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Hello, I'm
Joan Morais!
Founder | Cosmetic Formulator | Educator | Pioneer in Online Cosmetic Formulation Education
- Cosmetic Formulator and Instructor
- More than 20 years of formulation and teaching experience
- Specializes in innovative, natural, sustainable, plant-based and vegan cosmetic formulation
- Certified Aromatherapist and Herbalist
- Trained in Cosmetic Chemistry and Botanical Formulation
- Mentored thousands of students in the science and art of cosmetic formulation
- Teaching Cosmetic Formulation Since 2003
- Member of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists
About Joan Morais | The Formulators LAB
Professional Cosmetic Formulation Education Since 2003
The Formulators LAB® is a women-owned, family-operated cosmetic formulation education company founded by Joan Morais.
Joan Morais Cosmetics School is the professional cosmetic formulation education division of The Formulators LAB®, founded by Joan Morais.
The business began in 2003 with Joan's work as a cosmetic formulator and educator. Beginning as Joan Morais and later operating as Joan Morais Naturals, the company evolved alongside Joan's growing work teaching professional cosmetic formulation online.
Today, The Formulators LAB brings together professional cosmetic formulation education, focused product-specific LAB Classes, and resources designed to help formulators develop their skills, create innovative products, and build cosmetic brands.
For more than two decades, students around the world have learned how to formulate professional-quality skin care and hair care products through Joan's practical, step-by-step approach to cosmetic formulation.
Our training is designed for aspiring formulators, entrepreneurs, makers, beauty brand owners, and professionals who want to develop the knowledge and practical skills to confidently create their own cosmetic formulations.
Whether your goal is to launch a skin care or hair care line, expand an existing brand, formulate professionally, work in cosmetic production, or simply become a more knowledgeable formulator, our education provides a strong foundation in both the science and art of cosmetic formulation.
Professional Cosmetic Formulation Courses
Through Joan Morais Cosmetics School, students can study professional natural skin care and hair care formulation through comprehensive online training developed and taught by Joan Morais.
The Professional Courses combine ingredient education, cosmetic science, formulation techniques, complete formulations, procedures, demonstrations, and practical product-development skills.
Lifetime Course Access. Continual Learning.
Students enrolled in the Professional Natural Skin Care Formulation Course and Professional Natural Hair Care Formulation Course receive Lifetime Course Access.
Cosmetic formulation is an evolving field. Ingredients change, new technologies emerge, and formulators continually refine their skills. Lifetime access allows students to return to their training, review formulations and techniques, and continue learning as their experience and businesses grow.
Thousands of students from around the world have participated in Joan's programs, and many of our earliest students continue to operate successful skin care and hair care businesses today.
We value the relationships we build with our students and the connections that continue long after a course is completed.
About Joan Morais
Founder of The Formulators LAB® & Joan Morais Cosmetics School
Joan Morais is a cosmetic formulator, educator, herbalist, and aromatherapist known for her practical approach to creating high-performance, plant-based skin care and hair care formulations.
In 2003, Joan began her cosmetic formulation business and became an early pioneer in bringing professional cosmetic formulation education online. Since then, she has taught and mentored thousands of students around the world, helping aspiring formulators, entrepreneurs, makers, and beauty brand owners develop professional formulation skills.
Her approach combines nature, science, creativity, and real-world formulation experience.
A Legacy Rooted in Nature
Born and raised on the island of Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i, Joan first lived at the Olokele Sugar Mill in Kaumakani and later in Kalaheo near Mt. Wai‘ale‘ale.
Growing up surrounded by the plants, flowers, aromas, and natural beauty of Hawai‘i helped shape her lifelong connection to botanicals and the natural world.
That connection eventually became the foundation of her work in herbalism, aromatherapy, green beauty, and cosmetic formulation.
Today, her respect for nature continues to influence the ingredients she chooses, the products she develops, and the way she teaches cosmetic formulation.
Where Science Meets Nature
Joan's philosophy is that excellent natural cosmetic formulation requires more than simply combining natural ingredients.
A successful formulation must balance ingredient knowledge, cosmetic science, formulation technique, stability, performance, sustainability, and sensory experience.
Joan is a certified herbalist and aromatherapist with extensive coursework in cosmetic chemistry. In addition, she has studied skin physiology, botanical medicine, Ayurveda, and natural cosmetic formulation. She is also a member of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists.
Her formulations combine botanical ingredients with modern cosmetic ingredients and formulation techniques to create products that are effective, elegant, and practical to manufacture.
A Pioneer in Formal Education
Since beginning her formulation education business in 2003, Joan has focused on making cosmetic formulation understandable and approachable.
Her teaching style breaks formulation down into clear, step-by-step systems so students understand not only how to make a product, but why a formulation works.
Students learn how ingredients function together, how to select appropriate ingredients, how to make and evaluate formulations, and how to develop the confidence to eventually create and modify formulations of their own.
The Formulators LAB
Focused Cosmetic Formulation Training — One Product at a Time
In 2020, Joan and her daughters founded The Formulators LAB to provide focused, product-specific cosmetic formulation classes.
The LAB is designed for new and experienced formulators, makers, beauty entrepreneurs, and brand owners who want to learn how to formulate a particular product without enrolling in a complete professional course.
Each LAB class focuses on creating a specific professional skin care, hair care, body care, or related product.
Students can use these classes to:
- Add innovative products to an existing line
- Explore new formulation techniques
- Expand their formulation knowledge
- Develop products for clients
- Create products for themselves, family, and friends
- Continue building their skills after completing a Professional Course
The Formulators LAB allows formulators to continue learning as new ingredients, techniques, trends, and product concepts emerge.
A Women-Owned, Family-Operated Cosmetic Formulation Education Company
The Formulators LAB® and Joan Morais Cosmetics School are women-owned and family-operated.
Joan and her daughters work together to provide cosmetic formulation education that is practical, supportive, and easy to understand.
Our goal is not simply to show students how to follow a formula. We want students to understand the ingredients, systems, techniques, and decision-making behind professional cosmetic formulation.
We believe learning formulation can open the door to creativity, independence, entrepreneurship, and meaningful work.
Real World Formulation. Real Possibilities.
Over the years, Joan's students have gone on to create independent beauty brands, work professionally in cosmetic formulation and production, and grow businesses serving customers around the world.
Student-founded brands have also gone on to place products with major retailers, including Target, Sephora, Ulta, and Walmart.
Every student's path is different. Some come to us with the dream of building a full cosmetic line. Others want to add one exceptional product to an existing business. Some want professional formulation skills, while others simply love making beautiful, effective products.
Our role is to give students the knowledge, techniques, formulations, and confidence to take their next step.
Joan's Philosophy
Joan's life philosophy centers on continual growth, kindness, authenticity, and doing meaningful work. She believes opportunity and abundance are available when we are willing to learn, grow, and take intentional action.
Guided by her personal motto, “Be It,” Joan encourages others to embody the change they want to create — because transformation begins with how we choose to think, act, and move forward.
Education + Continuing Studies
Instructed and Lectured At
Joan has instructed, lectured, or presented at organizations and institutions including:
- Alliance of International Aromatherapists (AIA) Conference
- UC Davis
- Napa Valley College
- St. Helena Upper Valley College
- Solano Community College
- Method Pop-Up store in Chicago
- Kripalu
- La Costa Resort and Spa
- Learning Exchange
- City of Fairfield
- The Nova Studio
- California Institute of Massage and Spa Services
- San Francisco New College
Completed Courses:
- Chemistry
- Cosmetic Chemistry
- Developing Natural Cosmetic Formulations
- Physiology of the Skin
- The Institute of Integrative Aromatherapy Certificate Program
- Ayurvedic Clinical Aromatherapy
- Cultivating the Herbal Medicine Woman Within with Kami McBride
- Natural Perfumery with Mandy Aftel
- Apitherapy
- Master Gardener Program
- Women’s Herbs
- Hydrosols
- Flower Essences
- Ayurveda for the Westerner
- Mushrooms as Medicine
- Seaweed as Food and Medicine
- Women’s Wisdom: Health & Well-Being
- Reiki I
- Professional Plant-Based Certification Course
About Brittney Morais
Director of Operations | Creative Director
Brittney Morais brings together cosmetic formulation, business strategy, design, and a passion for green beauty.
With experience in business development, brand growth, creative direction, and cosmetic formulation, Brittney plays an integral role in the continued development of The Formulators LAB® and Joan Morais Cosmetics School.
She works alongside Joan in operations, creative development, product formulation, and the ongoing growth and evolution of the company and its educational programs.
Brittney shares Joan's commitment to creating thoughtful, plant-based and cruelty-free products while helping students, formulators, and beauty entrepreneurs turn creative ideas into professionally developed products and brands.
Learn Cosmetic Formulation With Us
Whether you are beginning your formulation journey, building a beauty brand, or expanding your professional skills, explore professional cosmetic formulation education from The Formulators LAB® and Joan Morais Cosmetics School.
Professional Courses
Comprehensive, step-by-step training in professional natural skin care and hair care formulation, with Lifetime Course Access.
The Formulators LAB® Classes
Focused, product-specific classes that teach you how to formulate professional products you can make, customize, and add to your own product line, with three years of class access.
I like this better because it clearly distinguishes the two types of education:
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The Formulators LAB® is home to Joan Morais Cosmetics School, professional cosmetic formulation courses, LAB Classes, and continuing formulation education.