Have you ever found yourself in the skincare aisle, holding a product in your hand, flipping it over, and squinting at the ingredient list? Trust me, you're not alone. Long, complicated names you can't pronounce, and the one natural ingredient you actually recognise buried at the bottom in the lowest concentration. Shouldn't skincare be about nourishing your skin with ingredients you trust?

Imagine having the power to create a product tailored to meet your unique needs, using natural ingredients you recognise, in the perfect concentrations and potency for your skin. Sounds amazing, right? But where do you begin?

You have to start with your journey into formulation!

Meet Anika, a woman who turned her curiosity for natural skincare into a passion for learning the art of formulation. Through her journey, she has not only taken control of her own skincare but is also helping others do the same. As part of our Essentially Natural team who have completed courses in Formula Botanica, she is living proof that anyone with a passion and interest can take charge of their skincare and their futures.

Discovering a Passion for Organic Skincare

Since childhood, Anika has been fascinated by skincare. It was therefore no surprise when she pursued a degree in Somatology, a decision that led her to a career as a clinical skincare therapist. However, while working in the industry, she realised she had a craving for something deeper - knowledge.

The skincare industry, for all its innovation, often keeps consumers in the dark about the ingredients they use daily. Determined to take control, Anika found a love for making her own products at home. Free courses ignited her passion further, and when she was offered the opportunity to enroll in a skincare formulation course run by Formula Botanica, the award-winning, online organic cosmetic formulation school, she knew it was her moment.

"It felt like a dream come true," Anika recalls. "It also feels so empowering to be able to help other people with their ideas and formulations. Working together as a team with a dream."

Navigating Self-Doubt & Stress

As a woman balancing education, career, and personal life, Anika understands firsthand the challenges of time management and expectations. She appreciates working at Essentially Natural, where the leadership provided her with the flexibility to study while working, which helped ease the burden.

Even still, like many people, she faced moments of self-doubt.

"Everyone has doubts," she says. "It's what you do with them that counts. I was lucky to have an amazing support system at work and at home."

For those who may feel overwhelmed by the idea of starting their skincare formulation journey, Anika has one powerful piece of advice: "Take that first step. It won't be easy, but just take it!" Even though moments of self-doubt and stress will undoubtedly still arise, looking back on her journey, Anika believes that suppressing and finally overcoming her 'inner saboteur' was ultimately worth it.

More Than Just Formulation

Through the Formula Botanica Skincare Entrepreneur Programme, Anika gained much more than formulation skills; she learned how to start a business from the ground up and gained the confidence to actively pursue her dreams of making her own skincare. The programme provided structured guidance, patience, and real-world insights into entrepreneurship.

She's especially excited to help Essentially Natural customers fall in love with DIY formulation. She remembers how overwhelming it felt at first (especially when percentages/ratios came into play); however, having gone through the learning process herself, she now enjoys guiding others and making formulation feel simple and approachable. Her goal? To empower you to create incredible products using our natural, high-quality ingredients.

"Nothing comes to those who wait. If you don't do it for yourself, no one else will," she emphasises. She's here, ready to support you, answer your questions, and help you take that first step into the world of formulation. As well as give you a glimpse into what you can expect from the course offered by Formula Botanica.

Creating Skincare Using Natural Ingredients Is Easier Than You Think

A common fear among those aspiring to create their own skincare is the misconception that they need a science degree and an expensive setup. Anika firmly debunks this myth.

For beginners eager to experiment with natural ingredients, Anika suggests starting with oils. "I love everything to do with oils. There are so many to choose from, and to work with. Create your own blends, use them every day and feel your confidence grow. If you can make something as simple as a face oil, imagine what else you can make..."

Oils come in a wide range of prices, making them accessible no matter your budget. If you're just starting out, you can pick up affordable options to experiment with before investing in more premium varieties. This makes formulation far less intimidating and helps you gain confidence without a hefty upfront cost.

Starting with oils opens up a world of endless possibilities, giving you the freedom to experiment, learn, and grow throughout your formulation journey. With just a few basic measuring tools and DIY lab essentials, you'll have everything you need to get started.

Once you grasp the basics, you will want to learn more… and that is exactly what happened to Anika!

How the Right Support System Makes All the Difference

Anika knows all too well that finding the right ingredients and equipment at an affordable price can be a challenge. This is where our team at Essentially Natural played a crucial role. "They supported me 120%," she says. From sourcing high-quality ingredients and equipment to guiding her through the learning process, the team became the reservoir of everything she needed, and more! She exclaims, "EN is an amazing company to work for, they were there every step of the way. " And the best part is, our Essentially Natural team is always happy to similarly support any of our customers in their own DIY-formulation journey. Even for someone without a flexible work environment, the Formula Botanica course remains manageable. They offer a supportive and encouraging community of teachers, tutors, and staff that are always happy to assist and guide you. Plus, their offered course materials are internationally recognised, simple to work through and extremely useful and informative.