Base Ingredient

Base Ingredient


Base Ingredients Overview

What Is a Base Ingredient?

A base ingredient is a foundational component used as the carrier or medium for a finished product. Instead of being dispensed on its own, a base is designed to have other ingredients mixed into it to create a final, ready-to-use product.

Common examples of base ingredients include:

  • Creams or lotions used to create custom hand creams or topical formulas

  • Shampoos or conditioners used for custom hair blends

  • Oils, gels, or balms used as topical or cosmetic carriers

  • Liquid bases used for custom body washes or soaps

In these formulas, the base provides the structure, texture, and delivery method, while the added ingredients provide the therapeutic or functional benefits.

How Base Ingredients Are Used in Formulas

When a formula uses a base:

  • The base ingredient typically makes up the majority of the total product

  • Additional ingredients are mixed into the base at specific quantities or percentages

  • The final result is a single finished product, such as a custom cream or shampoo

For example:

  • A hand cream formula may use a neutral cream base, with essential oils or herbal extracts added

  • A shampoo formula may use a shampoo base, with botanicals or active ingredients blended in

The base ensures consistency, stability, and usability of the final product.

Smarter Formula Creation Using Base Ingredient Rules & Controls

Our system enables you to create formulas around a controlled base ingredient, giving you full authority over how additional ingredients interact with and build upon that base, including:

  • Base Quantity – Define how much of the base ingredient is used in the formula.

  • Allowed Ingredients – Specify which ingredients are permitted to be mixed into the base.

  • Ingredient Limits – Set a range for how many additional ingredients can be added to the formula.

This approach ensures consistency and control when creating finished products such as creams, shampoos, lotions, or other blended formulations. The base provides the structure of the product, while approved ingredients are blended into it according to the rules you define.


Adding a Base Ingredient Option to the Formula Builder

Base ingredients are used when a formula is built around a carrier or foundation product—such as a cream, lotion, shampoo, oil, or gel—into which other ingredients are mixed. The base typically makes up the majority of the final product, while additional ingredients are blended into it within controlled limits.

This form allows you to define which base is used, how much of it is included, how it is priced, and how it behaves in the formula builder.


Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Select the Base Ingredient

Field: Base Ingredient (required)
Choose the ingredient from your catalog that will act as the base (for example: cream base, shampoo base, lotion base).

  • Only ingredients already created in your catalog will appear here.

  • This ingredient will serve as the foundation of the custom formula.

2. Enter a Display Name

Field: Display Name (required)
Enter the name that practitioners will see in the formula builder.

  • This does not need to match the internal ingredient name.

  • Use a clear, user-friendly label such as “Cream Base” or “Neutral Shampoo Base.”

3. Set the Base Ingredient Amount

Field: Base Ingredient Amount (required)
Enter the default quantity of the base ingredient and select the measurement unit.

  • This defines how much base is included in the formula by default.

  • The unit options depend on your measurement settings (e.g., g, ml, oz).

4. Enter Cost of Goods

Field: Cost of Goods (required)
Specify your internal cost for the base ingredient.

  • This is used for margin and cost calculations.

  • It is not visible to practitioners or patients.

5. Set the Base Ingredient Price

Field: Base Ingredient Price (required)
Enter the selling price associated with the base ingredient.

  • This price contributes to the total cost of the custom formula.

  • Pricing can be fixed or used in combination with other pricing rules depending on your formula setup.



6. Configure Minimum and Maximum Settings (Optional)
Toggle: Minimum and Maximum Settings

Turn this option ON to enforce rules around how much additional material can be added to the base ingredient.

When enabled, the minimum and maximum values define the allowed range for additional ingredients that can be mixed into the base. This ensures the final formula stays within controlled limits and prevents over-dilution or under-formulation of the base product.

This is especially useful when practitioners are allowed to customize formulas but must remain within predefined formulation boundaries.


7. Add Display Text (Optional)

Field: Display Text
Enter instructional or descriptive text related to the base ingredient.

  • This text can explain how the base works or provide usage guidance.

  • If the option is selected by the practitioner, the text will display automatically

8. Save the Base Ingredient Option

Click Save to add the base ingredient option to the formula builder.

  • Once saved, the base becomes available for use when practitioners create formulas.

  • You can edit or remove this base option later if needed.

Practical Examples

  • Custom Creams: Define a cream base with a fixed amount, then allow specific essential oils or actives to be added within a range.

  • Custom Shampoos: Use a shampoo base and control which botanical extracts or fragrances can be mixed in.

  • Topicals & Cosmetics: Ensure consistency, cost control, and formulation safety while still allowing customization.

By properly configuring base ingredients, you ensure formulas are standardized, scalable, and safe—while still giving practitioners flexibility to customize finished products.



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