Basic Professional Liquid Foundation

Basic Professional Liquid Foundation

Craft your own professional-quality liquid foundation with this well-balanced and skin-friendly formulation. Ideal for cosmetic formulators, beauty brands, or DIY enthusiasts, this foundation recipe offers buildable coverage, a smooth finish, and customizable shades for every skin tone. With a stable emulsion system and nourishing ingredients, this base ensures lasting wear and a natural look.

Ingredients Breakdown

Water Phase

This phase forms the hydrating and humectant-rich base of the formulation.

• Distilled Water – 50 g

• Glycerin (humectant) – 3 g

• Preservative (e.g., Phenoxyethanol) – 0.8 g

• Xanthan Gum or Carbomer (thickener) – 0.2 g

Oil Phase

These ingredients offer slip, spreadability, and skin-conditioning benefits.

• Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides (emollient) – 8 g

• Cyclopentasiloxane (silicone base) – 10 g

• Emulsifier (e.g., Cetearyl Alcohol & Cetearyl Glucoside) – 2 g

Pigments & Colorants

These deliver coverage, tone, and visual effect to the foundation.

• Titanium Dioxide (coverage/opacity) – 8 g

• Iron Oxides (red, yellow, black) – 2 g total

• Mica (optional shimmer) – 1 g

Additives & Enhancers

These optional ingredients elevate the sensory feel and skin benefits.

• Fragrance or essential oil (optional) – 0.2 g

• Niacinamide or other skin actives – 0.5 g

Preparation Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create your foundation:

1. Combine the Water Phase: Blend distilled water, glycerin, preservative, and thickener. Stir until the thickener is fully hydrated.

2. Heat the Oil Phase: Warm all oil phase ingredients together to about 70°C. Stir until fully melted and homogeneous.

3. Emulsify: Slowly add the hot oil phase into the water phase. Blend using a high-shear mixer or homogenizer to form a stable emulsion.

4. Cool Down and Add Colorants: When the emulsion cools below 40°C, incorporate the pigments, mica, fragrance, and actives.

5. Mix Thoroughly: Ensure all pigments and additives are evenly dispersed for a smooth, uniform texture.

6. Package: Pour into airless pumps, squeeze tubes, or glass bottles designed for liquid foundation.

Formulation Tips

• Adjust pigment ratios to suit a wide range of skin tones.

• Use pre-dispersed pigments to minimize streaking.

• Always perform patch and stability testing before launching or retailing.

Why This Foundation Base Works

This formula balances hydration, coverage, and wearability. It includes ingredients that help the foundation glide on smoothly while nourishing the skin. Additionally, it uses a tried-and-tested emulsification method to deliver long-term product stability.

Whether you’re building a custom shade range or crafting a small-batch luxury line, this recipe gives you the perfect starting point for professional results.