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 video class delivered 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:

• Calming Facial Oil – a lightweight nighttime facial oil built around a blend of essential oils chosen for their anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing properties, formulated to calm irritated or sensitive skin while supporting its natural collagen production, needing just a drop or two to work.
• Uplifting Body Oil – an everyday body oil blending essential oils selected for their mood-lifting, energising qualities. Applied each morning, it sinks in fast and leaves skin feeling soft, without any greasy after-feel.

👉 You’ll receive:

 🎥 An on-demand 1.5hr video class taught by our cosmetic scientist, Tina Svetek, that you can watch and rewatch any time you like. 

 📑 A downloadable copy of the presentation slides.

 📘 A full transcript of the class to keep and review whenever you need it.

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

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