The handymade learning centre
Homemade cosmetics academy
Recipes, ingredient profiles and regulations in one place. Learn step by step — and add the ingredients of any recipe to your cart in one click.
Learning paths
Getting started with homemade cosmetics
First steps in making your own cosmetics: measuring pH, preservation, working with actives and essential oils. The parts build on each other, but each one also stands alone.
Level II · 5 partsMineral make-up from A to Z
A complete series on home-made mineral make-up: powder foundation, a cream version in five shades and liquid make-up, including how to mix your own shade.
Level III · 6 partsCosmetics legislation for makers
INCI names, correct product labelling, IFRA standards and cosmetic certificates — a learning path for everyone who wants to make cosmetics properly and legally.
Cosmetic certificates and certification bodies
In recent years, the global market for natural and organic personal care products has expanded. This boom in cosmetics has quite naturally led to the emergence of organisations which, in the form of certain norms and standards, cover the assessment of the quality level of raw materials intended for the production of natural cosmetics, as well as certain limitations and restrictions in use and dosage.
What does PEG-free mean?
You have certainly noticed that in the descriptions of some products we state that they are PEG free. So what does PEG free actually mean?
Cosmetic clays and their use
Clays have been used in skincare for centuries and are found in almost all traditional cosmetic and even therapeutic procedures. They are one of the best sources of minerals.
Flavours for balms and fragrance oils - differences
We are introducing new lip balm flavours and fragrance oils to our range. Do you know how lip balm flavours differ from fragrance oils?
Fractionated coconut oil
Do you know what the difference is between classic coconut oil and its fractionated version? Can you use both variants in the same way, or substitute them in your formulations?
EXFOLIANTS
Exfoliation is a process that helps rid the skin of impurities, sebum and various build-ups, but especially of dead skin cells. The skin naturally sheds millions of skin cells every day. However, with increasing age this process of natural shedding slows down or even stops.
ACTIVATED CHARCOAL AND ITS USES
Activated charcoal is charcoal that has undergone a heating process and thanks to this treatment is safe for medical use. Its main property is its adsorption capacity, which allows it to penetrate into the porous surface and capture a large amount of toxins and chemicals.
HUMECTANTS AND EMOLLIENTS - DIFFERENCES AND USES
Do you know what the difference is between a humectant and an emollient? And which raw materials fall into which category? Not sure? Then this topic is intended just for you ;-)
How do pH test strips work?
Many of you are certainly familiar with pH measuring strips. But do you know how to use them correctly and read the result?
PLANT BUTTERS IN COSMETICS
What is plant butter? What can plant butter contain? What different attributes can it have and what are the most common forms of processing?
Make Your Own Winter Hand Balm
Follow our tutorial to make a winter balm (not only) for hands and protect your skin from drying winter weather.
Vitamins in cosmetics
In the winter period our body demands doses of vitamins more than ever, ones that are not available in their natural form as in other periods. Read about the best-known vitamins used in cosmetics.
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