The “Science” of Cosmetic Product Testing

by Perry on 07/27/2010

There was an interesting article about ‘clinical testing’ of cosmetic products. Essentially, the authors suggest that the science used to support the claims made by the nutrition supplement product Inneov Sun Sensitivity is faulty, biased, and practically worthless.

I don’t yet have access to the original BJD article but if the news report is accurate, indeed this is sketchy science. The extraordinary claims are not quite supported by the testing.

Unfortunately, this is usually the case with studies designed to prove a point rather than discover a truth. In the cosmetic industry, it is called Claims Testing.

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Cosmetic Formula Spreadsheet Template

by Perry on 07/20/2010

 
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If you’re interested in making cosmetic products from scratch but you don’t have fancy software to do it, you can easily make them using a simple spreadsheet formula.

Here’s a video that explains the process.  It allows you to make different batch sizes, calculates ingredient masses, and also costs out the formula.

Cosmetic Formula Template

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Chemists Corner Podcast 009 – Cosmetic Science in Australia

by Perry on 07/15/2010

 
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Cosmetic scientists can be found all over the world.  In this episode we talk with Joel Edwards, a cosmetic chemist from Australia.  He tells his story how he started out as an environmental chemist but transitioned to the cosmetic industry.

Show notes:

1. News
P&G teams with Amyris to make bio materials for cosmetics. Where is the new innovation in cosmetics coming from?  Probably the biotech industry.

Consumer infidelity hurting luxury brands.  What is happening to the luxury beauty market during this uncertain economic times?  People aren’t necessarily trading down.

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Chemical Reactions in Cosmetic Science

July 8, 2010

In college, most chemistry classes were focused on creating chemical reactions. We were constantly challenged to figure out what reaction would happen when you mix chemicals together.

Cosmetic science is not usually reactive

So, you might find it surprising that cosmetic scientists usually do the opposite. We mix chemicals together and hope that nothing happens. In a cosmetic formula, chemical reactions are bad. They are a sign of instability and we do everything we can to prevent them.

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Math Used in Cosmetic Product Formulation

July 6, 2010

To become a college graduate with a degree in chemistry, you probably had to take at least a year of calculus and some type of statistical analysis. Then classes like Physical Chemistry or Inorganic Chemistry further demonstrated the complicated math that was required to be a scientist. Who remembers partial differential equations?

Well, if the math in your college chemistry classes wore you down, then we’ve got good news for you. Cosmetic chemists use almost no complicated math. In fact, all the math you need to know to be a cosmetic formulator, you likely learned in high school. Here are the top mathematical challenges faced by cosmetic chemists and how to do them.

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Cosmetic Drug or Cosmeceutical – What is the Difference?

July 1, 2010

When developing products we often walk a fine line in terms of formulating for efficacy and marketing claims. It is important to understand the regulatory and legal implications of the decisions we make.

Cosmetic or Drug?

In the United States, the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act defines cosmetics as “article intended to be rubbed, pour, sprinkled, or sprayed on, introduced into, or otherwise applied to the human body… for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance.” Examples include blush, lipstick, nail polish, shampoo, and toothpaste.

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How a Chemist Launched Her Own Cosmetic Product – Podcast 008

June 30, 2010
 
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Are you a cosmetic scientist who dreams of one day starting your own line of cosmetics? On today’s show we talk to Kimberly Riley of FSL Cosmetics

Show notes:

1. News
Wrinkles are scarier for young people than cancer. If you want to stop people from exposing themselves to harmful radiation, just tell them it will make their skin look bad when they get older.

Benefits of Vitamin D in skin care products. Do these sound like drug or cosmetic claims?

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Cosmetic Ingredient Nomenclature – An Introduction

June 23, 2010

I put together this video about cosmetic ingredient nomenclature that you might enjoy.  It’s about 15 minutes long and gives you a basic introduction to how cosmetic ingredients get their names.

Just click on this link

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Cosmetic Chemists Guide to the Top 20 Beauty Industry Companies

June 17, 2010

Every year Happi magazine does a listing of the top beauty companies. They actually do two rankings where they give the 50 top US companies and the 30 top International companies.  I always wished they did a compilation list.

Well, it turns out, they did. This article lists the top 20 beauty industry companies. Click the picture for the full list.

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5 Places to Find Cosmetic Science Jobs

June 16, 2010

While learning how to become a cosmetic scientist is fun, it doesn’t do you much good if you don’t have a job. Sure, you could start your own company and we love to encourage people to do that, but if you are like most people, you’ll first get a job working for someone else.

Cosmetic Science Jobs

Here are a few places that you might find cosmetic science jobs.

Careers in Cosmetics
This is a site that helps connect employers with job seekers. You can post your resume and search for cosmetic science jobs by job title, company, and location. If you’re searching for a job in the beauty industry, you should be looking here.

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