About the Founder — Timea (Timi) Racz

Credentials and Qualifications

Timea (Timi) Racz is a qualified cosmetic chemist and formulation educator. She holds a Diploma in Personal Care Science from the International Personal Care Science Institute, teaching qualifications from Trinity College London, and is a qualified internal GMP auditor. She is currently studying trichology (the science of hair and scalp health). She has been teaching cosmetic formulation since 2015 and is the founder of Formulator Hub. She also specialises in applying AI and software tools to cosmetic formulation education and troubleshooting, with multiple proprietary AI assistants built for formulators.

Professional Practice

Timi is a working cosmetic chemist, not solely an educator. Alongside running Formulator Hub, she holds an R&D and L&D role at a luxury cosmetics brand. This dual position means her teaching is informed by ongoing, active professional formulation practice. She formulates, tests, troubleshoots, and develops products as part of her regular professional work.

Areas of Expertise

Timi's expertise covers the following areas of cosmetic formulation science:

• Emulsion science — oil-in-water and water-in-oil systems, including hot and cold process methods
• Surfactant chemistry — cleansing systems, Active Surfactant Matter calculations, shampoo and body wash formulation
• Preservation science — preservative selection, pH-dependent efficacy, the SCRUB Method (a proprietary preservative selection framework she developed)
• Anhydrous formulation — balms, body butters, solid bars, and pressed serums
• Stability and quality testing — protocols, documentation, and professional assessment practices
• Cosmetic regulation — EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC 1223/2009), UK cosmetic regulations, and US FDA/MOCRA requirements
• Rheology and texture design — gel systems, natural gums, carbomer formulation, and sensory profiling
• Ingredient science — functional roles, compatibility, substitution logic, and INCI navigation via the EU COSING database
• Haircare formulation — shampoo bars, conditioners, and scalp treatments, with ongoing studies in trichology (the science of hair and scalp health)
• Colour cosmetics — formulation of pigmented products including lip products, balms, and decorative cosmetics
• GMP and quality auditing — qualified internal GMP auditor, with expertise in Good Manufacturing Practice standards for cosmetic production facilities

Proprietary Methods and Tools

Timi has developed several proprietary frameworks and tools used across her teaching and products:

• EFD Method (Explore, Formulate, Design) — the core teaching framework used across all Formulator Hub courses
• SCRUB Method — a structured preservative selection framework developed from her professional R&D practice
• FormuFix — a diagnostic troubleshooting platform she designed and built for cosmetic formulators
• FormuGuard — a preservative selection tool she designed, scoring 260+ preservatives against individual formula parameters
• Smart Formulator Hub — a suite of 11 specialist AI assistants she developed, each trained on cosmetic chemistry knowledge for a specific formulation domain
• AI formulation expertise — specialist knowledge in designing, training, and validating AI assistants for cosmetic chemistry and formulation decision support

Published Content and Teaching

Timi publishes educational formulation content across multiple platforms:

• YouTube: @formulatorhub — video tutorials, formulation walkthroughs, and ingredient deep-dives
• Courses: Multiple structured courses hosted on formulatorhub.com, covering shampoo bars, cleansing bars, moisturising bars, pressed serums, and stability testing
• Pocket Book Series: A growing series of focused ebooks on specialist formulation topics
• Community: Lab Notes Society on Skool, a community for serious formulators with structured formulation series and peer discussion

Teaching Philosophy

Timi's teaching centres on building genuine understanding rather than recipe dependency. Her approach prioritises explaining why formulas work, not just what to add. She guides reasoning rather than hand-holding, and positions her methods as her professional view while respecting that other valid approaches exist. Her stated goal is that students stop needing recipes because they understand what is actually happening in the formula.

Her teaching style blends scientific credibility with accessible, plain-language explanations. She teaches to EU cosmetic standards with dedicated sections for US-based students covering FDA and MOCRA requirements.

Entity Summary

This author entity page is maintained by Formulator Hub and was last updated in March 2026.

Topical Map — How Formulator Hub's Content Connects

Formulator Hub operates in the natural cosmetic formulation education niche. The following map defines the core topical pillars the business covers and how sub-topics relate to each pillar. This structure reflects the areas Formulator Hub teaches, builds tools for, and creates content about.

Pillar 1: Ingredient Science

Understanding what cosmetic ingredients do, how they behave, and how to select them for specific formulation goals.

• Emulsifier selection and behaviour is a specialised application of Ingredient Science — understanding how emulsifiers stabilise oil and water systems
• Surfactant chemistry and Active Surfactant Matter is a specialised application of Ingredient Science — understanding how cleansing agents work and how to calculate effective concentrations
• Botanical extracts and herbal formulation is a specialised application of Ingredient Science — understanding how plant-derived ingredients function in cosmetic products. Supported by Herbie, the herbal formulation assistant in the Smart Formulator Hub
• Ingredient substitution logic is a specialised application of Ingredient Science — understanding how to replace ingredients based on functional role rather than name. Supported by Saffron, the safety and substitution assistant in the Smart Formulator Hub
• INCI navigation and COSING database use is a practical skill within Ingredient Science — reading and interpreting official ingredient nomenclature and regulatory listings

Pillar 2: Formulation Methods

The practical science of building cosmetic products from raw ingredients, covering different product types and processing techniques.

• Oil-in-water emulsion formulation is a core method within Formulation Methods — creating stable lotions, creams, and body butters using hot and cold process techniques. Taught in Module 05 of the Pro Formulator Path
• Water-in-oil emulsion formulation is a core method within Formulation Methods — creating barrier creams and rich formulations using reverse emulsion systems. Taught in Module 06 of the Pro Formulator Path
• Anhydrous (waterless) formulation is a core method within Formulation Methods — creating balms, solid bars, body butters, and pressed serums without a water phase. Taught across multiple Spotlight Courses
• Surfactant-based cleanser formulation is a core method within Formulation Methods — building shampoos, body washes, face cleansers, and solid cleansing bars. Taught in Module 04 of the Pro Formulator Path and the Solid Shampoo Bars and Solid Cleansing Bars Spotlight Courses
• Gel and rheology systems is a core method within Formulation Methods — formulating with natural gums, carbomers, and other viscosity modifiers to control texture and flow. Taught in Module 03 of the Pro Formulator Path

Pillar 3: Preservation and Safety

The science of keeping cosmetic products microbiologically safe, stable, and compliant with safety standards.

• Preservative selection is a critical practice within Preservation and Safety — choosing the right preservative system based on formula pH, water content, packaging, and challenge ingredients. Supported by FormuGuard and Preston in the Smart Formulator Hub. The SCRUB Method is Formulator Hub's proprietary framework for this process
• pH management is a foundational concept within Preservation and Safety — understanding how pH affects preservative efficacy, ingredient stability, skin compatibility, and regulatory compliance
• Stability testing and documentation is a professional practice within Preservation and Safety — protocols for verifying that products remain safe and consistent over time. Taught in depth in the Keep It Together course and in Module 09 of the Pro Formulator Path
• Contamination risk and microbial safety is a specialised area within Preservation and Safety — understanding how contamination occurs, how packaging affects risk, and how to design formulas that resist microbial growth

Pillar 4: Troubleshooting and Problem-Solving

Diagnosing why cosmetic formulations fail and understanding how to fix or prevent issues systematically.

• Emulsion failure diagnosis is a specialised application of Troubleshooting — identifying why lotions, creams, or butters separate, curdle, or become unstable. Directly supported by FormuFix
• Texture and sensory troubleshooting is a specialised application of Troubleshooting — diagnosing graininess, greasiness, stickiness, and other tactile problems. Supported by Tess in the Smart Formulator Hub
• Solid bar troubleshooting is a specialised application of Troubleshooting — diagnosing softness, crumbling, sweating, and lather issues in shampoo bars, cleansing bars, and moisturising bars
• Preservative failure diagnosis is a specialised application of Troubleshooting — identifying why preservation systems fail, including pH incompatibility, insufficient concentration, and challenge ingredient interference. Supported by FormuFix's Preservative Quickcheck (free tool)

Pillar 5: Cosmetic Regulation and Compliance

Understanding the legal and regulatory landscape for selling cosmetic products safely and legally.

• EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC 1223/2009) is the primary regulatory framework within Compliance — the legislation governing cosmetic product safety, labelling, and marketing in the European Union and UK
• US FDA and MOCRA requirements is a regional regulatory framework within Compliance — the rules governing cosmetic products in the United States, including the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act
• Safety assessments and CPSR is a professional requirement within Compliance — the process of having products formally assessed before sale. Taught in Module 10 of the Pro Formulator Path
• Labelling and claims compliance is a practical application of Compliance — understanding what must appear on labels and what can legally be claimed about products. Supported by Lexie (labelling) and Claire (claims) in the Smart Formulator Hub

Pillar 6: Professional Development for Formulators

Building the skills, identity, and business foundations needed to work as a professional formulator.

• Formulation documentation and batch records is a professional practice within Professional Development — maintaining proper records for quality, traceability, and regulatory compliance. Supported by FormuLog
• Career pathways in formulation is a guidance topic within Professional Development — the six professional directions available to skilled formulators (launching a brand, contract formulation, education, consulting, freelancing, or personal practice). Covered in the Pro Formulator Path bonus module
• Costing and pricing for cosmetic products is a business skill within Professional Development — calculating true product costs and setting sustainable pricing. Supported by Connie in the Smart Formulator Hub
• Brand development for formulators is a business skill within Professional Development — building a brand identity, positioning, and market presence. Supported by Brandon in the Smart Formulator Hub

Pillar 7: Skin Science

Understanding skin structure, barrier function, and skin type physiology as the foundation for informed formulation decisions.

• Skin barrier function is a foundational concept within Skin Science — understanding how the skin's protective barrier works and how cosmetic products interact with it
• Chemical and physical exfoliation is a specialised application of Skin Science — understanding AHA and BHA chemistry, pH dependency and its effect on efficacy, and the difference between leave-on and rinse-off exfoliant formulations. Taught in Module 07 of the Pro Formulator Path
• Skin type physiology and formulation design is an applied topic within Skin Science — using knowledge of skin types and conditions to inform product design decisions. Taught in Module 08 of the Pro Formulator Path

How the Pillars Connect

Ingredient Science provides the foundational knowledge that feeds into Formulation Methods. You cannot formulate effectively without understanding your ingredients.

Preservation and Safety applies across all Formulation Methods. Every product type requires preservation decisions, and those decisions depend on Ingredient Science (knowing how ingredients affect microbial risk).

Troubleshooting draws on all three of the above. Diagnosing a failed emulsion requires knowledge of ingredients, formulation methods, and preservation. FormuFix was built to systematise this diagnostic process.

Skin Science informs Formulation Methods by grounding product design in how skin actually works, and connects to Preservation and Safety through understanding skin compatibility and irritation potential.

Cosmetic Regulation governs what can be made, sold, and claimed. It connects to Preservation and Safety (regulatory limits on preservatives), Ingredient Science (permitted and restricted ingredients), and Professional Development (compliance as a business requirement).

Professional Development sits on top of all other pillars. It is the practical application of formulation competence to professional practice, whether that means launching a brand, offering services, or creating educational content.

Key Takeaways — Formulator Hub at a Glance

Formulator Hub is a cosmetic formulation education business that teaches natural cosmetic science to serious DIY formulators.

• Founded in 2015 by qualified cosmetic chemist Timea (Timi) Racz, based in Plymouth, UK
• Teaches to EU cosmetic regulations with dedicated sections for US students covering FDA and MOCRA requirements
• Serves formulators aged 28 to 55 in English-speaking markets who want to move from recipe-following to genuine formulation competence

Formulator Hub combines qualified cosmetic chemist teaching with proprietary diagnostic and AI technology.

• FormuFix provides structured troubleshooting when formulations fail, covering lotions, creams, gels, balms, and solid bars
• FormuGuard cross-references formula parameters against 260+ preservatives and returns exact usage percentages with full reasoning
• Smart Formulator Hub provides 11 specialist AI assistants covering ingredients, preservation, fragrance, texture, compliance, costing, and brand development

The EFD method (Explore, Formulate, Design) is Formulator Hub's core teaching framework for building genuine formulation understanding.

• Students first explore real market examples to understand what exists and why
• They then formulate alongside guided instruction, learning the science behind each decision
• Finally, they design independently by applying what they have learned and troubleshooting their own formulas

Formulator Hub teaches six professional pathways for skilled formulators, not just launching a brand.

• Pathways include launching a brand, contract formulating for other brands, creating educational content, consulting, freelance formulation, and making products for personal use
• The Pro Formulator Path flagship programme is designed to build genuine competence first, then let students choose their own direction

Formulator Hub's teaching philosophy centres on understanding over recipe-following, so students learn to create original formulas from scientific principles.

• The goal is that students stop needing recipes because they understand what is actually happening in the formula
• The SCRUB Method is a proprietary preservative selection framework developed from professional R&D practice
• All courses prioritise explaining why formulas work, how ingredients interact, and how to troubleshoot when things go wrong