Getting Started Making Cosmetics & Skin Care: Equipment

So, you want to try out making your own cosmetics and skin care? Yay!! Be warned, that once you start making it, it gets pretty addicting. I still have a huge list of products that I want to learn how to make. In this post, I will go over the necessary materials and equipment that you will need to get started making cosmetics and skin care products. This list is a bare minimum list, that I wish I had when I first started out with making cosmetics and body care recipes.

Some links are “affiliate links”, because I am an Amazon Associate and I earn from qualifying purchases. There is no additional cost to you, the price of the item is the same whether it is an affiliate link or not.

Choosing the right equipment

Digital Scale: This is the number one thing that you need. In order to make cosmetics and body care products, you have to be able to measure or weigh your ingredients. Some DIY will use ‘teaspoon’ or ‘drops’ to measure, but that is not accurate and hard to scale. You are really going to want a scale that is accurate to .01 gram. This accuracy is super important when you are making relatively small batches or testing a formula.

Stick blender: When making emulsions (lotions or creams) you need an immersion blender with a high sheer. I have the immersion blender with the whisk attachment; this way you can also use it for whipped body butters.

Heat safe containers: I love to use these Pyrex bowls and the Anchor Hocking measuring cups. I have been using the same containers for over 2 years and they have not broke and are still in perfect condition.

Spatula: I normally make pretty small batches, so I use a small spatula that fits easily into my small measuring bowls.

Infrared Thermometer: If you had to, you could wait a little bit before getting this. I primarily use it to ensure my ingredients are cool enough to add my preservative. If you decide to wait on getting it, just allow additional cooling time before adding any cool down ingredients.

Double boiler: I have a double boiler, but I prefer to use a regular frying pan with a silicone pot holder on the bottom. Then you simply place it on the stove with water in the pan. Bam, a homemade double boiler.

Measuring Cup with pouring spout: This one is optional, but will make your life easier when pouring your creations into a bottle.

Ph reader: Anytime you are making skin care that includes water, you should be thinking about the pH of the product, you can learn more about that here.

Disposable Gloves: You need these to protect your hands, sometimes even from getting died with your colorant! They are also used to reduce the chance of getting bacteria into your product when you are making it.

Isopropyl Alcohol : I have a small spray bottle that I use to store mine. The spray bottle is handy for both melt and pour soap and for sanitizing equipment. When getting the isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) you want to get the highest percent that you can. In most stores you can get a 90-99% solution fairly cheap.