Cosmetic Product Formulation I – SS2 Beauty & Cosmetology Lesson Note (First Term)

Natural cosmetic formulation is the making of skin-care products from ingredients such as oils, butters, sugar and lye. Each product needs a base, such as a carrier oil or butter, to carry moisture to the skin. Students learn to make scrubs and cold-process soap, to follow safety rules, and to package and label products so they stay fresh.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• give reasons why people are choosing natural cosmetics;
• name carrier oils, natural butters and essential oils, and state what each is used for;
• list natural exfoliants and state the basic scrub recipe;
• describe saponification and state the safety rules for handling lye;
• explain how to sterilise jars, protect oils from going rancid and label a finished product.

Why are natural cosmetics popular?

Before we start mixing, we need to understand why people are moving away from factory-made products.

• The skin is a sponge: Whatever we rub on our skin can be absorbed into our bodies. Natural cosmetics use ingredients you can often eat (like honey, coconut oil or sugar), which makes them safer for long-term use.
• Eco-friendly: Natural products do not use “microplastics” that hurt the ocean.
• Cost-effective: You can often find your ingredients in the local market or even your backyard (like aloe vera or shea butter).

Teacher’s note: “Natural” does not mean “weak”. Nature is powerful! Think of how lime juice can brighten a stain; that same power can be used for the skin.

What are oils and butters (the base)?

Every natural product needs a “base”. This is the ingredient that carries the vitamins and moisture to the skin.

• Carrier oils: These are liquid oils like coconut oil, almond oil or jojoba. They sink into the skin quickly.
• Natural butters: These are solid at room temperature.
  1. Shea butter (Ori): Excellent for healing scars and deep moisturising.
  2. Cocoa butter: Great for skin elasticity, and it smells like chocolate!
• Essential oils: These are the “scent” and the “medicine”. Examples include lavender (for relaxation) and tea tree (for fighting pimples). Warning: Never use these directly on the skin without mixing them into a carrier oil first.

What are natural exfoliants (scrubs)?

Our skin is constantly renewing itself. A scrub helps “brush away” dead skin cells so the fresh, glowing skin underneath can show.

The “scratch” factor

The recipe

A basic scrub is usually 2 parts exfoliant (sugar or salt) to 1 part oil (coconut or olive).

Practical tip: When making scrubs, never let water get into the jar. We are not using chemical preservatives, so water will make the scrub grow mould.

How is cold-process soap made?

Soap making is a chemical reaction called saponification. This is when an oil meets an “alkali” (lye) and they turn into soap.

The ingredients

1. Oil: palm oil, coconut oil or shea butter.
2. Lye (sodium hydroxide): the “activator”.
3. Water: to dissolve the lye.

The safety rule

Lye is dangerous before it becomes soap. You must wear gloves and goggles. Always pour the lye into the water, never the other way around (remember: “The snow falls on the lake”).

How do we package and label natural products?

Because our products are natural, they do not last forever like the ones in the supermarket.

• Sterilisation: Always wash your jars with hot water and dry them completely before filling them.
• Vitamin E: Adding a few drops of vitamin E oil helps the skin and also acts as a natural antioxidant that keeps the oils from going “rancid” (smelling bad).
• Labelling: Every product must have:
  1. the name of the product;
  2. all ingredients used;
  3. the “Made On” date.

Classroom practical and discussion

1. Sensory test: Smell and feel the difference between shea butter and coconut oil. Which one feels “heavier”?
2. The mix: Create a simple “hand scrub” using brown sugar and any oil available in the lab.

Evaluation

1. Give three reasons why people choose natural cosmetics.
2. Why must essential oils be mixed with a carrier oil before use?
3. State the basic scrub recipe, and explain why water must not get into the jar.
4. What is saponification?
5. Why do we wear goggles when working with lye?

Assignment

1. Write out the safety rules for handling lye in soap making.
2. Describe how you would make a hand scrub, pack it in a jar and label it.