A Beginner-Friendly Guide
to Key Cosmetic Terms
New to making personal care products? Start here with simple answers to common questions about oils and emulsions.
Essential Oils(EO)’s are extracted from plants and plant part including leaves roots etc... Essential oils are an oil which has typically been distilled. Distillation can be done in many ways but is typically done by a solvent extraction. Further extraction can result in more refined EO’s making them higher concentrated in compounds which can lead to more effective medicinal and other properties generally associated with those oils.
Be cautious on usage levels and read all warnings before applying directly to skin. Some oils can be harmful despite the benefits they are associated with
The Cosmetic Emulsion Bases (CEB’s) are designed to provide an easy to use, versatile, safe way to formulate stable creams and lotions that let you use any “oil” that you want – from silicones to vegetable butters. There are three types – Anionic (CEB-A), Cationic (CEB-C) and Nonionic (CEB-N) – to give you the feel, look, rub-in characteristics and ingredient compatibility that you need. And all three CEB’s provide the safety, stability and product aesthetics that your customers expect from your products.
The CEB’s produce white to off-white emulsions (depending greatly upon the color of the added oil) which can be easily colored as desired with approved colorants. There is also very little base odor to interfere with your added fragrances, botanicals or extracts.
You should understand the needs of your skin (dry, oily, sensitive, combination) before choosing or adjusting a recipe.
Always sanitize tools and containers, perform a patch test on a small area of skin, and check for ingredient allergies.
Water-containing products generally require preservatives to prevent bacteria and mold growth. Without them, shelf life will be very short.
Use proper emulsifiers Like "CEB-N" if you’re combining oil and water, and follow accurate measurements rather than eyeballing ingredients.
Not necessarily, some “natural” items like citrus juice or undiluted essential oils can irritate or harm skin if used incorrectly.
Basic tools include heat-safe glassware, spatulas, mixing containers, and clean storage bottles.
This depends on the ingredients and whether preservatives are used — many fresh, water-based creations last only a few days if not properly preserved.
Extra caution is advised; always consult a healthcare professional if you’re unsure, especially for children or sensitive skin.
Stop using the product immediately and rinse the area with cool water. If irritation persists, seek medical advice.
Selling homemade cosmetics involves legal and regulatory requirements, including labeling and safety compliance — check your local laws before offering products for sale.
