Facial Oil formulation
Formulate Facial Oils that Stand Out
Learn how to develop high-performing skincare using active plant compounds, proven formulation strategies, and a focus on visible results.
Bring your vision to life
Formulating standout facial oils is both a science and an art—and it starts with understanding your ingredients. With so many botanical oils, actives, and lipid-rich materials now available, it’s easy to get overwhelmed or lost in endless research.
This course gives you a clear path forward—so you can stop second-guessing and start developing products that feel aligned, effective, and ready to share.
Whether you're making for clients, customers, or your own skincare line, you'll walk away with the clarity and confidence to move from idea to finished formula.
One of the best courses I have ever taken to date! Very informative and Susan does not hold back, she gives 200 percent in the course materials and in her presentations.
I would recommend this course to anyone making skincare products.
Munira Khambata
The Foundation of a Signature Product
Some of today’s most iconic skincare brands are built around a single, well-chosen ingredient.
These single-oil products stand out because they’re effective, easy to fall in love with, and beautifully simple. They deliver visible results, streamline routines, and help brands carve out a unique identity.
In this course, you’ll learn how to work with singles—botanical oils that are naturally balanced and rich in active compounds. These oils can serve as the centerpiece of a formulation—or stand alone as a finished product.
You’ll also learn when to pair singles with base or specialty oils to enhance their benefits without overcomplicating your formula.
If you're creating simple, potent products that resonate with your customers and stand out in the market, understanding singles is the perfect place to start.
Bring your vision to life
Once you’ve identified your singles and base oils, it’s time to bring focus and function to your formulas—and that’s where specialty oils come in.
These high-value botanical oils deliver concentrated plant compounds like antioxidants, pigments, and anti-inflammatory sterols. They add targeted action to your products, helping you address specific skin concerns with clarity and precision.
You’ll learn how to work with the healing fraction—unsaponifiable compounds like vitamin E, carotenoids, phytosterols, and squalene—that support the skin in maintaining its barrier function, resilience, and overall appearance.
Whether you're formulating for skin showing signs of aging, environmental stress, or sensitivity, specialty oils allow you to create facial oils that do more—without overcomplicating your formulas.
How many oils is too many?
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that more oils means better results. But in practice, overloading a formula can dilute the benefits of each oil—and make your product feel unfocused, both on the label and on the skin.
Inside this course, you’ll learn how to strike the right balance: using just enough variety to deliver targeted action, while keeping your formula simple, elegant, and effective.
You'll walk away knowing how to create oils and serums that feel cohesive, intentional, and refined—not crowded or confused.
Create Oils That Do More Than Sit on the Skin
In this course, you’ll learn how to formulate oils and serums that offer real support across a range of skin concerns.
Your Course of Study
Facial Oil Formulation Online Course
The Art & Science of Skincare Formulation with 100% Natural Botanical Oils
Facial Oil Formulation is more than combining beautiful ingredients—it’s about designing oil-based skincare that restores, protects, and supports the skin’s natural health.
In this course, you’ll learn how to select and combine oils to address a wide range of skin needs—barrier repair, inflammation, visible aging, hyperpigmentation, and more—using only pure, natural ingredients.
Whether you’re formulating for your own skincare line, or working with clients you’ll gain the skills to create products that feel as good on the skin as they are for it.
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I am a French pharmacist and have studied in several universities in France. Susan's knowledge about the lipid world is incredible I have learned a lot with pleasure and I use the knowledge every day at work.
Christophe Vroylandt
Learn YOUR way...
Whether you prefer to print and highlight your materials, watch videos on the go, or reflect with notes in hand, this course is designed to support your learning style.
Video lessons with voiceover guidance from Susan walk you step-by-step through each topic
Printable PDF slides for each lesson make it easy to study offline or mark up your notes
Bonus booklets and worksheets help you deepen your understanding and apply what you learn
Live support calls during the upcoming round give you the chance to ask questions and connect with other formulators
You’ll have ongoing access to the course materials, so you can revisit the lessons anytime—and move through the content at your own pace.
What you get when you enroll
12 Core Lessons on Facial Oil Formulation
Step-by-step lessons that guide you through foundational knowledge, ingredient selection, and formulation technique.
Study of Fatty Acids
Understand how different fatty acids function in the skin—and how to use them effectively in formulations.
Study of the Healing Fraction
Explore the unsaponifiables: the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and skin-supportive compounds in plant oils.
Video, PDF and Slide Lessons
Learn in the way that works for you—print, watch, listen, or all three.
Instant + Permanent Access
Start right away and revisit the material anytime. Study at your own pace.
Live Calls with Susan
Join us for three live support calls to go deeper into the lessons and get your questions answered.
4 In-Depth Guides (Exclusive to this Course)
Vitamin E · Polyphenols · Carotenoids · Squalene
Science of the Skin & Oils
Understand the skin’s structure and how oils interact with it.
get 4 exclusive guides to bioactive plant compounds
1| Quick Guide to Vitamin E in Plant Oils
A quick-reference guide to oils naturally high in vitamin E—ideal when you need antioxidant protection or a natural preservative in your facial oil formulation.
Includes both tocopherols and tocotrienols, along with an explanation of their differences and why it matters when formulating.
2 | Quick Guide to Squalene in Lipid Oils
Squalene supports skin barrier health, reduces the appearance of aging, and helps replenish lipids that decline over time.
This guide lists botanical oils naturally high in squalene—nearly all of which come from one unique group of plant oils. Discover which ones and why they’re so effective.
3 | Guide to Carotenoids in Lipid Oils
Carotenoids are powerful antioxidant pigments found in a select group of richly colored oils.
Use this guide to quickly reference oils high in carotenoids and learn how to incorporate them into facial oil formulations and solid oil serums for added protection and glow.
4 | Quick Guide to Phytosterols in Plant Oils
Phytosterols are known for their ability to calm inflammation and support the skin’s natural barrier function.
This guide brings together the latest research and a list of oils rich in phytosterols to help you select ingredients that bring a soothing, restorative quality to your formulas.
A deeper look into how botanical oils interact with the skin—perfect for formulators who want to go beyond ingredients and truly understand skin function.
Includes sections on:
Spring 2025 Bonus Package
(Value $70)
The Mini Course:
Infusing in oils is an ancient art and an effective way to bring the healing power of plants into your all your skincare recipes and formulas, from facial serums to massage oils and healing topical salves. In this mini course you'll discover the best oils to use for infusing, plus tips, methods and techniques for success.
The E-Book:
Your extended guide to infusing in oils, when and how to use plant butters, the enfleurage process, tools, methods and troubleshooting, ideas for plants to infuse, plus a photo essay of a St Johns Wort Infusion
Specialty Course (Value $149)
Bonus Guide
A printable workbook that helps you plan and formulate facial oils for yourself or your clients—complete with guiding questions, oil selection charts, blend planning tools, and measuring tips.
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I took the Facial oil course with Susan Parker last year when it launched as I was in the process of developing a product for my aromatherapy line. I already read her book "Power of the seed" and referenced it regularly for my work.
Even though I had a good grasp of lipid oils and their many benefits, I can honestly say Susan's course has taken that knowledge to another level. She manages to condense a lot of information in a simple and easy to follow format that gives you enough knowledge to work with and yet leaves you wanting to research more. A perfect combination of keypoints and visuals that make the information easy to digest and remember for later.
I would highly recommend Susan's course for anyone interested in more in depth knowledge about lipid oils in general and facial formulation in particular.
Yasmine ElGhamrawy
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"I would like to tell you how much I’ve enjoyed your facial oil formulation class. Your course really opens a door to the world of oils and butters. I cannot tell you how grateful I am to have taken the courses and look forward to learning more from you."
~Rochelle Beaty
FAQ.
There are recipes of formulations to kick-start your own creative process. And there are suggestions for oil combinations for different skin conditions that can help you begin to make your own choices.
Yes there is a lesson that works through all the types of fatty acids commonly found in the plant oils and how they apply to different skin conditions.
Once you purchase Facial Oil Formulation you have ongoing access to the course so you can study at your own pace and come back to the materials as you need to.
We do not offer CE credits. Our students join us from around the world and regulations and requirements vary significantly.
We all learn in different ways, you have continued access to the material so that if something did not land, make sense the first time, subsequent review will help the learning process.
Yes! There are PDF's along with the video lessons and slides.
Once you purchase Facial Oil Formulation you have ongoing access to the course so you can study at your own pace and come back to the materials as you need to.
We're susan & Olivia
Co-founders of the Lipid Oils Academy and mother-daughter team committed to bringing you accurate and innovative tools, research and information on botanical oils, lipids, plant butters and anhydrous skincare formulating.
Sustainability, knowledge, community & healing.
With warmth, Susan & Olivia