Advanced Diploma in Organic Cosmetic Science

Our advanced online cosmetic formulation course is for formulators who want to work with high performance  and advanced botanical ingredients.

Advanced Diploma in Organic Cosmetic Science

Suitable for: Formulators with experience

Pre-requisites: Checklist

Time: 100 study hours

Course Modules: 5

Coursework: Self-study + tutor graded

Duration: Two year deadline

Cost: £625 (British Pounds)

Next enrolment period: Enrolment opens on 16th January 2025

Attend our open dayPre-enrol for our next term

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Please note that you will still be charged in British Pounds and that your bank may charge a small administration fee.

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Course Information

Advanced Diploma in Organic Cosmetic Science

Our Advanced Diploma in Organic Cosmetic Science takes your formulations to the next level by incorporating advanced techniques and advanced high performance ingredients. Create exquisite luxury skincare with the finest cosmeceuticals.

This course is suitable for people with existing skincare brands or students who have followed our foundation Diploma. We have helped thousands of global organic cosmetic entrepreneurs and well-known brands enhance and complement their existing skincare ranges with this Advanced Diploma.

Recreate any Natural Cosmetic Product

Master the formula behind any skincare product in the shops by learning the secret of reverse formulation. Not only will you understand how your favourite products are formulated, but you will be able to improve them and make yours much better than the original.

Learn Advanced Formulating Techniques

Study the most challenging parts of organic cosmetic science – natural emulsification, solubilisation, chelation, stabilisation and natural preservation. Blend together oil and water to create thin, absorbent serums and lotions. Study cosmeceuticals to pack your products full of natural active ingredients. Learn about natural rheology modifiers.

Discover your Unique

Indie Beauty Niche

Research in-demand natural cosmetic niches such as anti-ageing, Halal, vegan and raw living skincare. Find out what your customers want to buy and target your own exclusive cosmetics niche. Learn how to create bespoke skincare and undertake client consultations to formulate products that work with your client’s skin.

Set up your own

Artisan Beauty Lab

Create detailed Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) procedures for your own artisan cosmetics lab, to make sure that your meet industry standards and understand how to create safe and stable cosmetics. Run through the equipment you’ll need and the tests you must use. Finally, explore your career opportunities as a cosmetic formulator.

Advanced Diploma in Organic Cosmetic Science
Why enrol with Formula Botanica?

This course is for you if:

  • You know how to formulate basic organic cosmetics and now want to enhance your skills
  • You want greater confidence in trialling new cosmetic ingredients and techniques
  • You want to learn about high performance cosmetic ingredients and how they work
  • You want to learn niche formulating skills for vegan, raw, Halal and anti-ageing cosmetics
  • You want to study how ingredients interact with the skin and become an advanced formulator
  • You want to enrol with an accredited and gold award-winning education provider

“As a body and skin care brand owner, I’m often asked how I learned about the intricacies of safe and effective organic skin care formulating without having a formal scientific background on my own. Formula Botanica was instrumental in teaching me the advanced instruction I craved, while giving me the confidence I needed to grow and mature in this industry over the years. The knowledge gained from taking these courses and being a part of this community is priceless. Years later, it’s still a valuable resource for me. Highly recommended.

– Maia, Astrida Naturals, USA

Course videos

Learn directly from the Formula Botanica team with our professional videos and course lectures.

Fun Online Games

Play games to help you learn how to reinforce the learning outcomes for your course.

Study books

Download your beautifully designed course notes to refer back to and keep forever.

Tutor Support

Speak directly to a tutor in our private “Ask the Tutor” forum for students.

Sequential Learning

Unlock new modules as you work through the course sequentially to enforce learning points.

Graded Coursework

Receive expert graded feedback to help you make your formulations safe, stable and sellable.

Course Syllabus

Advanced Diploma in Organic Cosmetic Science
Organic Cosmetic Science Course

Module 1

Advanced Skin Science

In order to create high performance skincare products, you need to understand exactly how your skin works. In this first module, we recap on the learnings from our foundation Diploma and then we delve further into the anatomy and physiology of the skin.

Study the structure of the human cell and understand how it will prevent or channel certain cosmetic ingredients. Research percutaneous absorption, which is one of the single most important topics any skincare formulator needs to understand.

Organic Cosmetic Science Course
ADOCS 1001

Skin Science

  • Study the structure of the skin in detail
  • Recap on basic skin anatomy and physiology
  • Follow the journey of a skin cell as it travels through the 5 layers of the epidermis
  • Learn how to each of the epidermis’ layers affects the overall health of the skin
Organic Cosmetic Science Course
ADOCS 1002

Cell Biology

  • Learn about the human cell and study how it works
  • Cover the main organelles in the cell
  • Study how the main components of the cell influence the health of our skin and how cosmetic products work
Organic Cosmetic Science Course
ADOCS 1003

Skin Penetration

  • Learn how to formulate for skin penetration
  • Understand the ‘500 Dalton’ rule
  • Study the 7 mechanisms for enhancing skin penetration
  • Learn what would constitute the perfect high performance cosmetic product
Organic Cosmetic Science Course
ADOCS 1004

Skin Ageing

  • Learn the effects of dermal ageing
  • Study the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic ageing of the skin
Organic Cosmetic Science Course

Module 2

Advanced Formulation Skills

In this module you will be learning pre-formulation skills that will enable you to become a more professional formulator of advanced skincare products. It is important to cover all the groundwork first before starting to make the actual products.

Designing high-tech natural skincare relies upon advanced knowledge of ingredients, techniques and of the correct equipment for the job. We will study high performance cosmeceuticals and nutriceuticals in this module, as well as learning advanced formulating skills.

Organic Cosmetic Science Course
ADOCS 2001

Anhydrous Techniques

  • Master anhydrous formulation techniques
  • Learn how to avoid graininess in your butters and balms
  • Study heating and cooling techniques for your cosmetics
  • Study Project: Learn how to create smooth butters and balms in your lab
Organic Cosmetic Science Course
ADOCS 2002

Natural Emulsification

  • Master natural emulsification techniques
  • Study the difference between natural and synthetic emulsifiers
  • Study the difference between O/W and W/O emulsifiers
  • Study the difference between hot-process and cold-process emulsifiers
  • Study Project: Learn how to tell the difference between W/O and O/W emulsions in your lab
Organic Cosmetic Science Course
ADOCS 2003

Oil-in-Water Emulsification

  • Master natural O/W emulsification techniques
  • Learn the science of O/W emulsions
  • Understand how to heat, cool and blend O/W emulsions
  • Study Project: Gain confidence in making O/W emulsions by trialling different formulation techniques
  • Bonus: List of 33 natural O/W emulsifiers

Organic Cosmetic Science Course
ADOCS 2004

Water-in-Oil Emulsification

  • Master natural W/O emulsification techniques
  • Learn the science of W/O emulsions
  • Understand how to heat, cool and blend W/O emulsions
  • Study Project: Gain confidence in making W/O emulsions by trialling different formulation techniques
  • Bonus: List of 10 natural W/O emulsifiers
Organic Cosmetic Science Course
ADOCS 2005

Natural Solubilisation

  • Master natural solubilisation techniques
  • Study the difference between solubilisers and emulsifiers
  • Understand the science of solubilisation
  • Watch our expert formulators in action to learn how to use a solubiliser
  • Study Project: Use natural solubilisers with essential oils
Organic Cosmetic Science Course
ADOCS 2006

Green & Natural Surfactants

  • Master green surfactant techniques
  • Learn the science of surfactants
  • Understand how to choose the right green surfactant for your cosmetic
  • Study Project: Gain confidence in blending green or natural surfactants
  • Bonus: List of 22 green or natural surfactants
Organic Cosmetic Science Course
ADOCS 2007

Natural Viscosity Modification

  • Master natural viscosity modification techniques
  • Learn gum dispersion techniques
  • Study the importance of solubility and particle size
  • Study Project: Gain confidence in making gels by blending different natural gums
  • Bonus: List of 10 natural gums
Organic Cosmetic Science Course
ADOCS 2008

Natural Chelation Techniques

  • Master natural chelation techniques
  • Learn what chelators do in your cosmetics and how to formulate with them
  • Study examples of chelators in nature
  • Bonus: List of 5 natural chelators
Organic Cosmetic Science Course
ADOCS 2009

Natural Preservation Techniques

  • Master natural preservation techniques
  • Learn why, when and how to use preservatives
  • Study different naturally derived blends of broad spectrum preservatives
  • Study Project: Research the importance of preservation in your lab
  • Bonus: List of 7 broad spectrum natural preservative blends

“Great school for those wanting to learn how to create their own natural cosmetics! I have just completed my course in Advanced Diploma in Organic Cosmetic Science and am happy to say that my skills as a formulator have increased tremendously from this one course.

– Wendee Lee, Singapore

Organic Cosmetic Science Course

Module 3

Advanced Product Formulation

You’ve spent the last Module learning how to perfect your skills and techniques as a formulator. Over the course of the Study Projects which you undertook for Module 2, you have been learning how to gain confidence in experimenting in your artisan cosmetics lab. Now it’s time to put those experiments into action and design your first high-performance range.

In this Module we walk you through many different groups of high performance ingredients and show you how to research them so that you can create products that actually do what they say they will. You will also learn the coolest skill in cosmetic science: reverse formulation. We walk you through reverse formulation step by step and then challenge you to undertake your own experiment.

Organic Cosmetic Science Course
ADOCS 3001

High Performance Cosmetics

  • Learn what high performance cosmetics are and do
  • Review the difference between ‘normal’ and high performance cosmetics
  • Gain inspiration from the global beauty market
  • Study the different type of products typically sold as high performance cosmetics
Organic Cosmetic Science Course
ADOCS 3002

High Performance Ingredients

  • Learn the 16 main cosmeceutical groups
  • Understand which types of cosmetics you can use each high performance
    ingredient group for
  • Review formulation challenges for various high performance ingredients
  • Undertake your own research into novel high performance ingredients
Organic Cosmetic Science Course
ADOCS 3003

Reverse Formulation Techniques

  • Learn the 9 steps of reverse formulation
  • Understand how to reverse formulate a product step by step
  • Follow our detailed 7-page reverse formulation of a popular high performance cosmetic cream
  • Study Project: Reverse formulate your own high performance cosmetic
Organic Cosmetic Science Course

Module 4

Niche Cosmetic Formulation

When launching your own skincare business it’s very tempting to try to make a range to suit everyone. Skincare entrepreneurs are usually painfully aware that in the beginning cash flow will be tight and sales will be few – so there is often a powerful pull towards being generic in the hope to appeal to more people in the hope of making more sales.

The reality is that it is actually better to specialise and create a niche brand. This way you will not only stand out in a crowded beauty market but you will also attract loyal followers who need exactly what your products provide. In this module you will learn how to find your niche in skincare formulation.

Organic Cosmetic Science Course
ADOCS 4001

Niche Product Formulation

  • Learn what a niche is and why you need to find one
  • Study the 3 steps to finding a niche for your beauty business
  • Review the main obstacles and self-limiting beliefs of beautypreneurs
Organic Cosmetic Science Course
ADOCS 4002

Anti-Ageing Cosmetic Formulation

  • Learn the main principles of anti-ageing cosmetic formulation
  • Study anti-ageing ingredients and formulation techniques
  • Understand anti-ageing labelling requirements and market opportunities
  • Study Project: Create your own anti-ageing cosmetics
Organic Cosmetic Science Course
ADOCS 4003

Raw Cosmetic Formulation

  • Learn the main principles of raw (living) cosmetic formulation
  • Study raw ingredients and formulation techniques
  • Understand raw labelling requirements and market opportunities
  • Study Project: Create your own raw (living) cosmetics
Organic Cosmetic Science Course
ADOCS 4004

Vegan Cosmetic Formulation

  • Learn the main principles of vegan cosmetic formulation
  • Study vegan ingredients and formulation techniques
  • Understand vegan certification requirements and market opportunities
  • Study Project: Create your own vegan cosmetics
Organic Cosmetic Science Course
ADOCS 4005

Halal Cosmetic Formulation

  • Learn the main principles of Halal cosmetic formulation
  • Study Halal ingredients and formulation techniques
  • Understand Halal labelling and certification requirements and market opportunities
  • Study Project: Create your own Halal cosmetics
Organic Cosmetic Science Course
ADOCS 4006

Customised Cosmetic Formulation

  • Study the 5 steps of undertaking client consultations
  • Run through the ‘do’s and don’t’s’ of client consultations
  • Understand legal compliance and the Code of Practice you should use
  • Study Project: Create your own customised cosmetics
  • Bonus: Client Consultation Form template
Organic Cosmetic Science Course

Module 5

Lab Skills & Career Pathways

This module is the grand finale to everything you have learnt so far. You are now an excellent designer of high-performance skincare products, you understand how to formulate, how to research and you know how the human skin works. What next? There is so much more to this role than simply churning out skincare products like a factory – as a skincare professional your learning never stops!

In this module we will look at Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and career pathways available to you as a skincare formulator.

Organic Cosmetic Science Course
ADOCS 5001

Lab Equipment

  • Run through the 26 pieces of equipment you can consider for your professional cosmetics lab (note: we don’t recommend you buy all of them!)
  • Understand the need for regular calibration and maintenance of your equipment
Organic Cosmetic Science Course
ADOCS 5002

GMP

  • Study the 12 main elements of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) according to ISO22716:2007 – the global cosmetic GMP standard
  • Audit your own lab against ISO requirements
  • Create your own lab’s GMP procedure
  • Bonus: Detailed GMP checklist for your lab, covering personnel, premises, equipment, materials, production, quality control, re-calls and more.
Organic Cosmetic Science Course
ADOCS 5003

Lab Testing

  • Understand the main lab tests that you will need to master and study in more detail
  • Study the general principles of pH testing, stability testing and dipslide testing (not a substitute for microbial challenge testing)

Organic Cosmetic Science Course
ADOCS 5004

Cosmetic Careers

  • Consider your Cosmetic Career – thinking about all the opportunities available to you as an Organic Cosmetic Formulator
  • Run through 10+ options for enhancing your career and raising additional finance for your business

“This Advanced Diploma course was very interesting , challenging and fun. I enjoyed it very very much because of the much more advanced technic of formulation challenges. It has taught me to understand other brands’ products better and it’s more meaningful now when I read their ingredient list and am able to imagine what was used, how it was formulated and manufactured. The feedback from the tutors were so meaningful and an encouragement to improve further.”

– Noni Fauzi, Malaysia

Course Bonuses

When you study with Formula Botanica, you become part of a close-knit international community of students and graduates all around the world. We support you all throughout your studies and beyond, and we give you access to our expert botanical skincare science and business files while you are enrolled on your courses.

Formula Botanica Conference 2018

Bonus 1

Become Part of the Loveliest Formulation Community on the Internet

Once you enrol with us, you are welcomed into our international student community groups which contain many thousands of our students and graduates from all over the world. Everyone knows each other and many of our students meet up in their respective countries to share information and formulate together.

In our groups you will receive expert tutor support and peer support. Ask questions, share photos, troubleshoot formulations. Celebrate your victories and get encouragement when you need it. You are never alone.

Formula Botanica Student Library

Bonus 2

Access our Student Library

When you become a student with Formula Botanica, you also gain exclusive access to our Student Resources Library for the duration of your course. Access our:

  • Preferred supplier guide which contains hundreds of global companies
  • Extensive ingredients directory with listings of over 100 natural ingredients
  • Formulation percentage-to-weight calculator
  • Scientific research collection
  • Useful links section to additional resources
Meet the Formula Botanica Team

Bonus 3

Ongoing Support After Graduation

The support doesn’t finish when you graduate. We want to keep in touch with you once you’ve finished your course and support your career in organic skincare. We offer lots of free promotion for our graduates because we want to help give your business the support it needs when you launch it or as you grow it.

You remain a member of our Online Classroom for life, because we want to keep in touch and support you and your beauty brand. We reach over 1,000,000 people per month through our digital networks and will help you get your brand in front of the world.

Formula Botanica Badges

Bonus 4

Earn Formula Botanica Bonus Badges

Formula Botanica issues special Moodle Badges to students who pass their courses successfully (Moodle is the name of our award-winning and accredited eLearning Platform). These badges can be used on your resume, social media pages and LinkedIn profile to demonstrate that you are a skilled organic formulator. We have also hidden a few surprise badges in the course materials for students who pass certain Modules with a distinction grade!

Enrol for our Advanced Diploma in Organic Cosmetic Science to take your formulations to international standards, using advanced techniques and ingredients to create high performance products.

Pre-enrol for our next term

Prerequisites

Suitable for students with formulation experience, ideally graduates of our foundation Diploma.

Start Date

Term Times. Self-paced training where you have up to 2 years to complete your course.

Assessment

Projects, activities and reflexive learning. Each module ends with a short test.

Online Classroom

Peer support & tutor support via a private Facebook group.

Accreditation

Formula Botanica is accredited by the Open & Distance Learning Quality Council.

Expert Support

Our Tutor Team has an educational background in cosmetic chemistry, biology, education and business management. Let us support you.

Course Enrolment

Advanced Diploma in Organic Cosmetic Science
Advanced Diploma in Organic Cosmetic Science

Formula Botanica operates a term time system, so we can get all of our students started at the same time and run online study groups.

Term times run in the following months:

  • Winter Term: January
  • Summer Term: July

Enrolment for all of our courses will be open during this period. If you want to be the first to hear when we open enrolment, make sure you pre-register for this course.

Pre-enrol for our next term

Click to see an estimate in your own currency:

Please note that you will still be charged in British Pounds and that your bank may charge a small administration fee.

Like this course?

You might also like:
Diploma in Organic Skincare Formulation
International Organic Skincare Entrepreneur Program
Certificate in Organic Anti-Ageing Skincare
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