How to Make an Organic Pressed Serum

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In today’s natural and organic skincare market, anhydrous products are still favourites. There are several reasons for that: they fit into the preservative-free category; they can be nourishing and rich or even feather light; and they can have captivating natural colours. As a formulator, you can create amazing anhydrous products by understanding your ingredients thoroughly and, of course, knowing your customers’ needs as well. Basically, anhydrous products can encompass both form and function which makes them both appealing to formulate and attractive to your customers.

A few months back, we tackled the somewhat confusing world of serums by defining the different types of facial serum formulations you find on the market. Just to recap, serums are high-performance cosmetics packed with potent actives in a base of your choice which can be gel, emulsion or even oil. There is one more which seems to have aroused interest: the pressed balm serum. This post is here to guide you on this intriguing type of serum and we offer you a sample formulation to trial out, get creative with and adapt to your needs.

Defining Pressed Serums

You are probably wondering what the difference is between a pressed serum and a balm. The answer lies in the ingredients. Both balms and pressed serums are nourishing anhydrous products which are often a blend of waxes, butters and oils. Even if there isn’t a clear, defining line between the two products, we can go about comparing the two.

As you can see above, there is no clear distinction between the two but how you name your product may present a very different idea to the customer.

Now that we have summed up what a pressed balm serum is, let’s make one.

Our Tests

My first attempt was a classic example of how even experienced formulators can get it wrong. I made one version which was really nice but as you can see from the picture, it clearly failed stability testing. After leaving it in a Miron jar on the window sill, it became a green, fish egg-looking mess. It goes to show how important it is to stability test your products, even if you think it is the simplest products of all.

When I looked back at my notes, I couldn’t see anything that needed changing so the issue was with my method. I rushed and wasn’t paying attention as I was making multiple products and the result speak for themselves. So I tried again and it is now much more attractive and gorgeous on the skin.

This pressed balm serum has my new favourite ingredient: tea wax. At first, I thought it was a hydrogenated wax, which we don’t recommend in natural skincare, but it actually isn’t. It is derived from the leaves of Camellia Sinensis and it is a relatively soft wax with a strong, deep green colour. It can be added to all kinds of formulations such as emulsions, balms or even coloured cosmetics. It is simply wonderful and since I love colourful products, this is must-have ingredient for me.

Formula: Green Vanilla Pressed Serum

This may seem like a complicated pressed serum as it has so many ingredients, but there is a reason for it. The intention here is to formulate a pressed serum that is a multi-tasking nourishing balm with a powerhouse of botanical extracts. This time, I also used many essential oils of different notes to round up the formula. I love the vanilla-like blend with a subtle chocolate undertone from the tonka bean, and the sweet-floral blend with a hint of citrus is my idea of luxury.

I feel that the potent botanicals and complex essential oil blend make a difference. If you prefer to keep it simpler, that is fine too of course. You can choose as many or as few ingredients as you wish, but the key word is high performance. Remember, you are the formulator so use your imagination to come up with something spectacular; and keeping things simple can also be just that.

I started by creating an oily macerate using almond oil which had dried lavender, rosemary, rose buds and calendula. You can use other oils as your base and, of course, you can macerate any other dried plant material.

Phase A
Illipe butter: 40%
Kokum butter: 10%
Tacuma butter: 5%
Tea wax: 0.5%

Phase B
Macerated oil: 10%
Olive squalane: 6%
Pistachio oil: 5%
Orchid oil: 5%
Moringa oil: 3.2%

Phase C
Plum oil: 5%
Hibiscus extract: 2%
Tocopherol: 1%
Coenzyme Q10: 1%
Evening Primrose CO2 extract: 1%
Pomegranate CO2 extract: 1%
Borage CO2 extract: 1%
Chamomile CO2 extract: 1%
Schisandra CO2 extract: 1%
Rosemary CO2 extract: 0.1%

Phase D
Sweet orange essential oil: 0.40%
Lavender essential oil: 0.20%
Neroli essential oil: 0.20%
Benzoin essential oil: 0.18%
Ylang ylang essential oil: 0.15%
Tonka bean absolute: 0.05%
Rose Absolute: 0.02%

Method
In a disinfected glass beaker, weigh all Phase A ingredients and melt them in a bain-marie or water bath. I often use a chocolate tempering machine because it provides a low, gentle heat which is perfect for natural ingredients.

– When molten, remove from the heat and blend in Phase B.
– Stir it often as it cools. You can speed the process up by placing the beaker in a cold water bath.
– When under 40C, add Phase C. Stir it well.
– You can now add the gorgeous aromaceuticals from Phase D.
– Stir till you see a trace. Only then you should transfer it into a pretty jar.

As a formulator, you are likely to spend more time designing and planning your formula on paper and doing research than preparing the product and this formula is an example of that.

If you wish to make a harder balm, increase the butters or add waxes (and of course, reduce the oils).

Now it is your turn to give pressed balm serums a go and see where your imagination takes you. You can learn how to create amazing balms in our Diploma in Organic Skincare Formulation and explore the ever-expanding world of high-performance actives in our Certificate in Anti-Ageing Skincare. We’d love to hear how you get on formulating a pressed serum, so do leave us a comment below.

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Timea Racz

Timi is our Head of Research and Formulation and is tasked with developing new course ideas. You can find out more about the Formula Botanica team here.