How to create water based liquid foundation in 5 simple steps
Diane Grover 02.2025
Want to create your own water based liquid foundation formulas and get the right consistency every time without needing to learn how to formulate? Our Create Cosmetic Formulas makes it easy!
Follow our 5 step guide to get creating your own water based liquid foundation now, read on to find out how!
Start by logging into your Create Cosmetic Formulas subscription then…
1. Select Makeup, Foundation-liquid-water based, as the type of formula you would like to create today, then click Create.
Water based liquid foundations: Our Create Cosmetic Formulas program uses water as one of the base ingredients in water-based foundations – this gives the foundation a weightless and breathable feel when applied to the skin.
2. Choose your chelating agent.
I have chosen sodium phytate for the chelating agent as it is naturally derived. I will add it to my formula at the midpoint of 0.15%w/w. If you are unsure of which chelating agent to select, you can read the descriptions of the different chelating agents to make a more informed decision.
3. Choose your humectant and gum.
For the humectant I have chosen propanediol as it is naturally derived and is not tacky at high inputs. I have also used it at the maximum input of 7.0%w/w to create a beautifully hydrating skin feel.
For the gum I have chosen xanthan gum as it is naturally derived. I have added it to the formula at 0.3%w/w to ensure my foundation isn’t too thick or tacky.
4. Choose your emulsifiers and lipids.
We’ve used a cetearyl alcohol, cetearyl glucoside blend for the emulsifier; some examples of tradenames you can find these under are provided in the brackets in the program because some suppliers call these materials different names.
The lipids chosen provide a light weight skin feel with long spreading properties.
5. Choose colourants, preservative and antioxidant.
Not sure which colourants to select? That’s okay, read our go-to guide on cosmetic ingredients here. and refer to page 11 to choose the shade you wish to achieve. Then turn to page 14 for the input ranges for a foundation liquid-water based that makes up the 9%w/w skin colour blend, and you’ll have the perfect inputs to achieve the foundation shade you are looking for.
The preservative and antioxidant will ensure your formula will have a good shelf life.
Click Generate Method
Then here is my formula, and here is the method!
Now all you need to do is find your nearest cosmetic ingredient suppliers, order the materials, and get making your fantastic shampoo formulas!
- Find cosmetic ingredient suppliers near you easily, click here.
- Set up your DIY lab ready to get making when your ingredients arrive, watch here.
- Not sure how much of each ingredient you need? Watch how to calculate batch size here.
- Super brand new to formulating and need help getting started? Read our Getting Started Guide here.
Once you’ve made one formula, you’ll be keen to make more! With Create Cosmetic Formulas, you have almost limitless formulation creation, and just one low annual subscription.
It really is that simple.
Happy formulating!
Try the create cosmetic formulas program today! We’re so confident you’ll love how it helps you create cosmetic formulas, it comes with a 24-hour money back guarantee.
See how easy it is to:
- Create a large variety of skin and hair care formulas: https://createcosmeticformulas.com/Cosmeticformulas/Makeskincareandhaircareformulas-900/
- Create Makeup formulas: https://createcosmeticformulas.com/Cosmeticformulas/Makemakeupformulas-901/
- Create Organic formulas to COSMOS standards: https://createcosmeticformulas.com/Cosmeticformulas/Makeorganicformulas-902/
- It’s just €67 / US$74 / AU$99 for an annual subscription to each program and almost limitless formulation creation!