Club to others?

“Everything you need to be a natural cosmetic formulator is right there in that Club. Everything you need. It’s a wonderful investment of your time, and financially it’ll give you everything you need.”

The Natural Cosmetic Formulation Club

This is a global community of like-minded passionate and confident natural cosmetic formulators who study alongside each other, choosing the classes, courses and learning materials that excite and interest them the most. 

Club Members get to collaborate with each other in the Private Online Support Community, Live Monthly Formulator Forums hosted on zoom and directly through the Member Directory.

To find out more about the Club just click here and do get in touch with us on hello@schoolofnaturalskincare.com with any questions you may have.

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During the early stages of the Covid pandemic, a feeling grew among the masses. The desire to ‘go back to nature’ became prevalent.

Many people wanted the products they used on their skin and hair to include natural ingredients, and be effective and safe.

For Althea Branton, natural products could only be efficacious and safe if they were based on scientific knowledge. But she would often feel disappointed by the range of products on the market.

Keeping those essential values in mind, Althea made the leap from amateur maker to Cosmetic Formulator.

With the help of the Natural Cosmetic Formulation Club and a desire to formulate natural products based on scientific knowledge, Althea created her own brand.

The science behind the Club

For Althea, who began her journey making some basic products, it wasn’t enough to simply copy natural skincare recipes, anymore. She wanted to evolve and to create her own skincare products.

Scientific knowledge is the difference between copying a skincare recipe from a YouTube video, and formulating a personally crafted, unique, natural skincare product that is safe and effective.

“There came a point where I really wanted to learn actual formulation. I mean, it’s really easy just to follow a recipe online, but I wanted to learn the science behind it. I wanted to know the why.”

Althea knew her curiosity into creating natural skincare and haircare products, rooted in science, would lead to her looking into further education.

“We are taught that once we’ve gone to university or college, that’s where the learning ends. But it doesn’t matter at what age or what stage you are in. I needed to learn the hows, the ins and outs and the whys of cosmetic science.”

Althea found the School of Natural Skincare online and, from her home in Canada, enrolled in the Diploma in Natural Skincare Formulation and the Diploma in Natural Haircare Formulation. 

Soon after Althea completed the courses, the Natural Cosmetic Formulation Club launched. Now Althea is a member of a global club that extends knowledge to hundreds of members.

“What stood out for me to be a part of this club was just continuing the positive experience that I had with the School of Natural Skincare. So I knew that the courses were put together in a very mindful and intentional manner. I knew that the Club would have the same impact.”

Following on from the “amazingly accredited courses” the School of Natural Skincare has to offer, the Club’s team of professional cosmetic scientists and formulators have spent hours refining and testing formulations to share with members.

Bite-sized classes, extensive courses, lab reports and results, formulating resources, skills and equipment… the Natural Cosmetic Formulation Club gives members the chance to build on their knowledge with advanced materials. Althea says;

“The Club, so far; it’s challenged me to create new and different products. The formulation examples in the Club, they’re way more advanced and require a bit more thought.”

And Althea knows that the science behind the products is essential for her brand. At the core of everything that she is creating at the moment for her own brand is functionality, efficacy. Her products have to work.

The School of Natural Skincare provides information deeply rooted in cosmetic science with quality of knowledge at the forefront of its training. 

And as the amount of content in the Club increases, month by month, so too will members’ confidence in their knowledge of formulating. Althea testifies;

“Now I’m in a club, my confidence has skyrocketed. My confidence is absolutely infinite.”

As the Natural Cosmetic Formulation Club expands and evolves, members can grow and develop alongside it.

Developing intellectually, emotionally and mentally is something the Club encourages and supports.

A sense of community

By becoming a member of The Natural Cosmetic Formulation Club, Althea soon found herself at the core of a richly diverse community of global members.

“The one thing that this Club offers me that I can’t find anywhere else is community; people who believe in cosmetic formulation, believe in cosmetic chemistry and cosmetic science, but also have a strong affinity towards using natural products.”

This “invaluable” feeling of comradery, gave Althea a sense that she was not alone in her journey towards building a natural skincare brand. Hundreds  of people from all backgrounds, around the planet had the same interest and were members of the Club.

“When you’re studying, it could be lonesome. But once you’re in the Club you have that opportunity to ask questions and connect with other people. I think community and having that connection has been the X factor for me.”

Since joining the Club, Althea has developed a better idea of what is possible, of what she can actually achieve. She had gained a new wealth of knowledge of cosmetic formulation and a “beautiful introduction into cosmetic science and cosmetic chemistry”.

Getting a chance to meet, virtually, with other people on a similar journey, sharing ideas, getting ideas from the example formulations and the courses within the club, have given Althea the freedom to go beyond what she ever thought possible.

The Natural Cosmetic Formulation Club has taken the core knowledge from both the haircare and skincare diplomas to a level beyond;

“When you have formulating knowledge, you can create anything you’d like. But the source of the knowledge is key. Having that knowledge and ability to create products is beyond anything I can imagine.” 

So, as Althea continues to expand her knowledge and her natural skincare and haircare brand continues to grow, her core values remain the same; science, nature and community.

“One of the super exciting things about my products is that space between nature and cosmetic science. It’s taking all of the amazing things that this planet has to offer and putting them into super efficacious formulations that work. 

I can see a vision for a product and with the knowledge within the Club I can make that product come to life. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity.”

The Natural Cosmetic Formulation Club 

This is a global community of like-minded passionate and confident natural cosmetic formulators who study alongside each other, choosing the classes, courses and learning materials that excite and interest them the most. 

Club Members get to collaborate with each other in the Private Online Support Community, Live Monthly Formulator Forums hosted on zoom and directly through the Member Directory.

To find out more about the Club just click here and do get in touch with us on hello@schoolofnaturalskincare.com with any questions you may have.

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“I tried a lot of products from the market but they were not giving proper results.”

When she was younger, Krithika had developed an interest in chemistry. So, with her daughter in mind, she decided to attempt to make some homemade skincare products herself!

“I decided to get my hands dirty and give formulations a try.”

The first six to eight months was mostly experimentation. She tried a lot of things, Krithika says, and did a lot of reading. And – she recalls, laughing – managed to waste quite a lot of raw materials in the process!  

But her hard work and determined approach paid off. Her experiments began to yield positive results. The rest, she says, is history. 

Choosing to go professional

Krithika found using more natural ingredients helped her daughter with the effects of sensitive skin. After this success, she knew she wanted to keep on making clean beauty products. 

Researching online, she went through a process of comparing different formulation courses, to work out which one was right for her. 

Krithika was intrigued by the variety of topics covered by the School of Natural Skincare. The Diploma in Natural Skincare Formulation looked like it would be challenging, but enjoyable. This gave her the reassurance that she would gain more expert knowledge with formulating products.  

“I was very satisfied with the variety and challenges your certification provided. It gave me confidence that I will attain better expertise with formulations.”

Pleased that the Diploma would meet her expectations, she enrolled to become certificated. 

Krithika says she’s appreciative of the breadth of topics covered and of the excellent support materials. There weren’t very many formulating experts in her circle, in Bahrain, so she relied heavily on our course videos and materials provided by the School. 

“I’m greatly indebted to your School for the course materials, the subject coverage and the materials I had access to during my course.”

Her advice for new formulators? Reach out and ask questions – and make the most of your teachers!

“Whenever I had queries, it was well handled by your team.”

And her approach to formulating products is an extension of the pride she takes in all her work. 

The most important thing, she advises, is to listen to customer feedback. It’s a great motivator, which also gives her great satisfaction.  

Like her own experience with her daughter’s sensitive skin, Krithika knows that customers have a wide range of different requirements. 

Through a process of listening to feedback, she can identify new or unanswered needs. Satisfying their demands is the absolute goal, she says.

“We also customize products as much as we can to bring that extra smile on your face.”

This plays out in practice through the process of developing products. They’re often custom-made, adapting to her customers’ needs. This constant innovation, Krithika says, is part of what makes Tvishi so unique.

Ethical sourcing of the ingredients is also important to Krithika. Tvishi Handmade works with small, local farmers to achieve organic production. 

Her aim is to build long-lasting partnerships with other businesses, supporting communities by paying fair, market prices for ingredients. 

What does the future hold?

Krithika credits the School of Natural Skincare and our team of experts with playing a major role in her achievement.  

“I strongly believe that I’m a success story and I also believe that your team is a pertinent part of this success story.”

With Tvishi Handmade, she wants to keep creating high-performing, organic, skin, hair and body products. Krithika now knows she can do this without compromising on finesse, or her values. 

She points out that, ultimately, it was her motherly instincts to want to help her child that drew her to formulating. And now, ‘With the advent of each new product,’ she says, ‘I feel as if I have given birth to a new being.’ 

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Worrying about your kids is a natural part of parenthood. From bumps and bruises to fallings-out with friends, there’s a lot mothers and fathers can’t control. 

A big area of concern can be what you’re putting in – or on – to your children’s bodies. This is a feeling that Denisse García knows well. It was a key factor in her decision to venture into the world of natural skincare.

Reconnecting with a more holistic way of life

Denisse spent her early years in Ecuador. She felt drawn to herbal remedies after growing up seeing her grandma use them to treat ailments. 

After delivering her second child at home, Denisse knew she wanted to move towards a more holistic lifestyle. Part of this meant being more in control and aware of what she was putting on her children’s skin.

As a starting point, Denisse began to experiment with making more natural products for use at home. She already had the benefit of a decade of at-home practice, guided by YouTube tutorials. 

It wasn’t long before Denisse realized that this was something she’d love to do full time.

But she wanted to be more than just another ‘YouTube graduate’. 

Denisse knew that she needed to invest in herself and give this new path the attention and care that it deserved. 

This meant saying farewell to the world of learning from unregulated online videos. It was time to call in the professionals.

Studying with the School of Natural Skincare

Denisse began to research online for courses that were more structured. She found that the School of Natural Skincare’s friendly and simple approach resonated with her. 

To learn how to make products in the right way, she enrolled on the Diploma in Natural Skincare Formulation. And the teaching, she says, has not let her down.

Using the skills and knowledge from her formulation courses with the School, Denisse has launched her business, Nourishing Mama. And she’s now taking the Diploma again!

“I’m loving all the new additions added to its third edition. You never stop learning!”

Denisse’s advice for new natural skincare formulators 

Denisse appreciates the skills and knowledge she gained from self-study online. But she does have some words of caution for aspiring formulators. 

She says it’s important not to believe everything you watch and read online. A large follower count doesn’t mean that someone knows what they’re talking about.

So, she says, if you want to start selling your creations and be much-better placed to turn your passion into a viable business, it’s important not to cut corners. 

“Study your passion with a reliable school like the School Of Natural Skincare”. 

Denisse also wants new formulators to know that it’s okay to ask questions. While professional formulators are often busy, everyone was a beginner once. 

The School of Natural Skincare experts are very welcoming to new community members, and so are the current students. They’re often happy to take the time to answer a quick question here and there. So don’t be afraid, she says – reach out for guidance if you need it.

She offers products that cover everything from postpartum healing to cradle cap.

With the business going from strength to strength, she’s also recently moved from selling on Etsy to launching her own website. 

She says that everything from her Mom and Baby range to her body butters and bath salts are all made to be as skin-loving, safe and natural as possible.

The best part of the natural formulating experience

The act of creation using natural ingredients brings Denisse great joy. It’s clear that she loves sharing this with the world. From the very beginning of her journey, she has poured her heart and soul into her products.

In turn, she says, the best part about formulation has been the feedback from customers.

She says she never imagined getting such kind words about her products – but it’s something she treasures. 

“It has already helped so many people that I feel truly honored to have served and helped in some way.”

It’s confirmation that she is succeeding in her goal to help families rediscover the healing potential of the natural world.

We just need to trust and use it. This will lead us to products that are “beautiful, effective, healthy and sustainable”. 

It also comes back to why she started her brand in the first place. Denisse formulates the way she does because she wants to set a good example for her own children. 

There might be an easy way to do something, such as going into a shop to buy cosmetics. But it’s not necessarily always the best way. 

In the case of skincare, formulating yourself is a joyful way to connect to the natural world around us and a way to bring our own creativity to life. And she’s showing her children that there is a gentler way of moving through the world – and that you can do it yourself.

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Born into a family of doctors, you might think that traditional medicine and conventional skincare would be the go-to option for Aparna Telang Tuli.

However, Aparna’s family also instilled in her the importance of nature and to appreciate all that it has to offer.

A childhood passion for nature 

Growing up in the South of India, Aparna’s childhood holidays were spent exploring the luscious land surrounding her family’s traditional coconut mill. There was, Aparna says, always a lot to learn.

She watched the ins and outs of the business and absorbed how everything from nature could be consumed without contaminating the surroundings.

Her father explained the processes for extracting coconut oil. What Aparna saw was extraordinary; “The simple coconut tree had zero wastage!” 

Oil, food, medicine, charcoal, lead for pencils, ropes, creams; every part of the tree was used. The leaves were used to make hut roofs and baskets, the sticks were used to make brooms. The coconut tree deserved its moniker of ‘the tree of life’.

Natural ingredients vs modern medicine  

Despite Aparna’s parents being doctors, it didn’t stop them from using natural remedies. Everything from coughs and colds to cuts and insect bites, her family were ready with a natural ingredient solution.

They themselves had grown up in families that used natural remedies “for practically everything”. The decision to continue this with their own family felt as natural as the ingredients they were using.

“My family came from humble beginnings and so organic farm-based cooking and healthcare came naturally to them.”

As a child Aparna suffered from the discomfort of sensitive skin but there was “always a simple, natural solution for all my skincare problems”.

Her parents made sure they used home remedies and they worked brilliantly!

“Unknowingly, I grew up learning how giving nature is and about its healing properties.”

As home remedies were encouraged in her childhood, they soon became the norm. Something Aparna took with her through to adulthood, and to the UK.

Like mommy like daughter

When Aparna became a new mother in London it wasn’t long before she realized her daughter had sensitive skin, too. The thought of her daughter going through the same discomfort as she did was enough to make Aparna consider her skincare choices.

Each cream, lotion and balm was questioned. Each label seemed daunting to Aparna – they were full of hard to pronounce words and scientific names. The ingredients seemed a mystery she was unable to solve.

“I struggled to trust products I was buying.”

In the daily hustle and bustle of life and work, Aparna sometimes took shortcuts when looking after her skin, but she refused to do the same for her daughter.

Continuing the respect for natural ingredients through the generations 

When Aparna’s daughter was 18 months’ old she enjoyed watching her mommy apply makeup, often mimicking her. She particularly loved lipsticks and often asked Aparna to apply lipstick to her.

Aparna pretended to apply the lipstick, not wanting to use adult products on her daughter’s delicate skin, but her daughter soon questioned why her lips didn’t shine like her mom’s.

It was the same for her other skincare products too;

“I was just not comfortable with the idea of letting her use any of my products. I knew how horrible it could get should she develop a reaction to any of the ingredients in them.”

Aparna’s daughter became more and more persistent about wanting to share her mommy’s skincare and makeup products. Aparna felt there was only one solution; she promised her daughter she would make products especially for her. And she would show her how to make them.

“I wanted to formally study the science behind creating cosmetics and a trusted supplier of natural ingredients (Aadra International) highly recommended the School of Natural Skincare”.

Aparna discovered our Diploma in Natural Skincare Formulation – a professional, accredited course that explores skin science, cosmetic preservation and stability, formulating, brand awareness and so much more. It was perfect for Aparna.

“Natural and organic ingredients, and essential oils resonated with me because of my childhood and having seen the benefits of them myself.”

Aparna created lip and hand balms for her daughter that were made of 100% natural ingredients, with no preservatives or artificial coloring.

Soon she was creating natural skincare products for her daughter’s friends to try, as well as their parents. She was so gratified when “my child, her friends and their parents loved the balms!”

A natural skincare business was born

With positive feedback about her products and the branding and business knowledge she had gained from our Diploma in Natural Skincare Formulation, it wasn’t long before Aparna launched her own brand; Zizu Organics.

Focussing on natural and effective skincare for children (“and their grown-ups!”), the Zizu Organics range focuses on lip balms, including lavender lip balm, rose lip scrub, gift sets and more.

Aparna was also “tired of the amount of plastic” that was used for skincare products on the market, most of which couldn’t be reused, so her range of lip balms come in recyclable aluminum tubs, in compostable secondary packaging.

Does Aparna have any advice for any budding natural skincare formulators out there, who would like to create a range of natural skincare products?

“Don’t be scared to try or learn! I failed miserably a few times, but I kept at it.”

From a childhood aid, to a successful natural skincare business, natural ingredients have helped Aparna throughout her life. She can continue to look forward whilst recalling the past for advice and inspiration.

“I am glad to be going back to my roots, while learning to create more sustainable products for children.”

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For a whole year Montreece avoided all styling products, extensions and weaves, and instead wore a wig. When she took off the wig for the last time in 2013, Montreece’s hair was back. She knew this was the moment to learn how to take care of her newly grown hair and stay away from mainstream products. It was an opportunity to begin researching how to make natural haircare products.

“It was important to me that I made products with ingredients that were beneficial, easy to use and I could find locally.”

Montreece began by watching YouTube videos of how to maintain healthy hair, and created a DIY haircare product for herself and daughter to try. 

“I also had a daughter who had a head full of beautiful hair. I wanted to make sure that she understood the worth of her hair, how to take care of it and what she should be putting on it. So, whatever I made for myself, I made for her as well.”

For Montreece, confirmation of what she had developed and further knowledge of haircare formulation was needed.

After browsing our website, she discovered our diverse and inclusive Diploma in Natural Haircare Formulation, choosing the School of Natural Skincare was easy.

“I chose the School of Natural Skincare because the course covered my hair type. In an arena where products formulated for my hair is scarce, and conversations are muted, it is important to me that I can be part of a conversation that changes the haircare industry.”

Areas of achievement for Montreece included learning how to turn a product, she made herself, into a formulation worthy of being assessed and brought to market. Along with knowing what it means to be a business owner, these milestones have been a highlight of her journey.  Once Montreece joined the course she found affirmation in all the knowledge she had gained up to that point.

She also soon realised that the Diploma of Natural Haircare Formulation would take her understanding to a deeper level as the course equips students with everything they need to know about the characteristics and needs of different hair types, which ingredients are beneficial to each type, how to design formulations for natural and organic shampoos, conditioners and styling products for all hair types, provides information about what the scalp needs to be healthy as well as business regulations and standards from around the world. 

Learning how to formulate an array of haircare products from experienced and professional formulators coupled with support has been a valuable experience.

“The best experience in formulating products has been in learning. Up until now I’ve had to teach myself.”

Whilst Montreece’s aspirations of inspiring other women has been supported and encouraged by the School, Knowing how to research natural ingredients, why they should be chosen and how they can help are some practical positives that come from the Diploma of Natural Haircare Formulation.

“I want to show that it is possible to achieve what seems impossible.”

Empowering others with natural haircare

Creating her own brand of natural haircare products and empowering women is becoming a reality. 

The day Dare to be Natural was born was the moment Montreece realized that she didn’t have to work for someone else anymore, that she could be empowered to do what felt impossible.

“Over 20 years in the work arena was put on pause as a weight was lifted from my shoulders.”

Montreece discovered that people were interested in the product she had been making for herself and daughter for the last six years. 

“Wow! The epiphany was deeply felt as I realized I could be a business owner and the product idea had been in my hands this whole time!”

Montreece knows that understanding about haircare can be helped by sharing a product that does the job it is meant to do, offers alternatives to mainstream products and gives space for people to learn about natural ingredients.

“The vision of Dare to be Natural is to inspire women who are searching for ingredients that feed their hair and nourish their scalp with botanically based products.”

Developing Dare to be Natural is helping women learn how to maintain their scalp and hair, and most importantly, “understand that their hair is beautiful no matter its length, texture or density!”

And what’s more, Montreece is helping customers to empower themselves, by having more knowledge about nourishing ingredients and reading product labels before they buy. 

“Haircare products don’t have to come with a long list of ingredients.”

This passion for high-quality ingredients is encouraged in every School of Natural Skincare course, helping students to create the kind of luxurious skincare and haircare to match their values and beliefs.

“Ask yourself; would you use this or that [ingredient] on yourself or your loved ones? If the answer is no… then you may not want to use it.”

Inspiration that goes beyond haircare

So, what advice does Montreece have for anyone wanting to formulate their own natural haircare products?

Being mindful is a key attribute. Taking the time to learn how to present formulations in the right way, to understand why a particular natural ingredient is being selected, and to understand why natural haircare products are the way forward will help to keep the mind focussed.

“My hope is to empower others to believe that all things are possible, when focus and determination are part of a person’s mindset.”

Inspiration is not only a strength that runs through the School of Natural Skincare, but is also present in how Montreece runs her business. 

“There is enough space for everyone; find a person who is striving to be a business owner and empower them. Companies are run by people, and people should always respect others. Creating quality products is beautiful! Enjoy the journey!”

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So not only did Virginija need the perfect shampoo for herself, it also became a family quest to find the ideal formula for her daughter’s hard-to-care-for tresses. And so began a search for a haircare solution to suit all hair types.

Although Virginija discovered there were a lot of natural shampoos on the market, none of them really grabbed her attention as the perfect choice for either her or her daughter. She wanted products that touched her heart and truly inspired her, she explains:

“I wanted to develop the perfect go-to products that gave great results as part of an easy yet pampering haircare routine.”

Virginija also wanted products that reduced waste. She felt that the often large and cumbersome single-use shampoo bottles contained excess amounts of plastic. The hunt was on for a product that not only cleaned and nourished her hair, but was also kind to the environment. 

The ultimate shampoo solution

This is where shampoo bars came in. When Virginija first saw one of these compact hair cleansing wonders, she was inspired by their eco-friendly nature. There was no need for a plastic bottle and they were small enough to carry around, making them ideal for shampooing on the go! 

Virginija realised that shampoo bars were the perfect travel-friendly haircare solution, making them a really carefree and versatile choice. Now all she had to do was make a shampoo bar from quality natural ingredients that would bring the shining results she longed for!

“I no longer wanted to follow other people’s recipes but use my beauty formulation skills and creative intuition to develop my own truly natural products.”

Virginija decided to explore her eco shampoo bar idea further and enroll on courses at the School of Natural Skincare. She chose the Certificate in Making Natural Skincare Products, followed by the Diploma in Natural Haircare Formulation in order to gain expertise in creating natural haircare products. 

She gained a huge amount of knowledge from the course and is now ready to launch her own haircare brand – Vivi Spiritus Lab. 

At one with nature

We asked Virginija to sum up her natural haircare journey. Apart from appreciating the beauty benefit of using nourishing organic ingredients, we asked what it was that really drove her to create products inspired by nature. She simply said,

“I believe in nature. We have to use its resources wisely in order to gain true benefits.”

She explains that using natural and sustainable ingredients is not only great for us, but is crucially less harmful to nature in the long run. She sees it as a balanced relationship, where we utilize nature’s resources in a respectful way and gain abundant rewards. 

Another concern of Virginija’s was how to help people who suffer from allergies and skin conditions at a very young age, which can often be aggravated by synthetic cosmetic ingredients. 

Synthetic chemicals do not heal our skin or hair, and in some cases irritations can even be brought on by products that contain chemicals. Virginija understood that cheap synthetic shampoos may give instant results, but they may not be optimum in the long-term. 

Virginija says that the positive feedback is in fact the greatest thing about creating her brand. Her customers have told her that their hair is shinier and stronger after using one of her shampoo bars. They also love the fragrance and shape of her products. She says,

“I feel connected to my customers through my products. Their understanding that the natural ingredients and organic formulas work wonders for their hair inspires me.”

Finally, we asked Virginija to explain why she decided to study with us at the School of Natural Skincare. She said that she researched a variety of courses and went for the best ones available; our Certificate in Making Natural Skincare Products and our Diploma in Natural Haircare Formulation.

She particularly liked the fact that our courses taught students how to make formulations from purely natural ingredients. She also felt secure in the fact that our courses are recognized and accredited.

Virginija recommends our courses for beginners too:

“The courses may help people to recognise a passion for natural haircare and skincare, which can then be turned into a successful business.”

To explore the range of Vivi Spiritus Lab Shampoo Bars available, visit vivispirituslab.com 

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Entrepreneur Anastasia Igorovich started her natural beauty business with her husband in Colombia after seeing a gap in the market. 

Her natural cosmetics company Coco Salvaje, which translates to ‘wild coconut’, came into being in 2015 after she originally started a business producing cold pressed coconut oil. 

Initially there was little competition but within a couple of years a boom in coconut oil came to Colombia. This meant she faced stiff competition as companies started to import the raw ingredient into the country at much lower prices, severely affecting her sales. 

A ‘beautiful’ change in direction!

Anastasia and her husband had already been enjoying experimenting with cosmetic products using coconut oil, so the fall in her sales of the natural ingredient seemed like the perfect opportunity to grow the cosmetics side of the business into a natural beauty empire. Anastasia said,

“It seemed like a great and a very logical way to expand our business, so we launched our first product. A very simple, but effective lip balm in a biodegradable package. The more we were studying and making trials, the more we got into it.”

Choosing the School of Natural Skincare

Anastasia has a real passion for formulating natural beauty products, which is why she chose to study our Diploma in Natural Skincare Formulation. 

When Anastasia started the Diploma in Natural Skincare Formulation, she created a line of natural, creamy deodorants that now accounts for 35% of her business’s sales. It was the skills and confidence she learnt on the course that enabled her to do this. 

She also gained essential skincare product knowledge such as how to choose ingredients, how to use safe levels of essential oils and how to use a benchmark product. The deodorant range she formulated after learning these skills was a real success;

“The result was stunning, people love it soooo much! I know this is because it really works, feels amazing on the skin, smells divine and the packaging is beautiful!”

Investing in training

Anastasia recommends learning about the science of natural skincare formulation as the logical first step for aspiring natural skincare formulators around the world. She says it makes such a big difference when you are starting to formulate natural skincare products. 

If you are confident about what you do and why you do it, Anastasia believes you can promote and sell your products better. She emphasises that having the expertise behind you means you can create effective natural skincare formulations that are safe, stable and really do their job. She says; 

“It may not always be easy to find the money for courses, but after they skyrocket your business, it’s totally worth it!”

A natural skincare course that was just right

After following the School of Natural Skincare for some time, Anastasia chose to study with us because she liked the scope of our Diploma in Natural Skincare Formulation. The course seemed so logical and complete to her – it truly met all of her expectations. 

The parts of the course she particularly enjoyed included the support of the tutors and she found connecting with other students really helpful, too. She also liked the fact that there were many workbooks and ingredients charts.

A key factor that Anastasia took into consideration when deciding on the course was also that students have access to the program for a long time. 

“The Diploma enabled me to gradually grow my skills and switch from developing simple anhydrous recipes to complicated emulsion-based creams.”

The confidence only the right natural skincare course can give you

Anastasia knows that after completing the Diploma in Natural Skincare Formulation, she feels much more confident in formulating natural skincare products. 

She now understands how to choose the correct ingredients and what role each ingredient plays. She feels confident about what percentage of essential oils is safe to add to a product. And she says she can also now decode the label of a product she likes and create a similar product, known as reverse formulating, also covered in the Diploma. She explains,

“After studying the Diploma in Natural Skincare Formulation, I know how to create water-based products and how to preserve them correctly. Now I can even make emulsion-based creams and lotions, which is something that seemed so complicated before.”

These strict rules about her natural skincare formulations show how passionate Anastasia really is about natural beauty. 

What’s next for Coco Salvaje?

Anastasia is excited about her new product launch – her ‘Rejuvenating and Antioxidant Q10 Serum’ for all skin types. She and her husband are very enthusiastic about the product and the direction of her company. She says,

“It feels so great to create clean, natural products that really work! After studying at the School of Natural Skincare, the sky is truly the limit for your business!”

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