Diploma in Natural Skincare Formulation (NSF) Course

Content

8 Modules of Learning. 4K & HD video content, and downloadable work resources.

Prerequisites

None. This course is suitable for beginners, and those new to skincare formulation.

Accreditation

Recognised by Balens Insurance to allow graduates access to insurance for their products.

Access Time

After enrolment, you'll have 2 years to complete all modules of your course.

Our foundation natural skincare course, teaching you how to become an organic skincare formulator

Do you want to learn how to create natural, effective skincare products? If so, then this is the natural skincare training course for you. Enrol in our Diploma in Natural Cosmetic Skincare Formulation, and you will learn how to formulate and make clean, natural and organic skincare for yourself, your beauty therapy/salon clients, or to start your very own skincare brand.

This course will teach you the fundamental skills needed to formulate organic skincare products from scratch. You’ll learn to create cream emulsions, anhydrous formulations, gels, and liquid surfactant wash products. Understand the concept of pH balance and skin acidity levels that can affect your formulations and which ingredients are best suited to different skin types, giving you the confidence and skills to create and produce your own organic skincare products for specific skin requirements. 

Learn about the therapeutic values of your ingredients, including butters, waxes, hydrolats, clays, botanical extracts, essential oils, and flower waters, and how you can use these gifts from nature by harnessing their natural properties in your own natural skincare formulations. Discover the common pitfalls in natural skincare formulation, including product stability and safety-critical ingredients such as preservatives, and your legal responsibilities as a skincare formulator – especially important if you are starting your own skincare business!

Next Enrolment Opens - Monday, 20th January 2025

Days
Hours
Mins
Secs

*Please note that places on our courses are limited to enable us to allocate resources to our students. We reserve the right to close the enrolment early to ensure we can offer the best possible service to those who have already enrolled for the upcoming term. 

build your own brand of natural skincare products

Throughout the course, you will have the exciting opportunity to formulate a range of natural skincare products yourself. This practical application of the knowledge and skills you learn from our lessons is a key part of our teaching approach. We provide you with example formulations, explanations and demonstrations of formulation skills, and the practical aspects of producing natural and organic skincare products. This hands-on approach will keep you engaged and excited about the course.

Our course is not just about learning; it’s about creating. Students are encouraged to develop their own products to include in their range for submission in the final assessments. Formulating and producing real-world examples of products and cosmetics tailored to specific skincare requirements not only reinforces the knowledge learnt in the course but also sparks creativity, allowing students to explore and innovate within safe and responsible parameters.

Product range building is a key element of our natural skincare course. Initially, it is integrated throughout the course modules, where we look more deeply at specific skincare needs and product types and take your product ranges to market. This approach provides our students with a purpose to develop their portfolio of skills and knowledge, with each lesson unlocking a new level of understanding and inspiration for the practice of making clean, natural skincare.

Who Is this natural skincare Course for?

Suitable for beginners, this online course is ideal for all those passionate about making natural skincare products and want to learn how to formulate using organic ingredients to create skin care products for either personal use or commercial use for those wishing to launch a beauty brand and start their own skincare business. 

This course is ideally suited for those with limited or no previous experience making natural skincare products and who have yet to learn about cosmetic regulations and best manufacturing practices.

It is also the ideal place to start if you have previously attended a day course with another provider but wish to refresh and/or extend your knowledge before starting a new career and launching your own brand of natural skincare products. 

course Information

an overview of our Diploma in Natural Skincare Formulation

  • 8 comprehensive modules delivered by our expert tutors via our easy-to-use online distance learning platform, enabling you to study your Diploma in Natural Skincare Formulation course from anywhere in the world.
  • 4K & HD video tutorials, downloadable course materials and resources via our online classroom and learning platform.
  • Regular tutor access for ongoing support as you progress through your online course.
  • Access to the Purodem Academy students area, where you’ll find your courses, student groups and discussion forums with the Purodem community. Join other cosmetic formulators in the discussion forums as our community grows.
  • Exclusive access to our iPhone, iPad, & Android apps to study on the go and to access your student community, enhancing your learning experience.
  • Internal assessments and assignments to be completed in your course to help consolidate your learning.
  • Final exam and assessment of your NSF portfolio upon completion of your course content.
  • Upon successful completion of your course, you will receive your certificate, which will enable you to obtain the necessary insurance to start your own professional skincare business or beauty brand.
  • This natural skincare formulation course is delivered via distance learning. Self-study at your own pace and in your own time.
  • You will have access to your course for 2 years.

There are no prerequisites for this course.

This natural skincare formulation course is suitable for beginners and for those with some experience in skincare formulation who want to further their knowledge.

As part of our learning environment, we have incorporated student groups and knowledge forums inside the members area of the Purodem Academy platform, accessible via our website and mobile app. We operate our courses via term times to allow new students to meet online via the social groups created for each course, creating a community feel and encouraging peer-to-peer learning.

Please check on the page above for the next available term dates. 

The cost of the Diploma in Natural Skincare Formulation (NSF) course is £695.00.

For those who want to spread the cost of the NSF course, we offer the following payment plan option to spread the cost to 3  payments:

  • Initial Payment of £395.00
  • Two Further Payments of £200.00 charged on the 1st of each month.
  • The total cost of the NSF course via payment plan is £795.00 to cover the additional administration costs. Terms & Conditions apply.

8 Modules of learning

website screenshot homepage

introduction Module

Welcome to your course

To begin your Diploma in Natural Skincare Formulation course, you’ll find a warm welcome to Purodem, gain full access to our online learning membership platform, and a tour around our easy-to-use website showing you how to access your course, including your downloadable course material,  and student area. You will also be introduced to your tutor, with whom you will be able to speak to find out any further information you need before starting your course. 

Here, you will also find the outlined learning objectives for your course, access to your progress chart, and the preliminary orientation FAQs located in your Learning Portfolio for ease of reference as you travel through the modules within the course.

natural skincare formulation 2

Module 1

Skin Science & key Ingredients

Learn about the anatomy and physiology of the skin and the benefits of using gorgeous natural ingredients to make natural and organic skincare products.

Topics include:

  • The anatomy & physiology of the skin. 
  • The history of skincare, right through the ages from ancient times to modern day.
  • Learn what constitutes a natural ingredient.
  • Learn about the benefits of using natural ingredients to create handmade organic skincare products. 
  • Learn about synthetic ingredients and discover what harmful chemicals are commonly used in the skincare industry.
  • Learn the Truths vs Myths – Natural cosmetic ingredients or Synthetic?
  • Introduction to carrier oils, fats & waters used in natural skincare formulation.
  • Learn about emulsifiers and gums used in organic skincare.
  • Understand the use of preservatives when making natural skincare products.
  • Learning to understand the difference between formulations and recipes and how to read and adapt them.
purodem peot course 2

Module 2

Properties of Essential Oils

Learn how to safely formulate using plant-based essential oils for your natural skincare products.

Topics include:

  • Learn about the 20 most popular essential oils commonly used in natural skin care and how they are produced.
  • Discover the different categories of natural skincare essential oils, including citrus oils, floral oils, and herbs & spices.
  • What are the benefits to the skin of using essential oils in natural skincare?
  • Learn how to calculate and blend essential oils for natural skincare formulations.
  • The importance of using essential oils safely, including essential oils to avoid and safe blending ratios.
  • Learn about carrier oils and their uses in organic skincare.
  • Creating individual aroma blends for your own natural products.
skincare formulation setup

Module 3

workspace Setup & G.M.P.

Before starting to make natural skincare products for yourself, you first need to learn about your workspace and surroundings. This will provide a good working foundation for making natural skincare products correctly.

Topics include: 

  • What is G.M.P (Good Manufacturing Practice), how does it affect you as an organic skincare formulator, and the benefits to following best-working practice. 
  • How to set up and manage your workspace correctly for efficient production of natural skincare.
  • How to overcome potential problems when using shared areas.
  • Learn about the equipment needed to produce organic skincare and the correct storage and handling procedures required for efficient skincare production. 
  • Understand the importance of record keeping, your responsibilities as a natural skincare formulator, and how these can benefit you as a skilled & confident natural skincare formulator.
  • Learn about a working formulation diary and how we, as natural skincare formulators, use them. 
  • How to create a Product Information File.
  • The creation of a G.M.P. Statement for inclusion in your portfolio.
natural-skincare-formulation

Module 4

cosmetic cream emulsions

Learning and understanding how to formulate & make cosmetic cream emulsions of varying weights for various skincare applications and specific to individual skin types.

Theory & practical lessons lessons:

  • An introduction to emulsion skincare products and formulations.
  • The basic principle of making a cosmetic emulsion. 
  • The versatility of cosmetic emulsions. 
  • Why we use emulsions in skincare ranges and how they work.
  • Theoretical breakdown of various types of creams and lotions.
  • Learn how to create a simple cream emulsion formulation, and discover the methods used to transform this simple product into various other products to include in your natural skincare range. 
  • Practical lessons & discovery sessions on how to make various types of creams and lotions suitable for various skin types and applications.
  • Design, formulate, and produce a cosmetic cream emulsion to be included as part of your natural skincare range. (To be submitted and assessed as part of your portfolio.)
gel based skincare

Module 5

gel-based products

Learning and understanding how to formulate & make gel skincare preparations for various skincare applications.

Theory & practical lessons lessons:

  • An introduction to gel skincare products and formulations.
  • The basic principle of making a gel-based product. 
  • The versatility of gel-based products. 
  • Examples of gel-based products and why we use them in skincare.
  • Theoretical breakdown of various types of gel products.
  • Learn how to create a simple gel formulation.
  • Practical lessons & discovery sessions on how to make various types of gel products suitable for various skin types and applications.
  • Design, formulate, and produce a gel-based product to be included as part of your natural skincare range. (To be submitted and assessed as part of your portfolio.)
anhydrous skincare products

Module 6

anhydrous products

Learning and understanding how to formulate & make anhydrous products, body butter and balms for various skincare applications and specific to individual skin types.

Theory & practical lessons lessons:

  • An introduction to anhydrous products and formulations.
  • The basic principle of making an anhydrous product. 
  • The versatility of anhydrous products and the different cosmetic products included. 
  • Why we use anhydrous products in skincare ranges.
  • Theoretical breakdown of various types of butters and balms.
  • What are the benefits of anhydrous formulations in natural skin care.
  • Learn how to create a simple anhydrous liquid oil formulation.
  • Theoretical breakdown of various types of balms.
  • Practical lessons & discovery sessions on how to make various types of body butter and balms suitable for various skin types and applications.
  • Design, formulate, and produce an anhydrous skincare product to be included as part of your natural skincare range. (To be submitted and assessed as part of your portfolio.
natural skincare formulation 3

Module 7

surfactant formulations

Learning and understanding how to formulate & make cosmetic surfactant formulations for various skincare applications and specific to individual skin types.

Theory & practical lessons lessons:

  • An introduction to surfactant products and formulations.
  • The basic principle of making surfactant products. 
  • The versatility of surfactant products and the different types of cosmetic products included. 
  • Why we use surfactant products in skincare ranges.
  • Theoretical breakdown of various types of surfactant products.
  • Learn how to create a simple liquid soap formulation.
  • Theoretical breakdown of various types of balms.
  • Practical lessons & discovery sessions on how to make various surfactant products suitable for various skin types and applications.
  • Design, formulate, and produce a surfactant skincare product to be included as part of your natural skincare range. (To be submitted and assessed as part of your portfolio.)
 
skincare business

Module 8

Range Building & Regulatory Compliance

Understanding and learning the core elements of a skincare brand. Learn about product range building and your legal responsibilities, including cosmetic legal compliance, labelling, and packaging. This is especially important for skincare formulators who want to launch a successful skincare business selling their own products.

Topics include:

  • Identifying who you are creating natural skincare products for. 
  • Deciding on your product range, & the importance of design when choosing packaging/containers. 
  • What are the labelling regulations and standards, and how to adhere to them. 
  • Staying ethical when making claims: The things you can – and can’t say.
  • How to get your products certified.
  • Learn about toxicology testing for natural skincare.
  • What is stability testing, and what methods can you apply.
  • How to obtain insurance to enable you to sell your products legally. 
  • Regulatory compliance when selling commercial products.
  • Identifying the regulations for selling natural skincare in your area.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! This course is particularly suited to beginners who have never made skincare products before. It is also an ideal place to start for those looking to refresh and consolidate their previous knowledge of skincare formulation.

By enrolling in our Foundation Diploma in Natural Skincare Formulation, you will learn the necessary skills to become a natural skincare specialist and be able to make your own natural and organic skincare products for yourself, your family, and your therapy clients.

You don’t need a licence to sell skin care products; however, you must comply with your legal responsibilities if you sell skincare to others. In this Foundation Diploma course, you will learn about legal and regulatory compliance related to the sale of your own range of skincare. 

Upon enrollment, you will be given a list of products and raw materials needed to complete the course. We can also recommend suppliers who will ship high-quality ingredients and materials worldwide.

You may also wish to purchase some locally sourced ingredients for your own formulations, which we actively encourage throughout the course.

We run our courses at set term times during the year so that our students can study at the same time. This also enables students to engage with each other, their tutors, and mentors via the student groups and discussion forums section of the website and mobile app.

You’ll be able to access your course in the next available term advertised on the relevant course page.

You can purchase the course for the upcoming term anytime via the website. Places on our courses are limited to enable us to allocate tutors to our students. We reserve the right to close the enrollment early to ensure we can offer the best possible service to those already booked for the course.

Course Pricing

The cost of the Diploma in Natural Skincare Formulation (NSF) course is £695.00.

Payment Plan Option

For those who want to spread the cost of the NSF course, we offer the following payment plan option to spread the cost to 3  payments:

  • Initial Payment of £395.00
  • Two Further Payments of £200.00 charged on the 1st of each month.
  • The total cost of the NSF course via payment plan is £795.00 to cover the additional administration costs. Terms & Conditions apply.
quote free img
I attended a 4-day course with Purodem in January 2020, to learn how to make skincare products for my beauty salon and facial therapy clients. Using the skills Deana showed and explained to me I have since put together a small range of cleansers & moisturiser creams that I now use in my facial treatments. This has saved me money by being able to cut back on buying from suppliers, and still offering a great service to my clients. They all love that I can now tailor make creams for their individual needs.
Rachel W
Wolverhampton, West Midlands, UK.