Studying online is so much easier—and more enjoyable—when you’re part of a supportive community where you can share ideas, ask questions, and connect with others who understand your goals.
At the School of Natural Skincare, we’re excited to offer a premium community experience in our own private Circle community and app.
It’s a welcoming space, free from the noise and distractions of social media, where you can feel supported, make connections, and celebrate your progress together—with the added benefit of direct access to our team and professional cosmetic scientists who are here to guide and support you.
Keep reading to discover what’s on offer inside our community, including:
- Tutors Lab
- Formulation Challenges
- Formulators’ Forums
- Library of past Formulators’ Forums
- Tutor Q&A
- Community Hub
- Member Directory
- Find a Study Buddy
Or join Gail for a quick video walkthrough:
Community app for easy access
Our online community lives on a brilliant platform called Circle, and you can access it wherever you are by installing the Circle app on your iPhone or Android — it’s super easy and keeps the community just a tap away.
We’ve moved our community off social media to give you something better—a private, distraction-free app focused on connection, learning, and creativity. Inside, you’ll find direct access to our Cosmetic Scientists, plus a supportive group of like-minded members. No ads, no noise—just real conversations, exclusive content, and all the inspiration you need in one place.
Advance your formulation skills in the Learning Lab
Connect, learn and discuss directly with our Cosmetic Scientists inside the Learning Lab!
Inside the Learning Lab, you’ll find:
- Tutors Lab
- Formulation Challenges
- Formulators’ Forums
- Library of past Formulators’ Forums
Who has access? The Learning Lab is an exclusive area of the community that’s only available to students of a Diploma or Advanced Certificate course and members of our Natural Cosmetic Formulation Club. This is a more advanced space where our Cosmetic Scientists help you develop your formulation skills.
Learn and discuss directly with our cosmetic scientists inside the Tutors Lab
Each week, one of our tutors will share a post, start a discussion, or set you an activity. You can expect a range of content, including topical discussions, quick tips, troubleshooting advice, formula fixes, challenges, ingredient guides, activities, and more.
Topics covered include fun, expert-led chats about trending skincare topics and ingredients like:
- Beef Tallow – what is all the hype about? TikTok Trend or Skincare Win? Beef tallow is having a major moment in beauty right now – but is it worth the hype?
- Slugging – what is this trend, and how can we make a slugging product with plant-based ingredients instead of petroleum-based ingredients?
- Peptides – do you really know what they are, what they do and how to incorporate them into your skincare products? Let’s dive in!
Get stuck into activities like analyzing INCIs, fixing formulas and substituting ingredients to build your formulation skills.
Stay up to date with this week’s topic or delve into our archive of past conversations.
Become a better formulator with our Formulation Challenges
Formulation is all about getting creative, experimenting, and having fun – and our Formulation Challenges are the perfect way to do just that.
Each term, our cosmetic scientists run an exciting Formulation Challenge to help you boost your skills, grow in confidence as a formulator and enjoy the process along the way. They’re hands-on, interactive, and full of support to keep you motivated.
Plus, you can explore past challenges anytime you like – perfect if you want to keep practicing or try something new. Previous challenges have included reverse formulation, where you get to crack the code of an INCI list and even reverse-engineer popular skincare products.
Connect with other members and our scientists LIVE at our Formulators’ Forums
Chat live with members and scientists during our monthly Formulators’ Forum. Tune in to our live teaching sessions with Gareth or Gail and our Cosmetic Scientists, then connect with your community members for informal chats in private breakout rooms. A great place to learn more, collaborate with your peers, and grow together.
Enjoy our library of Formulators’ Forum Recordings
Dip into our library of past presentations as and when you like! With more than 20 presentations to choose from currently (and new ones being added most months), it’s like Netflix for formulators!
Popular topics include Substituting Ingredients, Cosmetic Packaging, Hyperpigmentation, Cosmetic Ingredients from Food, Making Botanical Extracts, and more.
Have your questions answered personally by a Cosmetic Scientist in our Tutor Q&A
One of the key distinctions about studying with the School of Natural Skincare is that you’ll be supported by qualified and experienced Cosmetic Scientists with decades of experience in both teaching and formulating for natural and organic brands.
Our Tutor Q&A is the place to ask them any questions you have about the class or course you’re taking with us. They check in regularly throughout the week to offer answers, support, and guidance.
Who has access? We have a separate Tutor Q&A for each Diploma and Certificate course, plus one for the Natural Cosmetic Formulation Club, too.
Community Hub
Ask questions, jump into discussions, and share your wins, tips, and discoveries!
Looking for support and insightful conversations with natural and organic formulators? The Community Hub is the heart of our peer-to-peer community. This is a place to ask questions of other students and members, engage in discussions, share learning successes, and more.
Share your goals and wins each week, and let’s cheer each other on! Post a photo or video from your lab, kitchen, or formulating space showing us what you’re working on. Formulated a gorgeous product? Discovered a cool new ingredient? Share your successes and discoveries with the community!
If you have a question or need advice on a product or ingredient, ask your fellow formulators! The community has a wealth of experience to share.
Who has access? Students of our Certificate, Advanced Certificate and Diploma courses and members of the Natural Cosmetic Formulation Club.
More ways to connect: Member Directory and Find a Study Buddy
If you’d like to make deeper connections with other students or members, you can use our Member Directory and Find a Study Buddy areas. If you’re new to a course and want someone to study alongside for a bit of accountability and support, this is the perfect place to reach out and find a buddy.
See you inside our School of Natural Skincare online community
We would LOVE to welcome you to our community!
You’ll receive an invitation to join with enrollment in one of our Certificate or Diploma courses or when you become a member of the Natural Cosmetic Formulation Club.
Our community is the perfect companion to your studies – offering encouragement, support, and exclusive access to content and formulation expertise.
We can’t wait for you to explore everything waiting for you inside!
