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How to actually understand formulations?

What is the product type?

What is the intended function?

What skin type is this product for?

What are the key skin concerns you want to target?

What is your target market/region?

Are there any certification or claim goals?

What is your budget per kg / product?

What is the desired product feel / texture?

What is your desired shelf life?

Any fragrance or essential oil preferences?

What functional ingredients are needed for the product?

Are the INCI names, usage rates, and solubilities clear?

Are the ingredients compatible with each other ?

Are they certified organic / naturally derived, if needed?

What is the regulatory status (IFRA limits, EU Annex restrictions, usage max %)?

Do you have the supplier info, trade name, documentation (TDS, SDS, IFRA cert)?

Are there any potential irritants / allergens?

Are the ingredients available locally or do they need importing?

Have you divided ingredients into phases (Oil, Water, Cool Down, Actives, Fragrance)?

Have you assigned percentages that add up to 100%?

Are the ratios between oil phase and water phase balanced for stability?

Have you selected an appropriate emulsifier system or gelling system?

Have you chosen the right preservation system for the formulation type and pH?

Have you set a target pH range based on actives & skin compatibility?

Have you created a prototype formula sheet with INCI, % w/w, and functions?

Do you have the correct equipment? (e.g., scales to 0.01g, thermometers, hot plates, homogenizers, pH meter)

Do you have a clean, sanitized workspace?

Are the weighing and heating protocols followed correctly?

Are the mixing speeds & times documented?

Are the temperatures for emulsification and cool down appropriate?

Have you recorded batch numbers, dates, ingredient lot numbers?

Have you documented exact process steps to replicate consistently?

Have you conducted pH testing and adjusted accordingly?

Have you checked viscosity, texture, and sensory feel?

Have you performed accelerated stability testing? (temperature cycles, freeze–thaw, centrifuge)

Have you performed microbial challenge or preservative efficacy testing (PET)?

Are compatibility tests with packaging done?

Have you observed for separation, color changes, fragrance loss, etc.?