The goal of this course is to teach you to see cosmetics through the eyes of a formulator: to understand the logic of a formula, the role of each ingredient and the relationships between them.
We don't just teach you to "memorize ingredients" — we teach you to analyze, compare and draw conclusions.
Modern cosmetics is not a set of "natural" or "chemical" names. It is a carefully designed system where every component has a function, a dose and an interaction with the others.
Once you start to understand this system, you will be able to:
- independently evaluate how effective products are,
- tell marketing claims from real action,
- choose care not "by intuition" but by the logic of the formula,
- create your own recommendations for clients, if you are a stylist or consultant,
- and eventually — formulate your own products.
This course is built so that you gradually move from a basic understanding (what INCI is and how to read it) to deep analysis (emulsion structure, pH, compatibility, stability, activation of ingredients).
Who this course is for
The course suits you if you are:
• a cosmetologist, stylist or consultant who wants a deep understanding of product formulas;
• working with hair or skin and want to choose care professionally;
• creating or planning to create your own products;
• a blogger or author who wants to give expert reviews without "marketing noise";
• simply want to learn to read INCI and understand what really works in cosmetics.
What result you will get
After the course you will:
• start reading a composition like a formulator: logically, structurally, without chaos;
• learn to evaluate product effectiveness by understanding the role of each ingredient;
• easily tell marketing from real action;
• be able to analyze formulas and see the interaction of actives, pH and stability;
• choose care not "by feelings" but by the logic of the formula;
• if you are a stylist — be able to give well-founded recommendations to clients;
• have a foundation that will eventually let you create your own products.
How the learning works
1. Telegram channel
Video lessons, texts, presentations, practical analyses of real compositions.
2. Zoom sessions
Answers to questions, analysis of participants' products, review of typical mistakes.
3. Homework
Short and practical. You will start to see the logic of formulas in any product.
4. Certificate
After completing the course and the final formula analysis.
Course structure (4 weeks)
Week 1 — INCI reading basics and formula logic
• The principle of ingredient order
• The 1% and 0.1% limits — what they really mean
• Solvents, carriers, hydrolats, polyols, esters
• How to read fragrance
• Preservatives: classes, compatibility, effect on stability
• An INCI-reading algorithm for practice
Week 2 — How products work and functional analysis
Goal: learn to see what really works in a product and what only gives a sensory effect.
• Real action: humectants, lipids, proteins
• The illusion of effect: silicones, polymers, sensory additives
• How position in the INCI shows dosage
• Markers of marketing formulas
• Cleansing: anionic, amphoteric, non-ionic surfactants
• Mild/harsh cleansing systems
• Mechanism of action on hair and skin: surface, barrier, deeper
• Balance of actives, emollients, pH, preservation
• Practice: analyzing formulas, determining effectiveness
• Homework: analyze a favorite product — where it works, where it is marketing
Week 3 — Diagnostics and choosing care
• Hair typology and anatomy
• Diagnosing conditions
• Porosity and its correction
• The logic of choosing care
• Fine vs thick hair
• A professional recommendation algorithm
• Final test
Week 4 — Actives, pH, stability and deep analysis
Ingredients that really change hair:
• Amino acids: role, penetration, effect
• Hydrolysates and peptides: keratin, silk, plant proteins
• Humectants: glycerin, panthenol, betaine, hyaluronate
• Emollients, emulsifiers, fatty alcohols
• Silicones without myths
• Filters, antioxidants, chelators
• Lipid complexes: 18-MEA, ceramide systems, esters, squalane
• pH and stability of actives
Practice:
• Analyzing formulas
• Judging how realistic a claimed effect is
• Building a "logic map" of a formula: base, actives, sensory feel, additional ingredients
Homework:
• Analyze 3 products
• Identify the actives, mechanism of action and pH logic
• Draw a conclusion: real action or marketing
FAQ
Who is this course for?
For hairdressers and colorists who want to understand color systematically and work confidently with shades.
Is prior experience required?
The course is built systematically — it suits both beginners and professionals who want to organize their knowledge.
How does the learning work?
Online, at a comfortable pace. You get access to the materials and study them at your own rhythm.
Who is the course author?
Practicing colorist Iryna Sokolova, the LUNEVA brand.
