A big part of making our own natural cosmetics is mineral makeup, but finding reliable and accurate information about it is hard to come by.

Fortunately, we’ve got you covered at the School of Natural Skincare! It is such an exciting topic to delve into and an amazing skill to develop. You’ll have lots of fun creating your own at home, either for yourself or…who knows…maybe even to sell!?

In this article we’re going to help you get started by looking at

1. What is mineral makeup
2. The different types of mineral makeup you can make
3. How to formulate mineral makeup 101
4. The equipment you need to make your own mineral makeup
5. And an introduction to formulating color cosmetics

On the other hand, many types of mineral makeup, for example mineral foundations, come in the form of pure powders (that can be loose or pressed), and as such require little to no additives, making them especially suitable for sensitive skin. 

Since they are very concentrated, a much smaller amount of the foundation is needed for good coverage – 8g of mineral foundation can easily last up to three months.

The Different Types of Mineral Makeup

Many mineral makeup products consist of loose or pressed powders. These are the kinds of products we focus on inside our online course, Formulating Mineral Makeup.

Once you understand the essential theory of formulating natural mineral makeup, color cosmetics and have the correct equipment to hand, you’ll be all set to go and create your own range of natural mineral makeup products such as:

1. Mineral foundation
2. Mineral eye shadow
3. Mineral blushers, bronzers and highlighters
4. Pressed powders

If you are making small quantities of mineral makeup for personal use, you will be operating with very small amounts of ingredients (especially when it comes to adjusting the shade). It will be easier to measure these small quantities of ingredients using teaspoons and other, even smaller, measuring spoons/scoops.

In fact, when starting out we recommend you begin by making only small batch sizes. This enables you to develop your knowledge and skill, and to experiment without worrying about wasting precious ingredients. So it will be worthwhile investing in some simple measuring spoons and scoops.

As you begin to develop larger batch sizes, you will then want to switch to using more accurate measuring devices, such as precision scales. This will enable you to calculate correctly and ensures you create something that conforms to industry standards and regulations. 

Our online course, Formulating Mineral Makeup, is aimed at getting you started with learning how to make mineral makeup. So, the recipes are written using teaspoons (and fractions thereof) as the measuring unit. They also contain an approximate weight percentage, in case you want to create bigger batches using a precision scale.

If you decide to formulate these products for sale, you will need to be precise with your measurements to conform with cosmetic standards and regulations. 

Even if it is not a requirement to have your products safety tested, you still need to make sure that your products are safe for use and accurate measurements are then essential.

The Equipment You Need to Make Your Own Mineral Makeup

You’ll need a selection of equipment that is a little different to other types of cosmetic products to help you to make your own natural mineral makeup. 

Here is a good list to get you started:

1. Grinder/mortar and pestle – or coffee grinder for larger batches
2. Precision scale (0.01g precision)
3. Measuring spoons (the following sizes are useful: 1⁄8 teaspoon, 1⁄4 teaspoon, 1⁄2 teaspoon, 3⁄4 teaspoon, 1 teaspoon – where 1 teaspoon equals 5ml).
4. Mini-scoop (0.05ml)
5. Protective gloves and a dust mask.
6. Small jars (to store powders and pigment mixes in).
7. Makeup packaging for finished products.
8. Pressing tools. A pressing clamp, small woodworking clamps or small tamper tool (if you wish to press your powders) are good examples.

You’ll need to refer to a color wheel and develop and understand of

1. Primary, secondary and tertiary colors
2. Colour harmony
3. Complementary colors
4. Color terminology (hue, tint, tone and shade), and 
5. Undertones

Fortunately, we cover all of this and so much more in our online course, Formulating Mineral Makeup which you’ll be able to access by being a Member of the Natural Cosmetic Formulation Club.

Loved reading about how to make your own mineral make up? Make sure to remember by pinning this!

Making cold process soap is a great thing to do at home or in your cosmetics lab. There are so many benefits to making your own soaps and you can read more about that in our article, 6 benefits of making cold process soaps.

However, before you get your oils, water and lye out (the core ingredients of cold process soaps), you need to be aware of some important safety considerations, most especially because of the ingredient used to make soap, lye, and the chemical reaction involved when dissolving lye in water.

In addition to that, formulating cold process soap is very different to formulating other cosmetic products, but you should not let any of this put you off from making your own cold process soaps at home, for yourself or to sell.

If this is something you might be interested in doing, you’ll want to make sure you have access to the right help, guidance and support and that’s exactly what our online course, Cold Process Soap Making, is designed to do – help you to safely make your own cold process soaps :-).

You’ll be able to access this course by being a member of the Natural Cosmetic Formulation Club.

Let’s take a look at the 9 Safety Tips You Need to Know to Make Cold Process Soaps.

1. Wear Gloves

Wear thick and long gloves to protect your hands. Medical-type latex gloves are short and will leave your wrists unprotected; they are also very thin and can tear, thus exposing your skin.

Cleaning-type rubber gloves are longer and thicker. Tuck your sleeves into the gloves so no skin is exposed.

Gloves need to be worn throughout the soaping process and during clean-up, since soap traces on the equipment can still contain unreacted lye.

2. Wear Goggles

Wear eye protection to prevent any damage to the eye (which can result in injury or blindness) in the case of lye and/or soap splashing, especially during the mixing process.

4. Wear Protective Clothing

Wear protective clothing during soapmaking. Lye and unsaponified soap can damage textiles so it is a good idea to use protective work clothing, not regular clothes. 

Protective clothing needs to include long sleeves, long pants and closed-toe shoes, so no skin is exposed.

5. Use a Hairband for longer hair

If you have long hair, wear it tied back.

7. Use lye-resistant worktops

Hardwood worktops can get damaged if in contact with water. Regular kitchen countertops and stainless steel worktops are lye-resistant. 

It is still best to protect the area using paper (a couple of layers of old newspaper, or cardboard) and/or a plastic sheet.

8. No children or pets should be allowed in the work area

Make sure there are no children or pets in the soapmaking area throughout the duration of soapmaking.

9. Only use lye-resistant and heat-resistant mixing materials and bowls

Suitable materials for soapmaking and mixing lye solution include: polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), stainless steel and glass. Do not use aluminum containers or spoons.

If you don’t follow the safety advice and follow correct tuition, you not only run the risk of your batch of soap not working, but you also run the risk of damaging your equipment and work surfaces as well injuring yourself.

The trick to making your own soaps is to learn how to do it correctly, but fortunately this can easily be achieved.

Cold process soap needs to be made in a very specific way, and by following the correct methods and using accurate information, it is a straightforward process.

You just need to know how!

We’re delighted to say that all of this, plus the essential guidance for Lye First Aid and much more, can be found inside our Cold Process Soap Making online course!

In our online, multimedia course on Cold Process Soap Making, you’ll:

• Get an introduction to soapmaking
• Learn the theory of saponification
• Discover the mandatory safety information
• Receive accurate and up-to-date tuition on how to make cold process soaps
• Learn all about the ingredient used to make cold process soaps, how to select them to give you the results you seek
• Access a collection of basic soap recipes and advanced soap recipes
• Get troubleshooting tips

In the advanced modules you’ll:

• Learn how to use mineral and plant-derived colorants to create beautiful effects in your soap bars. 
• Discover how to add more advanced ingredients such as milk, sugar, salt or even alcohol to your soaps.
• Be able to pipe your soap: this technique can be used to create soaps that look like cupcakes!
• Learn about a variety of different soap swirling techniques in detail – what recipes to use when swirling, which soap molds and tools are suitable for different swirls, and how to cut finished soap to reveal the swirl. 
• Follow our step-by-step video demonstrations so you have the confidence to carry out these techniques yourself.

This 5 module, multimedia, online course can be accessed by being a member of the Natural Cosmetic Formulation Club.

Click here to find out about the Club now

Loved reading about these 9 safety tips? Make sure to remember them by pinning them!

1. Zero-waste

Soap bars don’t require any packaging! So, if you are looking for a product type that is sustainable or that has a good eco-footprint, then soap is the perfect solution.

2. Cost effective

Natural soap is inexpensive to make, especially if you are not using high amounts of expensive essential oils and other additives. 

Making cold process soap is extremely economical because one batch makes several bars of soap :-). So if you are just making it for personal use, one batch could make enough soap for several months’ use.

A regular-sized bar of soap usually costs less than $1 to make, as typical soapmaking oils and lye are inexpensive. Moreover, a bar of soap lasts a long time, which makes soap a very economical product.

Another aspect that protects soap bars from microbial spoilage is their alkaline pH, which is so high that it is impossible for microorganisms to live in or on it. Therefore, natural soap bars do not require any preservatives.

With modern soapmaking processes we carefully measure out all of the ingredients so we can avoid any issues.

4. Long shelf-life

As long as soap bars are stored in a cool and dry space, they can easily have a shelf-life of 6-12 months. If they contain more stable oils or an antioxidant, they can last up to 2 years. 

So if you are making larger batches, the soap bars will not go bad before you get a chance to use them. And remember, one batch makes several bars too so it is extremely economical.

Since the pH level of the skin is around 5.0, natural soaps can seem unsuitable. However, while it is true that using soap increases the pH on the surface of the skin, our skin has a natural ability to regulate pH, and over time it will return to healthy acidic levels (typically taking 20 minutes to two hours). 

Another thing that makes natural soap popular as a gentle cleansing option is the fact that it contains glycerin – a humectant that moisturizes the skin.

6. Nourishing

Soaps are not only used as a detergent for cleaning, they can also be nourishing and softening. 

The fatty acids that provide the best nourishing and conditioning properties are unsaturated fatty acids, such as oleic, linoleic and linolenic fatty acids. These fatty acids are present in considerable quantities in oils such as olive oil, avocado oil, almond oil, sunflower oil and macadamia nut oil.

How to make cold process soap?

When it comes to making cold process soap at home, or in your lab, you’ll want to make sure you know what you are doing. The chemical reaction involved has to be done carefully and correctly and you’ll need to know about the nuances around making cold process soap vs other cosmetic products, which is not the same process.

Soap calculators also follow this principle – the only ingredients expressed in percentages are the oils; the rest are given in grams for a certain batch size.

You’ll want to understand the essential soap making terminology (otherwise it won’t make much sense), the process of saponification, lye concentration and temperature control.

You’ll also want to make sure you follow up-to-date methods – it is extremely difficult to replicate traditional soaps correctly but using the right methods you can get close 🙂

And finally, you’ll want to carefully select the right scales of hardness, detergency, and foam as well as what nourishing properties you want to include.

Fortunately, we have created an online course called Cold Process Soap Making which is split into two sections – Beginner’s Cold Process Soap Making and Advanced Cold Process Soap Recipes.

Can I unlock multiple modules of a course in a month rather than waiting?

Absolutely! You are in control of your studies, the choices you make and the credits you have.

Take the 300 credits for the Cold Process Soap Making course and divide that by the 50 credits you get each month. This equals 6 months of study.

Essentially, you can exchange your 50 credits each month for 6 months and study the course over those 6 months and beyond…

Or…

If you are able to dedicate more time to your studies and have the funds available, you can top your credits up and unlock multiple modules in one go and power through the materials without having to wait until next month.

Loved reading about the benefits of making cold processed soaps? Make sure to remember them by pinning this!

When we think about skincare and treating different skin types, we typically think about dry, sensitive, oily and combination skin. And this is a great place to start, because no matter who you are or where you come from, these factors are all relevant. 

However, when exploring, learning about and formulating for specific skin types it is all too easy to forget about the importance of gender. When formulating your own natural skincare products for men you need to know the differences between men and women’s skincare.

Is men’s skin different to women’s skin?

We’re trying not to generalize because, strictly speaking, one person’s skin is different to the next person, no matter who they are, how old they are, where they come from and whether they identify as male or female.

That said, it is well documented that several physiological and anatomical differences between men and women do exist. This is primarily attributed to the fact that hormones differ in men and women, which affects our physiology and anatomy. Our skin, which is our body’s largest organ, is no exception – hormone secretions not only have an effect on the body, they also have an effect on skin physiology1,2.

All of the following differences in skin physiology (sebum, hormones, skin pH, collagen) affect the microorganisms that are naturally present on our skin – the skin microflora. A delicate balance of different bacterial and yeast species is a recent topic in scientific research, but it is well established that it affects skin health, condition and scent. Microflora on male skin is different to microflora on female skin, and can be responsible for some of the observable differences of the skin. 

Do men produce more sebum than women?

Sebum is an oily substance secreted onto our skin by the sebaceous glands. It helps to prevent moisture loss, as well as soften and hydrate the skin. Both men and women produce and secrete sebum. Men, however, tend to have more sebaceous glands than women, which means they are more likely to produce more sebum than women.

Additionally, there are androgenic hormones – chemicals secreted by the body – that increase the activity of sebum production. These hormones are found in men and women, but men produce higher amounts of androgenic hormones, which leads to more sebum production.

Women have other hormones (that men do not have) that balance the activity of the androgenic hormones and can reduce sebum production.

Put simply, men tend to produce more sebum than women. This is both good and bad news for men.

The good news is that, generally speaking, due to sebum being produced in higher quantities in men than women, male skin is much less prone to dryness and moisture loss, and it is better protected from environmental factors and elasticity loss. Men also tend to experience sensitive skin much less often.

The bad news is that overproduction of sebum (as well as larger pores in men) increases the risk of acne formation – this is easily observable in puberty where males are more prone to acne than females. 

If your skin produces too much sebum, you are prone to oily skin and acne, and if your skin produces too little sebum, you are prone to dry or dehydrated skin. So having the right levels of sebum production is an important part of having healthy, vibrant and glowing skin.

Do men have a different skin surface pH than women??

The pH of men’s skin also differs from the pH of women’s skin. 

While there are variations in the pH of the skin’s surface between different individuals, whether male or female, generally speaking men have a slightly higher (more alkaline) pH than women do. However, when measuring the pH inside the epidermis, men have a lower pH (more acidic) then women.

This means that men’s skin can behave slightly differently and it can be more prone to viral and bacterial infections. The pH of skincare products is an essential component of formulating effective skincare products but in the DIY world of natural skincare formulation, it is usually not taken into account.

Do men have more collagen than women?

Collagen is a structural protein present in many connective tissues in our body. In skin, we find an abundance of collagen in the dermis layer. Together with elastin, it gives structure, strength, elasticity and suppleness. It also retains moisture, giving our skin a healthy plump appearance.  

As we age our skin gets thinner, especially after the age of 45, which is mainly due to collagen loss. The effects are visible on the skin as fine lines, wrinkle formation and a loss of elasticity. 

Men’s skin gets thinner to a lesser extent compared to women’s skin. This is not necessarily because men have more collagen, but because they either have stronger collagen or they lose collagen at a lower rate compared to women. For this reason, men tend to experience fine lines and wrinkles at a later age than women.

What skin conditions typically affect men more than women?

Several skin conditions can affect men and women equally. These include eczema, psoriasis, contact dermatitis and impetigo. However, there are a handful of conditions that affect men’s skin more than women’s.

Due to thicker facial hair and shaving, men commonly experience razor rash – small, irritated bumps. The bumps, especially in men of color, can get inflamed; a condition called pseudofolliculitis barbae. 

When exercising, men also tend to sweat more – they normally perspire almost twice as much as women. Whilst this might not have a dramatic effect on the quality, health and vitality of the skin, it is an important point to note because it can add to or increase unpleasant body odors.

This can be addressed in the skincare products men use.

If we consider men’s lifestyle, environment and climate, which in many cases differ significantly to women’s, we discover these can have an impact on the skin’s needs. 

The world of construction, laboring, engineering, manufacturing, armed forces/combat and fishing, for example, tend to be dominated by men. Of course there are many women in these professions and many men in others, but in these industries we tend to find more men who are exposed to the weather, climate, the sun’s rays, potential pollutants, hazardous conditions and dangerous tools, etc. These can all have an effect on the health and vitality of skin.

What is also worth mentioning is that men seem to be more prone to skin cancer than women and it is difficult to determine why.

It is suggested that this is more likely due to behavior and lifestyle than physiological or anatomical differences. 

For example; men typically don’t tend to get their skin checked as often as women, more men have outdoor jobs and are thus exposed to the sun more and for longer, men are less likely to wear sun protection and it could be argued that men don’t examine their skin as much as women.

If we don’t care for our skin properly, over time it can lead to some very troubling conditions and experiences.

What is the best natural skincare for men?

Due to the aforementioned characteristics of male skin, skincare products intended for men are usually hydrating with a light skin feel. Even though men are less prone to dry skin, their skin can still show signs of dehydration, so moisturizing products with humectants can be very useful. 

If the sebaceous glands are too active – leading to oily skin and acne formation – products that balance sebum production (eg niacinamide) are an effective choice. In acne-prone skin, soothing and anti-inflammatory ingredients, such as calendula and green tea extract, are beneficial.

Chemical exfoliants (AHAs and BHAs) can help a lot with clogged and enlarged pores, as well as with pseudofolliculitis barbae. 

Post-shave products are often used, and those tend to contain soothing, astringent and antimicrobial ingredients to prevent infection and calm down irritated skin. A typical ingredient in aftershave lotions is alcohol, which functions as an astringent and antibacterial agent.

A befitting natural skincare routine for men

We all have different preferences when it comes to skincare, and it is hard to talk about ‘typical’ male skincare products. In many cases, men prefer light skincare products that are easy to use, quick to absorb and are not oily, sticky or heavy. 

Generally speaking, long and complicated skincare routines are usually not preferred by men, so products that do more tasks at the same time, can come in handy, ie a ‘2-in-1 aftershave and moisturizer’, or similar.

Branding men’s natural skincare products

While many different marketing strategies exist, more often than not cosmetic products intended for men have different branding and appearance than those intended for women. 

That doesn’t mean that all men’s skincare products need to be packaged in dark containers and have a woody scent, but it does mean it is important to know your target customers and their preferences. 

Very feminine designs and typically feminine scents (powdery, floral) are probably not the best options, but there are many other choices when it comes to scents, appearance and branding. 

A good strategy is to ensure different properties of the product follow the same line – for example, a relaxing body wash intended to be used in the evenings can have softer looking packaging and use calming scents; an aftershave that is used in the morning could have an overall brighter, stronger look and a more uplifting scent, and so on. 

It’s also important to know that even though men’s skin has some differences compared to women’s skin, the vast majority of physiological processes are still the same. 

Just like women, men also show signs of aging and they can experience sensitive or dry skin. So, when making natural skincare products for men these problems should also be addressed, not just the physiological and anatomical differences, or simply men’s needs, preferences and branding.

Consider the type of product you want to make, the typical differences and concerns that men face, or skin problems they might experience, the look and feel of the product, the preferences around smell, viscosity, texture and visual appearance, as well as the branding. 

These are all things you need to think about when formulating natural skincare products for any person, but for men in particular, the considerations are different to formulating products for women.

How to make natural skincare products for men?

If you’re interested to learn how to make your own natural and organic skincare products for yourself, family and friends, our Certificate in Making Natural Skincare Products is the perfect starting place. You’ll learn the practical art of making natural skincare products using over 120 recipes, all using luxurious natural and organic ingredients. You’ll discover the essential foundation to creating natural skincare products, work with a broad range of ingredients and get tips on how to customize our natural skincare recipes to suit your needs and preferences! To find out more, just click here.

Alternatively, if you are looking to make products to sell, you’ll want to develop the art, science and practice of skincare formulation! If that’s you, you’ll want to join our Diploma in Natural Skincare Formulation. Our course will teach you how to create your own natural skincare products from scratch like a professional without following recipes, and it will teach you what you need to do to ensure you can sell your products and comply with regional cosmetic regulations. Click here to find out more.

If you’re not quite ready for that yet, you can start with our free natural beauty recipe book! It has some delicious natural skincare recipes and might be a good way to try a few simple recipes and techniques out before you get stuck into an online course or program.

Loved reading about men’s skincare? Make sure to remember all about it, by pinning this article!

References:

1. Giacomoni, P.U., Mammone, T. & Teri, M. (2009). Gender-linked differences in human skin, Journal of Dermatological Science, 55(3), 144-149.
2. Leveque, J.L., Corcuff, P., De Rigal, J. & Agache, P. (1984). In vivo studies of the evolution of physical properties of the human skin with age, International Journal of Dermatology, 23 (5), 322.

If you have been using a natural skincare recipe for a cosmetic product for a while and you like it, you might want to turn it into a cosmetic formula. Professional cosmetic formulas are written in percentages.

Before we look at a cosmetic formula, let us look at a recipe. 

You’re probably familiar with following recipes either for cooking or for cosmetics. Recipes tend to be written in a mixture of measurements. They might include grams, ounces, cups, milliliters, teaspoons, even something like a dash or a pinch. Here is an example of how a food recipe might be written:

Pancake recipe 1

135g/4¾oz plain flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

2 tbsp caster sugar

130ml/4½fl oz milk

1 large egg, lightly beaten

2 tbsp melted butter

This recipe uses completely mixed measurements; ounces, teaspoons, tablespoons and fluid ounces. There is no consistency with the measurements that are being used. 

This can be acceptable for cooking, but we do not want to do this when we are making natural skincare cosmetics. You will find a lot of natural cosmetic ‘recipes’ online, for example in blogs, and they will be written in a similar way to food recipes, and using mixed measurements. Here is an example:

Lip Balm

2 tbsp beeswax pastilles

2 tbsp shea butter

2 tbsp coconut oil

30 drops of peppermint essential oil

As you can see, there is no consistency in the way they are measuring their ingredients. Plus they are not very precise or accurate. 

For professional natural skincare product creators and formulators, this is not an acceptable way to record your product formula. Professional formulators will record natural cosmetic formulas very differently and we are going to show you how to do that next.

Why is it important to use a cosmetic formula and not a skincare recipe? 

There are quite a few reasons why it is important to use a skincare formula and not a skincare recipe! 

Firstly, a skincare formula is universal – this means that your natural skincare formulation can be understood and used anywhere in the world.  It is the most accurate way of recording the details about your natural skincare product. 

You can see, at a glance, if the ingredients are being used in safe levels. So, for example, if you know that you can only use 1% essential oil, but your natural skincare product is written as a cosmetic recipe, not a formulation, and it is written in drops and the formulation does not add up to 100%, then you have no idea how much essential oil is being included in percentages. 

Whereas if everything is written in percentages in the first place, you can see at a glance if your ingredients are being used in safe levels. 

Secondly, a skincare formula ensures consistency and eliminates mistakes. 

It means you can easily make different batch sizes. So whether you want to make a small number of products, or a large number, it is very easy to use your formula to scale up or down and make different batch sizes. 

Thirdly, you can also easily adapt, vary, or perfect your skincare formula. So you can see, for example, in the lip balm formulation, if you wanted it to be a bit firmer and to achieve this you wanted to increase the amount of beeswax, it is very easy to add on a couple of percentage points to that ingredient and then take away a couple of percentage points from the carrier oil. 

It is very simple in a natural skincare formulation to play around, adapt and vary some of the ingredient amounts.

Lastly, formulas form part of the documentation you need if you are making a natural skincare product with the intention of selling it. 

If you are selling your natural skincare product, you will be required to keep a file about each of your products and the natural skincare formulation will be one part of the documentation you need to keep. It is also what you would give to a safety assessor – if you’re having your natural skincare product tested, they would want to see the formula. 

Skincare formulas would also be needed if you planned to outsource the manufacturing of your natural skincare product either to another small-scale individual perhaps, or to a larger manufacturing firm. They could precisely and confidently replicate your product to your exact specifications.

How to write a cosmetic formula 

A formula is the proper or professional way to create and write what is essentially a skincare recipe, and you will notice straight away that the biggest difference is that in a formula the amount of each ingredient is written as a percentage. Your natural skincare formula should also include some key information about your natural skincare product. 

For every ingredient, include:

• The INCI name. (This stands for the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients.)
• The trade name.
• The function.
• The supplier.
• The percentage of that ingredient in your product (w/w%).
• You also might like to include a phase.

Your natural skincare formula must always equal 100%. So whenever you have created a formula, you must always add up all the percentages and make sure it comes to 100%. 

If it does not, then you need to adjust it until it does. 

Also, the order in which you write your natural skincare ingredients is important. They need to be listed in decreasing order of concentration. This means you start with the highest amount (the first ingredient you list will be the one that is present in the highest amount in your product), down to the last ingredients (which will be those used in the lowest amounts). Fragrance and colorants are always listed at the end.

Turning a natural skincare recipe into a cosmetic formula

Now that you know what a formula is and why it is important, let’s have a look at how to actually turn a natural skincare recipe into a formula. This part will require some math skills – we will be calculating percentages, along with using a precision scale.

Step 1. Convert all the ingredients in a recipe into weight units, ideally grams. 

If your natural skincare recipe calls for mixed measurements like tablespoons, cups, drops or any kind of volume units (milliliters, fluid ounces, etc), you will need to weigh each of those amounts and make a note of how many grams it weighs. It is really important to measure ALL of the ingredients, including liquid ones, in grams.

Example: We will use the lip balm natural skincare recipe from above.

We will use a precision scale so we can measure how many grams each of these ingredients’ quantities weighs, and we will make a note of the weight in the table below.

If your natural skincare recipe is already in grams, you can skip step 1.

Step 2. Convert grams into percentages

Now we are going to do some math!

In mathematics, a percentage is a number or ratio expressed as a fraction of 100. One percent (1%) means 1 per 100. 

For example, a half can be written in percentages as 50%, in fractions as ½ and in decimals as 0.5. 50% actually means 50/100.  So if we want to calculate the ratio each of the ingredients represent in a natural skincare recipe, we first need to calculate the sum of all ingredients.

If we use the same example as before, this would mean:

18 g + 28 g + 27 g + 1 g = 74 g

Now we have to calculate the percentage of each ingredient. We do this by dividing the weight of one ingredient with the total weight of the natural skincare recipe and then multiplying this result with 100.

For beeswax, the calculation would go:

18g / 74g = 0.243

0.243 x 100 = 24.3 

Our formulation table now looks like this:

We are rounding the number of percentages to one decimal point. If all the calculations are done correctly, the sum of all percentages will equate to 100%. 

In formulation tables, the percentages of ingredients are labelled as w/w%. This is the percentage, by weight, of the ingredients, of the total weight of the mixture. What this means is the number of grams of that ingredient in 100 grams of mixture. 

You always weigh your natural skincare ingredients for accuracy and consistency, even if you are using a mixture of liquids and solids. (Weight is used rather than volume, even for liquids, because volume changes according to temperature.)

Step 3. Add additional information into the formulation

The formulations usually include INCI names of the ingredients, trade names of ingredients, their functions and sometimes the supplier of an ingredient too. You can also include information about phases in your natural skincare formula.

What is INCI?

INCI stands for the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients. This is essentially a universal, worldwide system of proper names for cosmetic ingredients and it is based on the Latin or scientific name. 

This is why, in many countries, regulations will require you to use the INCI name on the natural skincare product label. 

Another important reason for using this INCI name is there may be several different common names used for an ingredient, so by using the INCI name, you can be 100% sure of the actual ingredient that you are supposed to be including.

An example in our natural skincare formula above is cocoa butter. Cocoa butter is its trade name or common name, but the INCI for cocoa butter is Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter. So that is the term that you would include in your natural skincare formula under the INCI column, with each word starting with a capital letter. 

What is the trade name and why include it?

The trade name is essentially the name under which the ingredient is sold. It is good to include the trade name as well as the INCI name as natural skincare ingredients with the same INCI name can sometimes have several trade names, and by recording the one which you have used in your natural skincare formulation, you can ensure you use the same ingredients every time.  

Also, when you are making up the formula, it prevents any mix-ups occurring because you yourself are probably most familiar with the trade name. 

What is the function and why include it?

Function is another detail which you could include in your natural skincare formula, so that you have a record of how the ingredient will function in your formula – what role it has or what it will do in your natural skincare product. 

This is really helpful if you want to adjust your formula later. 

So, for example, in the natural skincare formula above for a lip balm, you may create this formula and then go back and adjust it. You may want to, for example, make it firmer or softer. Beeswax is an ingredient here that adds the body and firmness to a product, so by listing the function as you are creating your formula, it is very easy to go back later and identify which ingredients you’ll need to vary.

What is the phase in a cosmetic formula?

This information helps you to produce the natural skincare product correctly because some products are made in different phases. 

You may have a natural skincare product that is really easy to make and it only has one phase, which means all the ingredients are simply mixed together and that is it – the product is finished. But other natural skincare products might be made by more than one phase. 

A cream or lotion would usually include three phases. 

In our example of a lip balm, we have two phases: Phase A and Phase B. Phase A is the phase that is heated, so all those ingredients are heated. In the next phase, B, are the ingredients included when the mixture has been removed from the heat. 

So by listing the phase in your formula, it is then really easy when you are making your natural skincare product to assemble all the ingredients you need for different phases and to know which ingredient goes in which phase. This will also help you make your natural skincare product in the same way every time, to help you achieve the same result every time.

Now we will add all the key information and turn the lip balm natural skincare recipe into a professional looking natural skincare formulation.

How do you begin formulating your own natural skincare products?

If you are interested in learning more about formulating your own natural skincare products rather than following other people’s recipes – whether you want to make them for yourself or to sell – our Diploma in Natural Skincare Formulation is a 14-module online course dedicated to this topic.

You will learn the practice, art and science of natural skincare formulation in an accredited, multimedia course.

It is fully online, allowing you to study at your own pace, in your own time, from wherever you are in the world. 

Plus, when you join you can get started straight away and you will be invited to join our vibrant and collaborative online student and graduate community with passionate natural beauty lovers from all around the world following the same path as you.

If you are not quite ready for that yet, why not take a look at our Beginner’s guide to formulating natural skincare products and learn a little more about formulating your own natural skincare products.

Finally, if you have found this article useful, you will probably also want to read the article we wrote about how to do it the other way around. Here we learned how to turn a natural skincare recipe into a natural cosmetic formula, but in this article we wrote about How to turn a cosmetic formula into a recipe!

Loved learning about this? Make sure to remember by pinning this article!

We get asked all the time about how to measure the pH of skincare products – what pH is, when you need to measure it and how to measure it. Here you’ll discover the answers to these questions, as well as why we measure it and how to adjust your pH testing equipment.

What is pH? 

pH is a measure on a scale of 0-14 of how acidic or alkaline something is. 

A product with a pH of 7 is neutral, a pH of less than 7 is acidic, and a pH greater than 7 is alkaline. pH is only measurable where water is present, as it indicates the concentration of hydrogen ions.

Our skin has a specific pH value, which normally averages around pH 5, and varies from one body part to another and from one person to another. It even changes during the aging process. This acidic nature plays a vital role in maintaining healthy skin. 

When do you need to measure the pH of skincare products?

It is common practice to measure the pH of cosmetic products that contain water, such as skincare (creams, lotions, milks, cleansers), body care (body washes, body scrubs) and haircare preparations (shampoo, conditioner, hair masks). 

You do not need to measure the pH of anhydrous products (products that do not contain water) as a pH, by its definition, is only measured in water. 

What pH should skincare products be?

We get asked this question A LOT! 

Some people are convinced that skincare products should be a neutral pH (pH 7). Others think that skincare products should have the same pH as our skin (pH 4.5-5.5).

The skin’s natural pH is slightly acidic (pH 4.5-5.5), so it is a good target pH for your products, too. 

However, the correct pH for your natural skincare products is determined by the ingredients in your product formula. In particular, if you are using natural preservatives, you will need to adjust the pH of your product so that it is within the optimal range for your preservative to be effective.

Some people worry about using a product that isn’t within the pH range of our skin. Our skin actually has a mechanism of balancing its pH; even if you wash your face with a product that has a pH of 8, the skin’s natural pH levels will be restored over time.

Why do you need to measure and adjust the pH of skincare products?

The pH of natural skincare products is very important if you are using any pH-sensitive ingredients, like naturally derived preservatives or certain active ingredients. 

Almost all of the naturally derived preservatives (sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate and salicylic acid, for example) have very strict pH requirements to ensure they work properly, which means measuring (and adjusting) the pH is necessary when protecting your product with natural preservatives. 

Preservatives active at a lower pH can lose their efficiency quite quickly when the pH increases; for instance potassium sorbate is active at about 70% at pH 4.5 and at about 35% at pH 5. 

Check the manufacturer’s information about pH requirements for your chosen preservatives. 

Most natural preservatives require a pH below 5. If you are looking to find out more about natural preservatives, take a look at our article, 3 Natural Preservatives for Cosmetics.

If you are using certain active ingredients, you will need to be aware of the pH of your product. AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) need pH 4 or lower to be active as chemical exfoliants. Ascorbic acid (the common form of Vitamin C), requires a pH below 3.5 to be active. Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) is most stable at pH 6. Always check with your supplier of active ingredients what pH levels are needed for a specific ingredient. 

What about testing and adjusting the pH of your natural haircare products?

Testing your haircare products’ pH is not the same, mainly because the pH of hair is different and the requirements for formulating haircare products are different. The good news is that we’ve written an article all about it, called Why the pH of your DiY haircare products matters (and what you can do about it!).

How do you measure the pH of skincare products?

The two options for measuring pH are pH strips and a pH meter, and there are pros and cons to each.

Measuring pH using pH strips 

Measuring pH using a pH meter 

For beginners, pH strips can be a good choice, but when you want to become more professional you’ll need to learn how to use a pH meter. 

If you are using natural preservatives that require a precise pH in order to be effective then it’s advisable to use a pH meter to test and adjust your pH. 

If you plan to sell your natural skincare products and are sending products to a lab for microbiological testing then you’ll definitely need to measure and adjust the pH of your products very precisely, which requires a pH meter.

Using and caring for a pH meter

pH meters are very delicate pieces of equipment requiring special care during and after use, such as proper cleaning and storing in a special solution. They also need to be effectively calibrated prior to use to ensure they give an accurate reading.

Would you like some expert guidance on how to test and adjust the pH of your natural skincare products?

We often get asked about which pH meter to buy, how to use it and how to look after it properly. 

That’s why we have a whole lesson in our Diploma in Natural Skincare Formulation that gives you suggestions of which pH meter to buy and takes you step-by-step through this process, including a video demonstration so you can see exactly what to do. We also provide a handy calibration record template (useful as part of your good manufacturing practice). In addition we have our professional skincare formulation tutors on hand to answer any questions you may have.

How to adjust the pH of your natural skincare products

Testing pH is just the first step; the next is to adjust it. The steps you need to follow are:

1. Create an appropriate pH adjustment solution to either increase or decrease the pH.

If you use sodium hydroxide you need to do this with a lot of care as it is extremely caustic. We have a video in our Diploma in Natural Skincare Formulation that shows you exactly how to do this safely.

2. Record the amount of the adjustment solution that you used to adjust the pH to the desired measurement.

3. After you have adjusted the pH of your product, calculate the amount of solid/pure pH adjuster used this is different to the amount of pH adjustment solution).

4. Rewrite your formula to include the pH adjuster.

In the lesson dedicated to adjusting the pH of your natural skincare products, in the Diploma in Natural Skincare Formulation, you’ll find both beautifully designed written lessons and clear, professional video demonstrations which will help you gain the confidence to do this successfully at home.

On this multimedia accredited online course, you’ll learn the practice, art and science of natural skincare formulation from start to finish. You’ll begin the process of designing the idea around your brand (if that’s what you want to do) before you create the ideas and vision for your natural skincare products. We’ll help you design everything on paper first, and walk you through the formulation and practical experimentation process. 

You’ll also learn to formulate your own natural skincare products for a specific purpose, target audience, skin type or skin concern and we’ll help you ensure your products are a match to your value system! Vegan, organic, natural, sustainable, ethical, fairtrade, package free… We’ve got you covered! 

If you want to create a range of skincare products that are a cut above the rest, you will need to be able to deliberately select the right ingredients to get the result you seek, organise them in the right percentages to give you the consistency, viscosity and quality you want and know how to ensure your masterpieces are safe, stable and effective. That is what studying the Diploma in Natural Skincare Formulation will help you to do – and more!

To get you started with formulating your own natural skincare products, you can always have a look at our amazing Beginner’s Guide to Formulating Natural Skincare Products. It won’t teach you everything you need to know, but it will get you up and running.

Loved learning about pH? Make sure to pin this article to remember!

These days many people want to avoid surfactant-based cleansers like face wash and foaming facial cleansers as they can be too harsh for the skin and strip it of its natural oils.

In her book ‘Skincare: The No Nonsense Guide’, skincare guru Caroline Hirons is adamant about not including “anything foaming” in your facial cleansing routine. She adds,

These products are too drying. Full stop.

Luckily there are a wide range of beautiful, gentle natural cleansers you can formulate that are very effective without stripping your skin, for example:

• Cleansing oils and oil-to-milk cleansers.
• Gel-to-milk cleansers (cleansing gels).
• Cleansing balms.
• Cleansing lotions or milks.

In our Diploma in Natural Skincare Formulation you’ll learn how to formulate each of these types of cleanser. We provide detailed information about the special ingredients you’ll need, professional product formulations, natural skincare formulation templates and demonstration videos, so you can see exactly how to create them! 

Why do we need natural cleansers for our skin?

Cleansers are the cornerstone of a good skincare regime! Cleansers are used in the evening before going to bed to remove dirt and grime accumulated throughout the day, and any make-up or SPF. 

Cleansing in the morning is also advised as during the night the skin undergoes a restoration process that results in dead skin cells and excess sebum, which need to be removed. 

Let’s look at each type of cleanser in turn! 

Four different types of (non-foaming) cleansers in natural skincare

Here is a summary of non-foaming cleansers and their formula type:

Cleansing oil and oil-to-milk cleansers

As the name suggests, these are oil-based products. Natural skincare cleansing oils will contain a blend of plant oils, whilst more conventional cleansing oils are likely to contain mineral oil. This product type is applied to dry skin and then rinsed off with water (sometimes with the help of a washcloth). 

Some cleansing oils contain special emulsifiers that are self-emulsifying. 

These emulsifiers create oil-to-milk formulas that become milky emulsions when they come into contact with water during the rinsing off stage.

How they work:

When cleansing oil is massaged into the skin, the oils in the formula naturally spread and dissolve pre-existing oil/dirt on the skin, such as sebum and make-up.

In oil-to-milk formulas the oils emulsify on contact with water, turning the product milky, allowing both oil and water soluble impurities to be removed and helping the product rinse off easily. 

Skin is left soft and nurtured; not dry or greasy.

Benefits:

• Cleansing oils effectively remove impurities whilst maintaining the skin’s natural moisture balance.
• These types of natural skincare products tend to incorporate highly moisturizing oils such as jojoba oil, which condition the skin, leaving it feeling smooth and soft once removed.
• Formulas are likely to contain a percentage of essentials oils that will have their own specific benefits.
• A small amount of the product will go a long way.
• The oil texture of the formula allows the product to spread onto the skin and instantly blend with make-up and impurities and lift them, without rubbing.
• Anhydrous formulas don’t require a preservative.

Cleansing oils can be formulated for any skin type. 

They are particularly suited for dry and sensitive skin types. 

Cleansing oils can help dry skin maintain its natural moisturizing factor and pH level. They are suited to sensitive skin as very little rubbing is required to remove the oil, dirt and make-up. They also have mild properties so they should not cause irritation. If you want to find out more about pH testing, read our article here. 

Gel-to-milk cleansers (cleansing gels)

There are some very exciting and innovative self-emulsifying emulsifiers available today in natural skincare which create gel-to-milk cleansers. These work in a very similar way to oil-to-milk cleansers and have the same benefits but they are thicker in consistency. When they are dispensed they are gel, but when you add water they turn milky. 

These are such fun natural skincare products to formulate because you can also add exfoliants to them to transform them into facial scrubs. 

We have been experimenting with these a lot in preparation for the release of the Third Edition of our Diploma in Natural Skincare Formulation!

Here is one of the cleansing gel formulas that we share with you in the course…

Cleansing balms

Cleansing balms are also similar to cleansing oils, but have a semi-solid consistency. They are usually a blend of oils, butters and wax and can include an emulsifier. 

Cleansing balms have become incredibly popular types of cleansers in recent years. 

Using a special emulsifier that is self-emulsifying in your natural skincare formula means that the balm rinses off more easily.

Cleansing lotion/milk

These are emulsion-based cleansers that contain both oil and water, held together with an emulsifier. The viscosity can vary so you can create light, fluid cleansing milks or a thicker, lotion consistency.

How they work:

Cleansing lotion/milk contains ingredients such as lightweight oils and emollients, which are known as lipid molecules. At a molecular level, these ingredients contain components that are hydrophobic, also known as lipophilic. 

This structure means the molecule repels water and attracts oil and dirt. 

Once the cleansing lotion/milk has been applied to the skin, the hydrophobic component attaches to the oil and dirt, loosening the forces holding them onto the skin, and in turn allowing the water to remove them more easily. 

Benefits:

• Cleansing milks are moisturizing and non-drying due to the oil they contain.
• Cleansing milks clean the skin without stripping it of its natural oils and disrupting the skin’s natural pH.
• This type of product maintains the skin’s natural moisturizing factors, which keep the skin hydrated, healthy and balanced.
• When used with a cloth, a very thorough cleanse is achieved.

Cleaning lotions can be formulated for any skin type. Due to the gentle nature of cleansing milks, they are ideal for normal to combination skin types or dry skin types.

The star ingredient: Self-emulsifying emulsifiers

The star ingredient in many of these formulas is a self-emulsifying emulsifier. 

These are new and innovative ingredients that are revolutionizing natural cosmetics! 

A regular emulsifier only makes an emulsion, eg a cream or lotion. Self-emulsifying emulsifiers make a special kind of oil-based product (not an emulsion). They create an interesting and unusual sensory experience for the user as they look and feel like an oil or a gel when they are applied to the skin. But when water is applied (to rinse the product off), the product becomes an emulsion on the skin, it turns milky, and the product and the dirt/makeup it removes rinses away much more easily than a regular oil or cleansing balm does.

Self-emulsifying emulsifiers  leave the skin feeling soft and nourished (but not oily). A variety of self-emulsifying emulsifiers are available.

Our team of professional formulators have carried out extensive testing on many of these ingredients to find the perfect ratio to use in your formulations. We share all of this with you in our Diploma in Natural Skincare Formulation, plus our tutors are on hand to help you troubleshoot any issues that may arise.

Enrolling with the School by joining the Diploma in Natural Skincare Formulation is the fast track to creating your own professional quality natural skincare formulations, either for yourself or to sell. The course teaches you everything you need to know to make your own unique formulations as well as safe, stable and effective natural skincare products. 

During your studies you’ll also learn the fundamentals of skin biology, international cosmetic regulations, the science of natural emulsification and natural preservation, as well as what’s required to set up and launch a successful brand with a unique product range.

The course is fully online meaning you can study in your own time, at your own pace, from wherever you are in the world. Plus, not only do you gain access to your course materials, but you also get to collaborate with your peers and the course tutors in our private online student and graduate community.

If you want to start formulating and are not quite sure you are ready for the course, check out our amazing Beginners guide to formulating natural skincare products. This will get you up and running!

Loved learning about these different types of cleansers? Make sure to pin this article to remember!

What is it you want most from your skincare?

There are so many reasons people use skincare products, whether those products are off the shelf, or natural formulations they’ve made themselves.

You might want products to clean or brighten your skin, or to help you with skin that’s sensitive, oily or dry. Maybe you hope to improve a skin condition, heal or rejuvenate damaged skin, or reduce the signs of aging.

Whatever the answer, there’s one thing we think everybody wants. 

It’s simply that wonderful feeling of inner confidence that comes when your skin looks and feels its radiant best. 

And serums are those star skincare products that have the most effective ingredients, formulated to make a difference that you can see and feel. 

So what exactly is a serum, anyway?

There are hundreds of products out there that are marketed as serums… and it’s no wonder. Serums are packed full of specialist ingredients that are targeted to specifically deliver visible and long lasting results and benefits.

That’s why they’re usually the most expensive skincare product on anyone’s shelf. So they’re not just good for your skin, they’re good for beauty brands who sell serums as a premium product.  

But not all serums are the same. 

In fact, there are at least six very different types of formulations that you can find labelled as serums – anhydrous serums, pressed serums, gel-based serums, emulsion-based serums, gel-cream serums and bi-phase serums. 

If you want to find out more, you can read our article on the six different types of serums and their benefits here.

In addition to these six different types of serums, there are serums which are made to target specific areas of the body, eg face, eyes, lips, neck, body and hair.

Can a facial oil offer the same benefits as a serum?

There are some products sold as serums that are, in fact, facial oils. 

Now, there is nothing at all wrong with facial oils – they are amongst our favourite recipes! Facial oils that have top quality ingredients, like essential oils or the more specialist carrier oils, can be very effective at nourishing the skin, improving the tone and complexion and giving a silky soft feeling.

Moisturizing is not hydrating

The oils we use for natural skincare products have many benefits and can be excellent at moisturizing the skin. 

Different types of oils can moisturize the skin in different ways. 

All of the oil soluble ingredients, eg carrier oils, essential oils, butters and waxes help to replenish the lipid (oil) barrier between the cells of our skin and this helps to improve the silky, soft and moisturized skin feel. 

These oil soluble ingredients are known as ‘emollients’ which is a quality that softens and smooths the skin.

In addition to that, some of these oil soluble ingredients, eg butters and waxes and the thicker carrier oils, are occlusive, which means they prevent transepidermal water loss (the loss of moisture from the skin) by covering the skin in a protective layer.

So, to conclude about the benefits of these oil soluble ingredients, they are emollients and occlusives which offer great moisturizing qualities.

But there is one thing oil-based products can’t do… and that’s hydrate your skin.

To hydrate your skin you need water and water soluble ingredients. 

Anhydrous (or oil-based) serums can’t do that.

Oil and water don’t naturally mix. Ingredients that dissolve in water won’t dissolve in oil, and those that dissolve in oil, simply won’t dissolve in water.

For this reason, products that are made only from oils and ingredients that dissolve in oil are called anhydrous, which means “without water”. 

 To hydrate your skin, on the other hand, means adding water – and so products that can hydrate must be water-based or contain water such as emulsions (a blend of oil and water with an emulsifying agent).

 To formulate a product that can both moisturize and hydrate your skin, you need to create something that can harness the best of both oil and water soluble ingredients. 

And that’s one reason why high-performance serums are more complex to formulate.

To make a product that includes both oil and water soluble ingredients, you will need to create an emulsion. And a product that contains water soluble ingredients must include a preservative – without these, the product will not be safe or stable. 

You’ll probably also need the addition of thickeners to get the right texture for the product you need. A cream tends to be thicker than a lotion, for example.

If you’d like to see what an emulsion based serum recipe looks like, check out our DiY Hyaluronic Acid Serum

And to find out more about why emulsions are the way forward, read our article Why Dry Skin Needs Creams and Lotions More than Balms and Butters: What You Need to Know to Soften and Nourish Dry Skin. This article explains a little bit more about humectants, occlusives and emollients.

But the real challenge of formulating serums is learning to work with the specialist ingredients. 

What makes a serum high-performance?

Serums are high-performance because they are made from high-performance ingredients, such as vitamins and their derivatives, peptides and ceramides. 

We’re talking about active ingredients that are toning, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, antimicrobial, skin brightening, skin barrier repairing, strengthening and provides sun protection. 

And formulating with these high performance ingredients can be very tricky. 

They all have very specific individual requirements, plus these specific requirements can change when different specialist ingredients are used together. If you don’t know what these requirements are your product will fail, and you won’t know why.

Some of the most powerful botanical extracts you’ll find in a serum, those star ingredients that can make a real difference to your skin, need very careful handling.

They might spoil if stored or handled at the wrong temperature, or simply not work if combined with certain other ingredients. Some are very quick to oxidize, while others are only effective in solutions with the correct pH (the measure of how acidic or alkaline a solution is).

One ingredient that has wonderful benefits for your skin is Vitamin C, but it is volatile to work with, and requires careful handling. If you want to find out more, download our free guide to working with Vitamin C 

Creating your own natural serums

It’s true. Even though they’re more complex to formulate, and high-performance serums are not the type of cosmetics that can easily be perfected through trial and error, with the right training you can make these amazing premium products. 

Creating a successful serum takes time, patience and practice

– but you can do it. 

Whilst nothing is a substitute for joining one of our online courses and investing your time and energy into learning the right way to do things, our article How You Can Make a Natural Face Serum… that Actually Works will offer some additional information that you may find useful.

Even if you have experience in making your own natural skincare products, serums can be a challenge. But even though they are amongst the most complex cosmetic formulations you can find, you can learn to create serums that do everything a store-bought product with a premium price tag can do.

In fact, you can create serums that do more than that… you can make a high-quality serum that does exactly what you want it to.

You can choose to make serums that are organic, or vegan, or that don’t use laboratory-created chemicals, or that champion recycled packaging, or that support communities or environmentally conscious suppliers. 

You can make a high-end product that fits with your principles or values.

Our Advanced Certificate in Serum Formulation is designed for students who have completed an introductory course with us, who want to take that next step and learn to create professional, top of the range products with confidence.

You will learn to work with emulsifiers, thickeners, preservatives and high-end botanicals to create lotions, creams and bi-phase serums for face, lips, eyes and more. 

You can learn to make amazing products at home.

This is one of our most advanced courses and one we believe is unique in its focus on natural ingredients. And that is our passion – to share the knowledge of making products that respect and draw from nature.

Taking care of your skin is really about taking care of yourself. And you can learn to make the products that help you feel comfortable in your own skin.

We hope you will join us on your journey, along with our growing worldwide community!

Loved reading about serums? Make sure to pin this article!

If you love cosmetics and skincare, you’ll know that facial serums are all the rage right now. Packed with high-end and exotic sounding ingredients, serums are usually the most expensive item in many people’s skin care routine.

But what if we told you that you could make your own serums for just a fraction of the price? And what’s more, instead of spending lots and lots of money on a premium product … you could be earning it instead!

So what exactly is a serum anyway?

At their best, serums are the stars in the world of cosmetics. These are high value, high performance products with the most sought after, specialist ingredients that are designed to make a real, noticeable difference to your skin.

A huge part of the popularity of serums is that they are formulated and marketed to deal with the problems that can be associated with aging skin.

What sets serums apart is that they are made with high performance ingredients that are really focused when it comes to what they can do. So you can get serums that are for specific areas of your body, like the neck or eye areas, or serums that treat precise skin conditions or skin types. You can read more about why serums are good for your skin here.

Products like this are at the top end of the market, and as you’d expect, they come with a premium price tag.

But not all serums look the same, so what makes a serum a serum?  

Some serums are of course oil based, but there’s so much more than those! You can get serums that are emulsions, or gels, or gel-creams, or bi-phase. They can be liquid or solid or something in between. 

You get the idea 🙂 ! 

In fact there are 6 different types of serum formulation to try and you can find out more about each in the article we wrote on that topic here 

With so many different products out there labelled as serums, and with so many different types of serums now available, how do you know when a serum is right for you and your skin? And how do you know if it’s worth the money?

What’s the difference between a serum … and a face oil?

There are cosmetics you can buy that are marketed as serums when in fact they are simple facial oils … and there is a huge difference. 

Facial oils can have many benefits and can leave your skin feeling and looking great, but they are much simpler to formulate, so might not always merit that premium price tag you’d expect to pay for a serum.

It’s true that some oil-based products do have added ingredients like vitamins, antioxidants and botanical extracts like carotenoids and ceramide, and these high-performance elements can lift a simple face oil to a higher level of effectiveness.

But the real difference is that facial oils are anhydrous and that means all of the ingredients in it are oil based.

Now oil-based products are really great at keeping skin soft and smooth, and providing a protective layer – but to hydrate your skin you need a product that is water based as well.

And formulating products that have both water and oil-based elements is more complicated than using just oils alone. You may need emulsifiers and preservatives to make sure you have a safe and stable product.

There is a world of difference between face oils, oil based face serums and high-performance serums. To find out more about the differences, check out our article, Face Oils, Face Serums, and High-Performance Serums: What’s the Difference?

Choosing a serum that’s right for you

If you’ve got normal skin it might be easy to find something that works. A little trial and error can lead you to a product that gives you the results you want.

But if you have a few niggles, more complicated skin, or more serious conditions, then it can be harder to find something that really works for you. 

And it can take time before you see any results. 

So at the end of the day, it comes down to trust – and that’s true whenever you buy any product off the shelf. 

You have to take a little leap of faith.

You have to trust that a brand or company shares your values and can deliver what your skin needs. You’re relying on what it says on the label, but that will depend on your ability to read latin and understand the botanical, or worse, synthetic ingredient references.

If you’re looking for help understanding what’s in the products you’re using, have a read of our article How to read a cosmetic label

Even if you can read the label and even if you know what ingredients are in the product, it won’t tell you how much of each ingredient has been used. 

So you might think you’re getting a high value ingredient in your product but in fact there might only be a drop or two in the finished product.   

And even if you read or watch reviews or listen to word of mouth, you won’t really know if something works for you, until you buy it and use it. And even then, you may never know what exactly has gone into that product.

The thing is, when you’re talking about a premium product like a serum, these leaps of faith can become very expensive!

Now it goes without saying that there are some absolutely great brands out there, fantastic companies small and large that have a real passion for skincare and who make terrific products…and we take our hats off to them all…especially the ones we’ve helped to get started!

But there is one way that you can make sure the serum you use is exactly what you want it to be. 

Every bit of it. 

It can be made of the ingredients that work best for you, in the precise amounts that you want, no matter your skin condition, age or type. And what’s more, it could cost you just a fraction of a similar product sale in the store!

Making your own high-performance tailored serums

If you want to see how much you could save by making your own serum, we can show you step by step how a top of the range serum that sells for around $140 can be recreated with the same ingredients for just $5.

That’s right. A $140 serum for just $5. You can find the free recipe and instructions here.

You can even learn to formulate with Vitamin C using our free guide:

There’s no denying it. In the world of natural skincare and cosmetics, serums can be amongst the more complicated products to formulate. 

But even these star performers can be made at home with the right approach.

Taking the next step

By taking our Advanced Certificate in High-Performance Serum Formulation you’ll be able to formulate serums like this and many others – including twelve highly effective formulas created by our scientists that target a range of specific skin needs.

This course is ideal for anyone who is already formulating, has a foundation in creating products from scratch and now wants to make their own high-performance serums at a fraction of the cost of expensive off the shelf products retailing at the top of the market.

But it is also ideal for those who want to go one step further. If you’re a budding beauty entrepreneur looking to make your own cosmetics and natural skincare products to sell, then serums are win-win. 

They’re good for your business and at the same time, good for your customers.

We know that serums are a premium product, and we know that a lot of customers are willing to pay a premium for them. 

From a business point of view, that means there is an opportunity to maximise your margins, and make a good profit. At the same time, you can make a product that fits your values, and provides your customers with a product made with natural, and highly effective, ingredients.

Maybe you could be the person who creates that product so many people are looking for but are unable to find!

The key to selling a successful serum

At the end of the day, it’s all about your customers. If you want to sell a product that customers love, you have to think about who is going to be buying your product, and what their needs are.

Think about your ideal customer.

What kind of skin problems are they trying to manage? What kind of environment do they live in? What values are most important to them in their lives?

Asking questions like this means you get to know exactly who you’re making the product for, and that means you can choose the right ingredients and focus the formulation, marketing and packaging of the product specifically to your target customers.

If you want to know more about making products your customers will love, you can read more in our article How to design beauty products that customers love 

Remember, making your own highly effective skincare products at home – even high performance cosmetics like anti aging serums – is possible. 

You can create a product that is tailored precisely to your needs and values, and you can save money doing it. And it may be the spark that helps you set out on a new adventure, starting your own natural skincare business!

Loved learning about making a natural face serum? Pin this to make sure you remember!