Cosmetic Formulation Explained
Formulation is a Important Part of the cosmetic industry
Cosmetic formulation the effectiveness and safety of a product. Since formulation heavily involves the mixing and combining of ingredients to create a desired cosmetic product we will explore the different aspects cosmetic formulation, including…
The role of active ingredients
Stability and shelf life testing
Regulatory guidelines
Active Ingredients
One of the first things you will consider in cosmetic formulation is what active ingredients should be a part of the formulation. Active ingreients are are the ingredients that create the desired cosmetic effect.
Some Active ingredients Could Be…
moisturizers
sunscreens
anti-aging agents
more!
It is important to choose the right active ingredients for a formulation because the active ingredients determine what the effect of the product will be. For example, a moisturizer should contain ingredients, like HA, that will help to hydrate skin, and a sunscreen should contain ingredients that provide UV protection.
Stability and Shelf Life
Another important factor in cosmetic formulation is stability. Stability is the ability of a product to maintain its quality and effectiveness over time. Because cosmetics are commonly used on a daily basis, this is important to consider in cosmetic formulation. They are also commonly exposed to various environmental conditions, like as heat, light, and humidity.
The length of time a product can be safely used after it has been opened refers to the shelf life of a product. The shelf life of a cosmetic product is influenced by a variety of factors, including the stability of the ingredients, the type of packaging used, and the conditions under which the product is stored.
Regulatory Guidelines
In addition to these technical considerations, formulators must also follow regulatory guidelines when developing cosmetic products. These guidelines vary by country, but in general, they aim to ensure the safety and efficacy of cosmetics. This includes testing products for potential allergens, toxic substances, and other harmful ingredients. Formulators must also ensure that the labeling of a product is accurate and informative, providing consumers with the information they need to make informed decisions about the products they use.
There are many other factors that go into formulation for cosmetics, including…
the desired texture
appearance of the product
target market
manufacturing process
In Conclusion…
Cosmetic formulation is critical to the cosmetic industry. It determines the effectiveness and safety of a product. When formulating a product, active ingredients, stability, shelf life, and regulatory guidelines are important to consider. Formulating a cosmetic product requires a combination of scientific knowledge and creative problem-solving skills.
A Side Note and Something to Consider…
Over the years Genie Supply has had many clients come to us with a formulation that was created by an independent contractor on the internet, but never tested in real life. Some common issues we have seen with independent formulators are
A lack of consideration for the cost of producing a product
Formulations that are not stable
Formulations that do not pass a variety of other required testing
No feel for the texture/appearance of a product
If someone paid an online contractor to create a formula, but later encountered one of the issues mentioned above… much more R & D work will be required. In the long run, our clients that ran into this issue would have been better off to start with a professional cosmetic formulation lab like Genie Supply. Save your money and start your formulation journey with a professional and experienced lab that sends samples, pricing, and tests formulations!
Formulate With Genie Supply!
We specialize in clean beauty and innovative ideas and we would love to help you bring your ideas to fruition. We’ve got a finger to the pulse of the growing clean beauty and indie beauty segments, and we focus all of our energy on bringing new formulation concepts to market. We take a wholistic team approach to formulating, with a focus on sustainability and innovation.
Check out our custom formulation page to get started.
Questions? Comments? Feel free to reach out to us at customerservice@geniesupply.com or give us a call at 812-329-1105.
