Our School
Welcome to the School of Natural Skincare
World-class, accredited and multi-award winning online formulation courses and classes for all.
Realize your dreams of creating high-performance natural and organic beauty products for yourself or launching a successful business
Experience our fifteen years of expertise in teaching formulation skills
Through our accredited world-class online training programs, a #1 Amazon bestselling book, expert guidance from professional cosmetic chemists, and an audience in more than 150 countries, we help people like you create the natural and organic beauty products of their dreams – and have fun at the same time!
Here are a few ways we can help you
Want to build a beauty brand but don’t have an MBA, cosmetic science degree, or a clue where to start?
We’ll give you the roadmap to formulating and launching a gorgeous capsule range your ideal customers love.
Had some epic DIY fails, confused about what you read online and now ready to learn a better way?
We teach you how to formulate with a wide range of nourishing natural and organic ingredients – the professional way.
Ready to elevate your formulation skills?
We’ll empower you to formulate with advanced active ingredients, and diversify into skincare, haircare, soap, makeup, zero waste formulation and much more.
Established in 2010, we are proud to be the world’s premier online cosmetic formulation school
Dedicated to delivering the finest cosmetic formulation education, skills and expert support.
Combined professional experience of our education team.
Number of students who have studied with us.
Number of countries we have graduates in.
Percentage of students who would recommend a course with us to others.
Average student rating of the course they completed.
We can’t wait to welcome you to our growing community of students creating the best natural and organic skincare.
Student testimonials
The School of Natural Skincare has fantastically designed their courses.
- Jyotsna Thakare,
- India
The specific and structured knowledge and the outstanding quality of content motivate me a lot. I am really enjoying working on my skincare development projects and am so happy and grateful that now I am a passionate cosmetic formulator. A massive thank you to all the tutors and support team for creating an incredible course!
- Jyotsna Thakare,
- India
Don’t go with the other schools! You will end up frustrated like I was.
- Tamara Hinds,
- Canada
I decided to start with another school and to be honest it was a huge mistake. The School of Natural Skincare makes everything easy to understand and exciting to learn. Their courses are easy to understand and keep you motivated, helping me fully grasp the information. If you want my advice, skip the frustration – this is the one you want. Trust me!
- Tamara Hinds,
- Canada
The amazing tutor program was just what I needed in terms of support.
- Magdalena Kieszek,
- UK
I tried to make skincare products before and had so many questions that I simply couldn’t find reliable answers to. With this course, I have learned about many different kinds of products that I never thought I could make. I found these programmes extremely professional and I have learned a lot.
- Magdalena Kieszek,
- UK
What I enjoy most is the ongoing education and the Q&A sessions.
- Joya Whitehead-Jones,
- USA
I wanted to learn how to create and potentially sell my own skin and body products but I struggled with making stable lotions and lacked knowledge on testing for microbes and shelf life. The School has provided me with instructions and templates to troubleshoot issues. Now, I can confidently make lotions, creams, and emulsions, and test for pH and microbes.
- Joya Whitehead-Jones,
- USA
I am now extremely competent and confident to select ingredients and write my own formulas
- Michelle Andino,
- USA
I wanted to learn how to create a formula from scratch with proper measurements instead of using a recipe and going through the process of expensive trials and errors. I tried another class before but the content, delivery and support was lacking. However, I found it all as a package at the School of Natural Skincare. I loved it all.
- Michelle Andino,
- USA
Your School has expanded my repertoire of ingredients and how to formulate professionally.
- LeAnne Dolce,
- USA
I wanted to create luxury skincare products that really are formulated specifically for African American skincare issues. I didn’t know enough about ingredients, their benefits and how to use them safely. Now I can deliberately select ingredients and formulate using a greater variety than before. Thank you!
- LeAnne Dolce,
- USA
Learn from our expert team
- Cosmetic scientists and chemists.
- Professional formulators from across the beauty industry.
- Aromatherapists.
- Beauty business and marketing professionals.
Follow a trusted way of working
- Access tried-and-tested formulations, including all those that require and have passed Preservative Efficacy Testing.
- Follow our proven methodology to formulate professional quality products.
Study online from anywhere in the world
- Accredited multimedia courses and programs.
- Enjoyable, self-paced learning.
- Expert tutor support and Q&A sessions.
- Vibrant student and graduate community.
Meet the founders and directors
Hi. We’re Gail and Gareth.
Our journey began with a passion for reconnecting with nature’s healing power and taking control of what goes on our skin and into our bodies.
Frustrated by the cost of buying high-quality natural and organic skincare products, we decided to take the power back for ourselves and empower others by sharing our knowledge.
Our School is dedicated to correcting widespread misinformation and giving people the opportunity to learn the professional way to make skincare, haircare and makeup from experienced cosmetic scientists.
We believe formulating should be fun! We guide our students to explore the beauty of natural ingredients, and create nourishing products that harness the nurturing power of plants in an easy-to-follow, enjoyable way.
Many have soothed their sensitive skin, found relief from concerns like eczema and supported their toxic-free lifestyles during health journeys.
Our students have also launched successful natural and organic beauty brands in every corner of the globe.
We are really proud of the exceptional educational resources we provide, and our team of professional scientists and formulators that support our students.
Join us on your natural and organic formulation journey. We can’t wait to support you every step of the way.
Our story
Meet your instructors and tutors
Learn from and be supported by cosmetic scientists and professional formulators.
Tina Svetek
Tina is a cosmetic formulator, formulation consultant and safety assessor, who leads new product development for natural skincare and wellness brands.
Dr Nicole Voster
Nicole is a cosmetic formulation consultant and senior lecturer with extensive experience teaching chemistry and cosmetic formulation at South African universities and aiding brands in new product development.
Gail Després
Gail is an award-winning entrepreneur and author of the A-Z of Natural Cosmetic Formulation. After creating her natural skincare brand, Gail moved into education, founding the School of Natural Skincare in 2010.
Gareth Després
Gareth qualified as a certified aromatherapist in 2010 and enriches the content of our online courses with his specialist knowledge of essential oils.
Our flagship courses
BEGINNER – INTERMEDIATE – BUSINESS
Diploma in Natural Skincare Formulation
The ultimate online course for designing, formulating, and launching your own line of natural and organic beauty products. Learn to formulate natural cosmetics like a pro, and design and launch your own skincare brand.
BEGINNER – INTERMEDIATE – BUSINESS
Haircare and Skincare Formulator Program
Become a professional haircare and skincare formulator by selecting ingredients customized for different hair types, textures, skin types and concerns to formulate a wide range of products. This program is perfect, whether you’re formulating for fun or dreaming of launching your own beauty brand.
BEGINNER
Certificate in Making Natural Skincare Products
The perfect course for beginners and hobbyists. Learn how to make natural skincare and bodycare products using luxurious natural and organic ingredients by following our ready-to-use recipes.
Explore more courses
Hear what our graduates are saying
Leslie Culver: How My Kids Inspired My Natural Makeup Journey and Natural Beauty Brand!
Rediscovering Natural Beauty: Rediate Afework’s Transformation from Corporate Professional to Haircare Entrepreneur
From Cancer Survivor to Skincare Entrepreneur: Julie Sheridan’s Tale
Turning Passion into a Brand: How Busy Mom, Sanjanna Raju, Launched ‘Phases’ Skincare for Teens and Tweens
Kate Palmer: From Kitchen Experiments to Eco-Friendly Formulations and Launching Her Own Brand
How Graduate Stephanie Went From Years of Dabbling In Her Kitchen To Launching Her Brand Coco-Bare
Accreditation and professional memberships
Our courses are CPD certified
Our courses are accredited by the CPD (Continuing Professional Development) Certification Service demonstrating the quality of our training materials and learning activities.
We are an accredited Ethical Company
We’ve earned Ethical Accreditation from the Ethical Company Organisation, recognized for setting the gold standard in corporate social responsibility.
Our directors are members of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists
Gail is a Full Member (FSCS) of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists and Gareth an Affiliate Member.
Featured in
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Exclusive free course: Fundamentals of Skincare Formulation
Master the foundation of professional natural and organic skincare formulation.
Includes tried-and-tested product formulas and practical guidance on preservatives, antioxidants, equipment, ingredients and pH.
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