Watch: How to write a cosmetic formula

Learning how to write a proper cosmetic formula

This process will guide you till the point where you can take your formula to a contract manufacturer and they'll be able to replicate your product seemlessly.

What you'll learn in this beginner friendly video:

• Why do we use percentages?
• Why is Trade Names used?
• What does a wrong formula look like (and how is it corrected)?

What not to do when writing a cosmetic formula:

1. Formula written to suit a specific batch size or quantity of jars /  bottles
2. Mixture of ml, gram and drop measurements
3. Ambiguous material names and / or INCI names
4. Ingredients not phased
5. Method not specific or suited to scale up
6. No pH details (where water is present)

What to do when writing a cosmetic formula:

1. Write formula to 100% by weight
2. Convert to all % by weight measures
3. - Use Trade names or Supplier namers with supplier details
   - Be specific about any grade or supplier names
   - Botanical names or supplier names in full so species and preperation is specific (plant oils, butter, powders, extracts, essential oils)
4. Group together ingredients in phases
5. - Be specific about temperature, low or high shear mixing and 'end points' of each step
   - Cannot usually specify time as that is equpment and batch size dependent
6. q.s. pH adjuster with specific pH rannge (+/- 0.25 pH range e.g. 5 - 5.5)