Tag: handmade cosmetics

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Theory: My Formulation Philosophy (No Miracles, Just Science!)

Hello Hello! 😀 When I first started studying how to make real cosmetics at home, it was because I was tired of the “miracle” recipes I found online. You know the ones: the “firming soap” made of aloe vera, or the “acne cure” that’s just 50% tea tree oil.

After years of studying, I’ve realized that the more you learn, the more you realize how much you don’t know. Today, I want to clear the air about some of the most common (and dangerous) myths in the handmade beauty world.

1. The “Miracle” Trap

Let’s be honest: No cosmetic is a miracle. When I started, I made creams packed with every active ingredient I owned, hoping for “photoshopped magazine skin.” Guess what? I still had my skin—just a little better hydrated. Making your own products is about learning not to believe commercial marketing (or trending “DIY” solutions) anymore.

2. “Natural” Does Not Mean “Mild”

This is a huge one. I see people adding Essential Oils to products for infants because they are “natural.” This is terribly wrong. Essential oils are highly concentrated and full of allergens. They are NOT “fresh water” and can cause painful reactions on a baby’s delicate skin. If you want a nice scent for a baby product, use an allergen-free fragrance oil instead!

3. I am a Formulator, Not a Doctor

It’s tempting to feel like a chemist-wizard once you start making creams, but we are not pharmacists. If a friend asks for a cream to “cure” their dermatitis or a medical condition, the only right answer is “NO.” I always tell my friends to see a dermatologist. My creams can hydrate and soothe, but they are not a medical cure.

4. The “Synthetic = Bad” Myth

Synthetic ingredients like SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulfate) have suffered from terrible, misleading publicity. There is no scientific evidence that they cause cancer.

• The Reality: Even “natural” soap can be harsher on the skin than a well-formulated synthetic detergent!

• Concentration is Everything: People say SLS is used to clean garage floors—well, water can be lethal if you drink too much of it! It all depends on the concentration and the overall formula.

5. Preservatives Are NOT Optional

There is a massive campaign against preservatives, treating them like “concentrated evil.” In reality, they are the heroes that save your cream from becoming a bacteria playground.

The Rule: If your product contains water (or water-based ingredients), it MUST have a real preservative.

And no—Tea Tree oil is NOT a preservative, no matter what you read on the internet! 😀

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Summary: The Formulator’s Code

Myth	The Truth
“Natural is always safe”	Essential oils can be highly allergenic and irritating.
“Preservatives are toxic”	Mold and bacteria in your cream are much more toxic!
“It’s a healing cure”	Cosmetics are for care and hydration, not medicine.
“SLES is dangerous”	Aggression depends on the formula, not just one ingredient.

I hope this helps you look at your ingredients (and those “miracle” pins on Pinterest) with a more critical eye!

What’s the strangest “miracle” claim you’ve seen online lately? Let’s debunk it together! 😀