The cosmetics industry continues to expand globally but the consumers are now taking a more holistic approach to their health and beauty. As a result of the growing public awareness and concern about the possible unwanted side effects of the chemical substances commonly used in cosmetics, the market for natural and especially organic toiletries is now the fastest growing section of the beauty industry. Many of us are hugely concerned about what we put in and on our bodies – and rightly so! We do not want anything harsh or containing infamous parabens, SLS or other toxic but still commonly used chemicals. And we do not want our products to be tested on animals either! What we really want are REAL natural products – simple and pure – for our everyday skin care regime. The good news is there are plenty of wonderful options AND not only they do not have to be expensive but can even be organic!

As a result, many take it a step further and prepare their own home made natural preparations. It may seem easy to make one’s own ‘cream’ but how effective is it going to be? And most importantly could this be sold as a part of a successful new brand of products? Unfortunately, without appropriate training and in-depth knowledge, the answer is no. So, if you ever dreamed about having your own brand of products ‘out there’, it will require a lot more than some emulsifying wax, sweet almond oil and spring water.

Course Details

This is what this Diploma Course is all about – it is designed to inspire, empower and equip you with current knowledge and understanding of the field of skincare products, its language, high-performance speciality ingredients, formulation and safety. You will also learn the importance of the responsible sourcing of ingredients – the ever growing issue of sustainability and ecological concerns, which you cannot afford to ignore.

Oh, and yes, rest assured, we will not be teaching you how to use any controversial ingredients, like fragrance oils or parabens!

During the 10 day course we will be studying the following:

1. Underpinning knowledge:

• Understanding the language of the cosmetic field
• Types of products and their function – toners, cleansers, etc
• Types of ingredients and their role in cosmetics – humectants, emulsifiers, etc
• Commonly used and controversial ingredients in ‘high street’ products
• The importance of the responsible sourcing of ingredients
• Sustainability and Ecological issues
• Antioxidants – the roles and types
• Preservatives for different types of natural and organic products, what to choose and how to use.
  

2. Equipment for small scale product making

• Basic equipment – what to choose and why
• Other equipment.
• Safety and sterilisation in a nutshell.

3.  Study of the raw ingredients:

• Water and hydrophilic ingredients
• Lipid ingredients – understanding Vegetable Oils, Butter and Waxes
• Composition and other characteristics, their application and use in products, suitability for different phases of formulations, product types and skin types, activity in skin care, etc.

4. Essential oils and herbal extracts in natural products

• Blending skills, essential oils for fragrance and therapeutic properties
• Allergens/sensitisers, IFRA and EU guidelines in essential oils and legislation
• Top 25 essential oils relevant to skin care
• Herbal extracts for the use in cosmetic preparations

5. Formulation of natural skincare products

• Formulation skills – developing your own skincare formulas for the following:

~ Lipid based formulations:

• Speciality ingredient
• Formulation
• Serums
• Balms & Butters
• Other preparations

~ Water based formulations:

• Gums and thickening agents
• Speciality ingredients
• Formulation and preservation
• Toners
• Various gels and other preparations

~ Emulsions:                                      

• The science of emulsification
• Emulsifying agents
• Formulation and preservation
• Creams and lotions
• Other preparations

~ Detergent based (foaming) products:

• Foaming ingredients and speciality ingredients
• Formulation and preservation
• Bath and shower products
• Shampoo
• Other foaming products

This training will give you the skills and knowledge to enable you to create a unique brand of phyto-skincare cosmetics, free from synthetic substances and unnecessary fillers they will only contain time tested ingredients with proven efficacy.

A clever and often surprising combination of plant oils and other natural ingredients can not only produce cosmetic effect but also bring forth amazing results and offer natural solutions to some common problems.

There is no formal examination but to complete the course you will be required to successfully complete a number of both theoretical and practical projects and assignments.

Who Can Attend?

This course is designed for those who are truly serious about developing their own range of products and prepared to go through with what it involves.

You MUST demonstrate a good understanding and command of spoken and written English and have basic numeracy skills (calculating %, understanding the idea of ‘ratio’) and some knowledge of common raw ingredients and some experience of product making (home / hobby use) together with moderate IT literacy would be very useful.

Assessment

There is no formal examination but to complete the course you will be required to successfully complete a number of both theoretical and practical projects and assignments.

More Information

Course Duration: 10 days (10.00am-5.00pm)

Course fees include:

• • In-class tuition
  • A comprehensive course manual
  • An MSCM Diploma in the Development of Phyto-Skincare Cosmetics
  • 30 cpd points

2 Bonus On-line Courses

FREE OF CHARGE

to all those attending the Diploma in the Development of Phyto-skincare Cosmetics 

On-line Course 1 – The Study of the Anatomy and Physiology of the Skin:

The structure of the skin

Functions of the skin

Skin types and skin care regime elements; racial variations

Ageing process, ageing factors, effects of ageing on skin, prevention

Skin permeability and absorbency

Skin sensitivity vs. allergy; cross-sensitisation

Raw ingredient and product patch testing 

On-line Course 2 – Good Manufacturing Procedures for Small Cosmetic Making Companies:

European Cosmetics Directive and ISO standard 22716 (2007)

Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) – ISO 22716:2007

Key elements

How to ‘do it’ – your Good Manufacturing Practice File

Personnel

Premises

Equipment

Raw materials and packaging materials

Production

Quality control

Product release

Make Your Own SLS and SLES Free Hand Soap/Bodywash/Shampoo Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (commonly known as SLS) is a widely used and inexpensive chemical found in many mainstream personal hygiene products such as shampoos, bodywash and soaps, along with Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES). They function as surfactants—water- and oil-soluble compounds that, when combined with water, foam and emulsify greasy substances. While SLS and SLES are not sensitizers (molecules that cause allergic reactions), they are irritants. If you have an itchy or flaky scalp, one of the simplest things you can try is washing your hair with an SLS–free shampoo. An SLS–free shampoo does not contain the harsh and irritating ingredient sodium lauryl sulphate, which is a foaming agent (detergent) used by many of the big brands in hair care.

The search for SLS and SLeS free foaming products, such as face or body wash or a simple toxin-free shower gel or shampoo is still a daunting prospect.

There are also conflicting opinions about ingredients such as Cocamidopropyl betaine and various others. Even scent-free bases often sold by aromatherapy suppliers might contain some unwelcomed ingredients such as methylisothiazolinone and others.

There are however products which you could easily combine to make a gentle foaming hand or body wash suitable for your whole family. It can act as a shower gel or even a shampoo. And you could fragrance it yourself too!

Course Details

Join us for an informative and fun, hands-on workshop and find out how! We will cover:

• Ingredients to avoid and why
• What to use to make your own product
• How to fragrance it – essential oils safe for everyone, what to use and why. (If you wish to fragrance your product in class please bring along your own essential oils – a list of suggested oils will be provided)
• Clever, safe, packaging solution
• You will make a bottle of a product to take home!

Who Can Attend?

All welcome, no previous qualifications required.

More Information

Duration:  3 hours

Course fees include:

• All class tuition
• All ingredients used in class (except essential oils)

Plus you will take home with you

• Recipes
• An MSCM Certificate of Attendance for your professional portfolio
• 3 cpd points
• Your own product made in class

The cosmetics industry continues to expand globally but the consumers are now taking a more holistic approach to their health and beauty. As a result of the growing public awareness and concern about the possible unwanted side effects of the chemical substances commonly used in cosmetics, the market for natural and especially organic toiletries is now the fastest growing section of the beauty industry. Many of us are hugely concerned about what we put in and on our bodies – and rightly so! We do not want anything harsh or containing infamous parabens, SLS or other toxic but still commonly used chemicals. And we do not want our products to be tested on animals either! What we really want are REAL natural products – simple and pure – for our everyday skin care regime. The good news is there are plenty of wonderful options AND not only they do not have to be expensive but can even be organic!

As a result, many take it a step further and prepare their own home made natural preparations. It may seem easy to make one’s own ‘cream’ but how effective is it going to be? And most importantly could this be sold as a part of a successful new brand of products? Unfortunately, without appropriate training and in-depth knowledge, the answer is no. So, if you ever dreamed about having your own brand of products ‘out there’, it will require a lot more than some emulsifying wax, sweet almond oil and spring water.

Course Details

This is what this Diploma Course is all about – it is designed to inspire, empower and equip you with current knowledge and understanding of the field of skincare products, its language, high-performance speciality ingredients, formulation and safety. You will also learn the importance of the responsible sourcing of ingredients – the ever growing issue of sustainability and ecological concerns, which you cannot afford to ignore.

Oh, and yes, rest assured, we will not be teaching you how to use any controversial ingredients, like fragrance oils or parabens!

During the 10 day course we will be studying the following:

1. Underpinning knowledge:

• Understanding the language of the cosmetic field
• Types of products and their function – toners, cleansers, etc
• Types of ingredients and their role in cosmetics – humectants, emulsifiers, etc
• Commonly used and controversial ingredients in ‘high street’ products
• The importance of the responsible sourcing of ingredients
• Sustainability and Ecological issues
• Antioxidants – the roles and types
• Preservatives for different types of natural and organic products, what to choose and how to use.
  

2. Equipment for small scale product making

• Basic equipment – what to choose and why
• Other equipment.
• Safety and sterilisation in a nutshell.

3.  Study of the raw ingredients:

• Water and hydrophilic ingredients
• Lipid ingredients – understanding Vegetable Oils, Butter and Waxes
• Composition and other characteristics, their application and use in products, suitability for different phases of formulations, product types and skin types, activity in skin care, etc.

4. Essential oils and herbal extracts in natural products

• Blending skills, essential oils for fragrance and therapeutic properties
• Allergens/sensitisers, IFRA and EU guidelines in essential oils and legislation
• Top 25 essential oils relevant to skin care
• Herbal extracts for the use in cosmetic preparations

5. Formulation of natural skincare products

• Formulation skills – developing your own skincare formulas for the following:

~ Lipid based formulations:

• Speciality ingredient
• Formulation
• Serums
• Balms & Butters
• Other preparations

~ Water based formulations:

• Gums and thickening agents
• Speciality ingredients
• Formulation and preservation
• Toners
• Various gels and other preparations

~ Emulsions:                                      

• The science of emulsification
• Emulsifying agents
• Formulation and preservation
• Creams and lotions
• Other preparations

~ Detergent based (foaming) products:

• Foaming ingredients and speciality ingredients
• Formulation and preservation
• Bath and shower products
• Shampoo
• Other foaming products

This training will give you the skills and knowledge to enable you to create a unique brand of phyto-skincare cosmetics, free from synthetic substances and unnecessary fillers they will only contain time tested ingredients with proven efficacy.

A clever and often surprising combination of plant oils and other natural ingredients can not only produce cosmetic effect but also bring forth amazing results and offer natural solutions to some common problems.

There is no formal examination but to complete the course you will be required to successfully complete a number of both theoretical and practical projects and assignments.

Who Can Attend?

This course is designed for those who are truly serious about developing their own range of products and prepared to go through with what it involves.

You MUST demonstrate a good understanding and command of spoken and written English and have basic numeracy skills (calculating %, understanding the idea of ‘ratio’) and some knowledge of common raw ingredients and some experience of product making (home / hobby use) together with moderate IT literacy would be very useful.

Assessment

There is no formal examination but to complete the course you will be required to successfully complete a number of both theoretical and practical projects and assignments.

More Information

Course Duration: 10 days (10.00am-5.00pm)

Course fees include:

• • In-class tuition
  • A comprehensive course manual
  • An MSCM Diploma in the Development of Phyto-Skincare Cosmetics
  • 30 cpd points

2 Bonus On-line Courses

FREE OF CHARGE

to all those attending the Diploma in the Development of Phyto-skincare Cosmetics 

On-line Course 1 – The Study of the Anatomy and Physiology of the Skin:

The structure of the skin

Functions of the skin

Skin types and skin care regime elements; racial variations

Ageing process, ageing factors, effects of ageing on skin, prevention

Skin permeability and absorbency

Skin sensitivity vs. allergy; cross-sensitisation

Raw ingredient and product patch testing 

On-line Course 2 – Good Manufacturing Procedures for Small Cosmetic Making Companies:

European Cosmetics Directive and ISO standard 22716 (2007)

Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) – ISO 22716:2007

Key elements

How to ‘do it’ – your Good Manufacturing Practice File

Personnel

Premises

Equipment

Raw materials and packaging materials

Production

Quality control

Product release

Learn the basic methods of making incense so you can create your own blends and aromas!! Rediscover how to make incense the way it`s been made by virtually every civilization since before the Stone Age; with natural earth`s aromatic treasures – resins, woods and herbs.

Incense making is a simple, inexpensive and enjoyable way of reconnecting with nature and a much more natural way to fragrance your home too!

Incense has been used for spiritual and healing purposes for several thousand years. Today, many people continue to use it just to fill their homes with the pleasant aromas. We also understand the aromatherapeutic benefits of incense. Scents are powerful evocative of memory, mood and emotions. We can actually alter how we feel or set the atmosphere just by burning the right scents.

Why make your own incense?

There are many benefits of making your own incense:

• If you enjoy using incense regularly, you`ll get your money`s worth.
• Many cheaper types of incense are scented with synthetic chemicals, which can sometimes be overpowering for indoor use or even toxic – we never know which ingredients have been used!
• Other herbal and natural scents can be so subtle you`ll need to use several sticks or cones to scent a room, and it won`t last for long.
• Most commercial incense is stored for a while and loses much of its potency.
• When we buy incense there is no way to really know what a blend will smell like until we take it home and burn it. If you like a particular blend and can`t find it again, you`ll most likely never be able to duplicate it unless you have made it yourself and have the recipe!
• By making your own you know that the ingredients used were to your satisfaction – pure and natural!
• There is the satisfaction that comes with using something, or giving a gift of something, that you made entirely on your own!

Course Details

This one day practical workshop will be dedicated to incense making. It will cover:

• Historical background
• Most common ingredients – try and smell
• How to make different types of incense – loose incense and incense sticks/cones
• Incense making – make your own incense cones to take home.

Come and join us for a fun day of incense making! All you need to bring is a small lunch box to take your creations home.

Who Can Attend?

All welcome.

More Information

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
~ your own natural incense

Air fresheners have never been so popular! Sprays, plug-ins and reed diffusers – the market is swamped with them! Many even claim to contain some essential oils! But is it all as it seems?

Did you know that air fresheners, even ones called green and organic, can emit potentially hazardous chemicals? In fact, due to the ‘clever’ labelling regulations, fewer than 10% of air freshener ingredients are typically disclosed to the public! The majority (over 500!) of the chemical compounds are coyly described as “perfume”! On top of it all 86% of plug-in and other air fresheners tested contained phthalates, which are well known to interfere with production of the male hormone testosterone and have been associated with reproductive abnormalities.

Course Details

In this workshop we will discuss how to take the control into our hands and create our own natural and safe room fresheners.

During the course we will cover:

• Potential safety issues of the commercial products explained
• Learn how to avoid the one big mistake most people make when making an air freshener!
• Ingredients and how to make own room freshener spray –and no bottle shaking needed!
• Essential oils SAFE for you to play with
• Make your own spray!
• Demo – how to make your own reed diffuser

Join us for an informative and hands-on fun workshop and learn how

Who Can Attend?

All welcome.

More Information

Duration – 3 hours

Course fees include:

• All class tuition
• All ingredients used in class (except essential oils)

Plus you will take home with you

• An MSCM Certificate of Attendance for your professional portfolio
• 3 cpd points
• your own natural room spray

Who does not enjoy a nice pampering facial?!

In the days when the phrase ‘skin food’ is commonly used to promote ‘natural’ skincare products we might question why a good facial is difficult to find – they are usually full of synthetic ingredients and come with a hefty price tag.

Have you ever panicked when your favourite face mask run out and you forgot to buy a new jar? Have you ever thought about using kitchen staples instead but were not sure what to use and how? Are you always looking for the 100% natural or organic skin care products? If so, this workshop is for you!

Course Details

Let’s have some fun and learn how to support our skin using real foods:

• Meet the real ‘skin food’ heroes and learn what to use and when
• Whip up some DIY super masks to calm, cool, nourish, and hydrate, with simple ingredients! Slap it on! BTW, no finger licking allowed! See if you can resist!
• Exfoliate safely and gently with exotic fruits!
• Cool these puffy eyes and learn a simple self-massage facial lymphatic drainage routine to go with it!
• Sooth inflammations and irritations – beneficial, no matter what your skin type!
• Simple self-facial massage to ease the stress and relax

Let’s have some fun!

All you need to bring is a table top mirror and a towel (it will probably end up messy!) – we will provide all the other materials and ingredients. And there will be a cheat sheet or two with the massage routines and some recipes and ideas to take home with you!

Who Can Attend?

All welcome. Start your week with a relaxing, delicious DIY 100% natural facial treatment using fridge and kitchen cupboard staples – they can make a perfect skin treat! Think how much money you could save?

More Information

Course fees include:
~ All class tuition
~ Cheat sheets, recipes and massage routine
~ An MSCM Certificate of Attendance
~ 3 cpd points

Studies show that the key molecule involved in skin moisture is Hyaluronic Acid (HA). Hyaluronic Acid, known as “The Fountain of Youth”, it is a popular ingredient in high end skin care products, added for its skin rejuvenation properties. It has the unique ability to bind water and intensely hydrate the skin, which in turn also reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. However, much of it is sourced from poultry (rooster combs!), plus it is usually rather expensive.

As we age, body collagen production declines and wrinkles start to appear. Hyaluronic acid keeps collagen synthesis up, as well as retaining skin moisture, contributing to the anti-aging benefits to the skin. But there is another ingredient needed to boost and support the collagen production. DO you know what it is?

Course Details

Learn more about hyaluronic acid and what to combine it with to make an effective rejuvenating skin serum. Make your own – it is much easier, and cheaper, than you think!

This information is like gold dust for natural skincare makers. Be one of the few ‘in the know’! The recipe, ingredient sources and the method – all will be revealed in this workshop. And, you will make your own VEGETARIAN hyaluronic acid serum to take home with you!

Who Can Attend?

All welcome.

More Information

Course fees include:
~ All class tuition
~ An MSCM Certificate of Attendance
~ 3 cpd points

Plus you will take home with you
– The recipe
– Details of ingredient sources
~ Your own VEGETARIAN hyaluronic acid serum

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

This one day workshop is for anyone already making, or planning to make, products of any type that are used on the skin, e.g. soaps, perfumes, creams, ointments, balms, etc. Whatever the scale of your intended or current business in the UK – whether you are a hobbyist, a ‘crafter’ or an industrial scale producer – you are legally bound to comply with European Union (EU) cosmetics legislation.

As you may be aware, on the 11^th of July 2013 new legal requirements – EU Regulations EC No 1223/2009 (Previously EU Cosmetics Directive) – came into force.

Reading and trying to understand technical jargon of the legislative documents may be a daunting prospect. This is why we have designed this workshop to help you understand the current legal requirements and lead you step-by-step through the compulsory procedures. The last thing we wish is for you to give up your dream just because of the new regulations.

Trust us – it is not a rocket science!

It is perfectly do-able and not as difficult as you think!

Course details

We will cover:

• Step-by-step guide to understanding the regulations
• Sections of the new regulations: Articles and annexes
• The definition of the term ‘cosmetic’ – which products does the law apply to?
• Responsible person and/or distributor and their obligations
• Product testing and safety assessment
• Material Data Safety Sheets (MSDS)
• Batching
• Product information file (PIF) – records keeping
• On-line Product Notification Process (CPNP) – formulations, restricted and prohibited substances, allowed colorants, preservatives, UV-filters, substances classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction, etc)
• International Fragrance Association’s (IFRA) standards for the use of fragrances and/or essential oils
• Animal testing
• Labelling requirements including list of ingredients and allergens, warnings, ‘best before’ dates, etc
• Claims of efficacy
• Other aspects
• Helpful templates

Who Can Attend

Open to all. Useful for anyone starting a business selling natural products. This specially designed workshop is a ‘must’ for all product makers. It will help you to overcome legal obstacles and enable you to move forward with confidence, knowledge and understanding of your obligations within the law.

More information

Course fees include:
~ All class tuition
~ Extensive course manual
~ MSCM Certificate of attendance
~ 5 CPD points

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

There is something about candles – they set the scene for relaxation or meditation, add a romantic touch to a meal or lend a cosy atmosphere to an evening in. And who does not enjoy candle lit relaxing bathing……?

In the past candle making was a task almost every family would undertake on a regular basis. The candle business has gone through quite some changes in the recent years. Machine made candles are being bought in through the Far East and have cornered the market. Nowadays they are readily available from many shops and we are spoilt for choice! But is it all as ‘nice’ and ‘relaxing’ as it seems….?

Did you know?

o Paraffin based candles emit a mixture of chemicals that are carcinogenic – including benzene, carbon tetrachloride, toluene, and naphthalene. “Candles are fast becoming one of the most common unrecognized causes of poor indoor air quality,” says Diane Walsh Astry of the American Lung Association of Minnesota.

o Some candles have metal wicks. Lead emitted by this type of candle is a serious health hazard. It has been associated with Attention Deficit Disorder in Children and many health problems!

o Aromatic candles may be scented with synthetic oils that are petroleum based, rather than with the natural essential oils that most people expect. This provides an additional source of exposure to petroleum based fumes. Those most at risk from the fumes released by scented candles are pregnant women, children, and pets.

The good news is that all those problems can be avoided!

Course Details:

Come and join us for a fun day of truly natural and safe candle making! Save yourself a fortune and learn how to make your own candles for pleasure or to sell on our 1 day workshop. Making handmade candles is a rewarding and fun skill for all abilities.

Learn how to make your own poured soy candles! Once you have discovered the many benefits of soy candles you will never look back. You will be able to produce high quality soy candles that are non-toxic, biodegradable and environmentally safe.

These soy candles are clean burning candles that produce little to no soot. You will use high quality soy wax that is not derived from oil refining, but instead comes from a natural grown renewable resource, the soybean. In addition, with such a huge variety of fragrance options using essential oils you can make candles to suit your needs.

Learn all about:

• Health & Safety Issues
• Equipment required to make candles
• Understanding wicks and waxes
• Colouring and fragrancing candles correctly
• Packaging and decoration techniques

By the end of this hands-on candle making course, you will be able to design your own handcrafted candles to treasure and enjoy as well as gaining the confidence to create many more on your own at home. We will explore the ins and outs of candle making and make some poured candles to take home with you.

Who can attend?

Open to anyone

More Information

Please note: Some materials will be provided by the school. You will also 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:

~ All class tuition
~ A comprehensive course manual
~ An MSCM Certificate of Attendance for your professional portfolio
~ Candles made in class to take away

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 – 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