Institute of Personal Care Science Blogs:
Answer your questions about cosmetic formulations and cosmetic brand management with our blog post published by industry professionals.
Vitamin E in formulas: antioxidant versus pro-oxidant effect
When you start reading about how many antioxidants there are for the skin, and a pro-oxidation effect of vitamin E, when is too much of a good thing TOO MUCH? Look at the role antioxidants play in formulations, and also provide information on the pro-oxidative effect of too much antioxidant in a formula.
Sucragel in cosmetic formulas
There are not many materials that are as versatile as sucragel, to create a variety of cosmetic formulas and innovative product forms. We get a lot of little questions about using sucragel in cosmetic formulas, so we thought we’d create a blog on this topic, to help guide you and give you some answers.
Should cosmetics be diluted to test pH?
Do not dilute your cosmetics to test pH, unless it fits one of the few exceptions we will provide you in this bog, along with the reason why. In every other case, do not dilute your cosmetics to test pH. Regardless of what you read elsewhere, cosmetics should not be diluted to test pH. This article will explain, in detail, why.
How to use herbal extracts in cosmetic formulas
This blog will take a look at the types of extracts you can use in cosmetics, how to make your own herbal extracts, how much to use and how to add them. There is a lot to cover but we also have some great video links to help explain this big topic too!
Creating Brand Leading Products
We often get asked: what does it take to create a Brand Leading Product? We are also fortunate to work with (and train the staff of) some of the Brand Leading companies within our industry. All Brand Leading Products have certain things in common, so we’ve compiled these into a report to help you learn what it takes to Create Brand Leading Products!
5 Big Issues When Formulating Organic
The ‘green’ sector of personal care has grown continuously over the last 10 years despite relatively tough economic times… but organic products tend to face bigger challenges in terms of cost, stability, efficacy and aesthetic suitability.
CANNABIS, HEMP AND CBD IN COSMETICS
The use of hemp oil and cannabidiol (CBD) in cosmetics has become an increasingly growing trend. Learn why this trend has grown, what benefits hemp oil and CBD can have in cosmetics, the current regulatory status of hemp and CBD around the world, and some interesting product innovations.
TOP FIVE SITES FOR CORRECT INGREDIENT INFORMATION
With so much misinformation on the internet, how do you know which sites to trust for CORRECT ingredient information? These sites provide CORRECT and SCIENTIFICALLY based information – and include some sites with regulatory information providing ‘safe when used’ limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
At the Institute, we get asked a lot of little questions – especially by small brand owners! Here are some answers to commonly asked questions and where you can find more information.
5 BIG ISSUES WHEN FORMULATING COLOUR
Colour cosmetics have special formulating requirements and need to comply within the country they will be sold. They also need to perform well considering there is so much competition in the marketplace! This report looks at 5 Big Issues when formulating colour and how to fix them; so you can get back to creating truly beautiful, and beautifying, colour cosmetics!
How to make sanitizing hand gel and wash
This blog is designed to give you facts about sanitizing hand gel and hand wash; provide you with links to reliable information, videos and formulas; give you the knowledge you need to make good hand sanitizing products even at home; and give you formulas and methods you can use, even if you’ve never made cosmetic products before.
Want to create your own skin care line?
Ever wanted to have your own skin care line or cosmetics brand? This blog is for you! Whether it's to create something that doesn't exist yet, to create something BETTER than what is out there or just because you love cosmetics, this article takes you through some of the early considerations you need to make, if you ever want to make it!
HOW TO FORMULATE SHAMPOO, CONDITIONER, MOISTURISER & FACE CLEANSING BARS
Bar products are an increasingly popular trend – they are convenient to travel with, they have almost zero waste and you don’t use much with each application. However, it is quite difficult to get them ‘just right’: just the right setting and melting point for ease of use and manufacture; just the right consistency/hardness and just the right performance.
What is the Perfect Preservative?
The selection of a preservative for a formulation is undoubtedly one of the most important, yet most controversial, aspects one can make. With so much choice in preservatives available, and so much misinformation on the internet, how does a formulator make the Perfect Preservative selection?
POLLUTION versus UV – which is worse?
With so many 'anti-pollution' and high SPF rating products out there, ever wonder what is the difference, what impact pollution vs UV has to your skin, and which is worse? Let’s go through both as well as the best solution for cosmetic products.
5 Big Issues When Developing Sunscreens
There is no doubt that prolonged sun exposure leads to premature ageing of the skin and can cause some skin cancers. Reducing one’s exposure to the sun not only provides anti-ageing protection but also reduces the risk of developing certain types of skin cancers over a lifetime.
5 Big Issues When Developing Cosmeceuticals
This report looks at 5 Big Issues when developing cosmeceuticals, and what you need to be aware of, to help you create competitive, efficacious, stable and successful products for an ever-growing sector of the market!
3 STEPS TO COSMETIC PRODUCT SUCCESS
Ensuring product success goes beyond a great concept – the product has to be different to what else is out there, suit your target market needs, be at a price they want to pay, be advertised to the right people and deliver on its promises! If you want a successful brand, you must cover off on these 3 essential elements and then follow through with every product and every promotion.
NANO-MATERIALS: WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL?
Despite the strong body of scientific evidence to show that the nano-materials approved for use in cosmetic products are safe when used within current regulatory limits, their use has come under scrutiny from groups prone to scare-mongering that these substances are possibly causing safety concerns. So, what is the big deal?
4 success factors to have your own successful cosmetic brand!
A lot of people think if they have a fantastic product in fancy packaging with a great website, and their friends all love it, they will have a sure fire success – but unfortunately it takes a lot more than just that to really be successful in this highly competitive industry. Read on to find out what it takes to make it!