The Advanced Certificate in High-Performance Serum Formulation is our most advanced course.
It takes you step-by-step through everything you need to know to formulate your own custom, high-performance serums that deliver visible results. Learn from experienced and professional cosmetic formulators and be supported every step along the way.
A fully online and accredited training program. Study from anywhere in the world!
Read the detailed course curriculum here.
Course curriculum
-
1
Welcome!
-
Welcome from the Directors
-
Course access
-
Guide to using the online classroom
-
Course roadmap
-
How to get the most from the course: becoming a great formulator
-
Monitoring your progress: activities, quizzes, and assignments
-
Add us to your address book
-
-
2
Getting support
-
Meet your tutors
-
What support is available?
-
Student communication and support guidelines
-
Requesting to join the support group
-
-
3
Module 0: Introduction to formulating
-
Introduction to Module 0
-
Module 0 Learning outcomes
-
0.1 What is a formula?
-
0.2 Using a product development brief
-
0.3 Equipment
-
0.4 Testing and adjusting pH
-
Video demonstration: measuring and adjusting pH
-
Video demonstration: caring for and calibrating a pH meter
-
0.5 Good manufacturing practice (GMP)
-
Module 0 textbook
-
-
4
Module 1: Introduction to formulating high-performance serums
-
Introduction to Module 1
-
Module 1 Learning outcomes
-
1.1 Introduction to formulating serums
-
1.2 Types of serum formula
-
1.3 Skin anatomy and physiology
-
1.4 Formulating for different skin types
-
1.4.1 Formulating for mature and aging skin
-
1.4.2 Formulating for dry skin
-
1.4.3 Formulating for oily and acne prone skin
-
1.4.4 Formulating for sensitive skin
-
1.4.5 Formulating for normal skin
-
Module 1 textbook
-
Module 1 audio files
-
Module 1 activity
-
Module 1 quiz
-
-
5
Module 2: Serum ingredients
-
Introduction to Module 2
-
Module 2 Learning outcomes
-
2.1 Classification of ingredients
-
2.2 Compatibility of ingredients
-
2.3 Functions and benefits of ingredients: an overview
-
2.4 Functional ingredients
-
2.4.1 Preservatives and chelators
-
Natural preservatives chart
-
Chelating agents chart
-
2.4.2 Thickeners
-
Thickeners chart
-
2.4.3 Natural emulsifiers
-
Natural emulsifiers chart
-
2.4.4 Solubilizers
-
Testing natural solubilizers: experiment and report
-
2.4.5 pH adjusters
-
2.5 Lipid ingredients
-
Plant Oil Fatty Acid Profiles Guide
-
2.6 Humectants
-
2.7 Chemical exfoliants: AHAs and BHAs
-
2.8 Active ingredients/cosmeceuticals
-
2.8.1 Antioxidants
-
2.8.2 Vitamins
-
2.8.3 Active ingredients: toning, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and skin brightening ingredients
-
2.8.4 Active ingredients: peptides, skin barrier strengthening and sun protection ingredients
-
2.8.5 Botanical extracts
-
2.9 Fragrances
-
2.9.1 Essential oil reference chart
-
2.10 Researching ingredients
-
2.11 Supplier list: cosmetic ingredients and equipment
-
Module 2 textbook
-
Download all charts
-
Module 2 audio lessons
-
Module 2 activity
-
Module 2 quiz
-
-
6
Module 3: Formulating innovative anhydrous serums
-
Introduction to Module 3
-
Module 3 Learning outcomes
-
3.1 Formulating anhydrous oil-based serums
-
Product Development Brief: Anhydrous serums
-
3.2 Formulating antioxidant concentrate serum
-
Practical video: Making antioxidant concentrate serum
-
3.3 Formulating soothing anhydrous serum
-
3.4 Formulating barrier support serum
-
3.5 Formulating repairing lip serum
-
3.6 Formulating pressed serum
-
Practical video: Making Golden Rose Pressed Serum
-
3.7 Troubleshooting anhydrous serums
-
Module 3 textbook
-
Module 3 audio lessons
-
Module 3 activity
-
Module 3 quiz
-
-
7
Module 4: Formulating gel-based serums
-
Introduction to Module 4
-
Module 4 Learning outcomes
-
4.1 Formulating gel-based serums
-
Product Development Brief: Gel-based serums
-
4.2 Formulating brightening serum for hyperpigmentation
-
4.3 Formulating moisture boost serum
-
Practical video: Making moisture boost serum
-
4.4 Formulating Vitamin C and E gel serum
-
4.5 Troubleshooting gel-based serums
-
Module 4 textbook
-
Module 4 audio lessons
-
Module 4 activity
-
Module 4 quiz
-
-
8
Module 5: Formulating emulsion-based serums
-
Introduction to Module 5
-
Module 5 Learning outcomes
-
5.1 Formulating emulsion-based serums
-
Product Development Brief: Emulsion-based serums
-
5.2 Creating emulsions
-
5.3. Formulating balancing gel-cream serum with niacinamide
-
5.4 Formulating toning eye serum with caffeine
-
5.5 Formulating anti-aging night serum with Vitamin A
-
Practical video: Making anti-aging night serum with Vitamin A
-
5.6 Troubleshooting emulsion-based serums
-
Module 5 textbook
-
Module 5 audio lessons
-
Module 5 activity
-
Module 5 quiz
-
-
9
Module 6: Formulating bi-phase serums
-
Introduction to Module 6
-
Module 6: Learning outcomes
-
6.1 Formulating bi-phase serums
-
Product Development Brief: Bi-phase serums
-
6.2 Formulating anti-redness bi-phase serum
-
6.3 Formulating anti-pollution bi-phase serum
-
Practical video: Making anti-pollution bi-phase serum
-
6.4 Formulating exfoliating bi-phase serum
-
6.5 Troubleshooting bi-phase serums
-
Module 6 textbook
-
Module 6 audio lessons
-
Module 6 activity
-
Module 6 quiz
-
-
10
Bonus: Formulating high-performance body serums
-
Introduction to body serums bonus module!
-
1. Formulating Body Serums
-
Product development brief
-
2. Formulating anti-aging hand serum
-
3. Formulating soothing body serum
-
4. Formulating intensive moisturizing body serum
-
Making intensive moisturizing body serum
-
5. Troubleshooting body serums
-
Body serums textbook
-
Body serums audio lessons
-
-
11
Feedback
-
Please give us your feedback on the course here
-
-
12
Assignments
-
Guidelines for submitting assignments
-
Assignment booklet
-
Submit assignments
-
Reviews
What a learning experience!
Ene Adasen
I am certainly not the same person I was some months ago when I started this course because I am now a totally different formulator! This course was intensiv...
Read MoreI am certainly not the same person I was some months ago when I started this course because I am now a totally different formulator! This course was intensive, an eye opener and it built my confidence so I feel like a pro when I talk about serum formulation. This course took my brand to a different level and I am so glad that I enrolled.
Read Less