New to Formulating?

This page is for everyone who is just starting out. I have linked all the Introduction to DIY cosmetics posts as well as the skincare formulation series. 

Cosmetics, what are they?

• Introduction

• Cosmetic and Drug definition by the FDA

• Updated 5/25/23

• DIY Cosmetic Supplies (General)

  • Supplies needed

  • Descriptions 

  • Links

  • Updated 5/25/23

• What is pH?

  • Introduction to pH

  • Why it is important?

  • What you can run into with pH

  • Why is pH important?

  • What should the pH of our products be?

  • Setting up my pH meter

  • How to Adjust the pH of our products.

  • Controversial Topic: Diluting to Take the pH. 

• Sanitation and Safety

  • Disinfection

  • Essential oils and fragrance oils

  • Having a healthy respect for chemicals

• Preservatives, Antioxidants, Fragrance Oils, and Essential Oils!

  • Common preservatives I use

  • What is not a preservative

  • How to make oil-based products last longer.

  • Antioxidants: 

  • Will We Use 0.5% of Vitamin E every time?

• Oil-based Products, What do I need to know?

  • What is a lipid?

  • Comparing different lipids

  • Charts

    • Absorption Speed of Vegetable Oils

  • Formulation

• Powder-based Products, What do I need to know?

  • Function of powders

  • Formulation

• Water-based products What do I need to know?

  • Scaling Formulations

  • Formulation Warm-Ups

  • Simple toner formula

  • Creating pH media

  • Formulation at the end of the post. 

  • How can we figure out the percentages?How can we figure out the percentages?

  Introduction to DIY Cosmetics Part 2 (Diamond Level Exclusive)

• Actives

  • What are they?

  • What are the different types?

  • Can this Active be included in my product?

  Cheat Sheet

  • Bonus: Actives and easing into them ​

  HLB and Emulsion Overview

  • What is HLB?

  • What are Surfactant?

  • How do emulsions work?

  • Bonus: Creating stable emulsions

  • Bonus: Lemon and Ylang Ylang Intense Body Lotion

  Surfactants

  • What are they?

  • What is ASM?

  • The Properties of Different Surfactants Types: A Chart

  Cheat Sheet
  How do we make a more mild surfactant formula?
  Emulsifiers

  • How to calculate the HLB required for your formula

  • What make emulsifiers different?

  • Theoretical formula

  Cheat Sheet
  General Method For Emulsions
  Basic Equipment for Formulating Emulsions
  Making Your First Emulsion
  General Method for Making Emulsions
  Trouble Shooting Emulsions
  Comparing Different Emulsifiers Inputs in Lotions
  Conclusion for Emulsifying Wax NF Experiment
  Reducing the Greasiness of Lotions
  
  Solublizers

  • What are they?

  • Can one solubilizer be used at the same percentage for different oils?

  Cheat Sheet

  • Using Solublizers in Formulations

Skincare Formulations Series

Formulating Face washes

• Formulating Face Washes Part 2

• How to Thicken Face Washes

• Formulating Toners

• Formulating Face Masks

• Formulas For Face Masks

• Formulating Face Serums

• Formulating Face Lotions

Natural Formulations

More Coming Soon!

• What are Cleaning Oils and Balms?

Humectants:

• What are Humectants?

Gums:

• Comparing Cosmetics Gels

Fragrance:

• Should You add Fragrance?

• Fragrance in Cosmetics

• Essential Oil Substitutions

Stability in Cosmetics
What are Chelating Agents?
Natural Preservatives
When can we use a lower percentage of Preservative?
Good Manufacturing: the Basics
Formulating with Natural Ingredients
Creating Your Own Extracts
Calculating the Active Content of Extracts
Tips For Writing Your Ingredient Lists 

Color Cosmetics:

Basic Equipment to Formulate Color Cosmetics

• Color Theory for Formulators

• Revised Color Theory

• Color Blending Process

• What is Happening? Color Blending without a Precise Scale?

• Revised Color Blending Process

• Planning the Mineral Foundation

• Final Formula Mineral Foundation for Acne Prone & Rosacea

• What is Happening? Matte Eyeshadows

• Oil Spot is Eyeshadows; How to fix them

• Eyeshadow Color Combinations

• What is Happening? Gloss too Pigmented

• Inexpensive Eyeshadow Primer

• How to dupe Eyeshadows

• What Makes a Good Liquid Binder?

• Creating Pressing Mediums for Eyeshadows

• Breaking Down each Cosmetics Product Part 1

• Breaking Down each Cosmetics Product Part 2

• What is Happening? Chalky Highlighters

• Mineral Liquid Foundation

• Holiday Red Liquid Lipstick​

• Winter Glow Highlighter

• Matte Base Formula

• Makeup Q&A 1

• Pressing the Loose Pigment

• Dispersions

• Dispersions

• Comparing a Mortar and Pestle to a Coffee Grinder

• Dispersion in Color Cosmetics Pt.2

Hair Care Series

Coming Soon! See the formulary for hair care formulas. (link)

• Planning the Formula: Duping It's a 10 Spray

• Final Formula: It's a 10 Spray

Emulsion Course:
Coming Soon!
Emulsifying Wax NF
​BTMS-25