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Become a Skilled Lipid Formulator
A Year of Learning & Creating with Susan M Parker
Lipids Decoded is closed
With lipid oils taking over the skincare and beauty industry, new opportunities are everywhere!
And, while lipids like plant oils, butters and even animal fats like ghee and tallow might be the current darling, pushing essential oils off to the sidelines, this is far more than an trend.
It is a movement.
Skincare professionals, formulators, and individuals are looking for a natural, nourishing and healing approach to skincare.
Lipid oils give us all of this and more.
What are they?
Nourishing, healing fatty compounds cold pressed from kernels, nuts, seeds and fatty fruits and, the rich animal sources of tallow and ghee.
There is an increasing demand for oil only, or waterless skincare.
And that creates opportunity for innovation and a chance to stand out in the skincare space.
Whether you are building a skincare line around a single oil like argan, plum kernel or marula, or you are developing a face or body care line, working closely with lipid oils is the key to creating exceptional formulas and standing apart.
There is a growing market for thoughtfully created skincare centered around lipid oils
Oil-only skincare, anhydrous skincare the name varies but the purpose is the same.
To create high-quality skincare by tapping the rich plant compounds in lipid oils.
For a long time the lipid oils were pushed into a dusty corner under the misused term ‘carrier’ oil.
And for a long time, these oils were simply used as carriers for sexy-sounding ingredients like essential oils.
But that is changing and fast!
As people increasingly develop sensitivities to the overuse of essential oils more and more we are seeing brands advertising ‘clean’ formulas free of preservatives and essential oils.
The oils that once simply ‘carried’ other ingredients are taking their rightful place in the spotlight!
As people increasingly develop sensitivities essential oils we are seeing more brands advertising ‘clean’ formulas free essential oils.
Rich in fatty acids and antioxidants, pure botanical lipid oils don’t need to be carried.
They stand on their own, effective, nourishing, healing, protective and restorative.
And when asked, they will hold up the other ingredients in your formula with ease and grace.
Creating a base for facial and body creams, lotions, cream cleansers and masks, and carrying essential oils by creating a safe, nourishing foundation.
These are the botanical or lipid oils, formally known as ‘carrier’.
Over 200 different lipids from plant oils & butters to tallows & ghee
The number of different plant oils available is increasing all the time, and it is exciting!
From the very rare and still hard to find like pineapple seed oil (it actually smells faintly of pineapples!), basil seed oil, strawberry seed oil and pine nut oil.
To the oils that shape our lives in the kitchen and in skincare, oils like olive, grapeseed, rosehip, argan, sesame and almond oils.
And and increasing interest in the rich animal sources for skincare including tallow and ghee.
Lipids Decoded is your guide to unlocking the potential in lipid oils so that you can develop effective formulas and guide your customers and clients in their skincare journey.
This program was developed for formulators, skincare professionals and people who want to work with and understand the lipid oils on a deeper level than simply as ‘carriers’.
Each lesson in the chemistry section is designed to build your skills so that you can progress from no chemistry to lipid oil expert in just a few short weeks.
Visual props, graphics and Susan's unique way of teaching the chemistry of fatty acids has helped hundreds of students who didn’t think they could ‘get’ the chemistry part find understanding and confidence.
And if you have chemistry in your toolbox already, these lessons will give you visual aids and a new way of looking at fatty acids.
Lipids Decoded is your guide to unlocking the potential in lipid oils so that you can develop effective formulas and guide your customers and clients skillfully in their skincare journey.
The Lipids Decoded Program covers five main topics:
Fatty acid chemistry - so that you can confidently combine oils for specific skin results
Botanical families - to create a framework for experimenting, substituting and finding new oils to work with
Geography - where we find patterns in climate, growing regions and the structure of fatty acids that you can use as a guide for your next project
Bioactive compounds - the small but potent non-fatty acid part of all botanical oils made up of antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, and other plant compounds
Science of Oils & Skin - each fatty acid affects the skin differently depending on the results you want and the skin condition you are working with.
This course taught me what oils to combine to achieve my desired formulation. What I loved is that each module was built on the previous module. Like building a house each stage was a prelude to the next module. I was lost until I attended this course.
IMOHABASI JAGUN
In this program you will:
12 Months of Support & Learning Together
The Core Lessons
Lipids Decoded is 6 core modules and 24 individual lessons. All of core lessons are recorded videos so that you can build your studies around your schedule. You will also get PDF's of each lesson for offline study.
The Live Cohort
Joining the live cohort gives you support, community and focus as you complete the program. We will have four live weekly calls starting once enrollment closes so that you can build momentum with your studies, and learn with a community of other students.
A Year of Support
Live calls once a month with Susan for a full year! Learning is an ongoing process and we want to make sure you have the support you need in every stage of the learning and doing as you build and work on your own formulas.
Email support for a year, so that between calls you can get your questions answered and keep moving forward.
Permanent access to the program is always included so you can study at your own pace and return to the lessons as often as you want.
This course is designed to take you step-by-step so that you can progress quickly and start applying the lessons to your formulating right away.
This course to take you step-by-step so that you can progress quickly and start applying the lessons to your formulating right away
Woven through the chemistry lessons you will find a rich template of lessons on how botany and plant families play a role in creative and innovative formulating, the patterns in geography, growing regions and plant families and sustainability, ethical sourcing and refining.
You’ll also get lessons on how oils impact, effect and interact with the skin, how each fatty acid group works on the skin and which types of oils to use for specific skin types and conditions.
And each module and many of the lessons come with additional bonus study books that you can use to go deeper on specific subjects.
The core modules give you the essential skills you need so that you can move through the course quickly and start applying it to your work right away.
And then, when you have time and maybe a cup of tea, you can curl up with the study booklets and go deep into the topics that capture your interest.
Your Course of Study
module 1
Laying a foundation for our studies on the range of lipid compounds for the skin
Lesson 1: Getting started -the lipid compounds, plant source animal source - value for the skin
Lesson 2: C for carbon - a gentle introduction to organic chemistry - the carbon chains of fatty acids
Lesson 3: Triglycerides and waxes - structure and function in skincare
Lesson 4: Fatty acids - basic structure and the five most common in three structural groups
module 2
Deep dive into the nature of fatty acids and introducing the affect of oxygen
Lesson 5: Saturated fatty acids - the nature of saturation and the skin
Lesson 6: Monounsaturated fatty acid, Oleic acid and olive oil
Lesson 7: Polyunsaturated fatty acids - the Twins, essential fatty acids
Lesson 8: Oxygen and how O2 impacts the fats and oils
module 3
The unsaponifiables, healing fraction of the oils
Lesson 9: Introduction the the Unsaponifiables
Lesson 10: Antioxidants - carotenoids and vitamin E
Lesson 11: Anti-inflammatories - Squalene and plant Sterols
Lesson 12: Polyphenols - Flavonoid group and the Phenolic acids
module 4
Fatty acid by fatty acid, saturated to polyunsaturated as present in oils - Isomers
Lesson 13: Saturated fatty acids from 12 to 26 carbons with representative oil
Lesson 14: Monounsaturated fatty acids from 14 to 24 carbons long with representative oil
Lesson 15: Polyunsaturated fatty acids from 18 to 22 carbonators long with an oil for each
Lesson 16: Eicosenoic acid C20:1 - the introduction to isomers
module 5
More on how fatty acids of oils can look alike but have different properties - familial relationships and Earth’s geography produces different types of oils
Lesson 17: Shape of fatty acids - cis-trans - hydrogenation - isomers of fatty acids - pomegranate
Lesson 18: Naming of fatty acids - alternate to the short code - Greek names of fatty acids - simplified
Lesson 19: Botanical families of the lipid bearing plants
Lesson 20: The geography of where fatty acids dominate the oils produced
module 6
Manipulated seed oils, fermented oils, Skin and oil and a meditation on warmth and volatility and aroma
Lesson 21: Manipulated oils and the Daisy family - how to choose oils
Lesson 22: Fermented and cultured oils - new ways of growing oils
Lesson 23: Skin and oil - how the skin works with oils and fats
Lesson 24: A discussion about the nature of warmth and lipid compounds versus the aroma and volatility of the distilled essential oils
The Study Guides & Exclusive Bonuses you get with Lipids Decoded
Guide to Saturated Plant Butters
Compare pie charts and skin benefits for a wide range of plant butters across multiple families to create unique body care products with butters including mowrah, cupuacu, shea kapangnan and many more.
Guide to the Skin & Oils
Reference skin barrier function, ceramides, the relationship between the skin, sun and oil and how essential fatty acids make a difference in skincare and health.
Visual Guide to Refining in Lipid Oils
Botanical oils vary tremendously depending on the level of refining. In this visual reference guide look up and compare oils to see the range of pigments and refining.
Guide to Unsaponifiables in Lipid Oils
The unsaponifiables in lipid oils is a big subject and the research is new and emerging all the time. Anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals and plant compounds make up the unsaponifiables in botanical oils.
Botanical Families Study Guides
Guide to Grain Family Oils & Squalene
Amaranth, oat, rice bran, oils from the grain family are rich in beneficial skin nutrients including squalene.
Guide to Oils in the Rose Family
Quickly find and compare fatty acid profiles and other data from oils in the rose family including plum kernel oil, strawberry seed oil, rosehip, pear and more.
Guide to the Palm Family of Oils
The palm family, palm oil controversy and the many types of oil producing plants (14 in all) in the palm family including coconut oil, tucuma, murumuru & babassu.
Carrot Seed Oil & The Carrot Family
Carrot, coriander, parsley this small family has some unique lipid oils with unique fatty acids and skin benefits. These oils are new in the lipid world though their essential oil counterparts have been around for a long time.
Guide to Oils in the Cabbage Family
Find oils in the cabbage family for light skincare and haircare including daikon radish seed oil, broccoli seed oil and arugula seed oil.
Bonus: Guide to Oils in the Pumpkin & Melon Family
Pumpkins, watermelon, cucumber, gourds and even loofah oil, lipid oils from this family are an important part of your formulating toolbox.
Bonus: Guide to Oils in the Legume Family
From common soy to the skin superstar pracaxi oils in the legume family cover a wide range of skincare uses. Includes fatty acid profiles and pie charts for all 6 oils in the legume family.
Bonus: Guide to Oils in the Daisy Family & Manipulated Oils
Find all the daisy family oils in one spot from sunflower seed oil to lettuce seed oil (ya lettuce seed oil!) and compare fatty acid profiles. Includes data on manipulated oils
Susan M Parker
Your Teacher & Guide
I am Susan M Parker, author, researcher and your guide to the botanical lipid oils for skincare, formulating and living life well.
The oils inspire me every day in my work whether I am writing an article, working out a new facial oil or researching a rare and interesting new fatty acid.
The oils themselves are your teachers and I am here to guide you in your work as you navigate this rapidly expanding world of the botanical lipid oils.
Inspiration starts with your ingredients, and when you are creating natural skincare, that means starting with plants.
My years studying western herbalism gave me a deep and lifelong relationship to the plant world.
And while developing an expertise in lipid oil chemistry might seem like a long distance to travel from home herbalist, the stories aligne.
Because even as we dig into the chemistry, at the core of our work is always...plants.
In the Lipids Decoded Program, you will learn the chemistry of lipid oils, how different fatty acids impact, and treat different skin conditions and study the bioactive compounds.
But, it is so much more than that.
In this program you will learn about botanical families and the (very useful) patterns found there.
We will tour the world to study how climate conditions shape the plants that grow in each region...thus shaping the very structure of the fatty acids within those oils.
Discover how arctic cranberry seed oil is structurally different from a tropical cocoa butter, and the role climate had in shaping those fatty acids.
Our focus is skincare, but the lipid oils are so integrated into human life and history, for food and beauty that, as you study, you cannot help but understand things like...
Why grapeseed oil really shouldn't be used at high heat despite the high smoke point
Lipids Decoded is your no BS program in lipid skincare. A place where we focus on science, and find inspiration in the plants.
What students are saying about Lipids Decoded
Lipids Decoded gave me a greater understanding of oils in general. I feel I understand difference between saturated, mono and polys etc., as well as what is good to use on our skin, why, and the different benefits of them. It covers a lot and Susan explains it in such an easy-to-follow way. I really do enjoy this oil world.
Michelle Satchell
One of the best courses I have ever taken t0 date! Very informative and Susan does not hold back any information. She tries to give 200 percent in the course materials and in her presentations. I would recommend this course to anyone making skincare products.
MUNIRA KHAMBATA
This course gave me a thorough understanding of how carrier oils work, and the differences between them so that I can effectively formulate skincare solutions. My favorite part was that you get a cheat sheet of oils. For anyone that wants to have a thorough understanding of how carrier oils work, the differences between them, and how to utilize them effectively and efficiently in order to formulate skincare this is the course for you.
LORI SATTER
New Edition: Core Course Materials & Lessons
24 core curriculum lessons. We are releasing a new updated edition for this fall 2024 enrollment. One of the updates, new lessons on tallow and ghee.
12 months of live calls
Once a month for a full year you'll have the opportunity to sit down with me and the other students to discuss the course materials, look at any formulas or projects you are working on and get caught up with the lessons together
4 weekly calls to get things rolling
We will have 4 calls over the coming month to get you grounded in the lessons and study materials.
Permanent access to the course materials
You'll get ongoing access to the course materials for Lipids Decoded so you can return to the lessons and study at your own pace
Call Recordings
All of our live calls will be recorded for anyone who cannot join us live
Email support
You can email me anytime with questions about the lessons or your work with the Lipids Decoded course materials
10 Exclusive Bonus Guides on Botanical Families
Your essential quick reference guides to finding similar and substitute carrier oils
3 Guides to Specialty Fatty Acids
Quick reference guides to oleic acid oils, polyunsaturated oils, conjugated fatty acid oils.
Guide to Plant Butters & Saturated Oils
A guide to saturated plant butters with profiles, pie charts, fatty acid makeup and skincare uses and characteristics
How Oils Become Soap
A quick guide to the process of making cold processed soap.
Guide to Refined vs Unrefined Oils
A visual guide to refined vs unrefined oils and the impact on pigments, scent and even skin benefits
Guide to The Science of Skin & Oil
A guide to how lipid oils impact the skin, how deeply oils penetrate the skin and how you can supplement and improve skin with oils, butters, tallows and lipids
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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
Lipids Decoded helped me understand the differences between oils for acne vs. anti-aging for formulating. I feel confident to share with others what I've learned as I prepare to host my first workshops for formulating for beginners in my studio lab.