Why Your Formula Isn’t Working (and How to Fix It)
Every formulator has been there. You’re developing a new formula and something just won’t cooperate. It separates. It’s too thick. It’s too thin. When cosmetic…
Category: Cosmetic Formulations
Should You Formulate a Scalp Serum? A Look at the Science
Walk through any beauty aisle or scroll TikTok for five seconds and you’re sure to see a scalp serum. Brands ranging from The Ordinary to…
What to Know About Preservatives in Cosmetic Formulas
Preservatives get more scrutiny than almost any other cosmetic ingredient and not always for the right reasons. Between “paraben-free” marketing and natural preservative claims, the…
Cutting Through The Confusion Between Natural and Synthetic Cosmetic Ingredients
The “natural vs synthetic” debate is one of the most persistent and misunderstood topics in cosmetic formulation. It’s also where marketing often clashes with science.…
What Ingredient Lists Don’t Tell You
You’ve seen it before, a trendy skincare product with rave reviews and ingredients like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and peptides highlighted on the label. Sounds impressive.…
Why Understanding Raw Materials Improves Your Formulas
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of finished products. But behind every unique texture and performance claim is a web of carefully…
The 3 Types of Cosmetic Raw Materials You Need to Know
Cosmetic ingredient lists can be long and overwhelming but nearly every ingredient in a formula serves one of three core purposes. While there’s some overlap…
How Shampoos Are Made
Shampoos are cleaning formulations made up primarily of chemicals called surfactants that have the ability to surround oily materials on surfaces and …
5 Reasons Sulfate-Free Products Exist
Have you ever wondered why companies sell sulfate free products? If there is some safety issue with sulfates, why do companies continue to sell those…
There are no fillers in cosmetic products
It’s difficult to know where the claim or idea comes from but I frequently hear people say that there are “synthetic fillers” in cosmetics. You…
Old Spice Fresh Collection Denali Body Wash - Dissecting a cosmetic label
It’s been a little while since we’ve done a dissecting the label so let’s do one. Today we will look at the Old Spice Fresh…
Cosmetic Formulation Basics: What’s in a lip balm, and why?
This is a guest post by Gary Neudahl. He is currently Product Application Manager, Personal Care Ingredients, for the HallStar Company and is based at…
Cosmetic Formulations - Body Wash
This is a guest post by Gary Neudahl The long, hot summer days in the Midwest are coming to an end, and the busier days…
Basic Cosmetic Formulations - Bath Oils
This is a guest post by cosmetic science expert Gary Neudahl. We’ve had a warm winter, a hot spring and a really hot and dry…
Cosmetic Formulation Basics - Shaving Cream
Click here for a complete list of the the Cosmetic Formulation Basics series. Shaving Cream Shaving cream is a product put on the skin (primarily…
Cosmetic Formulation Basics - Toothpaste
Click here for a complete list of the the Cosmetic Formulation Basics series. Toothpaste Toothpaste is a semisolid product designed to clean teeth and leave…
What is in a sunscreen spray, and why?
This is a guest post by Gary Neudahl who is currently Product Application Manager, Personal Care Ingredients, for the HallStar Company and is based at…
Basic Cosmetic Formulations - Deodorant Sticks
Article submitted by Gary Neudahl In a previous post, the composition of an antiperspirant deodorant (APDO) stick was presented. In this post we’ll look at…
Cosmetic Label Dissecting - Burts Bees Baby Shampoo
Here’s another in our continuing series on dissecting the cosmetic label. By reviewing these labels it is our hope that you will develop the skills…
Cosmetic formulation basics - Foundation
Click here for a complete list of the Cosmetic Formulation basics series. Foundation Foundation or skin colorants are designed to enhance the color and appearance…