Making, Packaging, and Selling Natural Body Care

About Course

Learn how to make natural body care products at home, package them professionally, and sell them online or in local markets. This course teaches formulations, branding, marketing, and business skills to start your own natural skincare brand.

Course Content

Foundations: Ingredient Science & Legal Essentials
This module is the absolute foundation of your artisan body care business. It provides a comprehensive understanding of the raw materials, their chemical properties, and, most critically, the mandatory legal framework you must operate within. Success in the cosmetic world depends on safety, stability, and strict adherence to regulations. You will learn how to identify high-quality ingredients and set up a compliant production environment before you even begin formulating.

Welcome: The Booming Market for Clean & Natural Skincare
CRITICAL: Cosmetic Safety, GMP, and Labeling Laws (FDA/EU Regulations)
Ingredient Deep Dive: Carrier Oils (Jojoba, Sweet Almond, Coconut, etc.) and Their Properties
Ingredient Deep Dive: Natural Butters (Shea, Mango, Cocoa) – Melting Points and Consistency
Essential Equipment: Scales (Precision is key!), Double Boilers, Stick Blenders, and Temperature Control
Basic Cosmetic Science: Understanding Stability, Rancidity, and Shelf Life
Learner Activity
Carrier Oil Properties, Butter Chemistry, and Initial Legal Requirements

Body Oil Mastery: Formulating & Infusing
Body oils are your fastest route to a luxurious, high-profit product. This module dives into the art and science of anhydrous liquid formulation. You will move from simple blending to complex infusions, learning how to select oils for desired skin feel and maximize shelf life. Crucially, you will master the dermal limits for essential oils and fragrances, ensuring your products are both beautifully scented and completely safe for your customers. Precision is the key to creating oils that absorb quickly and feel professional.

Body Butter Alchemy: Structure & Stability
Moving from liquid oils to semi-solid butters requires mastery over temperature and crystallization—true product alchemy. This module focuses on achieving the highly desirable, light, and airy texture of a perfect whipped body butter. You will learn the specific thermal techniques used to prevent separation and the dreaded "gritty" texture, ensuring your final product is stable, luxurious, and commands a premium price. The lessons here are essential for long-term product integrity.

Packaging, Labeling & Preservation
This module shifts focus from formulation to the final presentation and legal preparation of your products. Packaging is not just a container; it's a critical component of preservation, hygiene, and branding. You will master the complex but non-negotiable legal requirements for cosmetic labeling, learn how to perform essential stability tests, and select packaging that matches your product's viscosity and brand identity.

Pricing, Profitability, and Sales Strategy
Now that you have mastered formulation and compliance, Module 5 shifts focus to the critical business decisions that determine your success. You will learn how to accurately calculate the Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) for your products, establish a professional pricing structure that ensures profitability, and understand the basic sales channels necessary to launch your brand from the kitchen to the customer. This module ensures your hard work in the lab translates directly into a sustainable, scalable business model.

Branding, Photography & Marketing
You have a compliant, stable, and profitable product. Now, the final step is to create a compelling brand identity that sells your product online. This module guides you through defining your brand's aesthetic, mastering product photography to make texture and gloss look irresistible, and understanding the core pillars of digital marketing to attract your ideal customer.

Final Project

Add this certificate to your resume to demonstrate your skills & increase your chances of getting noticed.

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About Course

Course Content

Welcome: The Booming Market for Clean & Natural Skincare

CRITICAL: Cosmetic Safety, GMP, and Labeling Laws (FDA/EU Regulations)

Ingredient Deep Dive: Carrier Oils (Jojoba, Sweet Almond, Coconut, etc.) and Their Properties

Ingredient Deep Dive: Natural Butters (Shea, Mango, Cocoa) – Melting Points and Consistency

Essential Equipment: Scales (Precision is key!), Double Boilers, Stick Blenders, and Temperature Control

Basic Cosmetic Science: Understanding Stability, Rancidity, and Shelf Life

Learner Activity

Carrier Oil Properties, Butter Chemistry, and Initial Legal Requirements

Project 1: Mastering the Simple, Non-Greasy Everyday Body Oil (Basic Blending Ratios)

UNIQUE IDEA 1: Herb & Flower Infused Oils (Calendula, Rose, Chamomile) using solar and heat methods

Fragrance Layering: Safe Use of Essential Oils (EO) and Fragrance Oils (FO) – Dilution Rates (The Dermal Limit)

The Role of Antioxidants: Adding Vitamin E and Rosemary Oleoresin Extract (ROE) to prolong shelf life

Oil Presentation: Using dried botanicals and unique bottles for a premium look

Learner Activity

Essential Oil Dilution Calculations, Infusion Techniques, and Antioxidant Benefits.

Project 2: Mastering the Classic Whipped Body Butter (Preventing the dreaded “gritty” texture)

The Science of the Whip: Controlling temperature and blending time for a light, airy texture

UNIQUE IDEA 2: Compound Butters – Combining butters for specific skin benefits (e.g., Ultra-Hydrating Winter Butter)

Preventing Collapse & Separating: Wax (e.g., Candelilla/Beeswax) and Starch (e.g., Arrowroot) Additives

CRITICAL: Waterless Preservatives – When and how to use them safely (BHA/BHT alternatives)

Learner Activity

Butter Whipping Temperatures, Grittiness Prevention, and the Use of Preservatives/Antioxidants.

CRITICAL: The Anatomy of a Cosmetic Label (INCI List, Net Weight, Contact Info, Directions)

Preservation & Stability Testing: Monitoring stability (Temperature, Light) and documenting batch numbers

Sourcing Packaging: Jars (Glass/PET), Pump Bottles, and Aluminum Tins – Matching container to product viscosity

Calculating Net Contents: Weighing for Solids and Measuring by Volume for Liquids

Batch Coding & Traceability: Creating a system for lot numbering and recording ingredient supplier data (Master Batch Log)

Learner Activity

Packaging, Labeling & Preservation

The Formula for Profit: Accurately Calculating Cost of Goods Sold (COGS)

Establishing Your Pricing Strategy (The Markup Principle)

Sales Channel Strategy: Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) vs. Wholesale

Shipping, Logistics, and Preventing Melted Products in Transit

Customer Retention and Loyalty: Subscription Models, Sampling, and Reviews

Learner Activity

Pricing, Logistics, and Retention Essentials

Branding Your Apothecary: Creating a “Minimalist Wellness,” “Rustic Farmhouse,” or “Luxurious Spa” Vibe

Photography 101: Capturing Texture, Gloss, and Ingredient Story (The Key Selling Points)

Marketing 101: The Power of Storytelling (Ingredient sourcing and formulation process)

Content Strategy: The “Skincare Routine” Video (Showing product application and benefits)

Content Strategy: Ingredient Education & Myth Busting (Establishing authority and trust)

Learner Activity

Final Project

Final Project: Launch Your “Signature Collection”

Earn a certificate

Student Ratings & Reviews

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