Formula Botanica: Diploma in Organic Skincare Formulation Update

As you'll know I've been studying the fantastic online diploma with Formula Botanica in Organic Skincare Formulation*. You can see my initial post HERE and my first update HERE. I've been slowly working my way through the modules, taking loads of notes, researching different ingredients and creating products using my own formulations.

You can sign up to any of the courses right now - see the choices available HERE. Enrollment is open until 10th July 2018 for this intake.

At the end of my last post I was just about to blend a cold and warm blended cream. One of my favourite creations was a warm blended cream with Grapefruit & Vetiver.  As well as the essential oils, I formulated the cream with Shea Butter, Sweet Almond oil and antioxidant Vitamin E. Also in this module we learn how to formulate an oil blend before taking the module quiz which enables us to pass to the next level.

The next modules involve Facial Product Formulation - toners, cleansers and moisturisers. I picked up a few ingredients from several suppliers.

In this group of modules we learn how to formulate Facial toners with and without solubiliser, Facial gels, Bi-Phase Facial Cleansers, Cream, Gel and Foaming Cleansers, Micellar Waters, Anhydrous Facial Creams, Facial Oils, Facial Balm, Lip Balm and Facial Emulsions. It really is fascinating and the course is very easy to follow. Next up it's Body Cleansers, Moisturisers and Spa Exfoliators. 

I'm really enjoying the course and hope to share with you some more creations soon! Remember you can sign up until 10 July. See more details HERE.

*complimentary

Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box - April - Radiance

It's always an exciting day when my Skin Organics Clean Beauty Box arrives. April's box is all about Radiance.  So what's inside:

OMG how pretty is that! And WOW!

And for a closer look..

I was super excited to see a full size MONO Naturoils Rose & Cucumber Cleansing Oil (20ml - £20) which has been on the wishlist a while. The cleansing oil will deeply but gently clean the skin, soothing and balancing while nourishing the skin. The range is infused with high vibrational healing energies of crystals and gemstones and this one uses Clear Quartz. A review will follow on this one for sure! Also included is a trial size of their Facial Steam from founder, Tracy.

Anita Grant is such a lovely brand. I first tried it back in April 2013 (and these two sample products were ones I selected!) See my review HERE. I'm looking forward to revisiting both of these (I also love the new simple, plain but stylish packaging). Coconut Rosewood Dry Oil (£2.99) and Organic Vanilla Cocoa Body Butter (£3.45).

Squeals, a new to me brand! This is one of the reasons beauty boxes excite me! Wild Source Apothecary is small batch skincare carefully formulated with love, care and attention to detail. The Radiance Mask (30ml - £15) is a blend of pink and kaolin clay with organic fruit extracts. It will exfoliate and rejuvenate, minimising pores and balancing sebum. A full review will follow.

From Naissance we have their 100% pure Certified Organic Cold Pressed Organic Rosehip Oil (I couldn't find a size on the bottle but it's worth £8.99). Use it on your skin or hair or to formulate your own facial serum!

Last but not least is a 30ml Green People trial size (30ml - £4) of their Quinoa & Calendula Shower Gel which is scented with Sweet Orange & Ginger.

A fabulous box! As ever there are discount codes included for some of the brands. Sign up for April's box NOW.

Formula Botanica: Diploma in Organic Skincare Formulation

As you'll know I recently embarked on an exciting online course with Formula Botanica - their Diploma in Organic Skincare Formulation*. You can see my initial thoughts HERE.

I'm now ready to start formulating so I thought I'd now take the time to run through the modules and coursework up to that point. It really is a brilliant course - very informative and interesting.

First up we learn about Skin Science and our learning outcome is to understand the Anatomy and structure, function and physiology. There are course notes, videos and a skin poster which allow you to understand the skin and what it needs to remain healthy. At the end of the module there is a test (which I had to take twice before passing!)

We move onto Holistic Care of the skin and then (exciting) formulating skills: getting started. This module teaches us about ingredients and encourages us to research all the ingredients available to us. We are encouraged to start our formulating journey small with a few ingredients. Here are some of the ones I've selected so far:

Amphora Aromatics very kindly sent me these carrier and essential oils*:

And I've either been given or bought these ones:

We then learn how to safely create a formula, what ingredients make up a product, what equipment we'll need and dermal restrictions for essential oils. There is lots of reading and research which needs to be done.

You need to decide what product you want to create and who it is for. There is a formulation flow chart which helps you design your product and then you can create your formula! We also learn about natural preservation, shelf life, packaging and calculating senitisers.

I'm just about to start formulating a cold blended and warm blended formulation. So hopefully on my next round-up I'll be able to share some of my creations!  Thanks again to Formula Botanica for the lovely apron and tea towel!

*complimentary