Formula Botanica Conference Attendees, 2016. Photo courtesy of Formula Botanica.

Formula Botanica Community: The School’s Greatest Asset?

If you have been following my blog or social media, you may know that I am a student at Formula Botanica, the world’s leading organic cosmetic formulation school.  Formula Botanica is accredited, award-winning, and 100% online.  They train people all over the world—nearly 4,000 in 124+ countries–who want to launch or grow their own natural or organic skincare (or haircare) business.  As a blogger who wants to be better educated about ingredients, product safety, and formulation science, I knew this would be the ideal place to bolster my knowledge the instant I discovered that Oyéta Kokoroko of Okoko Cosmétiques–one of the most talented, inspiring, and innovative formulators working today–is a proud Formula Botanica graduate.  Formula Botanica’s training has an outstanding reputation for good reason. In addition to training world-class formulators like Ms. Kokoroko, Formula Botanica won the gold in Excellence in the design of learning content at the 2016 Learning Technologies Awards and was also shortlisted as a finalist for the prestigious UK National Business Awards in the category of Digital Business of the Year.  Clearly, this is not a lightweight program designed by and for casual hobbyists; rather, Formula Botanica delivers rigorous training–complete with frequent learning assessments–designed by scientists (School Director Lorraine Dallmeier is a Full Member of the UK’s Society of Cosmetic Scientists and the Royal Society of Biology, as well as a Chartered Environmentalist; Instructor Dr. Elham Eghbali is a Cosmetic Chemist with 20 years of experience in academia and industry). for hard-working innovators.  Thus, it comes as no surprise to me that the foundational course, the Diploma in Organic Skincare Formulation, offers an outstanding information-packed curriculum and excellent, thorough, well-rounded training.  That being said, what has surprised me is that the driving force and heart of Formula Botanica—and the most remarkable thing about the school–is not the curriculum (stellar as it is), but rather the student and graduate community.  In my mind, the Formula Botanica community is the school’s greatest asset of all, and considering how top-notch the curriculum and instruction are, this is saying something.

Forging a Global Community

I had assumed that distance learning would be somewhat lonely and impersonal, but Formula Botanica provides a vibrant and active community—ripe for friendships, business partnerships, and networking.  In addition to the excellent curriculum and expert staff, Formula Botanica also introduces each student to like-minded peers and hundreds of graduates, many of whom now run thriving natural skincare businesses.  In addition to learning so much, I feel a part of something bigger than myself:  an elite global community of skilled organic cosmetic formulators.  I can tap into the collective wisdom of literally thousands well-trained formulators who are passionate about education and excellence.

Better yet, the Formula Botanica community is supportive and generous, starting at the very top with its Director Lorraine Dallmeier, spilling over to all the staff, and deeply infusing peer relations.  Ms. Dallmeier one of the fastest rising stars on the 25 Top Personalities of the Who’s Who in Natural Beauty and a HuffPost contributor, is a force of nature; she does all Formula Botanica’s social media herself, knows and loves her students, and takes true pride in our accomplishments.  She not only supports student success but also does everything she can to give students remarkable opportunities, such as adeptly quoting Formula Botanica students–and highlighting their businesses–in her HuffPost columns and media appearances.  She makes herself exceptionally accessible as well.  For example, she has generously contributed to my blog twice, see here and here.

As I have become acquainted with Formula Botanica and its culture, it has become clear that Ms. Dallmeier and other warm and talented staff have a great, genuine passion for natural formulation and deep and true affection for those of us whose aspirations center on it.  They enthusiastically recognize and nurture this interest in all the students who enroll in Formula Botanica courses.  There is a lot of encouragement and support, all without micromanaging or any undue pressure; students are treated with respect and get to experience Formula Botanica’s award-winning curriculum in the comfort of our own homes, proceeding through study modules as our individual schedules allow.  As someone whose interest in formulation is more theoretical than hands-on, I have had the freedom to learn in my own way and have never felt pressured to launch my own brand.  However, if I did want to launch a business, I would be well-prepared and well-connected; the school offers great training in marketing and branding as part of the training, and most of the connections you make within the community are more than willing to lend a hand.  When a Formula Botanica student succeeds–whether said achievement is an award, a launch, or even a successful formulation attempt after several tries–it is celebrated in the community as a shared success.

Formula Botanica offers all sorts of supports beyond the stellar curriculum; as just one example, the school hosts a private Facebook group in which students from across the globe easily and freely connect with and help one another.  What stands out in the group is the almost universal generosity amongst peers.  Countless times each day, students provide one another practical advice and emotional support.  Posts requesting encouragement or advice virtually never go unanswered, generally receiving numerous earnest, helpful replies (both from other students and also the staff, who actively participate as well).  Peers celebrate each other’s successes and encourage each other not to give up when challenges arise.   I have also witnessed deep mutual respect and loyalty between staff and students, enduring far after completing students have completed their diplomas.

Formula Botanica Conference Workshop, 2016. Photo courtesy of Formula Botanica.

The support Formula Botanica provides students is both emotional and instrumental.  Indeed, the school has a huge e-mail list and a vibrant social media presence, and they utilize both to broadcast and celebrate the exciting endeavors and successes of students and graduates.  What makes this even better—and even more impressive—is that this kind of enthusiastic public support is not reserved for a select few.  Formula Botanica offers all students and graduates a free Business Promotion Package, in which they help get even fledgling businesses in front of hundreds of thousands of people.  The opportunity is there for any student who wants it.  When you think about extras like this that Formula Botanica courses include on top of an award-winning curriculum, the tuition is an incredible value.

Okay, so the school itself is stellar, but why is the community so supportive, and specifically why are Formula Botanica students so helpful to one another?  For one thing, a huge majority of students love their Formula Botanica experience and are happy to be a part of the school.  Of nearly 300 Student Reviews of Formula Botanica on Trust Pilot, a whopping 94% rate Formula Botanica 5-stars, and the remaining 6% rate it 4-stars!  Why does this matter?  Research has documented a positive feedback loop between happiness and kindness, in which one encourages the other.  Not only does altruism deliver a boost to happiness, but happiness increases the likelihood and instances of altruism.  Thus, a happy student body like Formula Botanica’s is likely to be a more supportive one.  Moreover, although Formula Botanica’s diverse community spans the globe, we have come together because of what we have in common.  The result is a student body that is largely united around a common purpose and passion: organic cosmetic science.  All these factors come together to create a welcoming social environment.  When you enroll at Formula Botanica, you join a very special community of people with a shared passion who build up and empower each other at nearly every opportunity.

Formula Botanica is an amazing community, above all.  You don’t have to simply take my word for it.  Before you go, I hope you will take a moment to read my next post, in which other students and graduates share their thoughts about Formula Botanica as a school and community.

Next: Student and Graduate Perspectives on Formula Botanica

The post Formula Botanica Community: Distance Learning, Surprisingly Connected appeared first on The Beauty Librarian.

Having already expressed my own thoughts on Formula Botanica (here and here), I wanted to get some additional perspectives on the training, as well as how others have experienced the community.  I invited the school’s Director, Lorraine Dallmeier, as well as a handful of Formula Botanica students and graduates to share their views on their experiences with the school and its global community.  I appreciate each of their contributions to this article and encourage you to discover the exciting work each is doing.

Formula Botanica’s Director: Fostering Community

Lorraine Dallmeier, Formula Botanica Director. Courtesy of Formula Botanica.

Director Lorraine Dallmeier, recognized HuffPost Organic Beauty contributor, and consistent award-winner of Top 25 Who’s Who in Natural Beauty

We love our community dearly and have met so many talented, inspirational, passionate and fascinating people all over the world. Our community is what sets Formula Botanica apart from all other online courses. Students come to us for our award-winning courses and end up staying for the community. We have invested years of time and effort in growing our community from scratch to a global platform for formulators in green, clean and organic skincare/haircare. Once a year we then host a live conference where we can meet our community members face to face and I have to tell you, this is the absolute highlight of the year for us.

At the start of our 2017 conference in London (which was held 10 days ago), I opened the conference by saying that our community is an enormous source of inspiration, strength, and support and that students should never view each other as competitors but instead as collaborators, friends and even potential new business partners.

We’ve seen students form firm friendships across the world through Formula Botanica. We’ve seen students fly to each other all around the world to meet and study together, thanks to Formula Botanica.  We’ve seen countless students share valuable information, inspire each other and lift each other up. We’ve seen countless students share successes and celebrate together. We’ve even seen students partner together in business after meeting through our community: OK Homelab  is a great example where two Formula Botanica students met in Russia and decided they were stronger together so they went into business together! You can read their story here: https://www.instagram.com/p/BRkJo5NgEve and https://www.instagram.com/p/BP8BmlsAhEg (You’ll need Google Translate.)

We have built our community through many, many hours of engagement while encouraging students to share their stories,  share their successes and use our community to help support them when they need it. Our overriding objective is to provide a safe, friendly space where we can educate, innovate and formulate.

Formula Botanica Students and Graduates Review the School

The community comes together at the Formula Botanica Conference Workshop, 2016. Photo Courtesy of Formula Botanica.

Rachel Devine, founder of R Devine Organic Skin Care, winner of 18 Hamilton Reader’s Choice Awards, 3 National Awards, a 2016 Forty Under Forty Award, as well as Alumni of Distinction Award from Mohawk College in the Entrepreneur Category

I had been playing around with some formulations on my own before taking this course, but I wasn’t confident in them.  I had done a lot of research, and my formulations were fairly good. However, once I took the course, my formulations went from being ok to professional quality.  I learned so much more about specific ingredients, mixing products together, as well as laboratory set up and preservation that I had no learned on my own through research.  My skincare line wouldn’t be what it is today without this course!

I also really enjoyed the online structure.  I am located in Canada, owned an aesthetics business at the time that I took my course, and also have two young children.  Attending a school would not have been an easy option for me.  Taking the course online made taking this course possible.  The information in the course was really easy to follow, and the school’s customer service was amazing whenever I needed support.

I also really loved connecting with other skin care formulators, networking with them, and all learning from each other’s experiences and experiments.  I still remain in contact with a few of them today, as well all grow our lines parallel to one another.

Discover R Devine Organic Skin Care here.

R Devine Sacred Earth Botanical Cleansing Clay–recently honored as one of the best holistic products of 2017 by Holistic Beauty Magazine. Photo Courtesy of R Devine Organic Skin Care.

 Ashleigh Tatum, founder of Laurence Vale Organics, an Australian line of highly-effective handmade natural skincare

I instantly found Formula Botanica to be a very encouraging and supportive environment.  I absolutely love reading through all the posts in the online forum [the Facebook group exclusively for Formula Botanica students, graduates, and staff]; it’s encouraging to see other people that have similar struggles to myself succeed and overcome the issues they were facing.  I’m a member of a few other online groups, and in other groups, there is always the occasional nasty comment or people don’t want to share too much, as it seems they don’t want people to succeed and outdo them.  This is not an issue in our [the Formula Botanica] community; everyone is helpful, supportive, honest, and encouraging.

I also find it very comforting seeing Lorraine and all the other staff comment so frequently on posts; it makes me feel like they really do care about their students and their success.  I founded my business Laurence Vale Organics on a simple mantra learned through Formula Botanica: ‘keep it simple.’  I make a small range of skincare that truly focuses on helping treat common skin concerns like dehydration, excess oil, pigmentation, flakiness, chronic dryness, and sensitivity.  Through studying with Formula Botanica, I’ve been able to learn that for a product to be beneficial, it doesn’t necessarily have to be jam-packed with ingredients.  I use a wide range of natural ingredients, but I only put in what needs to be there.  Although I’m due to launch in November, I’ve already had a huge response from my local community, and it’s all been positive.  I owe it all to Formula Botanica.

Discover Laurence Vale Organics here.

Laurence Vale Organics Pink Clay & Honey Nutrient Rich Masque

Sara Runser, founder and formulator of Lily De Mai, an exquisite line of high-performance skincare–designed specifically for sensitive skin–that harnesses the purity of nature and the power of science

My favorite thing about Formula Botanica is Lorraine Dallmeier and Dr. Elham Eghbali’s commitment to science and evidence-based formulating.  There is so much misinformation in the beauty industry, particularly the green beauty community.  I’m so grateful as a skincare entrepreneur that they have educated so many makers, consumers and industry people about the chemistry and science behind green skincare.

In terms of how Formula Botanica has elevated my business, I took an Ideal Customer Master Class with Lorraine and Elena Herdieckeroff.  It was the most valuable marketing class I’ve ever taken. It helped me envision and speak to my ideal customer from every angle.  Knowing who my ideal customer is and how to talk to her has been invaluable.

Discover Lily De Mai here.

The Lily De Mai Facial Collection. Photo courtesy of Lily De Mai.

Jale Demirichi Cinisli founder of Jalue, an international skincare brand based in Turkey that blends ice and the finest herbs–for innovative cryotherapy—and Ms. Demirchi Cinisli was also recognized by Natural Beauty News Who’s Who Top 25 Personalities of 2017

I have an educational background in Management and Marketing – and apart from having a huge interest in skincare, I didn’t really have what it takes to make a skincare brand. Blogs and books will only take you to a certain point. I discovered Formula Botanica and decided that it would be an unmissable opportunity to build my knowledge. What was great with Formula Botanica is that it was never boring. There weren’t pages of theory to learn and memorize. It was practical, you learned stuff, you created stuff and then you got tested on your knowledge! Before Formula Botanica I used to make a lot of creams on my own – and it was so difficult. For example, every time I used Coconut Oil or Shea Butter as my main ingredients the consistency of the cream was really hard and it used to freeze – and I had no idea why. My Formula Botanica degree taught me the reasons why, and the solutions to the most common problems like those.

Formula Botanica supports its students and graduates – it is more than just an education platform. I suppose it is more like a community. There are hundreds of people like you-you learn from one another, and you encourage one another. Lorraine herself was very supportive – she helped promote Jalue and did an excellent job with it. It is of course always great when you get an email from management team telling you how much they love your products and brand. Encouragement is one of the most important things for any startup, and Lorraine and her team have done an excellent job with it!

Discover the unique and innovative offering of Jalue here.

Jalue Ice Therapy complete with herbal sachets and reusable silicone ice cone applicator. Photo courtesy of Jalue.

Chaya Caroline Guitton, current Formula Botanica student and author of the enlightening blog Dandelions & Daisies

What’s so great about the Formula Botanica online school is that you are never alone in your journey!  Besides the high quality of the course information and its structure, it is more than your average online course.  The director of the school and the wonderful staff and tutors are always there for you to answer any technical questions and to offer support and encouragement.  The online classroom Facebook group offers a goldmine of information and emotional support as well when we have our doubts or when we simply want to share our accomplishments.  The webinars they offer and the scientific research library available to students are priceless. It is a fantastic, caring community where we all connect, as we have pretty much the same ethics and dreams of learning to make natural skincare and eventually sharing this knowledge with the world after months of hard work.  I am hoping to start my own line of botanical skincare here in Bordeaux, and to give some workshops and personal guidance to creates specific formulas for individuals with particular skincare needs.  Formula Botanica is there to promote you if you would like, with all their many contacts and heavy use of social media they are more than happy to show their followers the progress and success of their students, like proud parents!  It is so cool to know that even when you are finished with the course, they will still be right behind you.  My new blog, which I never would have had the idea of starting if it wasn’t for the business and marketing advice also included in the course, is a perfect example of how the school is there to show you the way, not only in formulating, but in how to market yourself as well.

You can follow Chaya’s formulation journey on Instagram, Facebook, or her blog.

Cosmetique Natural Bordeaux Cherry Pink Body Body Butter, created by Chaya Caroline Guitton.  Photo courtesy of Ms. Guitton.

 CJ Fisher, Formula Botanica student and noted Beauty Blogger

Every time I look at the Formula Botanica Facebook group, I always see a plethora of questions.  The thing that sets this community part happens in the comments.  It’s so nice to scroll through the comments to see so many people eagerly adding useful bits of information or providing an alternative perspective.  From what I’ve noticed, almost every question that is asked or every problem that arises is quickly solved with the help of many rather than a single individual!

You can see CJ’s Beauty Blog here.  I highly recommend his Anti-Haul videos like this one.

Beauty Blogger CJ Fisher

Additional Formula Botanica Reviews

If you have read until the end and still want to know more, several Formula Botanica graduates have written about their experiences with the school on the blogs of their respective businesses.  Here is a handful of them.

• Formula Botanica Review by Liz Ayling of Alchemy du Corps
• Formula Botanica Review by Heather Urquhart of Huna Apothecary
• Formula Botanica Review by Timi Racz of Natural Skincare Workshops
• Formula Botanica Review by Rumbi Serima-Fowler of Mimi’s Organics
• Formula Botanica Review By Teresa Foo of Balm Kitchen

You can also read over 260 verified reviews of Formula Botanica on Trust Pilot, where it’s worth noting that 94% are 5-star reviews, and 4-star reviews account for the remaining 6%.  Finally, you can also read in-depth interviews with many Formula Botanica graduates from all over the world by visiting the school’s blog here.

Want to see for yourself?

You can Sample a Formula Botanica Class for Free!  Start your formulation journey today, no commitment required.

Courtesy of Formula Botanica

The post Formula Botanica Students and Graduates Tell All appeared first on The Beauty Librarian.

Elevate Your Green Beauty Expertise with Formula Botanica

Formula Botanica is the world’s leading international accredited organic cosmetic science school. This award-winning online school has taught almost 4,000 students in 124 countries how to formulate professional-grade organic skincare and haircare.  For the most part, Formula Botanica students have entrepreneurial dreams of launching their own lines, but I enrolled in their Diploma in Organic Skincare Formulation as a passionate blogger and consumer who wanted to elevate my game and make smarter choices and recommendations.  In sharing some of how I have benefited from the course, I hope that other serious-minded beauty writers and bloggers (as well as retailers, distributors, and passionate consumers) may be inspired to similarly advance their education and elevate their expertise by enrolling with the school.

 Preservatives in Skincare: Why Knowledge Matters (Even for Non-Formulators)

In spring of 2017, Formula Botanica conducted a massive survey of over 1200 individuals about different aspects of green beauty.  One of their questions was about which sources people use to learn about green, clean, and organic beauty.  The top answer by far: blogs; 47% of individuals surveyed said they rely on blogs to learn about green beauty.  Luckily, some of the most-visited, like Formula Botanica’s, are highly reputable, research-based, and written by experts.  However, in the world of blogs, this level of quality is the exception rather than the rule.  As Dene Godfrey has pointed out, “Anyone can start up a beauty blog on the internet—absolutely anyone.  They could be a cosmetic scientist, a nuclear physicist, or they could be someone with an IQ less than their shoe size.”  The advice of the average blogger may be inaccurate or even dangerous.

I knew that trusting random people on the internet could be risky, but I never thought I needed to question established skin care brands, nor did I question the basic soundness of my own reviews and recommendations as a blogger.  After all, I reported on my honest experience, and if a cosmetic product has made it to the marketplace, it must be safe, right?  It took someone else’s product scare—specifically when beauty blogger Parita Shah shared an Instagram post of a luxury green beauty mask covered in mold—to make me realize that my blind trust in the industry was misguided and potentially even dangerous.  After all, this mask became dangerously contaminated despite having been formulated and produced by an esteemed luxury brand and then having been hand-selected as the featured product by a very popular green beauty subscription box.

Busting Myths & Restoring Self-Trust with Formula Botanica

If I am honest, when I first looked up the ingredient list of the moldy mask, it had not immediately been obvious to me that (never mind why) a preservation system was necessary.  I had to admit to myself that I was uneducated about some very basic formulation safety issues.  Though it was a little embarrassing to confront, I lacked even a basic understanding.  How could I select products worth purchasing—never mind recommend them to others–without knowing if they needed a preservation system?  I realized I needed to take charge of my education, as both a consumer and a blogger.  I did not want to rely on frequently contradictory, often agenda-fueled results of casual internet searches.  I needed balanced, reliable, scientific information.  I wanted excellence and truth.  Having been in the green beauty world a while, I knew where I could find what I was seeking: Formula Botanica.

Formula Botanica is green beauty’s most renowned and trusted institution.  As Godmother of Green Beauty Sarita Coren has stated, “When someone decides to pursue a career in product development, Formula Botanica is the place to study.”  The school is directed and staffed by scientists, and the curriculum reflects this in its intellectual rigor.  For example, Formula Botanica is fully accredited by the Open and Distance Learning Quality Council (ODLQC), which has assessed and ensured excellence in curriculum, tutorial methods, course materials, learner support, and staff qualifications.  The school is also award-winning, having received the prestigious international Gold Learning Technologies Award for Excellence in Design of Learning Content and been shortlisted for the Best Online Learning Distance Program as well as the UK’s National Business Awards for Best Digital Business.  Yet by far, the biggest mark of pride is the fact that Formula Botanica has trained the skilled and innovative formulators behind countless successful green beauty brands spanning the globe.

The Diploma in Organic Skincare Formulation, also known as the foundation diploma, has proven to be an amazing course capable of turning even a complete novice into a creative and safe formulator of a wide array of professional-grade skincare products. (For more details on all the course provides—and it’s a lot—please see this post.).  Although Formula Botanica offers a specific Certificate in Natural Cosmetic Preservation for advanced formulators and those who wish to be experts, I was pleased to find that the foundational Diploma in Organic Skincare Formulation also addresses this issue in many materials, including course content, as well as an additional student resource book entitled Natural Preservation 101 and a webinar training on Understanding Cosmetic Preservation. Indeed, one of the first lessons in my course was a list of skincare myths busted, including the myth that all preservatives are dangerous.

Course Photo Courtesy of Formula Botanica

Formula Botanica’s Foundational Diploma Delivers The Skinny on Natural Preservatives–and Much More!

I was impressed to see that Formula Botanica instructors, and the materials they have created, take product safety very seriously.  Their mantra–and they do call it that–is that the risk of using preservatives is significantly lower than that of using unpreserved water-based cosmetics.  They do not beat around the bush when it comes to spelling out what can happen without proper preservation, noting some of the potentially dire consequences in both course materials and on their blog.  Formula Botanica’s stance, which I greatly respect, is that: 1) preservatives serve a vital purpose, 2) formulators should never risk the health of customers by selling unpreserved water-based cosmetics, and 3) there are lots of natural preservatives coming onto the market that offer good options for keeping products safe.  Another thing stressed in both course materials and the webinar on preservation is that antioxidants (e.g., Grapefruit Seed Extract, Vitamin E, Rosemary Extract) are not preservatives.  Antioxidants can help prevent oils from going rancid, but they do not stop microbial growth.

Formula Botanica’s Natural Cosmetic Preservation 101 summarizes the microorganisms that grow in badly preserved skincare, with examples, and what each type needs to grow.

• Mold
  • Conditions: needs water, oxygen, and nutrients to grow
• Yeast
  • Conditions: needs water, nutrients, and lack of oxygen to grow (very relevant for infusions in which botanicals are left in oil for weeks at a time)
• Bacteria
  • Conditions: need moisture, nutrients, warmth, time, and (generally) oxygen to grow

The materials also point out that the whole reason they are called microorganisms is that they are too small to be seen by the naked eye, so one cannot assume a product is uncontaminated just because it looks okay.  Long before you can see the microorganisms, they may affect the color, texture, functionality, smell, viscosity, etc. of the product.  The training stresses that all water-containing products require a preservative and points out that formulators also need to consider when/whether products may have water introduced to them (e.g., by a user with wet hands), in which case preservation may be necessary whether or not the product was originally formulated with water.

Bacteria. Photo on Foter.com

Clearing Up Misconceptions

I was surprised to learn that natural products are even more susceptible to microbial growth than conventional products; unless they are waterless, natural formulations provide optimal food and growth conditions for bacteria, yeast, and mold.  Why are organic products so attractive to microorganisms?  1) Most products contain water.  2) They are stored at moderate temperature.  3) The majority of products have pH between 4.5-6.5, a moderate pH that invites growth.  4) Finally, certain natural ingredients act as prime nutrients for microorganisms (e.g., aloe, plant extracts, sodium hyaluronate, vitamins, coenzyme Q-10).  All these factors combine to make most natural skincare products an optimal growth medium for microorganisms.  Proper preservation avoids these unwanted, uninvited guests—and protects the formulator from the nightmare of contaminated products and their potentially devastating financial, social, and legal repercussions.

Formula Botanica wastes no time in busting the myth that selling an unpreserved water-based cosmetic is better or healthier for the consumer.  Numerous materials stress that selling unpreserved water-based cosmetics is putting customers’ health at risk.  Driving this point home, both course materials and the Formula Botanica blog cite actual cases in which poorly preserved cosmetics have put customers in critical condition, or worse, even resulted in death.  Dr. Elham Eghbali, Cosmetic Chemist and Instructor of Formula Botanica’s Certificate in Natural Cosmetic Preservation, sums up the school’s position this way, “Formula Botanica may be an organic skincare school, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t want you to formulate safe and stable cosmetics.  Applying 1-2% preservative (even a ‘chemical’ one) is worth it in order to save a life and to protect your ingredients and formulations from contamination.  Using a preservative is a necessity, not an optional extra.”  Though a young, healthy individual may tolerate exposure microorganisms with only minor irritation, Dr. Eghbali reminds us that many individuals drawn to natural skincare are people with health challenges.  Thus, organic skincare consumers may not have healthy, intact skin or strong immune systems, making them more susceptible to serious consequences (e.g., severe infections or worse) from unpreserved or insufficiently preserved products.  As Dr. Eghbali states in a Formula Botanica post entitled Everything You Wanted to Know about Natural Preservatives, “Preservatives are necessary in any water-based cosmetics, because they protect your customer, your product, and your business from disaster.”  Formula Botanica advises that if a formulator refuses to use preservatives, s/he must accept the limitations of this choice and ensure that his/her products do not contain water.

The Diploma in Organic Skincare Formulation course materials include a generous list of natural preservatives appropriate for organic skincare formulations, including the most common one among natural formulators called Preservative Eco (aka Mikrokill ECT, Geogard ECT, and Plantaserv M) –a broad-spectrum preservative with four different components: Benzyl Alcohol, Salicylic Acid, Glycerine, and Sorbic Acid, all of which can be extracted from natural sources.  A few of the other natural preservatives mentioned include Totarol, Leucidal Liquid, and Plantaserv S.  So which one is best?  Formula Botanica stresses that a) there is no one-size-fits-all solution best for all products and b) most products will need a blend of natural preservatives or a carefully selected broad-spectrum preservative to protect against the complete range of possible microbes.  The nature of the product, as well as other characteristics such as its packaging and pH, needs to be considered in preservative selection (see this slideshow for a fuller discussion)—and they clarify that contrary to popular misconception, Miron glass does not protect against contamination.  Formula Botanica also points out something that never would have occurred to me: some of a formulator’s raw cosmetic ingredients (e.g., some surfactants, hydrosols, and plant extracts) may come to the formulator already preserved.  This is important to note because the formulator must determine which preservatives and how much of them are already present in ingredients in order to ensure a) that the natural preservative s/he selects for the product is compatible with those already present and b) that the maximum legal level of any individual preservative is not exceeded.

Mold. Photo by Mick E. Talbot on Foter.com / CC BY-NC-SA

Offering Guidance without Oversimplifying a Complex Decision

Formula Botanica explicitly declines to offer or suggest a blanket recommendation on natural preservative selection, specifically because there is no one-size-fits-all natural preservative.  Even the most popular natural preservative noted above, Preservative Eco, has limitations, such as low heat tolerance and insolubility in water.  Rather than simplifying a complicated process, Formula Botanica provides students with invaluable resources that serve as step-by-step guides in the decision-making process.  For just two examples, see this slideshow and this 16 Point Checklist for Choosing a Natural Preservative for Your Formulation.  The support does not end with these materials, stellar as they are.  Current and past students also gain exclusive access on Facebook to a private Formula Botanica Online Classroom where we can discuss our specific concerns and questions about natural preservative selection—or any other formulation issue—and rapidly receive helpful feedback and advice from Formula Botanica peers, graduates, and staff.  When it comes to Classroom discussion about product preservation, students have recently asked questions about which preservatives will best complement each other their specific product, where to find a reliable supplier for a specific preservative, what preservatives others would most recommend in a children’s product, to which preservatives have the mildest odor.  Within the highly active and collaborative Formula Botanica Classroom, each of these questions received multiple informative replies.  The Formula Botanica Classroom—like the school itself—provides a very warm, collaborative, and empowering atmosphere that is highly conducive to learning.  With the Classroom at our fingertips and thousands of community members eager to help, each Formula Botanica student is able to benefit from the incredible collective wisdom of skilled peers, expert staff, and successful graduates.  (For more on the supportive community Formula Botanica offers its students, please see my post on Formula Botanica’s community. The community itself is remarkable and, in my eyes, probably the school’s absolute greatest asset.)

Expert Advice When You Need It

Formula Botanica staff is invested in and accessible to students. Staff members are constantly contributing to the Formula Botanica Online Classroom, whether to answer student questions, to offer encouragement whenever one of us expresses a frustration, or to share excitement when we post about a success.  Despite the school’s size, Formula Botanica staff are also deeply committed to students on an individual level; I have never had an email go unanswered, even about the smallest matters, and I have always felt like everyone associated with the school is eager to contribute to my success.  Case in point, Formula Botanica Director Lorraine Dallmeier–who is widely recognized as a leader in the field of formulation, was recently named a HuffPost Organic Beauty contributor, and has been leading the Top 25 Who’s Who in Natural Beauty for the past few years (this year she was in the top 5)–took the time out of her busy schedule to generously grant me an interview all about preservatives!   See my Interview with Lorraine Dallmeier here! 

Yeast. Photo by AJC ajcann.wordpress.com on Foter.com / CC BY-NC-SA

 Formula Botanica Has Empowered Me to Make Informed Choices and Give Sound Recommendations

Between the course itself and all the additional resources and support that come with it, Formula Botanica’s Diploma in Organic Skincare Formulation has given me a solid foundational understanding of natural preservation in cosmetics.  With all I learned, I have confidence in my ability to determine when a preservation system is necessary and to identify what, if any, system is in place–and so much more!  Natural product preservation is just one of the dozens and dozens of valuable things taught in the course; other essential safety issues covered in detail in the foundational course include:

• Good Manufacturing Practice—what it is, as well as how to achieve and maintain it
• Product Shelf Life—the importance of and guidance in setting, relevant product and ingredient characteristics to consider
• Cosmetic Toxicology—understanding the concept of toxicity, the types of toxicity, how to research the relative toxicity of an ingredient, how to interpret and comprehend Material Safety Data Sheets
• Essential Oil Saftey—safely blending, using, storing, and handling Essential Oils, full guidance on understanding and complying with Dermal Limits for each Essential Oil
• Labelling and Claims—how to label correctly and avoid making potentially costly errors and misstatements
• Global Cosmetic Compliance—how to ensure your business is compliant with the law

This invaluable knowledge on the above is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to all the expertise you will gain from Formula Botanica’s Diploma in Organic Skincare Formulation.  If you are interested in a basic overview that goes into more detail, please see this link for Course Content and Included Bonuses.

Formula Botanica Offers Priceless Knowledge for Green Beauty Enthusiasts & Entrepreneurs of All Stripes

If you have a keen interest in or passion for organic beauty, I highly recommend Formula Botanica and their Diploma in Organic Skincare Formulation.   This comprehensive, content-packed course has given me back my peace of mind as a green beauty consumer and has also restored my confidence as a blogger.  Having taken it, I am in a far better position both to assess both the quality and safety of the products I review and also to provide sound, insightful recommendations.  I am grateful for and delighted with all I have learned about product preservation, product formulation, and countless other topics from the foundational diploma.  Should I decide that I want to develop further expertise in natural preservatives (a prospect far more tempting to me than I ever could have imagined prior to enrolling in Formula Botanica), the Certificate in Natural Cosmetic Preservation will be the perfect next step.

Formula Botanica’s foundational diploma is the essential course for anyone who works and/or wants to claim expertise in the green beauty industry.  The rich base of knowledge is invaluable for skillfully and safely navigating the natural beauty sphere—whether you are a formulator, distributor, retailer, holistic therapist, writer/blogger/influencer, or simply a passionate consumer.  Not only will Formula Botanica’s Diploma in Organic Skincare Formulation. leave you feeling more confident about your green beauty choices, it will also fully prepare you to launch the incredible organic skincare business of your dreams, if that is what you desire. The organic and natural beauty market is a $10 billion industry today, and it is set to reach $22 billion by 2024. Clearly, the demand for organic beauty formulations is huge and growing all the time.  This is a revolutionary industry bursting with opportunity.  Being part of it may be easier than you think.

Photo from Formula Botanica Course. Courtesy of Formula Botanica.

Additional Formula Botanica Resources on Product Preservation

If you want to learn more about being smart about natural skincare preservation, check out any of these informative Formula Botanica Blog articles on natural preservation:

•  Everything you wanted to know about Natural Preservatives
• 16 Point Checklist: Choosing a Natural Preservative for Skincare
• 5 Reasons Why Your Natural Formulations Need Preserving
• Are you buying contaminated hydrosols?
• What can go wrong if you don’t control your formulation’s pH?
• When even Phenoxyethanol fails: The Liz Earle Recall
• Can Your Cosmetics Kill You?
• How is This Formulation Preserved?

Also, take a look at 7 Questions All Green Beauty Bloggers [and Choosy Consumers] Should Ask Artisan Brands, a guide written collaboratively by Formula Botanica and Sarita Coren.  The questions are brilliant and so important!

Last but Not Least: Explore the Possibilities & Sample a Formula Botanica Class for Free!

Formula Botanica offers a wide range of options for different skill levels and interests.  See all of their offered courses or take their handy Course Selector Quiz for a personalized recommendation.  If you want to get a headstart in learning professional formulation techniques and get a taste of the student experience, you can Sample a Formula Botanica Class for Free!   The sample class requires no commitment and offers a great way to get a taste of the training and start learning.  Enjoy, and let me know what you think!  Have questions?  Feel free to ask!

Courtesy of Formula Botanica

The post What Formula Botanica Taught Me about Preservatives in Cosmetics appeared first on The Beauty Librarian.