Diploma of Personal Care Formulation - course units:

Module 1

PCFECI001:

Investigate and evaluate cosmetic ingredients

• accurately identify what constitutes ‘organic’, ‘natural’ and ‘synthetic’ ingredients and processing
• investigate and evaluate the origins and functions of the many and varied ingredients used in personal care products
• apply this knowledge when promoting products in the market place.

PCFECS002:

Evaluate cosmetic ingredient and formula safety

• identify irritant and allergen reactions of consumers
• identify and reduce the irritancy and allergen profile of a personal care product
• effectively evaluate potential safety issues pertaining to various personal care products.

PCFECR003:

Evaluate compliance requirements of cosmetic ingredients

• search compliance requirements of ASEAN, AU, Canada, China, EU, UK, USA, NZ, Japan, Sth Africa & Sth Korea
• select ingredients in accordance with compliance requirements
• report ingredient use as and when required.

PCFCPI004:

Apply chemistry principles to select cosmetic ingredients

• conduct various analytical test methods used in the personal care industry
• select ingredients based on their chemical classification, processing methods used in their development, and application in the finished product formula.

PCFMCI005:

Plan microbiological control of cosmetic ingredients and manufacturing environment

• test raw materials, products, equipment and the facility for microbial presence
• identify methods to reduce microbiological burden within the facility and finished products using GMP.

PCFSPF006:

Select preservatives for personal care formulas

• identify and evaluate the suitability of various preservatives in their application to a personal care formulation
• select appropriate preservatives for a variety of personal care products and applications.

Module 2

PCFRMF007:

Select rheology modifiers for personal care formulas

• determine suitable aspects of flow
• investigate, evaluate and select gums and thickeners to suit the specific needs of various product formulations.

PCFSLF008:

Select lipids for personal care formulas

• recognise the consistency altering, emollient and skin feel properties of various lipids
• investigate, evaluate and select lipids to suit the specific needs of various product formulations.

PCFFEO009:

Select fragrances or essential oils for personal care formulas

• understand the chemistry of fragrance and language of aroma
• blend essential oils for aesthetically pleasing and more stable aroma profiles
• incorporate fragrance into product formulations
• investigate and determine the safety aspects and usage rates for various product types
• select fragrances or essential oils to suit various product formulations.

PCFSEF010:

Select emulsifiers for personal care formulas

• improve the stability of colloidal systems, including emulsions and dispersions
• predict colloidal and emulsion properties
• process using suitable manufacturing (compounding) methods
• select appropriate materials to create your emulsion/colloidal system
• formulate a variety of personal care products involving the mixing of two or more normally immiscible substances.

PCFSSF011:

Select surfactants for personal care formulas

• predict surfactant properties
• formulate with surfactants to attain specific performance attributes
• determine starting materials and biodegradability of surface active agents
• select suitable surfactants to formulate a variety of surfactant based personal care products.

PCFPCA012:

Develop personal care aerosol formulas

• determine suitable ingredients and packaging components used in aerosol products
• conduct manufacturing and quality testing of aerosol products
• develop aerosol formulations for a range of personal care products.

Module 3

PCFPST013:

Plan and interpret stability testing

• examine formulas to determine factors contributing to instability and methods to correct these factors
• develop appropriate stability protocols to ensure performance characteristics of products are maintained over their shelf life
• formulate to accommodate the stability needs of various products
• test the stability of a variety of personal care products.

PCFDFB014:

Develop a formula from a product development brief

• investigate and determine legal and ethical responsibilities associated with product development
• calculate product manufacturing costs and steps involved in finalizing the development process to yield a suitable finished product sample
• develop the paperwork required to finalise a variety of products
• use the brief as a point of discussion with the organisation members who originated it.

PCFSCF015:

Prepare skin care formulas

• formulate a range of basic skin care formulations such as cleansers, exfoliants and moisturisers for the face and body; products to address the special needs of baby, aged and male skin; nail and hand care; as well as oral care and personal hygiene products such as deodorants and anti-perspirants.

PCFHCF016:

Prepare hair care and styling formulas

• formulate a range of basic hair care products to care for, and style, the hair; such as shampoos and conditioners for a variety of hair types; mousses, hairspray, pomades and gels.

PCFHAF017:

Prepare highly active skin and hair formulas

• consider the physiological effects specialty ingredients have on the hair and skin
• investigate and determine required legislative, safety and formulation requirements involved when using specialty ingredients
• formulate a variety of specialty skin and hair care products such as skin tanning, skin whitening, sun care, advanced anti-ageing, skin firming, hair colourants, permanent waving solutions and depilatory agents

PCFREF018:

Reverse engineer a product formula

• determine when it is suitable to reverse engineer products, as well as the legal and ethical implications of reverse engineering
• keep abreast of the latest industry advances
• effectively develop products through reverse engineering.