What makes formulas 'organic' compared to just 'natural'?

Natural formulas contain natural and naturally derived materials without synthetic materials being used throughout processing of the starting raw materials. You can make an organic formula by using organic materials in place of natural materials where possible.

But to have a ‘Certified Organic’ formula/product, you need to:

  • have minimum inputs of organic materials,
  • your organic: natural ratio needs to be a minimum ratio
  • you must use organic materials where the organic version of the material exists e.g. plant oils and essential oils
  • and you can only use certain types of preservatives, emulsifiers and surfactants.

The Organic version of our Create Cosmetic Formulas program has been designed to automatically calculate the minim inputs required to achieve ‘Certified Organic’ input to COSMOS standards, as well as make sure your organic: natural ratio is the minimum required. It also only includes ingredients that you can use in COSMOS certified formulas.

In this program, you will need to use water alternatives to make up a certain input of your formula (where water is the bulk ingredient) or other minimum inputs may be set to make sure you achieve these input requirements, without you needing to worry about the full details or even performing the calculations. If there are minimums set on certain ingredients, this is why.

You may also need to use some reconstituted materials, so we have reconstitution information for you below to help with calculating how to add concentrated powders in the right dilution. 


How to calculate reconstitution values

In organic formulas, you need to reconstitute some materials to achieve the minimum required organic input. Here is how to calculate reconstitution values:

  • If you are using an aloe vera 100:1 concentrate, divide the required reconstituted value by 100, then add that much of the powder concentrate + remainder in water. For example:
    • Let’s say your formula needs 70% aloe vera juice – reconstituted 100:1, this means you need:
      • 70 / 100 = 0.7 of 100:1 aloe concentrate (powder) mixed with 69.3 water
  • If you are using an aloe vera 200:1 concentrate, divide the required reconstituted value by 200, then add that much of the powder concentrate + remainder in water. For example:
    • Let’s say your formula needs 70% aloe vera juice – reconstituted 200:1, this means you need:
      • 70 / 200 = 0.35 of 200:1 aloe concentrate (powder) mixed with 69.65 water

The program will tell you how much reconstituted aloe vera juice you need if that is what you select – then calculate the amount of aloe concentrate (powder) depending on which form of the material you are using.

You don’t need to do reconstitution calculations with hydrosols or coconut water.

Happy formulating!

 


 

New to cosmetic formulating, and want to get your cosmetic formulas and ingredient selections right from the start?

 

WITH CREATE COSMETIC FORMULAS organic PROGRAM, YOU’LL BE ABLE TO:

  • Create a large variety of organic skin care and hair care formulas!
  • Pick and choose which organic ingredients your products contain
  • Be guided on how much to use of each ingredient type to comply with COSMOS standards
  • Take the guess work out of how to create organic skin care and hair care formulas
  • Follow our step-by-step instructions to make perfect samples, every single time
  • Know the safe and suitable inputs of preservatives, actives and all other ingredients
  • Make organic skin care and hair care formulas, and products, CONFIDENTLY.

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