The importance of Carrier Oils

Vegetable oils (also known as carrier oils or fixed oils) play a far more significant role in massage than many people realise, but unfortunately, some therapists still feel they are of little importance. In fact, to believe this would be a mistake, as they offer a wealth of health-giving benefits. They contain vitamins, essential fatty acids, various antioxidants and phytosterols. Many of them soften and improve the condition of the skin. Some of them are also highly effective in treating irritated, sensitive conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis, as well as helping to reduce wrinkles and scar tissue.

There are a wide range of vegetable oils to choose from, as well as infused or macerated oils such as Calendula or Carrot. The variety of vegetable oils available to a newcomer can seem a little bewildering at first, since there is very little written on this important subject but choosing which ones are for you is not really complicated at all!

Selecting vegetable oils for treatment is simple -in other words, once you know the properties you choose the ones with the properties that match your client`s particular requirements. All you need to know are some basic facts about the therapeutic properties, composition and viscosity of vegetable oils, and then choosing becomes so much easier.

Course Details

This workshop is packed wth useful information, for instance

• Introduction – what is an oil
• Extraction methods /Organic oils
• Components of fixed/herbal oils
• Quality, safety and storage
• The growth of carrier oils in skin care and body therapies
• Benefits in skin care and therapeutic uses
• Creating blends
• Profile and overview of 12 oils, as well as infused oils:
  • Safflower;
  • Fractionated Coconut;
  • Sweet Almond
  • Macadamia
  • Jojoba
  • Hazelnut
  • Walnut
  • Grapeseed
  • Arnica
  • Calendula
  • St Johns Wort
  • Carrot
• Plus an introduction to many more

Join us for an interactive, fun day with demonstration, sampling, blending and group work. After that, you will never look at carrier oils in the same way!

Who Can Attend?

Anyone can attend this unique and interesting day. It is particularly suitable for massage therapists and aromatherapists who wish to refresh or further their existing knowledge of this therapeutic medium, to benefit their clients. Also of use to natural product makers.

Recognition by Professional Associations

Widely accepted by most Professional Bodies. If you are not already registered with a Professional Body and would like to do so here are some useful links – ICGT, APNT , CtHA, FHT. For stand alone insurance Balens

More Information

Duration:  1 day

Course fees include the following:

• All class tuition
• A comprehensive course manual
• An MSCM Certificate of Attendance for your professional portfolio
• 5 cpd points

You may also be interested in the MSCM Diploma in the Development of Organic Phyto-Skincare Cosmetics

The importance of Carrier Oils

Vegetable oils (also known as carrier oils or fixed oils) play a far more significant role in massage than many people realise, but unfortunately, some therapists still feel they are of little importance. In fact, to believe this would be a mistake, as they offer a wealth of health-giving benefits. They contain vitamins, essential fatty acids, various antioxidants and phytosterols. Many of them soften and improve the condition of the skin. Some of them are also highly effective in treating irritated, sensitive conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis, as well as helping to reduce wrinkles and scar tissue.

There are a wide range of vegetable oils to choose from, as well as infused or macerated oils such as Calendula or Carrot. The variety of vegetable oils available to a newcomer can seem a little bewildering at first, since there is very little written on this important subject but choosing which ones are for you is not really complicated at all!

Selecting vegetable oils for treatment is simple -in other words, once you know the properties you choose the ones with the properties that match your client`s particular requirements. All you need to know are some basic facts about the therapeutic properties, composition and viscosity of vegetable oils, and then choosing becomes so much easier.

Course Details

This workshop is packed wth useful information, for instance

• Introduction – what is an oil
• Extraction methods /Organic oils
• Components of fixed/herbal oils
• Quality, safety and storage
• The growth of carrier oils in skin care and body therapies
• Benefits in skin care and therapeutic uses
• Creating blends
• Profile and overview of 12 oils, as well as infused oils:
  • Safflower;
  • Fractionated Coconut;
  • Sweet Almond
  • Macadamia
  • Jojoba
  • Hazelnut
  • Walnut
  • Grapeseed
  • Arnica
  • Calendula
  • St Johns Wort
  • Carrot
• Plus an introduction to many more

Join us for an interactive, fun day with demonstration, sampling, blending and group work. After that, you will never look at carrier oils in the same way!

Who Can Attend?

Anyone can attend this unique and interesting day. It is particularly suitable for massage therapists and aromatherapists who wish to refresh or further their existing knowledge of this therapeutic medium, to benefit their clients. Also of use to natural product makers.

Recognition by Professional Associations

Widely accepted by most Professional Bodies. If you are not already registered with a Professional Body and would like to do so here are some useful links – ICGT, APNT , CtHA, FHT. For stand alone insurance Balens

More Information

Duration:  1 day

Course fees include the following:

• All class tuition
• A comprehensive course manual
• An MSCM Certificate of Attendance for your professional portfolio
• 5 cpd points

You may also be interested in the MSCM Diploma in the Development of Organic Phyto-Skincare Cosmetics

Aloe Vera has been used in cosmetics for as long as we can remember. It is one of those timeless cosmetic ingredients popularity of which does not seem to wane. Used for burns and itchy skin conditions, helpful for acne and psoriasis, the applications for Aloe Vera gel seem endless.

There are many Aloe Vera gels available on the market but sadly, just one look at the list of ingredients will make many of us shudder… carbomers, synthetic colours, harsh preservatives and more, can all be found in what could be a very simple product. No wonder that so many try to make their own!

There are endless DIY recipes on-line but how do we know what is a ‘good’ recipe and what is simply ‘wrong’? Worryingly, the World Wide Web is full of incorrect/misleading/confused information, so let’s learn how to make (and preserve) your very own, pure and natural, Aloe Vera Gel!

Course Details

We will cover:

• How to safely use Aloe Vera plant for home emergencies
• Benefits and applications of Aloe Vera Gel – what research tells us
• Aloe Vera’s skin benefits are well known but are there any negative effects?
• Ingredients to avoid in high street Aloe Vera Gels
• Aloe Vera Gel – how to make it correctly:
  –       professional cosmetic ingredients (aloe vera extracts, gelling agents, etc.)
  –        method of preparation
  –        equipment required

• Do I need to preserve my gel? How to preserve Aloe Vera gel using natural preservative
• Hands on: Recipe and Preparation

At the end of this half day workshop you will leave with a jar of handmade Aloe Vera gel and you will be able to make even more at home! 🙂

Who Can Attend?

All welcome.

More Information

Duration – 3 hours

Course fees include:

• All class tuition
• All ingredients used in class

Plus you will take home with you

• An MSCM Certificate of Attendance for your professional portfolio
• 3 cpd points
• jar of handmade Aloe Vera gel

Balms are truly versatile and so easy to use!  A good balm can be used as a lip protector, dry skin barrier, nappy rush soother, brow tamer, frizz fixer, cuticle softener and a cracked heal rescuer! A bit of a knight in shining armour, there should be one in every handbag! 😉

Balms are also fun to make! But which recipe should we go for? If you have ever tried to follow one of the online recipes you might have been lucky or it could have been a disaster. We get asked all the time ‘Why did my balm end up with that gritty texture?’, ‘How do we make it glossier?’,  ‘And how do we make it vegan…? I’ve tried and it was very hard!’ It’s time to get it all sorted and for all the questions to be answered.

Join us for this informative hands-on half-day workshop and leave with a foolproof recipe and a handmade sample of a vegan multipurpose balm!

Course Details

We will cover:

• What are balms
• Popular ingredients used in balms – what to choose and why and what to avoid
• How to transform a  non-vegan recipe into a vegan one
• How to make a good balm:

–   professional cosmetic ingredients

–   method of preparation

–   equipment required

• Shelf life of balms – do I need a ‘preservative’?
• The SPF question
• Hands on: Multipurpose Balm recipe and preparation

Who Can Attend?

All welcome.

More Information

Duration – 3 hours

Course fees include:

• All class tuition
• All ingredients used in class

Plus you will take home with you

• An MSCM Certificate of Attendance for your professional portfolio
• 3 cpd points
• jar of multi-purpose balm

Handmade soap is truly unique and beautiful. Rich in natural glycerine, it is much better for the skin and if made properly, should not be too drying on the skin. As people become more and more conscious of what they use on their body and are looking to protect themselves from harsh chemicals and artificial fragrances, the natural skin care and natural soap making industry has grown. Handmade soap as a product and soap making as a craft has increased in the last few years. For the soapaholics, it is very addictive to make.

Handmade soaps come in so many different types and recipes that the possibilities are endless. For most people though, soap making is still something of a mystery. With our step-by-step practical and hands on course you will learn the secrets of the natural skin care industry and discover how to make beautiful moisturising soaps using all natural ingredients.

Course details

This special soap making course is the first step to enable you to consider starting your own profitable soap making business, make natural soaps tailored to yourself, your family, and your friends, create your own unique and beautiful handmade gifts or maybe just learn a new, enjoyable and rewarding hobby.

During this special 1 day course you will learn about

• The many types of soaps
• History of soap making
• The process of soap making – saponification – what`s it all about?
• Necessary materials, ingredients and equipment
• `Cold` method, hand milled soaps, glycerine soap – what they are and pros and cons
• Raw ingredients – choosing oils for hardiness, lather and conditioning
• Emollients
• Exfoliants
• Colourants
• Botanicals
• Useful essential oils and all important ratios – how much to add?
• Health and Safety Aspects
• Trouble shooting during the soap making process
• The moulds – the good, the bad and those `on a shoestring` – what to look for and what to avoid
• Soap making ideas and recipes
• Choosing commercial melt and pour soap bases avoiding unwanted, harsh chemicals
• Correct storage for different types of soap
• Information about what to study next in order to turn your soap making into a business.
• Melt and pour soaps
• Rarely taught so called `cold` process – traditional methods of making soap from raw ingredients

Who can attend?

Open to anyone – ideal for aromatherapists. Our Soap Making Course is suitable for complete beginners and for those wishing to expand their skills. There is no prior experience required just a willingness to experience the joy of creating your own soaps from scratch.

More Information

This is a practical course and you will be making a selection of soaps yourself. You will learn hands on under supervision in small friendly groups. A full workshop handout, including recipe sheets, main ingredients and moulds will be provided, along with a wealth of information as well as the lovely products you have made for you to enjoy and take home.

Please note: You will be required to bring some items of equipment to class, details of which will be sent with the joining details upon booking. Please closely follow the guidelines and start gathering the equipment straight away allowing enough time to collect the necessary items.

Duration:  1 day

Course fees include:
~ Ingredients and moulds for use during the course
~ All class tuition
~ A comprehensive course manual
~ An MSCM Certificate of Attendance for your professional portfolio