Free Online Course Formulating Cosmetics
In this free, short course on formulating cosmetics, our experts, Susan Barclay-Nichols (www.swiftcraftymonkey.blog), Perry Rowmanowski (www.chemistscorner.com) and Jane Barber (www.makingskincare.com), will introduce you to some basic concepts in cosmetic science and formulating that can help you understand and create your own products. The course starts when you are ready to enroll and after the Unit is released you can complete it at your own pace. Along the way there will be exercises and quizzes which you can use to demonstrate whether you learned the key information.
After completing this online course you will have a better understanding of cosmetics, the ingredients used to create them, how products are tested and how to create some basic formulations yourself. You will also be able to download a PDF certificate of completion.
Perry Romanowski
Perry Romanowski has been developing products in the cosmetic industry for more than 25 years primarily focusing on hair and hair-related products. He received his B.S. in Chemistry and Biochemistry from DePaul University. He is currently Vice President of Element 44 Inc, which specializes in formulating and education. Previously, Romanowski was a senior project leader working on brands including VO5, Tresemme, Nexxus & St. Ives. He is currently the President for the Society of Cosmetic Chemists (SCC). He has written and edited numerous articles and books, taught the SCC’s Beginning Cosmetic Chemistry continuing education class, and developed various websites including ChemistsCorner.com
Susan Barclay-Nichols
Susan Barclay Nichols is better known as SwiftCraftyMonkey, author of the blog, Point of Interest. Over the last ten years, she’s written almost 3,500 posts, created thousands of formulas, and authored more than 30 e-books and e-zines, including Lotion Making 101, Formulating Lotions & Creams, Hair Care, Facial Products, and Back to Basics (anhydrous products). She shares her passion for researching, formulating, and instructing by writing a monthly column for Handmade Magazine and teaching classes at Voyageur Soap & Candle and Windy Point Soap Making Supplies. She’s admittedly come to cosmetic chemistry in a roundabout way. She graduated in 1992 with a Bachelor in General Studies from Simon Fraser University with two minors in English and Canadian studies. After a few months of making products at home, Susan found herself falling in love with chemistry, so she enrolled at the University of Fraser Valley to study science in a more formal way. Although Susan claims to love all her ingredients equally, she admits to having a soft spot for cold process emulsifiers, conditioners, and surfactants.
Jane Barber
Jane, who owns www.makingskincare.com is a full member of the UK Society of Cosmetic Scientists and has experience formulating for a variety of clients, from major commercial brands such as The Body Shop and Boots to natural and organic start-ups. Jane is also responsible for teaching skincare and haircare formulation for a Cosmetic Science Degree at a UK University. Jane also runs a worldwide formulation consultancy team and heads up formulation discussion groups which total over 40,000 members.