The Complete Formulation Program
We believe that formulation skills are essential. Knowing how to make a safe and stable product that fits your own formulation brief gives you peace of mind as well as opening up exciting new avenues to pursue.
The FOUR modules that are included give you exactly the kind of solid knowledge base you need to start formulating your own face and body care products. Join Robert Tisserand and Lise Andersen, who will guide you through a range of expert creations for you to add to your aromatherapy toolkit. Eighteen lessons filled with of step-by-step instruction, customizable formulas for balms, salves, masks, creams, lotions, gels, serums and now also sprays!
This is the ultimate formulation program for anyone who wants to make the best out of their essential oils with a full range of products.
2024 Enrollment open NOW!
Complete Formulation Program
Bundle price - payment in fullSave $186 on the bundle (regular price $1080)
Complete Formulation Program
Payment planFive payments of $149 over 6 months
Formulation Essentials: Oils, Butters & Waxes
Live and updated in 2024! During seven fascinating lessons, expert cosmetic formulator Lise Andersen will share her passion, know-how and professional techniques for creating silken whips, balms, serums, mists and more. You’ll explore the pros and pitfalls of plant oils, waxes and butters, and discover how and where to procure the right equipment and fresh, raw ingredients.
There is also one lesson on Essential Oil Blending with Robert Tisserand. Offered in week two, Robert will personally guide you in creating safe and beautifully scented therapeutic and cosmeceutical blends for adding to your formulations.
Formulating Aqueous Sprays
New in 2024!
If water and oil don’t mix, how can we incorporate essential oils into mists and sprays? This two lesson course with our Formulation Tutor Lise Andersen will answer this question for you.
Learn how to make safe and purposeful sprays both with and without alcohol. As with our other formulation classes, we will break down the process and give you options to customize your formula precisely as you need, while also giving you FOUR tested products to make.
Formulating Emulsions & Creams
In this four week course Lise Andersen expertly walks you through the process and equips you with the knowledge to make your own safe, stable, hand-stirred emulsions without having to invest in pricey lab equipment.
The need for preservatives, emulsifiers, and pH testing makes some artisan formulators hesitate about taking the big leap. Yes you do need them, and yet there are creative solutions! Lise Andersen will guide you through each process – with her signature enthusiasm and her wealth of knowledge to help, you can do this!
Formulating Gels & Serums
In this four week facilitated course, Lise Andersen expertly shows you how to make gels for all kinds of therapeutic and cosmetic applications – from cooling after-sun care to a soothing chest rub.
Gels are great for therapeutic application as they increase essential oil absorption into the skin. But how can you be sure a gel base you purchase is the right one for what you want to do? We want you to not only be sure, but also be able to customize your gel medium to be exactly what you need it to be, with confidence. Make great therapeutic gels with the latest addition to the Tisserand Institute Formulation series.
What You Get in the Program
WEEKLY LESSONS
18 weekly lessons over 5 months
Q&A SESSIONS
14 live Q&A opportunities to answer any of your questions
PRINTABLE COURSE MATERIAL
Extensive downloadable handouts and course notes with links to additional research and resources.
DEDICATED GROUP DISCUSSIONS
Access to our private online forum to ask questions and interact with your teachers and classmates.
SHOPPING LISTS AND SUPPLIER LISTS
Easy reference for the materials needed and where to get them, wherever you are in the world. Lise Andersen has carefully selected ingredients that are globally available, easy to work with, and that can be combined using regular kitchen tools and equipment.
ONGOING COURSE ACCESS
Ongoing access extended access for 8 weeks after the last lesson, and 6 months of view-only access.
Lise Andersen
Formulator | Founder of LisaLise Pure Natural Skincare & Formulators’ Kitchen
A self-professed ‘green’ formulator, Lise works with luxurious natural plant-based ingredients – preferably as raw and unprocessed as possible. Entirely self-taught, she has years of experience in researching, testing, and developing cosmetics.
Lise is the author of several DIY e-books on making skincare and haircare products, herbal extracts, and more. She also offers consultation and bespoke formulation for beauty brands. Visit her blog where she journals her experiments and shares know-how on everything from making no-soap cleansers to pressed eye shadow.
Robert Tisserand
Author | Speaker | Founder of Tisserand Institute
Robert is one of the world’s leading experts in aromatherapy with over 40 years of experience. He is a speaker, educator, author, and consultant on the science and benefits of essential oils and their safe and effective application. Robert has inspired audiences in the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Brazil, Czech Republic, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea and Japan on topics ranging from the therapeutic foundations of essential oils to examinations on essential oils and the skin.
Robert wrote one of the first books to bring awareness to aromatherapy in 1977, The Art of Aromatherapy, and is a co-author of Essential Oil Safety (2nd Edition, 2014), a book that sets industry standards for the safe use of essential oils.
Full 2024 Schedule
Formulation Essentials: Oils, Butters & Waxes (Starting June 18, 2024)
This course is being re-released with new & updated information. All lessons will be held live at 10am Pacific with a live Q&A to follow. Lessons last approximately 1 hour and Q&A sessions average 30-60 minutes. All sessions are recorded and will be uploaded to the platform for those that cannot attend live.
Lesson 1 + Q&A: June 18, 2024
Lesson 2 + Q&A: June 25, 2024
Lesson 3 + Q&A: July 02, 2024
Lesson 4 + Q&A: July 09, 2024
Lesson 5 + Q&A: July 16, 2024
Lesson 6 + Q&A: July 23, 2024
Lesson 7 + Q&A: July 30, 2024
Lesson 8 + Q&A: August 06, 2024
Formulating Aqueous Sprays (Starting August 20, 2024)
All lessons will be held live at 10am Pacific with a live Q&A to follow. Lessons last approximately 1 hour and Q&A sessions average 30-60 minutes. All sessions are recorded and will be uploaded to the platform for those that cannot attend live.
Lesson 1 + Q&A: August 20, 2024
Lesson 2 + Q&A: August 27, 2024
Formulating Emulsions & Creams (Starting September 17, 2024)
Weekly lessons are pre-recorded, and will release at or before 8am PST each Tuesday. We will host 2 live Q&A sessions, listed in red below, which begin at 10am Pacific time.
Lesson 1: September 17, 2024
Lesson 2: September 24, 2024
Live Q&A: September 26, 2024 at 10am PST
Lesson 3: October 01, 2024
Lesson 4: October 08, 2024
Live Q&A: October 10, 2024 at 10am PST
Formulating Gels & Serums (Starting October 22, 2024)
Weekly lessons are pre-recorded, and will release at or before 8am PST each Tuesday. We will host 2 live Q&A sessions, listed in red below, which begin at 10am Pacific time.
Lesson 1: October 22, 2024
Lesson 2: October 29, 2024
Live Q&A: October 31, 2024 at 10am PST
Lesson 3: November 05, 2024
Lesson 4: November 12, 2024
Live Q&A: November 14, 2024 at 10am PST
Course Breakdown
Formulation Essentials: Oils, Butters & Waxes (2024)
Lesson 1 - Formulation Basics (June 18, 2024)
- Evaluation of raw materials, including sourcing, storage and safety
- Tips for procuring the right tools and equipment
- The ins and outs of containers and packaging
- The importance of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)
- Working with weight vs. volume and calculating percentages
Lesson 2 - Essential Oil Blending taught by Robert Tisserand (June 25, 2024)
- Essential oil scent profiles and affinities – or ‘what blends with what’
- Considerations: nice scent or therapeutic efficacy? Can you blend for both?
- Natural perfumery basics: top, middle and base notes in relation to volatility of essential oils, C02 extracts, absolutes and resinoids
- The process: brainstorming, testing, reviewing and testing again
- Blending know-how: measuring, melting, diluting, recording
Products: Essential oil formulations for scent and skin application
Lesson 3 - Formulating with Fatty Oils (July 2, 2024)
Understanding skin lipids, and fatty acids as components of skincare
- The differences between plant, animal and petrochemical oils
- Pros and cons of using fatty oils for skincare and health (yes, there are cons!)
- Combining the most effective fatty oils for different skin types
- Making and ‘testing’ the final product
Products:
Basic Massage Oil (unscented nutrient-rich base oil)
Moisture-Rich Facial Serum for Dry Skin (EO blend by Robert Tisserand)
Balancing Facial Serum for Oily Skin
Age-Defy Facial Serum for Mature Skin
Lesson 4 - Formulating with Waxes (July 9, 2024)
- Understanding the nature of waxes and their uses
- Pros and cons of wax and oil-based products (balms and ointments)
- Overview of main principles involved in making a smooth balm
- Creation of balms for lips, face and body massage
- Troubleshooting tips for wax and oil formulations
Products:
Basic Ointment
Luxurious Lemon and Rose Lip Balm (EO blend by Robert Tisserand)
Cappuccino Lip Balm (EO blend by Robert Tisserand)
Lesson 5 - Formulating with Butters (July 16, 2023)
- How to recognize natural plant butters
- Pros and cons of using butters
- Overview of main principles for formulating with butters
- Creation of buttery balms and whipped butters for massage, hands and feet
- Troubleshooting tips for using butters – including how to combat graininess
Products:
Calming Shea Butter Balm (Skin Repair EO blend by Robert Tisserand)
Soothing Body Serum (Skin Repair EO blend by Robert Tisserand)
Whipped Body Butter
Lesson 6 - Formulating Safe Bath Products (July 23, 2024) - MAJOR UPDATE
Introduction to surfactants: mixing oil and water safely
- The challenges of creating and using bath products
- Overview of main principles for composing and customizing bath oils
- How to make bath bombs and salts with essential oils that safely disperse in water
Products:
Basic Bath Oil
Bath Bombs (EO blend by Robert Tisserand)
Bath Salt Soak
Lesson 7 - Formulating Solid Skincare (July 30, 2024) - NEW LESSON
- Using emulsifiers in anhydrous products
Creating anhydrous products that are activated with water
Formulate a solid oil cleanser, in-shower lotion bar, and solid body lotion
Products:
Solid Oil Cleanser
In-shower Lotion Bar
Solid Body Lotion
Lesson 8 - Formulating Facial Masks (August 6, 2024)
- Understanding natural clays and their properties
- How to ensure you’re working with the best raw materials
- Creating clay masks with essential oils and hydrosols
- How to incorporate fresh foods (avocado) for optimal results
- Shelf-life and storage of fresh-made cosmetic products
Products:
Fresh Honey and Avocado Mask for Sensitive Skin
Deep Cleansing Mask (EO blend by Robert Tisserand)
Ultra Moisture Boosting Mask
Formulating Aqueous Sprays (2024)
Lesson 1: Alcohol-Free Sprays (August 20, 2024)
- why water and oil don’t mix
- surfactants: how they work and how we choose the best one
- a note on preservatives
Products:
Refreshing body mist
Moisturizing spray for curly hair
Lesson 2: Sprays with Alcohol (August 27, 2024)
- different types of alcohol
- calculating the right amount for preserving and solubilizing
- customizing your formulas
Products:
Mood Lifting Spray
Bug Repellent Spray
Formulating Emulsions & Creams (2024)
Lesson 1 - Elements of Emulsion (Sept. 17, 2024)
- Understanding the nature and benefits of an emulsion
- Requirements for a safe and stable emulsion
- Discussion of emulsifiers and co-emulsifiers
- Selecting a preservative or preservative system
- Guidelines on using active ingredients in your emulsion
- Packaging options
Lesson 2 - Light Lotions and Creams (Sept. 24, 2024)
- What constitutes a light emulsion
- About the emulsifiers we’ll be using in this lesson
- Step by step heating and cooling methods for optimal results
- Tips on the hand stirring techniques shown in this lesson
- How to measure the pH of your product
- Creating an emulsion for the eye area – ingredient highlights
Products: Eye serum, Body lotion
Lesson 3 - Viscous Emulsions - Creams and Salves (October 01, 2024)
- The elements of rich emulsions and where they are optimally applied
- Creating emulsions for the face – ingredient highlights and tips
- Identifying and working with quality multifunctional emulsifiers
- Demonstration of the heating and cooling methods for these formulas
- Transferring to containers – tips and tricks
- Customizing your cream and salve
Products:
Rich Face cream
Soothing Salve for Dry Skin
Lesson 4 - Cold Mix and Anhydrous Emulsions (October 08, 2024)
- What constitutes a cold mix and an anhydrous emulsion
- About the emulsifiers we’ll be using in this lesson
- Fail-safe stirring techniques for cold mix emulsifiers
- Emulsions as cleansers and scrubs
- Tailoring your formula to your needs
Products made:
Cleansing Milk
Body Scrub
Formulating Gels & Serums (2024)
Lesson 1: Understanding Gels (October 22, 2024)
What makes a gel?
Gel components – biopolymers and texturing agents
Texture, feel and function – how to choose ingredients
Preservation options
Lesson 2: Oleogels (October 29, 2024)
Oil-based gels definitions and examples
Advantages and disadvantages
Choice of ingredients and formula considerations
Working with: thickeners, hydrogenated oils and amulsifiers
Formulas: Gel-to-milk cleanser, Chest rub
Lesson 3: Gels with Alcohol (November 05, 2024)
Working with alcohol
Compatible and balancing ingredients
High vs. low alcohol content gels and uses
Working with: isopropyl alchol, ethanol, methyl-cellulose, xanthan gum, glycerin
Formulas: Hand gel, Cooling serum gel
Lesson 4: Water-based Gels (November 12, 2024)
Ingredient consideration
pH considerations
Working with guar gum
Options for combining oil and water
Formulas: Guar gel – 5 different versions from a single template
What previous students say about our courses:
When You Complete the Program
FORMULATION CERTIFICATION
A signed Certificate of Completion issued by the Tisserand Institute for each course.
UNIQUE KNOWLEDGE
The program will empower you with thorough, evidence and experience based information.
The COMPLETE AROMATIC FORMULATION Certificate
Your certificates will be signed by Lise Andersen and Robert Tisserand. Your professional
certificates demonstrate your knowledge of formulating products with oils, butters and waxes,
aqueous sprays, hand-stirred emulsions, and gels and serums.
Don’t miss your chance to learn formulation from one of the most experienced natural skincare formulators!
Add a whole new palette of products to your aromatherapy toolkit!
FAQs
Will there be notes for me to review?
I am a certified aromatherapist. Will I learn anything new?
I am new to essential oils. Is this course for me?
“The information presented is appropriate for all levels, and although I am just beginning my aromatherapy journey it all makes sense.”
Will there be assessments or exams? What kind?
Each weekly lesson is followed by a multiple choice quiz, and there is a summary test at the end of each course. Passing both the weekly quizzes and the final tests is a requirement for certification.
You will be given enough time to prepare for the test as well as three attempts to pass.
Will I be able to ask questions?
Absolutely! In addition to the live Q&A sessions, you can post your questions in the dedicated student forums where the tutor and the TI team will address them.
What if I cannot participate on a live session?
All of our live sessions are recorded and are posted on the learning platform within 24 hours so you can watch them, or rewatch as needed during the course.
How long will I have access to the recordings?
You will have access to all the videos for at least four weeks after the last lesson (see course description for clarification as this changes for individual courses). All the printable materials (notes, handouts, charts, etc.) are of course yours to keep for reference forever.
Do you offer continuing education credits?
Because we have students from all over the world and of many professions we are not able to offer credits for specific organizations – there are simply too many. However, we issue a confirmation of CE hours gained on the course that you can apply with your professional organization and will be happy to assist with any additional documentation.
At the moment, we are an Approved Continuing Education Provider with NAHA.