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A-Z of Natural Cosmetic Formulation

The definitive beginners’ guide to the essential terminology, theories and ingredient types needed to formulate professional cosmetic products.

The A-Z of Natural Cosmetic Formulation is the ideal companion for you if…

You’re tired of sifting through confusing, contradictory or incorrect information when researching how to make your own natural skincare and haircare products.

You want to move beyond making DIY beauty recipes and delve into the science and theory behind natural cosmetic formulation.

You’re ready to become more professional and confident in your approach to creating your own natural and organic products.

Woman reading a cosmetic formulation book.

Whether you’re formulating products for fun, want to sell what you make or dream of launching your own natural beauty brand, the A-Z of Natural Cosmetic Formulation is your essential guide.

This invaluable reference guide sets the record straight, and provides you with explanations of the terminology, theories and ingredient types required to create safe, stable and professional-grade natural cosmetic formulations with ease.

Please note, this book doesn’t contain recipes. If you’re eager to explore our tried-and-tested formulations, why not enroll in one of our comprehensive skincare, haircare, makeup and color cosmetics, or soap-making courses.

How the A-Z of Natural Cosmetic Formulation can help you

Assorted natural skincare products on wooden table.

What you’ll learn

Woman conducting skincare research in a lab

The A-Z of Natural Skincare Formulation Covers:

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Getting started:

The equipment you’ll need, finding reliable suppliers, and classification of ingredients.

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Formula and product types:

Anhydrous, aqueous, emulsion, balm, body butter, cleanser, conditioner, cream, deodorant, lotion, moisturizer, serum, shampoo, soap, sunscreen, syndet, toner.

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Ingredient types:

Active ingredients, AHAs, antioxidants, BHAs, broad-spectrum preservatives, butters, carrier oils, carotenoids, chelating agents, classification of ingredients, cosmeceuticals, emollients, emulsifiers, essential oils, esters, exfoliating particles, extracts, fragrance, gums, humectants, hydrophilic, hydrophobic/lipophilic, hydrosols, lipids, occlusives, pH adjusters, phytosterols, silicones, solubilizers, stabilizer, surfactants, thickeners, vitamins, water, wax.

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Skin and hair physiology/biology:

Carotenoids, ceramides, hair, keratin/keratinocytes, natural moisturizing factor (NMF), skin, skin barrier, stratum corneum, transepidermal water loss (TEWL).

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Science/chemistry:

Charge, compatibility, emulsification, fatty acids, fatty alcohols, hair, homogenization, hydrophilic, hydrophilic lipophilic balance (HLB), hydrophobic/lipophilic, lipid, micelles, microbes, pH, phototoxicity, polar/non-polar, skin, solubility, surfactants, triglycerides, viscosity.

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Extending shelf-life:

Antioxidants, alcohol, broad-spectrum preservatives, chelating agents, GMP, microbes, packaging, sanitizing, shelf-life.

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Formulating:

Active matter, benchmark, evaluation, formula, function, functional ingredients, grams, INCI, methodical, product development brief, q.s, sensorial properties, sensory product evaluation, stability, target customer/target market, testing, toxic/toxicity, trade name, usage rates, viscosity, w/w%.

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Manufacturing:

Calibration, equipment, GMP, grams, homogenize, method, phases, pH meter/pH strips, sanitize, scaling up, volume, water bath, weighing.

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Starting a brand:

Capsule range, certifications, regulations, target customer/target market, trends, unique selling point/proposition (USP), values.

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Values/standards/certifications:

Certifications, COSMOS, Ecocert, natural, organic, vegan, zero waste.

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Selling products/legalities:

Allergens, batch file, batch number, CAS number, Certificate of Analysis (CoA), cosmetic, CPSR, drugs, GMP, IFRA, IFRA conformity certificate, labels, microbiological testing, MSDS, Product Information File (PIF), regulations, shelf-life, stability testing.

Buy today and get three free gifts

1.

A global supplier list

2.

Example product formulas

3.

A customizable Product Development Brief

Once you’ve purchased the book, simply complete the form and we’ll send you your exclusive gifts.

Praise for the A-Z of Natural Cosmetic Formulation

Exactly what I needed
Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2023
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This book is definitely worth the buy, it gives a great explanation for the chemistry side of things. It has helped me leaps and bounds to formulate safer, more consistent products.
Accurate and handy
Reviewed in Italy on April 15, 2019
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This book collects outstanding scientific material and yet comes in a compact, no-frills form for easy comprehension. Very useful for all the DIY cosmetic enthusiasts and natural skincare lovers.
Great Reference Book!!!!!
Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2023
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I am so in love with this book. I am able to research anything I want. A handful of vital information as a formulator. Thank you to the author. Your work is greatly appreciated!!!!!!
Must have for Product Formulation
Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2021
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With cosmetics and skin care products changing faster than ever, knowing exactly what the ingredients are makes client education and selling a breeze! You need this if you formulate skincare products of your own!
Must read for beginners and newbies
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 April 2019
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Easy to understand and brilliant introduction to cosmetic formulation. Whether you are a complete beginner or have some knowledge already this book is easy to navigate and content is up to date and invaluable.
The fundamentals in formulation
Reviewed in Australia on 16 May 2019
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An absolutely essential book on the know how of cosmetic formulation! There are no recipes. Just the correct information on what products to use and why, that dispels all the incorrect information and myths on the net.
All you need
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 April 2019
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This book is a one stop shop for anyone wanting to learn about making natural targeted skincare for themselves or their loved ones. Gail and Gareth really know their stuff and all their experience culminates into this brilliant book.
Will highly recommend
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 April 2019
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A lengthy book that beautifully explains the science behind natural formulations. More of a theory and not a recipe book. Thus, it is easier to make your own formulations rather than following recipes.
This truly is an A to Z reference guide
Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2019
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This is an amazing comprehensive reference book, well written easy to understand, packed full of knowledge and helpful information.
Essential Resource for Every Formulator's Toolkit!
Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2019
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This is a great and very comprehensive overview of essential terms used in natural skincare formulation. It's approachable, factual, and up to date. Great to have at your fingertips.
Don’t DIY without it!
Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2020
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Make natural products and know what you are doing! This book is super helpful for that.
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About the author and the School of Natural Skincare

The A-Z of Natural Cosmetic Formulation is written by Gail Després (née Francombe), founding director of the School of Natural Skincare. Gail is a Society for Cosmetic Scientists member and has been formulating natural and organic cosmetics since 2009. Tina Svetek, one of the school’s leading cosmetic scientists, also contributed to the book as a subject-matter expert.

Author holding "A-Z of Natural Cosmetic Formulation" book.

FAQs

No, the A-Z of Natural Cosmetic Formulation is not a recipe book. However, you will receive a selection of formulations if you download the bonus gifts after purchasing the book. 

Traditional books on cosmetic formulation can be daunting and problematic. They’re either hefty, expensive science textbooks, inaccessible to the average reader, or basic DIY recipe books lacking in-depth insights into the formulation process, theory or ingredients. 

Recognizing this gap, we’ve created a book that strikes the perfect balance. It’s tailored for budding cosmetic formulators without any scientific background, offering easy-to-understand explanations of essential terminology, theories and ingredient types. This is the book we wish we had when we were starting out. 

Whether you’re a novice or seasoned enthusiast, this invaluable reference guide provides you with the information you need as you start exploring creating natural, safe and stable natural and organic beauty products with confidence.

Put simply, the book covers the what and why of formulating and our courses teach you how to formulate. 

The book covers the essential terminology, theories and ingredient types needed to formulate professional cosmetic products. Our courses cover the theory in more detail and help you put this knowledge into practice by taking you through the process of formulating a wide range of products step by step. The book is a very useful written introduction and reference guide; the courses help you build your practical skills with multimedia lessons, practical activities, tutor support and a student community.

Yes. A paperback version of the book is available to buy through Amazon US, Amazon UK, Amazon Australia, Amazon Canada and Amazon India.

No, you don’t necessarily need a Kindle to read the Kindle version of the book. You can use the free Kindle app from Amazon to read it on other devices.