School of Natural Skincare

Welcome from the Directors

Guide to using the online classroom

Learning objectives and outcomes

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

Download: Welcome section

Meet your tutors

What support is available?

Student communication and support guidelines

Requesting to join the support group

Ingredient list

Supplier list

Equipment list

Researching ingredients

Glossary of terms

Introduction to Module 1

Module 1 Learning outcomes

1.1 Cosmetics: definitions, categories and regulations

1.2 Your brand values and formulating to a standard

Chart: Natural and organic certification bodies

Chart: Niche standards (Vegan, Fairtrade, Cruelty Free)

Download charts: Organic, Natural and Niche Certification Standards

Worksheet: Brand values worksheet

Activity: Complete the Brand Values Worksheet

1.3 Types of haircare formula

1.4 What is a formula?

Worksheet: Formulation Worksheet

1.5 Perfecting your formula

Worksheet: Formulation Comparison Worksheet

1.6 Using a product development brief

Worksheet: Product development brief

Activity: Complete a Product Development Brief

1.7 Using a benchmark

Worksheet: Benchmark product analysis

Activity: Complete a Benchmark Product Analysis

1.8 Sensory Evaluation

Example: Sensory product evaluation worksheet

Worksheet: Sensory product evaluation worksheet

Activity: Complete a Sensory Product Evaluation

Module 1 Textbook

Module 1 Audio files

Module 1 Quiz

Introduction to Module 2

Module 2 Learning outcomes

2.1 Anatomy

2.2 Hair composition and structure

2.3 Physical properties of hair

2.4 Hair types and shape

2.5 Hair growth cycle and loss

2.6 Hair damage

2.7 Caring for hair

2.8 Dandruff

Module 2 Textbook

Module 2 Audio files

Module 2 Quiz

Introduction to Module 3

Module 3 Learning outcomes

3.1.1 Equipment: home lab/small scale

Equipment list

3.1.2 Equipment: professional lab setting

3.1.3 Equipment: scaling up and manufacturing

3.2 Good manufacturing practice (GMP)

Template: Ingredient log

Download: Ingredient log

Activity: Start Keeping an Ingredient Log

3.3 Lab techniques and skills

Demonstration: Sanitizing your equipment

3.4 Testing and adjusting pH

Demonstration: Caring for and calibrating a pH meter

Demonstration: Measuring and adjusting pH

3.5 Calculating batch sizes

Batch calculator

Worksheet: Calculating a batch

Activity: Calculating a batch

3.6 How to choose packaging

Module 3 Textbook

Module 3 Audio files

Module 3 Quiz

Introduction to Module 4

Module 4 Learning outcomes

4.1 Shampoos: an introduction

4.2 The structure of a shampoo formulation

4.3 The science of surfactants

4.4 Types of surfactant in haircare

Explanation: Surfactants for haircare chart

Chart: Surfactants for haircare

Download: Surfactants for haircare chart

4.5 Calculating active matter

How to use the active matter calculator

Active matter calculator

Download: Active matter calculator

Activity: Calculating active matter

Answers: Calculating active matter activity

Module 4 Textbook

Module 4 Audio files

Module 4 Quiz

Introduction to Module 5

Module 5 Learning outcomes

5.1 Classification of ingredients

5.2 Thickeners

Chart: Thickeners

Download: Thickeners chart

5.3 Conditioning ingredients

5.4 Preservatives and chelators

Chart: Natural preservatives

Chart: Chelators

Download: Preservatives and chelators charts

5.5 Pearlizers, fragrance and colorants

5.6 Active ingredients: vitamins, cosmeceuticals, plant extracts

5.7 pH adjusters

5.8 Clays, powders and exfoliants

5.9 Researching ingredients

BONUS: Solubilizers experiment and report

Surfactants and emulsifiers for haircare

5.10 Buying ingredients: Ingredient starter list

Global supplier list

Activity: Researching where to buy your ingredients

Spreadsheet: Buying ingredients (your research)

Download: Buying ingredients (your research)

Module 5 Textbook

Module 5 Audio files

Module 5 Quiz

Introduction to Module 6

Module 6 Learning outcomes

6.1 Formulating different types of shampoo

6.2 Formulating shampoo for different hair types

6.3 Formulating regular shampoo

Demonstration: Making regular shampoo

6.4 Formulating clarifying shampoo

6.5 Formulating daily use shampoo

6.6 Formulating conditioning/2-in-1 shampoo

6.7 Formulating anti-dandruff shampoo

Demonstration: Making anti-dandruff shampoo

6.8 Formulating solid shampoo bars

6.8.1 Formulation example: solid shampoo bars

Demonstration: Making solid shampoo bars

6.9 Formulating your own shampoo

Worksheet: Liquid Shampoo Product Development Brief and Formulation Worksheet

Worksheet: Solid Shampoo Product Development Brief and Formulation Worksheet

Activity: Formulating your own shampoo

6.10 Troubleshooting shampoos

Module 6 Textbook

Module 6 Audio files

Module 6 Quiz

Introduction to Module 7

Module 7 Learning outcomes

7.1 Conditioners: an introduction

7.2 The structure of a conditioner formulation

Activity: Deciphering a conditioner INCI list

Answers: Deciphering a conditioner INCI list

7.3 Creating emulsions

7.4 Emulsifiers and polymers for haircare

Chart: Emulsifiers and polymers in haircare

Chart: Emulsifier usage rates

Download: Emulsifier charts

Module 7 Textbook

Module 7 Audio files

Module 7 Quiz

Introduction to Module 8

Module 8 Learning outcomes

8.1 Formulating different types of conditioner

8.2 Formulating conditioners for different hair types

8.3 Formulating rinse-off conditioner

Demonstration: Making a rinse-off conditioner

8.4 Formulating leave-in conditioner

Demonstration: Making leave-in conditioner

8.5 Formulating intense conditioner

8.6 Formulating detangling spray

Demonstration: Making detangling spray

8.7 Formulating co-wash

8.8 Formulating solid conditioner bars

8.8.1 Formulation example: solid conditioner bar

Demonstration: Making a solid conditioner bar

8.9 Formulating your own conditioners

Worksheet: Conditioner Product Development Brief and Formulation Worksheet

Worksheet: Solid Conditioner Product Development Brief and Formulation Worksheet

Activity: Formulating your own conditioner

8.10 Troubleshooting conditioners

Module 8 Textbook

Module 8 Audio files

Module 8 Quiz

Introduction to Module 9

Module 9 Learning outcomes

9.1 Hair treatments and styling products: an introduction

9.2 Formulating hair oil

9.3 Formulating anhydrous hair mask/butter

Demonstration: Making a hair mask/butter

9.4 Formulating hair wax

9.5 Formulating anti-frizz spray

9.6 Formulating dry shampoo

Demonstration: Making dry shampoo

9.7 Formulating clay based mask

9.8 Formulating Ayurvedic shampoo

9.9 Formulating scalp scrub

Demonstration: Making scalp scrub

9.10 Formulating scalp serum

9.11 Formulating hair gel

9.12 Formulating salt spray

Demonstration: Making salt spray

9.13 Formulating heat protection spray

9.14 Formulating your own hair treatments and styling products

Worksheet: Powdered Products Product Development Brief and Formulation Worksheet

Worksheet: Anhydrous Products Product Development Brief and Formulation Worksheet

Worksheet: Gel-based Products Product Development Brief and Formulation Worksheet

Worksheet: Water-based Products Product Development Brief and Formulation Worksheet

Activity: Formulating your own hair treatment and styling products

9.15 Troubleshooting hair treatments and styling products

Module 9 Textbook

Module 9 Audio files

Module 9 Quiz

Introduction to Module 10

Module 10 Learning outcomes

10.1 Overview: selling your products legally

Activity: Start keeping a manufacturing log

Template: Manufacturing log/batch file

Download: Manufacturing log/batch file

10.2 Cosmetic product testing

10.3 Cosmetic regulations by country

Australia cosmetic regulations

Canada cosmetic regulations

EU / UK cosmetic regulations

India cosmetic regulations

New Zealand cosmetic regulations

South Africa cosmetic regulations

USA cosmetic regulations

10.4 IFRA guidelines and calculating allergen levels

IFRA Standards

IFRA classes

Example: IFRA Conformity Certificate

Example: Allergen certificate

Module 10 Textbook

BONUS: Guide to organic certification

Feedback form

Guidelines for submitting assignments

Assignment 1: Classifying ingredients

Assignment Workbook (Assignments 2-7)

Submit assignments