Short-Term Courses · Skin Care

Short Term Skin Care Courses5 practical formulation programs

Learn gels, moisturisers, lotions, facial creams and face packs, from raw materials and emulsification to texture, troubleshooting, packaging and quality.

5Short-term skin care programs
37+ YearsOf craft training since 1987
1,00,000+Students trained
CSDOCertificate on completion
Handmade skin care formulations from CSDO short term courses
Practical skin care formulation
Course 01

Professional Gel Making

Learn the Science of Cosmetic Gels, Texture Development & Skin-Type Adaptation

Gels are widely used in modern skin care because of their lightweight texture, ease of application and versatility. However, producing a stable and pleasant-feeling gel requires understanding the correct selection of gelling agents, humectants, processing techniques, ingredient compatibility, preservation and pH.

This practical course introduces learners to the science of cosmetic gel formulation and the techniques used to develop gels for different skin needs.

Learning Outcome

By the end of the course, learners should understand the fundamentals of water-based gel formulation, prepare basic cosmetic gels, adapt texture for different skin needs and recognise common formulation problems.

  1. Understand
  2. Formulate
  3. Hydrate
  4. Gel
  5. Evaluate
  6. Package
View full syllabus: What You Will Learn

Gel Making Fundamentals

  • What is a cosmetic gel?
  • Gels vs lotions and creams
  • Understanding water-based gels
  • Basic gel structure
  • Importance of gel texture and viscosity
  • Understanding gel clarity
  • Lightweight vs rich gel textures
  • Understanding gel slip and tackiness
  • Selecting gel formats for different skin needs

Understanding Raw Materials

  • Water phase
  • Humectants
  • Gelling agents
  • Thickeners
  • Compatible supporting ingredients
  • Appropriate emollients
  • Fragrance and colour considerations
  • Preservatives
  • Introduction to pH adjustment
  • Ingredient compatibility

Gel Formulation Techniques

  • Accurate weighing
  • Preparing the water phase
  • Dispersing gelling agents
  • Hydration techniques
  • Preventing lumps
  • Proper mixing
  • Controlling viscosity
  • Reducing trapped air bubbles
  • Observing texture and clarity
  • Filling and packaging

Practical Gel Collection

  • Basic Hydrating Gel
  • Normal Skin Gel
  • Oily Skin Gel
  • Dry-Feeling Skin Gel

Skin-Type Adaptation

  • Hydration feel
  • Spreadability
  • Stickiness
  • Slip
  • Absorption feel
  • After-feel
  • Viscosity
  • Product compatibility

Understand how formulation choices can influence these qualities.

Gel Troubleshooting

  • Gel too thin
  • Gel too thick
  • Lumps during preparation
  • Excessive stickiness
  • Pilling during application
  • Poor dispersion
  • Air bubbles
  • Ingredient incompatibility
  • Unwanted texture changes

Learn possible reasons for these problems.

Preservation, Packaging & Quality

  • Why water-containing gels require preservation
  • Basic pH awareness
  • Clean preparation
  • Packaging options
  • Batch records
  • Appearance and odour observations
  • Basic product stability awareness
Course 02

Facial Moisturiser & Lotion Making

Understand Emulsification & Create Lightweight, Comfortable Skin Care Products

Facial moisturisers and lotions are important categories in everyday skin care. Making these products requires understanding how water and oil phases are combined, why emulsifiers are necessary and how ingredient selection affects spreadability, richness and skin feel.

This practical program teaches the foundation of emulsion formulation and the preparation of moisturisers and lightweight facial lotions.

Learning Outcome

Learners should understand the basics of emulsion formulation and be able to prepare beginner-level facial moisturisers and lotions while evaluating texture, stability and common manufacturing defects.

  1. Understand
  2. Emulsify
  3. Blend
  4. Cool
  5. Evaluate
  6. Package
View full syllabus: What You Will Learn

Moisturiser & Lotion Fundamentals

  • What is a moisturiser?
  • What is a lotion?
  • Difference between moisturisers and lotions
  • Introduction to cosmetic emulsions
  • Oil-in-water emulsions
  • Understanding the skin barrier
  • Purpose of humectants and emollients
  • Lightweight vs rich textures
  • Matching product feel with intended use

Understanding Raw Materials

  • Distilled water
  • Humectants
  • Emollients
  • Occlusive ingredients
  • Emulsifiers
  • Thickeners
  • Supporting ingredients
  • Preservatives
  • Fragrance and colour considerations

Understanding Emulsification

  • What is emulsification?
  • Water phase
  • Oil phase
  • Role of emulsifiers
  • Heating the phases
  • Combining water and oil
  • Mixing and homogenisation
  • Cooling process
  • Incorporating suitable heat-sensitive ingredients
  • Factors affecting texture and stability

Practical Product Collection

  • Basic Facial Moisturiser
  • Lightweight Facial Lotion

Texture Development

  • Understanding viscosity
  • Spreadability
  • Absorption feel
  • Richness
  • Greasy vs non-greasy finish
  • Impact of the oil phase
  • Impact of thickeners
  • Basic controlled formulation adjustments

Troubleshooting

  • Lotion too thin
  • Moisturiser too thick
  • Excessive greasiness
  • Heavy skin feel
  • Grainy texture
  • Poor spreadability
  • Phase separation
  • Inconsistent texture

Understand possible causes of these problems.

Packaging & Quality Awareness

  • Suitable bottles and jars
  • Pump packaging
  • Preservation requirements
  • pH awareness
  • Batch documentation
  • Basic product observations
  • Storage considerations
  • Introductory raw material costing
Course 03

Professional Facial Cream Making

Create Facial Creams Designed for Normal, Dry & Oily Skin Needs

Facial creams are among the most widely recognised skin care products. Although creams may appear similar, their ingredient composition, texture, richness and sensory performance can vary according to the intended skin type and product purpose.

This focused course teaches learners how to understand cream structure, select suitable ingredient groups and prepare different facial cream concepts through guided practical demonstrations.

Learning Outcome

By the end of the program, learners should understand facial cream structure and be able to prepare and compare beginner-level cream concepts intended for normal, dry and oily skin.

  1. Select
  2. Formulate
  3. Emulsify
  4. Adapt
  5. Evaluate
  6. Finish
View full syllabus: What You Will Learn

Facial Cream Fundamentals

  • What is a facial cream?
  • Cream vs lotion
  • Understanding cream structure
  • Introduction to oil-in-water emulsions
  • Role of the water phase
  • Role of the oil phase
  • Understanding emulsifiers
  • Function of thickeners
  • Humectants
  • Emollients
  • Occlusive ingredients
  • Understanding cosmetic skin feel

Understanding Skin Types

  • Normal skin
  • Dry skin
  • Oily skin
  • Combination skin
  • Sensitive skin considerations
  • Matching cream texture to intended skin needs
  • Skin type vs skin condition

Cream Making Techniques

  • Formula planning
  • Accurate weighing
  • Water phase preparation
  • Oil phase preparation
  • Heating
  • Emulsification
  • Mixing and cooling
  • Developing the desired consistency
  • Basic texture adjustments
  • Product evaluation
  • Batch documentation

Practical Cream: Normal Skin Cream

  • Selecting a balanced cream structure
  • Understanding moisturising ingredients
  • Comfortable cream texture
  • Spreadability
  • Absorption feel
  • Smooth finish

Practical Cream: Dry Skin Cream

  • Understanding dry-feeling skin
  • Selecting richer emollient ingredients
  • Role of humectants
  • Role of occlusives
  • Developing richer textures
  • Managing heaviness and waxiness
  • Evaluating after-feel

Practical Cream: Oily Skin Cream

  • Understanding oily skin characteristics
  • Selecting lighter emollients
  • Developing lightweight cream structures
  • Avoiding excessive greasiness
  • Evaluating spread and finish
  • Comparing different cream textures

Comparative Product Evaluation

  • Viscosity
  • Smoothness
  • Richness
  • Spreadability
  • Absorption feel
  • Greasiness
  • After-feel
  • Product appearance

Learners compare all three creams for these qualities.

Cream Troubleshooting

  • Cream too thick
  • Cream too thin
  • Grainy texture
  • Excessive waxiness
  • Drag during application
  • Poor spreadability
  • Excessive greasiness
  • Separation
  • Inconsistent texture

Packaging & Product Presentation

  • Choosing suitable jars and pumps
  • Basic preservation awareness
  • Storage
  • Labelling basics
  • Batch records
  • Introductory costing
  • Responsible cosmetic product claims
Facial creams and lotions made in CSDO courses
From emulsions to creams
Course 04

Herbal & Clay Powder Face Pack Making

Create Dry Face Packs Using Cosmetic Clays, Herbs & Botanical Powders

Powder face packs are a traditional and versatile skin care product category. They can be developed using selected cosmetic clays, starches, herbal powders and botanical ingredients to create dry blends that are mixed before use.

This practical course introduces learners to dry powder formulation, ingredient selection, particle size, blending techniques, moisture control and packaging.

Learning Outcome

Learners should understand how to select, blend and package suitable cosmetic powders and create basic dry face pack concepts with attention to quality, texture, hygiene and product safety.

  1. Select
  2. Sieve
  3. Blend
  4. Evaluate
  5. Package
View full syllabus: What You Will Learn

Powder Face Pack Fundamentals

  • What is a powder face pack?
  • Powder face packs vs ready-to-use face packs
  • Basic types of powder face packs
  • Introduction to cosmetic clay masks
  • Understanding botanical powders
  • Product texture and appearance
  • Selecting suitable powder ingredients
  • Understanding skin-type considerations
  • Product safety and responsible claims

Understanding Raw Materials

  • Cosmetic clays
  • Starches
  • Selected botanical powders
  • Herbal powders
  • Suitable cosmetic-grade plant ingredients
  • Colour and aroma considerations
  • Ingredient purity
  • Particle fineness
  • Raw material quality
  • Supplier documentation

Powder Processing Techniques

  • Ingredient selection
  • Accurate weighing
  • Sieving
  • Mixing and blending
  • Achieving uniform powder distribution
  • Managing particle size
  • Preventing contamination
  • Moisture control
  • Filling
  • Packaging

Practical Face Pack Collection

  • Basic Clay Powder Face Pack
  • Herbal Powder Face Pack
  • Botanical Powder Face Pack

The Silver Level includes guided formulation of a basic powder face pack using suitable clays and botanical powders. These are variations within the taught powder-pack formulation principles, not additional verified recipes in the Silver syllabus.

Product Evaluation

  • Powder uniformity
  • Texture
  • Particle fineness
  • Colour consistency
  • Aroma
  • Ease of mixing
  • Sensory characteristics
  • Packaging suitability

Troubleshooting

  • Lumps
  • Clumping
  • Uneven colour
  • Inconsistent mixing
  • Excessive coarseness
  • Poor powder flow
  • Moisture absorption
  • Storage-related changes

Understand why powder face packs may develop these problems.

Safe Usage & Packaging

  • Moisture-resistant packaging
  • Jars and pouches
  • Directions for mixing
  • Directions for application
  • Avoiding inappropriate ingredients
  • Irritation precautions
  • Basic labelling
  • Storage considerations
Course 05

Professional Liquid Face Pack Making

Learn Water-Based, Gel-Based & Cream-Based Face Pack Formulations

Ready-to-use face packs are an important category within modern facial skin care. Unlike dry powder face packs, liquid face packs require appropriate formulation structure, preservation, ingredient compatibility and texture control.

This practical short-term course teaches learners the fundamentals of water-based, gel-based and cream-based face packs and how to develop different textures for their intended use.

Learning Outcome

By the end of the course, learners should understand the differences between water-based, gel-based and cream-based face packs, prepare beginner-level formulations and evaluate their textures and common stability concerns.

  1. Understand
  2. Formulate
  3. Blend
  4. Evaluate
  5. Package
View full syllabus: What You Will Learn

Liquid Face Pack Fundamentals

  • What is a liquid face pack?
  • Powder face pack vs liquid face pack
  • Water-based face packs
  • Gel-based face packs
  • Cream-based face packs
  • Understanding the differences in product structure
  • Selecting a suitable product format
  • Skin-type considerations
  • Product application and sensory feel

Understanding Raw Materials

  • Water phase
  • Humectants
  • Gelling agents
  • Thickeners
  • Emollients
  • Emulsifiers
  • Compatible supporting ingredients
  • Selected cosmetic clays and powders, where appropriate
  • Preservatives
  • pH considerations

Water-Based Face Pack Formulation

  • Understanding water-based formulation
  • Ingredient compatibility
  • Texture development
  • Selection of thickeners
  • Mixing techniques
  • Observation of viscosity
  • Managing settling
  • Preservation awareness

Gel-Based Face Pack Formulation

  • Understanding gel structures
  • Gelling-agent selection
  • Hydration and dispersion
  • Gel texture development
  • Slip and spreadability
  • Avoiding lumps
  • Understanding product stability
  • Packaging options

Cream-Based Face Pack Formulation

  • Cream face pack vs facial cream
  • Understanding water and oil phases
  • Role of emulsifiers
  • Creamy texture development
  • Mixing and cooling
  • Product spreadability
  • Rinse-off product considerations
  • Evaluating texture and consistency

Practical Face Pack Collection

  • Basic Water-Based Face Pack
  • Basic Gel Face Pack
  • Basic Cream Face Pack

Skin-Type Adaptation

  • Normal skin
  • Dry skin
  • Oily skin

Explore how formulation textures and ingredient-group choices may be adapted. Learners compare product feel and structure rather than assuming that a single formula will produce identical results for every skin type.

Troubleshooting

  • Face pack too thin
  • Face pack too thick
  • Ingredient settling
  • Poor dispersion
  • Lumps
  • Inconsistent viscosity
  • Separation
  • Unwanted texture changes
  • Packaging incompatibility

Understand possible causes of these problems.

Product Quality & Packaging

  • Preservation requirements
  • pH checks where relevant
  • Appearance and odour observations
  • Suitable packaging
  • Storage
  • Directions for use
  • Batch documentation
  • Basic costing
Want to learn the complete skin care formulation journey?

Go beyond a single product category with SkinCarepreneur

If you want to go beyond a single product category, explore the complete CSDO SkinCarepreneur Silver Level program.