We are the leading online teaching institution for organic formulation and indie beauty entrepreneurship and we are on a mission to teach the world to| Formula Botanica
AI has levelled up – and if you’ve been playing with tools like ChatGPT lately, you’ve probably noticed it too. Two years ago, Formula Botanica CEO Lorraine Dallmeier challenged ChatGPT to create a cosmetic formulation for her, and it was a frustrating merry-go-round of vague advice, incorrect safety limits, and an irritating insistence that she should “hire a cosmetic chemist.” […]| Formula Botanica
Updated: 23.09.25 Ever wish you could bottle the colour, scent, or power of a plant? With macerated oils, you can. Also known as infused oils or macerates, macerated oils are powerful oil-soluble botanical extracts made by infusing a plant – or a blend of plants – into a carrier oil, often olive or sunflower oil, which you can then use […]| Formula Botanica
Discover how Potion AI is building the future of beauty R&D with an integrated, AI-powered workspace for formulators and brands.| Formula Botanica
Compostable caps, carbon-neutral cleansers, recyclable jars made from ocean plastic – the beauty industry is fluent in the language of sustainability. But behind the glossy claims and Instagram-friendly campaigns, there’s a serious problem: most brands still aren’t actually measuring their environmental impact. And without hard data, all those ‘sustainable’ promises risk being little more than marketing spin. In this week’s […]| Formula Botanica
Have you ever experienced stinging, itching, or redness after using a new product or even just stepping out into the wind? If so, you’re not alone! Sensitive skin is a common concern, and learning how to formulate products that genuinely care for it is an incredibly empowering skill to have as a cosmetic formulator. In this post, we’ll explore what […]| Formula Botanica
There’s a dirty secret in the beauty industry, and it’s hiding in plain sight. Behind every jar of cream and bottle of shampoo lies a complex data problem that no one really wants to talk about. Ask even the most committed brands to put real numbers behind their environmental claims, and you’ll often find the story starts to crumble. Because […]| Formula Botanica
If you’re looking for a fun DIY skincare project with professional-level results, this antioxidant face & lips oleogel mask formula is for you. Designed for formulators who already have a basic understanding of oleogels and want to take their skills further, this gorgeous, bright orange gel formulation is fun to make, cost-effective, and super satisfying to use. What makes it […]| Formula Botanica
In an industry dominated by multinationals and million-unit launches, it’s easy to feel like being a “small” beauty brand is synonymous with being insignificant. But what if this wasn’t true? In this episode of Green Beauty Conversations, Formula Botanica CEO and podcast host Lorraine Dallmeier unpacks the true meaning of “small” in the indie beauty industry and challenges the mindset […]| Formula Botanica
Learn how to make a hydrating facial serum in only 4 steps! This natural formula contains rose and is also entirely customisable.| Formula Botanica
When we talk about launching a beauty brand, we often focus on the front-facing story – the founder’s mission, the branding, the formulation journey. But behind every successful product lies a quiet powerhouse: the contract manufacturer. In this episode of Green Beauty Conversations, Formula Botanica CEO Lorraine Dallmeier lifts the lid on what really happens behind the scenes at a […]| Formula Botanica
Discover the power of dirty beauty with Stephen Smith, founder of Nuturn, in this insightful episode of Green Beauty Conversations.| Formula Botanica
Ready to take your beauty brand from kitchen to lab? Watch our interview with Lucy Poole for insider tips on scaling with a contract manufacturer.| Formula Botanica
As part of our research for the relaunch of our Advanced Diploma in Organic Cosmetic Science, the Formula Botanica team visited Mayfield Labs, a leading| Formula Botanica
Tired of lumpy gels? Learn 5 simple ways to prevent clumps in your natural gel formulations and create smooth gels every time.| Formula Botanica
Has sustainable beauty lost its meaning? In episode 2 of her four-part series, Lorraine Dallmeier explores the definition of the word "sustainable".| Formula Botanica
Ever struggled with white streaks or foaming when applying a cream or lotion? Try these simple tips to prevent soaping in your natural emulsions!| Formula Botanica
Why should you undertake stability testing for your cosmetic formulations? Simple: if you don't, you run the risk of damaging your products, your reputation and your brand. Read our article on the 3 reasons why all skincare formulations must undergo stability testing.| Formula Botanica
Learn all about surfactants in this post. Explore the top 5 recommended surfactants and choose the best one for your natural formulations.| Formula Botanica
Everything the natural formulator needs to know about INCI for cosmetic ingredients including top FAQs and the grey areas of INCI explained.| Formula Botanica
We look at the vegan cosmetics market and share our top tips for creating successful vegan formulations as well as sharing a bonus cleansing oil formula.| Formula Botanica
Do know how to read cosmetic ingredient safety data sheets? We have you covered so you can research ingredients well and formulate safely.| Formula Botanica
Curious about the difference between squalene and squalane? Our formulator's guide breaks it down for you, complete with a serum formulation.| Formula Botanica
Want to disperse essential oils into a gum or water-based natural cosmetic product? You need a natural solubiliser - follow our tutorial on how to use one.| Formula Botanica
When you subscribe or enrol with Formula Botanica, your data is held securely and we comply with the law. This Privacy Policy sets out exactly how we protect, use, store, access and retain your data. For any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch with us.| Formula Botanica
What caused the Liz Earle recall of 15,000 cleansers from the market, because of high concentrations of Enterobacter bacteria?| Formula Botanica
Lorraine is our award-winning CEO, as well as a biologist and Chartered Environmentalist. She was voted the most influential person in natural beauty for 2020| Formula Botanica
If you work with natural ingredients, you need to start paying much more attention to your formulation's pH to ensure your product remains stable.| Formula Botanica
Ever seen a formulation on the market and not been able to figure out how it's preserved? You're not alone, we receive the question "how is this formulation preserved?" frequently from Formula Botanica students. Read our article to learn the only 2 answers to this question.| Formula Botanica
Read our 16 points to consider when you want to choose the right natural preservative for your organic skincare and cosmetic formulations.| Formula Botanica
People can be killed by cosmetics. We report on potential side effects of skincare products and the critical need for their safe preservation.| Formula Botanica
Large ingredients manufacturers supply unpreserved hydrosols. Retailers then repackage and sell them to you - are you buying contaminated hydrosols?| Formula Botanica
Do you know how to spot the signs of cosmetic product instability? How do you ensure that your formulations remain stable during their use?| Formula Botanica
Discover our award-winning online formulation and business courses and take our handy quiz to find out which one is best for your needs| Formula Botanica
Natural cosmetic waxes are versatile and favourite anhydrous natural skincare ingredients. Our guide compares 6 waxes' performance, function and feel.| Formula Botanica
Learn how to make a natural shampoo with stimulating mint and rosemary and nourishing, protective active ingredients in this DIY haircare formula.| Formula Botanica
Looking for information on how to make a pre shampoo? Learn how to use and formulate a pre shampoo today!| Formula Botanica
Out of all cosmetic ingredients available to you as a natural and organic skincare formulator, preservatives and emulsifiers are probably the least exciting ones. Let’s be fair, it’s easier to get excited by all the wonderful cold pressed plant oils, or botanical extracts, or fragrant hydrosols. Preservatives and emulsifiers are, however, so important that whenever something goes wrong with your formulation that […]| Formula Botanica
Follow our formulation framework for making an organic natural hair conditioner, looking at the conditioning base, and active and functional ingredients.| Formula Botanica
With beauty consumers demanding ever greater transparency in skincare brands' supply chains, we've tips on how to source sustainable botanical ingredients. Read more today!| Formula Botanica
Formula Botanica is the accredited online Organic Cosmetic Formulation School.| Formula Botanica
Work with innovative plant-based and vegan waxes in your organic cosmetic formulations. We run through 6 vegan waxes in detail in this blog post.| Formula Botanica
Lorraine discusses the impact of a greenwashing ban on the beauty industry and what the future might look like.| Formula Botanica
Maggie Spicer of Source Beauty joins Lorraine Dallmeier to discuss beauty sustainability claims and developing a sustainability strategy.| Formula Botanica
Children using anti-ageing skincare with active ingredients like retinol. How will that impact young skin? What needs to change?| Formula Botanica
Seaweed never ceases to surprise as a source of sustainable ingredients. We talk to Macro Oceans which turns seaweed bioactives into skincare.| Formula Botanica
An essential guide to natural preservatives in skincare. Learn how to choose and use the right natural preservatives for your formulations.| Formula Botanica