If you’ve been following me for the last year or so you likely know I’ve been working my through Formula Botanica’s Diploma in Organic Skincare Formulation. Today I am excited to share my Formula Botanica review of their most popular course.
Spring 2023: Formula Botanica is offering a free formulation masterclass where you can learn even more about formulation! You can sign up here 🙂 I highly recommend it, especially if you're wanting to see how Formula Botanica works.
Back in September of 2017 I had a lovely chat with Lorraine and Gemma from Formula Botanica, and they gifted me two of their courses in exchange for feedback and reviews, which I was more than happy to agree to! This review has not been pre-screened or approved by Formula Botanica before publishing.
What is Formula Botanica?
Formula Botanica is an accredited, 100% online, award-winning natural formulation school based out of the United Kingdom. They offer a wide variety of courses related to formulating natural skin and hair care to students all over the world. Their most popular course is the Diploma in Organic Skincare Formulation, and that’s the course I’m reviewing today.
The DOSF is priced at £600 (roughly $780USD/ $1030CAD/ €687), and promises to teach you how to formulate your own natural skin care products. Formula Botanica says it will take roughly 100 hours to complete, though you could spend an almost infinite amount of time on it if you wanted to as there are so many things to experiment with! If you’re already a fairly experienced formulator you could likely complete the course faster; if you’re completely new to making you might want to take longer to really familiarize yourself with the ingredients and processes. The lovely thing about online study is that it’s up to you! I completed the course in roughly four weeks spread out over several months (though it’s often hard to say where coursework stopped and blog work began!).
How it Works
The diploma is broken down into modules with sub-topics and projects that build on one another. The content is richly presented with illustrative videos, explanatory PDFs, and fun little mini-quizzes. I chose to keep the PDFs digitally in Evernote, but you can also choose to print them. There are also fun little digital badges scattered throughout that you can collect as you progress.
Each module concludes with a quiz; at the beginning the quizzes are module-specific, but as you advance through the course the quizzes start covering more and more modules to illustrate how everything fits together.
The first modules are about the physiology of the skin, skin care principles, the ingredients used in natural skin care, and safety—including both preservation and the safe usage of essential oils using the EU and IFRA guidelines. The basics of formulation are also covered; how to work in percentages, formulation structuring, best practices, and understanding how and why formulas work. This is continually expanded on throughout the course as well.
Once you get into working with ingredients, emphasis is placed on experimentation and getting to know them through hands-on experience. The carrier oil handbook download contains some good starter information about the carrier oils, but also plenty of room for your own notes on characteristics like scent, skin feel, and absorption speed.
The formulation projects start simple and progress towards more complex or technically difficult products. The earlier formulation modules focus on getting to know your ingredients and developing basic skills, like cold blending butters and working with gums. Later formulation modules combine skills learned earlier and illustrate how they can be expanded into a variety of different products. For instance; one of the earlier modules has you work with a variety of different butter blending methods and ratios, and I must’ve made dozens of different variations. Later on when it came time to develop some body butters I already had a few blends and methods I really liked, so I had a great starting point and could focus more on working on the essential oil blend and any other additives.
Each formulation project is structured fairly similarly. There’s a PDF and a video that explains what the product is, how it is used, and any other essential need-to-knows. You’ll be walked through the basic formula structure, with details like why certain phases might need to be certain sizes, how to calculate the amount of emulsifier needed, and any other pertinent details. There’s usually one or two very simple versions of the formula (there’s always a video so you can see the product come together and see what it looks like when it’s done), and then a few fancier versions so you can start to see the possibilities for the project. From there you’re encouraged to start simple, experiment, take tons of notes, and have fun! You could follow one of their formulations to start with, or start with your own if you’re feeling confident.
You will spend the bulk of the course working on these formulations, which I think is awesome. There are plenty of provided resources and encouragement to go off and learn more about specific ingredients and what not if you want to, but you start getting your beakers dirty fast, and that is the major focus of the course. The amount of work that you put into these experiments and formulations will greatly impact how much you get out of the course. It would be possible to pass the course putting in the bare minimum effort, but you wouldn’t learn nearly as much.
If you need help you can reach out to a tutor, or post in the Formula Botanica Classroom Facebook group (or both!). You can also search the “Ask a Tutor” forum, where you may find your question has already been answered.
At the end of each module there’s a quiz, where you’ll be asked to do things like calculate essential oil sensitizer concentrations, work out recipes in percentages, determine what type of product you’re looking at from just reading an ingredient list, specify the roles of certain ingredients in certain products, and generally demonstrate that you know what’s going on. You do not have to submit the formulations you develop in each module (which threw me for a bit of a loop—I thought I was quite daft when I couldn’t figure out where to submit them… it turns out you don’t, ha)—the only formulation your submit is your final course project.
Later modules focus on topics like branding, marketing, compliance with government regulations, labelling, and organic certification. This is mostly focussed on the European Union regulations as 1) Formula Botanica is in the EU (for now, at least) and 2) EU regulations are so strict that if you meet EU regulations you will likely be most of the way to meeting the regulations in many other countries as well.
The course concludes with a final project, which is the only project where you have to submit a full formula to your tutor for grading. You are expected to design a product for a particular consumer with a particular need, and demonstrate how your formulation choices come together to meet that need for that specific target customer. There is quite a lot of writing involved as well as formulating to ensure you communicate everything!
Who should take this course?
From my time at the Formula Botanica 2018 conference in London, it seems most people who take this course (and the other courses Formula Botanica offers) are doing so in order to launch their own natural skin care line/brand. This course gives students a fantastic foundation to do just that, ensuring they know how to formulate safe, natural products.
Wondering if you should take it? I’d recommend it to anyone who wants to learn how to formulate, even if you aren’t planning on starting a brand of your own (though the cost is much easier to justify if you are!).
Here are some of the things you’ll learn:
- How to create a wide variety of products from scratch
- How to think critically about your ingredients
- How to figure out why certain ingredients are in a formula
- How and why formulas work (or don’t)
- How to dissect ingredient lists and determine what a product is
- How to safely work with essential oils
I am often asked about how/where to learn these skills—the Formula Botanica Diploma in Organic Skincare Formulation is an excellent place to start!
Meeting Lorraine and the rest of the Formula Botanica team in London at the 2018 Annual Conference was such a treat!
Thoughts & Observations
I really enjoyed my Diploma in Organic Skincare Formulation course. It has, without a doubt, made me a better formulator. The course work and presentation requirements forced me to hone my skills, sharpen my decision making, and create safer formulations.
The course is (obviously) very focussed on natural skin care and natural ingredients. They do not strictly define what “natural” is, allowing their students to decide what fits within their personal/brand ethos, but this natural focus does mean that synthetic ingredients are not mentioned much or covered in the course materials. Synthetics aren’t demonized (which is fantastic), they just aren’t part of the course material.
The DOSF is also (I feel somewhat obviously) not a university degree (this is a [somewhat baffling] criticism I’ve seen levelled at it). It’s a program that costs about as much as a single university course and could be completed in a single semester if one had the time. If you are looking to complete a degree in chemistry and move into a career as a professional cosmetic chemist, this is not where you should start (the UK SCS has a page on where you should start if that is your goal).
The Diploma in Organic Skincare Formulation is also a starter course; that’s not to say there isn’t plenty to learn, but it does not (and could not!) cover everything you might hope to learn or make. One area I found myself wishing for more coverage was the chemistry behind the formulations. Basic concepts like pH, solubility, surfactants, and emulsions are discussed, but not in much depth. You learn enough to get you started, but there’s definitely a lot more chemistry to dive into.
I think one of the biggest strengths of Formula Botanica is their online classroom on Facebook. The community there is very active, super friendly, and wonderfully encouraging. I’ve really enjoyed reading and participating in the discussions there. It’s an incredible resource, and the Formula Botanica team does a great job of working to give you as much of a “classroom with classmates” feel as possible. The camaraderie of the online classroom was 100% carried over in the conference as well—one of my favourite moments was when Lorraine, in her opening remarks, declared that everyone around you were friends, not competition. It’s one thing to say it, but I really felt it all weekend long. Everyone was so kind, engaged, and passionate. When you sign up for Formula Botanica you’re a member of the classroom for as long as you like, and it’s a wonderful resource to be able to refer back to if you need help finding an ingredient or specific type of packaging, or if you’re looking for feedback on a formula—you’ve got a great community to turn to.
Conclusions
I definitely recommend Formula Botanica’s Diploma in Organic Skincare Formulation course to anybody who wishes to dive into natural skin care formulation. It is a well structured, well designed course, and is easily worth the price—especially if you want to make skin care formulation your living. The resources and community you’ll gain access to are endlessly useful, even after you graduate.
Spring 2023: Formula Botanica is offering a free formulation masterclass where you can learn even more about formulation! You can sign up here 🙂 I highly recommend it, especially if you're wanting to see how Formula Botanica works.
I have been waffling back and forth for awhile on whether or not to take this class. Been a long time since I was in school! I just recently received an email from them for a less in depth course for $247. (US) which I am more than likely going to take. I have till tomorrow to decide as it is a special price. After reading your review of the nature of the “community” at FB, I am more than convinced this is for me. I currently make lotions and such but mostly from recipes and I really want to learn to make my own and have it unique for me. Thanks for your review!
I’ve been pondering the courses offered in the UK also. I think at this point in time, due to financial reasons, will enroll in the less expensive course that is being offered. If I feel I need more education because of my business efforts, then possibly go with Formula Botanica. But, thank you so much for your review!!!
What did you decide? 😀
Thank you for taking this course, Marie. I know that I am getting a better product due to your hard work. And I know its always been hard work since I discovered this blog back in 2014. And I know its been a labor of love.
My love is making the recipes that you took the time to create.
Honestly, you’ve been priceless to me. Thank you again.
It makes me that much more confident in my love affair with your recent Indigo Lagoon recipe. And pretty much anything in the last year that you’ve presented.
This is why I’m here. You’ve always put a ton of time and research into your work and now you have more professional skills to back it up.
I have a question and I kinda hate to ask because it could be taken the wrong way. But a lot of your older recipes that are tried and true favorites of mine, I have written down in a tiny notebook. Its a messy little notebook but beloved. Should I double check some of these to make sure you haven’t gone back and fixed anything? Like maybe you realized an eo blend was all wrong or this product isn’t as safe as once thought?
I’m fine doing that if you say I should. Its not a trust thing, you’ve always had that and I’ve told you so. But you’ve learned so much more now. And I’m GRATEFUL that you have.
Hello Hello Cristie!
Alas! Yes. Some of the recipes from the early years do have some edits. I’ve found usually the edits are for safety/preservatives. Not always, but I’ve found that is usually the case. Now, about that book. When can we see pictures of this holy grail?
And I know! Isn’t Marie fantastic and wickedly creative?
I enrolled two days ago and am already getting started. I’m not interested in starting a brand or working with this (as a job), but I want to be able to formulate my own products. I’ll probably have to order some new ingredients though
Exciting! You’re going to have so much fun experimenting and learning 😀
The Formula Botanica Course sounds amazing, but its expensive to me! Since i am not going to make from these a job. I will keep making my products for me and my family. I think learning from you Marie, has been fabulous. You are a very good teacher, your blog and your videos are great, very well explained, good pictures and i love watching you! You are always in a good mood and very good energy. I can tell you have improved. You started with very simple ingredients and now you have very sophisticated ingredients. Which is hard for me to find. Because i live in Chile! Love you Marie you are my inspiration!
Thank you so much, Ursula! I really appreciate your kind words 🙂 I have learned so much over the years and can’t wait to learn more!
When I started soaping and formulating a year ago I did lots of research on the internet including Marie’s blog. But I realized quickly that I could do harm because I didn’t know the foundation of formulation. So, I started the Formula Botanica course in October and I love it. I am currently on DOSF 6. I am not planning on launching a skin care line but I am a hobby soaper and formulator. Being a RN I am all about helping people, family and friends. I wanted to learn from the beginning and get a formulation foundation to ensure whatever I formulate for family and friends is safe and does what I intend it to. I have been able to bring my foundational learning to other products not covered in the course i.e. soaping, shampoo and hair conditioners, etc. I believe the course is well worth the tuition cost.
Greetings Corey!
I feel exactly the same way! I loved the Formula Botanica program for the foundational knowledge, how they encourage you to experience each and every ingredient and how it works alone and in conjunction with other ingredients. It’s fantastic in that way! It also encourages very detailed note taking when you formulate! Which kicked me in the butt at first. How are you enjoying all the math? I’m thrilled you are finding it well worth the money, have you looked into their hair program for the additional knowledge?
This is a really well written review of the course, Marie! Xx
Thanks so much, Yuri!
I wanted to give my two cents as I’m currently taking the DOSF course. I have been formulating for close to two years. I love formulating which is what inspired me to take this course. I think the biggest pro of this course is that they have taken a very complex topic and broken it down into clear modules. The information within the modules is outlined well and clearly written (even with the multitude of typos which is a pet peeve of mine!).
The con of this course for me is that I work full-time and I feel like I am probably not going to get as much out of the course because I can’t consistently work on it like I would if I had more time. If you work full-time and/or have other things happening in your life, you have to know going in that it is going to take you AWHILE to complete the course if you are truly formulating and learning vs. just taking the quizzes. Formula Botanica has commented on this as well. You have two years to complete the course. It also takes awhile because when you order ingredients listed in their recipes, many of them are backordered at suppliers. I also think some of the modules contain too way much information and could be broken up into smaller modules.
Overall, I think the people behind Formula Botanica are outstanding. They really want people to become solid formulators and entrepreneurs and have set up the course, the podcasts, the Facebook group page, etc. to really help to support their students in various ways. I think the time element is really key in deciding whether or not to take this course. The learning will be disjointed if you can’t work on this consistently so you have to have the motivation to keep jumping back in to review previous information and learn the new information to make it through to the end!
Hello YogaGirl!
I 100% agree with you on all your points. I thankfully had a lot of free time whilst in China to work on my course so completed it pretty quickly. Now living in Ireland with a full time job, attempting to scratch out a life here, I don’t even have a lot of time to make something as simple as soap. Or a face lotion. Which truly makes me sad as I miss formulating! Thank you so much for your comment! It really hits home with me and will help a number of people on the fence about the program!
Thanks for the thoughtful review, Marie. I’ve been humming and hawing over whether to do Formula Botanica’s course or the one from https://www.schoolofnaturalskincare.com/ or this one from Australia https://personalcarescience.com.au/. The last one looks like it might be the most science heavy. I think there is a course run by Chemist’s Corner too. I’ve been following you and Susan over at Swift Craft Monkey for a number of years. I am comfortable formulating from scratch though I often use a recipe as a springboard. Did you learn much that you hadn’t already researched yourself? What kinds of things did you learn that were new to you? Would you recommend the course for experienced home formulators? I just don’t want to put out $1000 if I’m not going to come away from the experience with a decent amount of new knowledge.
Good morning Sarah!
At the end of the day, which program to take has to be up to you. When I went to choose a program, I settled on Formula Botanica as like Marie, they offered me a reduced rate in exchange for a couple reviews and because they had more of an international presence which would give me a step up when it came to selling my products. I was impressed with the way they presented the materials, taught about the skin, and how they taught you to look at each ingredient individually, and how they work together in your final product. They also taught me to refine my note taking skills, create my finished files, and the paperwork involved with creating my own products. What do you plan to do once the course is done? I think that would be my biggest question for you. If you want to create your own brand, something that is internationally recognised or provide you with actual school like recognised credentials would be the program I’d look at if I had to do it all over again!
Great review Marie! and perfect timing, as I am looking to dive into making a product line. Would like to know how much you spent on ingredients to complete this course. Just a range of cost I’m looking for. Were you able to obtain all the ingredients in Canada? (I’m in Canada). Customs and U.S. shipping costs are insane.
It’s hard for me to say how much I spent as I already had all the ingredients—everything was readily available in Canada 🙂 The hair care course I’m doing with them is a different story, but for this course, the ingredients are relatively common as far as DIY ingredients go. The only thing I found I missed was the broader selection of hydrosols available in Europe, but that was hardly the end of the world (rose is my favourite and I can get that easily here!). You could probably get very thoroughly set up for $300 or less, depending on what you already have. Happy studies!
Hi Marie! I’m looking into doing the hair care course. How are you finding it so far or did you complete it already? Did you have to spend a lot for the ingredients? Looking forward to hear from you.
I’m probably about 1/3 of the way through it. The ingredients were definitely more challenging to get than for the skincare course—I ordered many of the more novel ones out of Germany and had them meet me in the UK the last time I was there. The course itself is good so far, but it does seem that natural haircare has its limits—at this current time, at least, with what we have available to us as small makers.
Hello Marie,
I found you through YouTube and I really like your work. Have you had a look or undertook the Advanced Diploma they are offering? Any thoughts on this one?
Thank you in advance.
I’ve looked at it, but haven’t taken it. I’m confident it’s a good program, but there’s always the matter of if it meets your particular needs, and only you can really know that—perhaps contact their support?
I came across you channel by accident but I have started following you as I like your videos. I am only interested in making products for the bread so the course will be too much for me.
I started a beard journey a year ago and it has been going really well but unfortunately in my country we do not have quality products for the beard. So, I started making my own beard oil and within 6 months after perfecting the blend I already have 2 different oil products, and customers buying from me. One customer said that is was like buying from livebearded, which was a massive complement for me.
I want starting making a beard butter product as well. I want to learn how to mix in the different butters and also learn the ratios so I can create an awesome product. Would be able to guide to place that shows how it’s done for different types on butters.
Thank you so much.
I love this review. I’ve been going back and forth about taking the course. The only thing is I’m in the USA and will learn the EU regulations and not the regulations in USA. I was looking for a course teaching the US regulations as well. I still think I will take the course. Any advice? I also will be taking your beginner course. I can’t wait to do that.
Fabulous to have somewhere to study all this! I learnt the long, slow and hard way before the internet existed.