Cosmetic raw materials are the individual ingredients used to make a finished beauty product. They fall into a few groups: actives (like niacinamide or salicylic acid) that deliver the result, surfactants that cleanse, emulsifiers that bind oil and water, preservatives that keep the product safe, and clays, oils, and extracts that add texture and benefit. You combine them, at the right percentages, to build a serum, cream, cleanser, soap, or hair product.

Cosmetic-grade means the ingredient has been purified, tested, and documented to the standard required for products applied to skin and hair. It is not the same as food-grade or industrial-grade material, which may carry impurities that are fine for other uses but not for cosmetics. For anything that touches skin, cosmetic-grade is the grade to buy. Every MYOC material is cosmetic grade with a Certificate of Analysis available.

Yes, if your product contains any water. Water-based serums, creams, lotions, toners, and anything you dip wet fingers into will grow mold, yeast, and bacteria within days without a broad-spectrum preservative such as phenoxyethanol. Anhydrous products (oil-only balms, body oils, and pure butters) do not need a water-phase preservative but still benefit from an antioxidant. Skipping preservation is the most common and most serious beginner mistake.

Both. MYOC sells small sizes (around 100g or 100ml) so you can test a formula before committing and bulk sizes up to several kilograms for production. As your product moves from a kitchen batch to a full launch, you order the same material in a larger pack instead of switching suppliers and reformulating.

Yes. A COA is available for the materials on request and confirms the purity and identity of the batch you receive. This matters for indie brands and manufacturers who need documentation for their own records, compliance, or customers. Materials are made in a WHO-GMP and ISO 9001:2015 certified facility, with stability data held through the product's shelf life.

MYOC offers paraben-free options across the range, including paraben-free preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and broad-spectrum blends. Where applicable, ingredients are also offered as non-comedogenic, so you can build formulas for acne-prone and sensitive skin. Check each listing for its specific attributes.

Start with a simple, forgiving project. A melt-and-pour soap or an oil-based balm needs no preservative and no precise emulsifying, so it is the safest first build. From there, move to a basic lotion using emulsifying wax, then add a single active like niacinamide at its suggested use level. Follow the percentage on each listing, preserve anything with water, and patch test your finished product before regular use.