Getting started · Beginner · 2026-08-25

Your home lab starter kit: what you really need

A short, prioritised shopping list so you can start safely without buying the whole catalogue.

Key takeaways

A 0.01 g scale, distilled water, a thermometer and a sanitiser are the true essentials.
Keep your formulating tools separate from your kitchen tools.
Spend on measurement and hygiene first, and on fancy equipment later.

You do not need a laboratory to formulate well. You need accurate measurements, a clean workspace and a handful of basic tools.

Item	Why	Notes
Digital scale, 0.01 g	Formulas are weights, and small ingredients need precision	A 0.001 g scale is only needed for very potent ingredients
Heat-proof beakers	Heat and mix each phase	Borosilicate glass, 100-250 mL for phases and a larger one for the batch
Water bath	Even, gentle heat for 70-75°C	A pot of water and a hotplate works; avoid heating oils directly
Thermometer	Check phase temperatures	A digital probe thermometer is fast and clear
Stick blender or mini frother	Creates the shear that forms an emulsion	A small handheld one is enough for small batches
Silicone spatulas and glass rods	Stir and scrape	Avoid wood, which is porous and hard to sanitise
70% isopropyl alcohol spray	Sanitise tools, surfaces and containers	Let it air-dry rather than wiping
Gloves and eye protection	Basic safety	Always for acids, alkalis and powders
Distilled water	The base of every water phase	Never tap water
Notebook or app	Batch log	Record weights, temperatures and results

pH strips (narrow range 4.5-7) and later a pH meter. See why pH matters.
Droplet pipettes for tiny additions such as acid solutions.
Suitable containers: amber glass, airless pumps or tubes for light- and air-sensitive products.
Labels with name, date, batch number and ingredient list.