Best Chemical Cosmetics Books of 2025

This book is a comprehensive guide to making botanical soaps, perfect for both beginners and experienced soap makers. The author, Jan Berry, provides detailed tutorials and step-by-step photographs for making traditional cold-process soap and the modern hot-process method with a slow cooker. With 50 easy and unique soap recipes inspired by the herb garden, veggie garden, farm, forest, and more, readers can create fabulous modern soaps in a truly natural and eco-friendly way. The book also includes Jan’s guide to common soapmaking essential oils, natural colorants, and easy decoration techniques. Overall, Simple & Natural Soapmaking is a valuable contribution to the soapmaking community and a must-have for anyone interested in making their own natural soaps.

Elixir: A Parisian Perfume House and the Quest for the Secret of Life tells the story of two young chemists who challenged the scientific consensus of their time by searching for the vital force that promised to reveal the secret to life itself. The book is a fascinating cultural and scientific history, rich in sparks and smells, brimming with eccentric characters, experimental daring, and the romance of the Bohemian salon. Theresa Levitt vividly explains why perfume, bathed in, lathered on, and orally consumed, had a chokehold on Parisian life. Written with the propulsive flow of a novel, this book is almost impossible to put down.

This book, "Soap Making Business Startup: How to Start, Run & Grow a Million Dollar Success From Home!" by an author who has built a six-figure business, is not just about making soap, but creating great natural and organic soaps. The book is divided into two parts: the first part covers the basics of soap making, and the second part teaches everything one needs to know to turn their passion into a successful business. The author shares her own story and provides tips on how to make your soaps unique. Overall, this book is a great resource for anyone looking to start a soap making business from home.

Milk Soaps by Anne-Marie Faiola is a comprehensive guide for both beginner and advanced soapmakers. The book features step-by-step techniques and 35 recipes for making milk-enriched soaps, using a wide range of milk types, including cow, goat, and even camel milk, along with nut and grain milks such as almond, coconut, hemp, rice, and more. The photographs in the book show soapmakers how to achieve a variety of distinctive color and shape effects. The book is an excellent resource for anyone looking to expand their soapmaking skills in new and exciting ways.

Perfume: The Alchemy of Scent by Jean-Claude Ellena is a micro-encyclopedia that provides an informative guide to the perfumer's work and the perfume industry. The author's romantic rhapsodies will inspire readers to visit a perfume counter and test their impressions. Jean-Claude Ellena, who was made Hermès' first exclusive perfumer in 2004, designs his scents at his studio in Cabris and lives and works in the hills of Grasse in France. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in aromatherapy and the art of perfumery.

This book is a beginner-friendly guide to making herbal soaps using natural ingredients and essential oils. It includes 50 inspiring recipes, design tutorials, and a stunning natural colorant gallery. The author's method is incredibly easy and safe, as it doesn't require handling lye. The projects are family-friendly, and kids will love helping out with simple soaps like Sunflower Sunshine Bars or playing with Aromatherapy Soap Dough. Overall, this book is a must-read for every melt-and-pour soap maker. The no-fail recipes and stunning photos make it easy to follow and feel like a soap making pro from the start.

Scientific Soapmaking: The Chemistry of the Cold Process is a groundbreaking book that bridges the gap between technical and craft literatures. Written by Kevin Dunn, a professor of Chemistry, this book explains the chemistry of fats, oils, and soaps and teaches sophisticated analytical techniques that can be carried out using equipment and materials familiar to makers of handcrafted soap. The book is presented in a college textbook format, making it accessible to students and individual soapmakers. It is a must-read for anyone interested in making high-quality soap by the pound.

The Everything Soapmaking Book, 3rd Edition is a comprehensive guide for making different types of soap at home. This book provides step-by-step instructions and techniques to create beautiful and natural soaps without any artificial ingredients. The author, Alicia Grosso, also shares her tips on choosing the right equipment, blending colors and scents, and packaging soaps for special occasions. What makes this book unique is that it includes information on natural and organic ingredients. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced soapmaker, this book is a must-have for anyone who wants to create their own handmade soaps.

Homemade Perfume by Anya McCoy is an insightful guide for anyone who wants to create artisanal perfume at home without harsh chemicals. This book covers various techniques for capturing fragrances from natural materials, making it easy to choose the project that works for your experience level. It is an inspiring resource for creating unforgettable gifts for friends and family. Anya McCoy shares her depth of knowledge of natural fragrant materials and her comprehensive experience in working with them, making this book an essential guide for every student of natural perfumery. Overall, it is a must-read for those drawn to the art of weaving exquisite botanical essences into swoon-worthy fragrances.

This book delves into the science of cosmetic formulation, covering everything from basic formulation to advanced development. It offers a practical approach, featuring case studies and contributions from renowned experts in the field. The book covers both the descriptive and mechanistic aspects of formulation, providing insights into the future of cosmetic product development. Overall, Cosmetic Formulation is an essential read for anyone interested in the science behind the cosmetic products they use.