Question 1

What is Beauty Ingredients?

Accepted Answer

Beauty Ingredients is an AI-powered sourcing and formulation platform for indie beauty brands and professional formulators. We help you discover cosmetic-grade ingredients, build and validate formulas, request samples, and move from concept to shelf faster.

Question 2

Who is it for?

Accepted Answer

Indie beauty founders, cosmetic chemists, contract manufacturers, and R&D teams working on skincare, haircare, and color cosmetics. Whether you are formulating your first serum or scaling a full line, the platform meets you where you are.

Question 3

Do I need an account?

Accepted Answer

You can browse ingredients and explore guides without an account. To save formulas, manage projects, request samples, and track orders, create a free account from the Sign Up button in the top right.

Question 4

How does the AI Ingredient Finder work?

Accepted Answer

Describe what you are trying to make or the property you need (for example, "a lightweight humectant for an oily-skin gel"), and the AI suggests suitable ingredients with usage guidance grounded in our catalog. You can then save them to a project or request samples.

Question 5

How do I request a sample?

Accepted Answer

Open any ingredient or a saved formulation concept and choose "Request sample." Your request is tracked in your workspace, where you can follow its status from requested through approved, shipped, and delivered.

Question 6

Is there a minimum order quantity?

Accepted Answer

Sample sizes are available for most catalog ingredients so you can test before committing. Full-size and bulk quantities vary by ingredient — wholesale and volume options are available through our Wholesale Program.

Question 7

Can I order ingredients that are not in the catalog?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If you need something we do not currently list, use "Request sourcing" and our team will work to source it for you. These requests also help us prioritize what to add to the catalog.

Question 8

How long does shipping take?

Accepted Answer

Most in-stock samples and orders ship within 1–2 business days. Delivery time depends on your location and selected carrier; tracking is available in your workspace once an order ships.

Question 9

Do you ship internationally?

Accepted Answer

We ship within the United States today and are expanding. Some ingredients have shipping restrictions based on regulations and carrier rules — any limitations are noted at request time.

Question 10

What is your return policy?

Accepted Answer

Because cosmetic ingredients are sensitive to handling and storage, opened or used materials cannot be returned. If an order arrives damaged, incorrect, or does not meet specification, contact us within 14 days of delivery and we will make it right.

Question 11

How do I track an order?

Accepted Answer

Sign in and open the relevant project in your workspace to see live order and sample status. For help with a specific order, email orders@chemai.beauty with your order number.

Question 12

Can the platform help me build a full formula?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Formulation Builder lets you assemble ingredients into a working formula, and the bench logbook helps you record trials, outcomes, and photos as you iterate toward a final version.

Question 13

Are ingredients cosmetic-grade and documented?

Accepted Answer

Our catalog focuses on cosmetic-grade ingredients with supporting documentation such as INCI names and supplier specifications, so your formulations are built on credible, traceable materials.

Question 14

Does Beauty Ingredients give regulatory advice?

Accepted Answer

We surface helpful context like INCI naming and general usage guidance, but we are not a substitute for a qualified safety assessor. Always confirm your finished product meets the regulations of the markets you sell into (for example, EU Regulation 1223/2009).

Frequently asked questions

Getting started

Ordering & samples

Shipping & returns

Formulating & compliance

Still have questions?