Introduction to Cosmetic Science and Ingredients

This course is part of the Cosmetic Science Specialization. This course explores the science and practice of cosmetic formulation, guiding you from foundational raw material selection to advanced product optimization and performance evaluation. You will examine surfactants, emulsifiers, preservatives, rheology modifiers, and additives, while developing safe and effective laboratory practices, accurate documentation, and quantitative formulation skills. As the course progresses, you will apply formulation mathematics, interpret Certificates of Analysis, and compare skincare system designs to support stable, high-performing products. In the final module, you will integrate testing data, troubleshoot formulation challenges, and justify product design decisions using real-world scenarios. By the end of the course, you will be prepared to design, evaluate, and refine cosmetic formulations with scientific rigor and professional confidence.

In the third course, Cosmetic Product Development, we analyze every step of developing cosmetic products. We cover everything, including how you would generate ideas, how you know what the customer wants, and feasibility studies. We strongly emphasize collaboration and prototype development, along with how we design and select cosmetic packaging. We engage with raw material suppliers and navigate international manufacturing regulations. You will also learn to evaluate cosmetic product performance, market trends, and sustainable practices. We designed this course to give you a holistic understanding of the cosmetic product development process within industry standards.e.g. This is primarily aimed at first- and second-year undergraduates interested in engineering or science, along with high school students and professionals with an interest in programming.

This course provides foundational knowledge of cosmetics, from historical context to modern industry practices, covering skin biology, raw materials, and formulation basics, with an added focus on the chemical composition of cosmetic products, the biological impact of cosmetics on skin health, and ethical implications of cosmetic science. This course now includes a deeper exploration of the chemical composition of cosmetic products, biological impacts on skin health, and ethical implications of cosmetic science to align with ACE Level 3 credit expectations.