Essential Oils: From Chemistry to Formulation

Take your use of essential oils to the next level with a deeper understanding of the chemistry, science, and formulation principles behind these fascinating natural ingredients.
Many formulators know how to use essential oils, but understanding why they behave the way they do can transform the way you formulate.
In this live class led by Cosmetic Chemist, Tina Svetek, you'll discover how chemistry influences an essential oil's properties, skincare benefits, fragrance profile, performance, and safety.
Designed for everyday formulators rather than chemists, this class breaks down the science into clear, practical concepts that you can immediately apply to your own products.
You'll learn how essential oils interact with both the skin and the senses, explore the major chemical families found within essential oils, and understand how these influence their function in cosmetic formulations.
We'll also examine evidence-based skincare benefits, fragrance design principles, and the key formulation and safety considerations needed to use essential oils effectively and responsibly.
Whether you're creating skincare products, body care, or natural fragrances, this class will help you formulate with greater confidence, creativity, and scientific understanding.

We’ll explore:
- What essential oils are and how they differ from fragrance oils and botanical extracts.
- The major chemical families found in essential oils and their practical relevance in formulation.
- How essential oils work through olfaction and dermal interaction.
- Fragrance design using top, middle, and base notes.
- The role of essential oils in sensory skincare and product positioning.
- Evidence-based skincare properties including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and skin-conditioning benefits.
- Spotlight profiles of well-studied essential oils including tea tree, lavender, rosemary, German chamomile, frankincense, immortelle, and sweet orange.
- Formulation guidelines covering usage rates, solubility, dermal limits, phototoxicity, oxidation, and stability.
To help you put theory into practice, we’ll also share two carefully formulated products that showcase how essential oils can be selected based on both their chemistry and function:
- Soothing Aromatherapy Body Oil – a luxurious body oil featuring carefully chosen essential oils with well-documented soothing properties, designed to create a calming sensory experience while supporting skin comfort.
- Antioxidant Facial Serum – a nourishing oil-based facial serum incorporating antioxidant-rich essential oils selected for their ability to help protect the skin from oxidative stress while enhancing the overall sensory profile of the product.
Date: Wednesday 19th August 2026 6am Los Angeles, 9am New York, 2pm UK.
Check the time where you live here.
IMPORTANT: To attend the live Zoom class, you need to complete the registration form on the next page. Once you unlock the class using your credits, you will be taken to the class page, where you will find the Zoom registration link.
Registration closes 4 hours before the class.
If you can't join live, the replay will be available shortly afterwards.
👉 You’ll receive:
🎥 An invitation to join a live presentation on Zoom, taught by our cosmetic scientist, Tina Svetek, with the chance to ask your questions during the interactive Q&A (we strongly encourage attending live for the best experience!).
🔁 Access to the full replay to watch anytime.
📑 A downloadable copy of the presentation slides.
📘 A full transcript of the class to keep and review whenever you need it.
THIS CLASS IS 50 CREDITS.
Not a member of the Club? Join now and use your first month's credits to access the Essential Oils: From Chemistry to Formulation class
CHOOSE THE RIGHT PLAN FOR YOU
US $57 / month
Billed monthly
50 credits per month
US $570 / year (2 months free!)
Billed annually
600 credits per year