Creating Your First Formula

Before You Begin

You need at least one ingredient in your library before you can create a formula. If you have not added any yet, see Adding Your First Ingredients.

Opening the Formula Builder

There are two ways to start a new formula:

Navigate to the Formulas page from the sidebar and click the New Formula button.
From the dashboard, click Create Formula in the Quick Actions grid.

Step 1: Enter Basic Information

Fill in the top section of the form:

Formula Name (required) -- a descriptive name, up to 100 characters.
Formula Type -- select from the dropdown: General, Emulsion, Anhydrous, Surfactant System, Cold Process Soap, Hot Process Soap, Melt & Pour Soap, Liquid Soap KOH, Syndet Bar, Color Cosmetics, Fragrance/Perfume, Haircare, or Sunscreen.
Status -- choose Draft, Testing, Stable, Production, or Archived. New formulas typically start as Draft.
Category -- an optional grouping for organizing your formulas.
Description -- optional notes about the formula's purpose or target product.

Step 2: Set Batch and Properties

Batch Size (required) -- the total weight or volume of one batch.
Unit -- the unit for batch size (e.g., g, oz, ml).
Units Made -- how many finished units one batch yields.
Target pH, Target Viscosity -- optional targets for quality control.
Shelf Life -- estimated shelf life in months.
Storage Conditions -- notes on how the finished product should be stored.

Step 3: Choose an Input Mode

Use the Input Mode Toggle at the top of the ingredients section to select how you want to enter amounts:

Percentage -- enter each ingredient as a percentage of the total batch.
Weight -- enter absolute weights for each ingredient.
Hybrid -- mix percentage and weight entries in the same formula.

Step 4: Add Ingredients by Phase

Ingredients are organized into phases that reflect a typical cosmetics manufacturing process:

Water Phase, Oil Phase, Emulsifier Phase, Active Phase, Cool-down Phase, Fragrance Phase, Other Phase

For each ingredient, you will set:

Ingredient -- search and select from your library using the combobox.
Phase -- assign the ingredient to the appropriate phase.
Percentage or Weight -- the amount based on your input mode.
Q.S. (Quantum Satis) -- check this box if the ingredient should fill the remaining percentage to reach 100%.

Click the delete icon on any row to remove an ingredient.

Step 5: Review Totals and Compatibility

At the bottom of the ingredients section, the Totals bar shows:

Total Percentage -- turns green when it equals 100% and red if it does not.
Total Weight -- the calculated total weight of all ingredients.
Total Cost -- the sum of ingredient costs based on your recorded prices.
Cost per Unit -- total cost divided by units made.

Formuley also runs Compatibility Checks as you build. You may see pH warnings if ingredients conflict, temperature sensitivity notices, or other flags. If you are new to formulating, expand the "Quick Guide for Beginners" section for helpful tips.

Step 6: Add Procedure Steps (Optional)

In the Procedure Steps section, add numbered manufacturing instructions. You can drag to reorder steps as needed. This section is optional but valuable for batch consistency.

Step 7: Add Notes (Optional)

Use the Notes section (up to 2,000 characters) for any additional observations, supplier notes, or reminders.

Step 8: Save Your Formula

Click Save to store the formula. You will be taken to the formula detail page where you can review everything, scale the formula, or log your first batch.

For a deeper look at every feature in the builder, see the Formula Builder Overview.