There are two key differences between the courses. The first is that in the Diploma in Natural Skincare Formulation, we only include how to formulate one type of serum which is an oil-based serum. In the Advanced Certificate in High-Performance Serum Formulation (3rd Edition) you’ll learn to formulate 6 types of serum: liquid anhydrous serums, pressed serums, gel-based (aqueous serums), emulsion-based serums, gel-cream serums and bi-phase serums.
The other key difference is that the Advanced Certificate in High-Performance Serum Formulation (3rd Edition) contains detailed information on how to formulate with more advanced, active ingredients. It is our most advanced course where you will learn to formulate with a wide range of active ingredients including vitamins, antioxidants, peptides, ceramides, acids, botanical extracts, and more.
Topics included in the Advanced Certificate in High-Performance Serum Formulation (3rd Edition) and not in the Diploma in Natural Skincare Formulation include:
- High-performance liquid anhydrous serums - In the Diploma class we cover simpler oil based serum formula types but in the Advanced class we take this to a whole new level. We describe the differences in this blog post: https://www.schoolofnaturalskincare.com/face-oils-vs-face-serums/
- Pressed serums - in comparison to balms, they use more luxury oils and butters, higher concentrations of active ingredients, and special waxes such as floral waxes. They can also have a softer, jelly-like consistency rather than a typical balm feel.
- Gel-based serums - we don't cover gels in the Diploma class at all. These make very light, quickly absorbed serums that can be oil free and contain a wide range of water soluble actives.
- Emulsion-based serums - you'll learn how to achieve a lightweight serum texture in an emulsion which we don't include in the Diploma class. The Diploma class includes lotions, creams and body butter emulsion types. Emulsion-based serums are different to other emulsions in that they contain a much higher amount of actives.
- Gel-cream serums - Somewhere between a gel and a cream, gel-cream serums are light-weight and absorb quickly. They contain a large proportion of hydrating ingredients and water soluble actives (similar to a gel) but will also include emollient oils to create a very light, cream-like appearance and consistency with an elegant skin feel.
- Bi-phase serums - these are really fun to formulate, create and use! They are separated into two distinct phases, a water-based phase and an oil-based phase, and must be shaken before each use. If formulated to contain botanical ingredients that also add lovely color, biphase serums look great on a shelf!
- A wide range of active ingredients including vitamins and their derivatives, peptides and ceramides, AHAs and BHAs, active ingredients that are: toning, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, antimicrobial, skin brightening, skin barrier repairing, strengthening and offer sun protection.
- New and sophisticated plant oils, natural esters and botanical extracts including pracaxi oil, cacay oil, watermelon seed oil, prickly pear oil, guava oil, perilla oil, buriti oil, tamanu oil, blueberry seed oil, natural silicone replacements and more! These are not included in the Diploma class.
You can find full details of the Advanced Certificate in High-Performance Serum Formulation (3rd Edition) course curriculum in the course prospectus here: https://schoolofnaturalskincare.lpages.co/prospectus-advanced-certificate-in-high-performance-serum-formulation/
If you would like to experience it first-hand and sample the course materials and lesson presentations, we offer a free trial, with no obligation to buy. You can sign up for it here: https://school-of-natural-skincare.thinkific.com/enroll/558725
You can download the prospectus here:
To find out more about the different serum types covered in the course you can read this blog article Beyond Oil-based Serums: 6 Types of Serum Formulation to Try: https://www.schoolofnaturalskincare.com/beyond-oil-based-serums/