It’s episode 3 of the Chemists Corner podcast.  A bit shorter than previous episodes but it was a busy week.  Please have a listen and let us know what you think.

Chemists Corner podcast is about cosmetic science and is broadcast to help educate, entertain, and inspire current and future cosmetic scientists. Each episode we’ll talk about news in the cosmetic industry, answer some of your questions, and discuss a topic in-depth, usually with an industry expert interview.

In this episode…

1.  News – Nutricosmetics for skin

2.  Cosmetic Science - How to get useful formulation info when shopping

3.  Weekly Challenge.

Which of these beauty science headlines are false?

a.  Hair makes a good plant fertilizer
b.  Asian hair is the easiest type to simulate on computers.
c.  All natural hair colors come from 2 pigments
d.  Some 80-year-olds have no gray hair.

If you’ve got an answer to the challenge, have a question, or have any topics you’d like us to cover, leave a comment below.

Since we already reviewed the 10 unsolved problems in hair care, it makes sense to look at the problems that need to be solved in skin care. Here are the top unsolved skin care problems which, if you can solve them, you can make a lot of money as a formulator.

1. Dry, itchy skin

It’s a fact of life that in some climates, skin just won’t stay moisturized. When it dries out it becomes flaky, itchy and just generally feels bad. Tens of thousands of lotions have been made to alleviate the problem but nothing is long lasting. Cosmetic formulators need to push the envelop and make moisturizers that will better relieve dry skin, last longer, and even prevent it from occurring. The company that does will slide their way to the top of the skin product market.

2. Wrinkles

Everyone gets wrinkles and it seems that everyone has an idea of how to get rid of them. In truth, the only topical treatment that has had moderate success is Retinol. Finding new compounds and strategies for smoothing out wrinkles is the Holy Grail of skincare. Right now, the industry has many stories but few working solutions.

3. Acne

If you do nothing to the little blotches on your face and skin, they usually clear up in a week. Use a treatment and it will take 7 days. Seriously, people continue to seek better, faster ways to treat and prevent acne. There is still room for a cosmetic chemist to help formulate longer lasting, more effective treatments.

4. Sagging skin

Gravity, age, and a reduction in collagen production all conspire to make our skin droop to the ground. Cosmetic chemists have tried forever to make products that fight this condition by tightening the skin. Unfortunately, nothing works nearly as well as cosmetic surgery. But that doesn’t mean an invention isn’t out there waiting to be discovered.

5. Age spots

These are black, brown, or gray spots that pepper the skin of older people. They are caused by sun exposure and are treated with skin bleaching products. The ultimate cosmetic would be one that prevents these marks of age from ever forming in the first place.

6. Skin Lightening

While not necessarily a problem, many people around the world desire to have their darker skin lightened. Hydroquinone is generally the prescription of dermatologists. Other treatments like Kojic Acid with Glycolic acid have been used too. None of these treatments are satisfactorily safe and effective so there is room for development of something better.

7. Tattoo Removal

One of the most common problems people have are tattoos that they want to get rid of. What seemed like a good idea in college, now looks like an ugly blotch in the real world. Chemical peels have been sold to rid the skin of the tattoos, but no suitable solution (short of surgery) has been proven highly effective.

8. Eczema / Dermatitis

These are skin diseases characterized by redness, inflammation, itching, and even more extreme conditions. The problem should be treated by a doctor, but cosmetic scientists can help to alleviate the symptoms through the creation of moisturizing creams and safe soaps.

9. Psoriasis

This is another chronic skin condition and is characterized by red scaly patches. It is an autoimmune disease and, as such, is more in the realm of doctors than cosmetic chemists. However, topical treatments are one way to relieve the symptoms. If you can make a treatment that is more effective and longer lasting, you could dominate the market.

10. Unwanted Hair

The only thing worse than not having hair is growing hair in the wrong places. Since those wrong places are typically on the body in places other than the head, it makes unwanted hair removal one of the top problems in skin care. Right now solutions focus on hair removal through harsh chemicals. Creating a gentler way to get rid of unwanted hair would be a great invention.

Honorable mentions….

Stretch Marks
Cellulite
Cold Sores

In a future post, we’ll go more into the various strategies people have used to solve these and why they haven’t worked.

Have you worked on any of these skin problems? Was there anything we missed? Leave a comment and let us know.