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Cosmetic Formulation Science

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Cosmetic Formulation Science

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Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.7

130 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule
3 weeks at 10 hours a week
Learn at your own pace
96%
Most learners liked this course

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.7

130 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule
3 weeks at 10 hours a week
Learn at your own pace
96%
Most learners liked this course

What you'll learn

  • Develop skills in selecting and using cosmetic raw materials

  • Understand the essentials of cosmetic formulation and laboratory safety

  • Learn effective documentation techniques for cosmetic science.

  • Acquire practical knowledge in writing and processing cosmetic formulas

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Assessments

30 assignments

Taught in English

Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Introduction to Cosmetic Science and Ingredients Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
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There are 5 modules in this course

This course is part of the Cosmetic Science Specialization. This course explores the science and practice of cosmetic formulation, guiding you from foundational raw material selection to advanced product optimization and performance evaluation. You will examine surfactants, emulsifiers, preservatives, rheology modifiers, and additives, while developing safe and effective laboratory practices, accurate documentation, and quantitative formulation skills. As the course progresses, you will apply formulation mathematics, interpret Certificates of Analysis, and compare skincare system designs to support stable, high-performing products. In the final module, you will integrate testing data, troubleshoot formulation challenges, and justify product design decisions using real-world scenarios. By the end of the course, you will be prepared to design, evaluate, and refine cosmetic formulations with scientific rigor and professional confidence.

Welcome to Cosmetic Formulation Science. This is the second course in the P&G Cosmetic Science Specialization program. In this module, you explore the fundamentals of cosmetic formulation with a specific focus on cosmetic raw materials and their role in product development. You examine how raw materials contribute to different cosmetic product functions, how they are classified by formulation purpose, and how compatibility, stability, and performance influence selection decisions. Through guided learning, discussions, and applied activities, you begin to develop the analytical skills needed to evaluate raw material choices in real formulation contexts. This module establishes the essential foundation for deeper study of formulation chemistry, laboratory practice, and product design in the modules that follow. Let’s begin!

What's included

8 videos9 readings4 assignments2 discussion prompts

8 videosTotal 30 minutes
  • Introduction to the Program4 minutes
  • Course Introduction3 minutes
  • What Is Cosmetic Formulation?3 minutes
  • Goals of Cosmetic Formulation2 minutes
  • Importance of Raw Materials5 minutes
  • Types of Cosmetic Raw Materials4 minutes
  • Selection, Sourcing, and Impact of Raw Materials in Cosmetic Science4 minutes
  • Formulation Goals and Trade-Off Decisions3 minutes
9 readingsTotal 103 minutes
  • Course Syllabus5 minutes
  • Meet Your Instructors10 minutes
  • How To Be Successful in This Course3 minutes
  • Foundations of Cosmetic Formulation15 minutes
  • Cosmetic Formulation Goals15 minutes
  • Skincare Product Categories15 minutes
  • Impact on Formulation15 minutes
  • Early-Stage Formulation Stability Factors15 minutes
  • Exemplar: Raw Material Case Brief—Match Ingredients to Stability Goals10 minutes
4 assignmentsTotal 160 minutes
  • Checkpoint: Module 150 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Basics of Cosmetic Formulation20 minutes
  • Hands-On Activity: Raw Material Case Brief—Match Ingredients to Stability Goals60 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Cosmetic Fomulation Raw Materials30 minutes
2 discussion promptsTotal 90 minutes
  • Introduce Yourself45 minutes
  • Everyday Beauty: Your Cosmetics Encounter45 minutes

Welcome to the Raw Materials module. In this module, you focus on the ingredient systems that shape cosmetic formulation, including surfactants, emulsifiers, preservatives, rheology modifiers, and functional additives. You examine how molecular structure, charge, and compatibility influence cleansing, foaming, stability, texture, and overall product performance. You also use the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) system to guide emulsifier selection and consider preservation approaches based on the mechanism of action, pH, and microbial risk. Through guided learning and applied analysis, you begin to justify raw material choices in relation to product claims, safety, and consumer use. Let's begin!

What's included

25 videos7 readings7 assignments

25 videosTotal 100 minutes
  • General Surfactant Structure and Behavior4 minutes
  • Anionic Surfactants6 minutes
  • Cationic Surfactants4 minutes
  • Amphoteric Surfactants5 minutes
  • Nonionic/No Charge Surfactant4 minutes
  • Introduction to Emulsions and Types of Emulsifers5 minutes
  • The HLB Scale4 minutes
  • Anionic Emulsifiers4 minutes
  • Cationic Emulsifiers3 minutes
  • Nonionic Emulsifiers4 minutes
  • Liquid Crystal and Polymeric Emulsifiers3 minutes
  • What are Preservatives?5 minutes
  • Classes of Preservatives4 minutes
  • Traditional Preservation—Parabens and Formaldehyde Donors4 minutes
  • Determining Risk: When Do You Need Preservation?5 minutes
  • What Is a Rheology Modifier?5 minutes
  • Starches and Gums5 minutes
  • Fatty Acids and Waxes3 minutes
  • Polymers and Synthetic Materials3 minutes
  • Fragrances and Flavors3 minutes
  • Extracts and Plant-Based Functionals3 minutes
  • Colorants3 minutes
  • OTC Active Pharmaceutial Ingredients (APIs)3 minutes
  • Formulating with Fragrances, Colorants, and OTCs5 minutes
  • Understanding Polymer and Rheology Behavior6 minutes
7 readingsTotal 80 minutes
  • Raw Materials2 minutes
  • Surfactants15 minutes
  • Designing Stable Cosmetic Emulsions15 minutes
  • Comparing Anionic and Cationic Emulsifiers in Cosmetic Formulation15 minutes
  • Formulation Hurdles—the Impacts of Preservatives8 minutes
  • Exemplar: Hurdle Technologies10 minutes
  • OTC Ingredient Use in Cosmetics15 minutes
7 assignmentsTotal 245 minutes
  • Checkpoint: Module 250 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Surfactants30 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Emulsifiers40 minutes
  • Hands-On Activity: Hurdle Technologies60 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Preservatives15 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Rheology Modifiers15 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Additives35 minutes

Welcome to the Working in the Lab module. In this module, you focus on safe, compliant, and effective laboratory practice in cosmetic formulation. You learn how to interpret laboratory safety designations, select and use appropriate personal protective equipment, and apply best practices that protect product integrity and regulatory compliance. You also examine the correct use of processing and analytical equipment, as well as accurate documentation methods that support traceability and reproducibility. Through guided learning and applied practice, you develop the practical judgment needed to work responsibly in a cosmetic laboratory environment. Let’s begin!

What's included

13 videos7 readings6 assignments

13 videosTotal 58 minutes
  • Appropriate Dress and PPE3 minutes
  • Laboratory Safety Equipment5 minutes
  • Best Practices in a Cosmetic Laboratory4 minutes
  • Overhead Mixers and Stirrers3 minutes
  • Propellers and Blades6 minutes
  • Homogenizers and Dispersers7 minutes
  • Heating Equipment and Consumables5 minutes
  • pH Probes3 minutes
  • Viscometers4 minutes
  • Pycnometers4 minutes
  • Overview—Scientific Process and Importance of Record Keeping4 minutes
  • Note-Taking and Labeling Practices3 minutes
  • Lab Calibration and Density Testing8 minutes
7 readingsTotal 87 minutes
  • Working in the Lab2 minutes
  • Safety Systems and Protective Equipment in the Cosmetic Laboratory15 minutes
  • Best Practices for Safety, Quality, and Compliance in the Cosmetic Laboratory15 minutes
  • Exemplar: Appropriate Dress and PPE10 minutes
  • Overhead Mixing and Controlled Shear in Cosmetic Formulation15 minutes
  • Laboratory Notebooks: Digital and Tangible15 minutes
  • Digital Records15 minutes
6 assignmentsTotal 175 minutes
  • Checkpoint: Module 350 minutes
  • Hands-On Activity: Appropriate Dress and PPE60 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Safety and PPE 10 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Technical Processing Equipment20 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Heating Equipment & Consumables15 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Documentation20 minutes

Welcome to the Formulating Products module. In this module, you focus on the core principles used to design and document effective skincare formulations. You learn how to interpret and apply INCI, trade, and IUPAC names, calculate and convert weight percentages, and organize ingredient addition to support stability and efficient processing. You also compare common classes of skincare formulations based on function, texture, and target skin needs. Finally, you examine how Certificates of Analysis and product specifications are used to confirm raw material quality and formulation performance. Together, these skills support accurate, stable, and well-documented cosmetic product development. Let's begin !

What's included

9 videos5 readings6 assignments

9 videosTotal 40 minutes
  • INCIs, Trade Names, and IUPAC Names7 minutes
  • Weight Percent, Mass Percent, and Mass5 minutes
  • Order of Addition and Phases4 minutes
  • Oil-in-Water Emulsions4 minutes
  • Anhydrous Formulations3 minutes
  • Surfactant Systems4 minutes
  • Gel Systems4 minutes
  • What Is a Certificate of Analysis?3 minutes
  • Formulation Troubleshooting and Phase Stability7 minutes
5 readingsTotal 55 minutes
  • Formulating Products2 minutes
  • Water-in-Oil Emulsions15 minutes
  • Determining Specifications15 minutes
  • How To Write Cosmetic Product Specifications15 minutes
  • Exemplar: Determining Product Specifications in Cosmetic Formulation8 minutes
6 assignmentsTotal 230 minutes
  • Checkpoint: Module 450 minutes
  • Activity: Create a Processing Procedure60 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Formula Sheets15 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Common Classes of Skincare Formulations25 minutes
  • Hands on Activity: Determining Product Specifications in Cosmetic Formulation60 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Certificate of Analysis and Analytical 20 minutes

Welcome to Advanced Cosmetic Formulation Practices, the final module in this course. In this module, you will apply formulation knowledge to real-world cosmetic product development. You will analyze product briefs, interpret laboratory test results, and evaluate performance against defined specifications and compliance requirements. You will investigate formulation challenges, optimize ingredient selection and processing conditions, and justify evidence-based design decisions. The module concludes with professional documentation and communication of formulation outcomes, preparing you to translate laboratory work into clear technical and regulatory reporting. By the end of this module, you will be able to integrate scientific reasoning, testing data, and formulation strategy to support effective cosmetic product development. Let’s begin!

What's included

8 videos12 readings7 assignments

8 videosTotal 44 minutes
  • Formulation Overview 5 minutes
  • Interpreting Sample Data and Test Protocols5 minutes
  • Testing Protocols in Cosmetic Product Evaluation6 minutes
  • Interpreting Compliance and Quality Reports5 minutes
  • Identifying Formulation Failures and Root Causes6 minutes
  • Documentation and Continuous Improvement6 minutes
  • Documenting Product Finalization5 minutes
  • Ethical Responsibility and Transparency in Cosmetic Science6 minutes
12 readingsTotal 165 minutes
  • Understanding the Product Brief and Requirements15 minutes
  • Translating Objectives Into a Formulation Plan15 minutes
  • Exemplar: From Brief to Bench—Translating Product Concepts into Lab Practice10 minutes
  • Setting and Interpreting Product Specifications15 minutes
  • Performance Testing and Consumer Claims Substantiation15 minutes
  • Assessing Quality: From Data to Decision in Cosmetic Product Evaluation15 minutes
  • Adjusting Raw Materials and Process Parameters15 minutes
  • Revalidation and Comparative Testing15 minutes
  • Writing Technical and Regulatory Reports15 minutes
  • Communicating Results to Stakeholders15 minutes
  • From Bench to Boardroom: Communicating Cosmetic Science With Integrity15 minutes
  • Course Wrap-Up5 minutes
7 assignmentsTotal 295 minutes
  • Checkpoint: Module 550 minutes
  • Hands-On Activity: From Brief To Bench—Translating Product Concepts Into Lab Practice60 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Applying Formulation Science to a Real-World Product Brief25 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Evaluating Product Performance and Specification Compliance25 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Formulation Optimization and Problem-Solving in Cosmetic Product Development20 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Documenting and Justifying Cosmetic Formulation Outcomes25 minutes
  • Project: Create Your Cosmetic Formula90 minutes

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Showing 3 of 130

EY
·

Reviewed on Dec 17, 2025

Amazing course with well defined modules perfect for new learners of cosmetic formulation science

MH
·

Reviewed on Jun 15, 2024

Good course, but some questions are asked before you even get to that part of learning.

SB
·

Reviewed on Sep 24, 2024

This course has given me a more in-depth understanding of the cosmetic formulation process.

Frequently asked questions

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

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