Every professional has their tool kit. Doctors have their medical device bags, Mechanics have their wrenches and power tools, Chefs have their knives and cutting boards. Formulators are no different.
To be a successful and proficient Formulator, whether in the industry or in your home, you need the proper tools. Without them, adequate batching will be extremely difficult for some product types (think clay masks and scrubs). But with them, your imagination (and wallet) become the limiting factors. So what do you need? Let’s have a look at the necessities, then some recommendations
The following are musts for a Formulator:
- Balance/scale: proper formulation is done on per weight basis (noted w/w). With a scale, this becomes simple and easy.
- Hotplate/stirrer: only the hotplate is required, but a stirrer can aid in dissolution of certain compounds. Heating phases is standard in cosmetic formulation.
- Speedmixer: like a baker mixing dough, certain phases require continuous and consistent mixing. A speedmixer facilitate this step.
- Labware: every bar needs cups and shot glasses just as every lab needs beakers and flasks.
- Pipettes and tongue depressors: for transferring between containers and manual stirring (depressors).
- Spatulas: can’t have too many spatulas, metal and plastic.
- Weigh boats: also known as weigh dishes; they’re great for preweighing solids in the formula, then adding from when it’s time for addition.
- Lab notebook: recording notes, observations, modifications to procedure, extra of a material is fundamental to good formulation.
- Deionized water: clean water is much better to formulate with than hard water. Filtered water from your refrigerator is good enough.
- Thermometer: keeping track of the temperature of different phases is critical; in emulsions, it’s the difference between getting curd and getting a cream. Here’s another thermometer that works well.
Those are the essentials for a Cosmetic Formulator. On the cost-effective side, you’re looking at ~$1000 for everything mentioned. Should you decide to invest, the funds for a good set-up, that price jumps to $3000-$5000. All depends on how serious you are about your practice. Established Formulator looking to do some consultation? Invest in a proper lab. Hobbyist who likes formulating for fun? That $1000 can get lower with finding the right deals. Going to create your own brand? $3000-$5000 might be on the cheaper side. Again, it all depends on your goals for setting up your Formulation Station.
Here are some recommendations that can really help your have that pro look:
- Viscometer: Brookfield is the industry standard, and if intending to consult or make a brand, knowing the viscosity of a product is necessary.
- pH meter: pH is a must when doing consulting and creating a brand as pH affects effect on skin, viscosity, stability of preservative system, etc. Amazon has some cost-effective options
- Pycnometer: used for measuring Specific Gravity of liquid and gases. Metal ones are used for measuring SpG of emulsions. SpG value is important for filling purposes and API addition.
- Drying furnace/oven: measures Loss on Drying (LOD); method for determining how much moisture and volatile components an ingredient or product contain, and inversely, how much solids content they contain.
A drying furnace/oven can get pricey, so unless you’re setting up a lab for long-term and scale-up R&D purposes, it’s only a suggestion. A Pycnometer ranges from $250-$600. pH Meters go from $150-$1000 and viscometers from $500-$5000. There are makes other than Brookfield that work, and for the starting R&D operation, are better options.
Starting out doesn’t have to be expensive, but like any other passion, good results are founded on drive, imagination, and funds. Nonetheless, there’s something for the enthusiasts and professionals alike. Click on the links to find good brands at modest prices.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me via the information on the contact page. I’m happy to help. Good luck everyone!
Greengen Labs 