What to expect when your company is bought
I was fortunate to spend my entire corporate career at one company that operated independently so I never had to go through a company buy-out.…
The science of aging
Creating anti-aging products is a popular activity for cosmetic chemists. But did you know that humans are programmed to die? This cute video explains it…
Upcoming Appearance in Akron
I just wanted to let everyone know that I’ll be giving a talk at the next Lake Erie Chapter SCC so if you happen to…
25 Career tips for the Cosmetic Chemist Job Seekers
If you’re searching for a job in the cosmetic industry (say you never had one or recently got laid off) or if you have one…
How to use Social Networking to get a Cosmetic Science Job
When I got my first job in the cosmetic science field, I did it the old fashioned way. I saw a help wanted ad in…
Career Standards for Cosmetic Chemists
I saw this interesting post which listed some standards for entry level cosmetic chemist jobs. Every company is going to be a little different but…
Why All Sodium Lauryl Sulfate Sources Aren’t The Same
I spent much of my career formulating hair care products including shampoos, conditioners, and styling products. One of the largest projects that I was ever…
Using Homogenizers in the Cosmetics Lab
Author: Bob Wilcox We’ve noted several posts in the Chemists Corner discussion forum on using homogenizers to prepare shampoos. Our take on homogenizers is primarily from the…
The EU bans cosmetic animal testing
Well, the ban on animal testing is happening in the EU. As of March 11, 2013, cosmetics will not be allowed to be tested on…
What to do with working cosmetic technologies you can’t use
If you are not in the business of formulating hair care products you may have missed the big kerfuffle caused by the use of formaldehyde…
Happy and Sad
I recently was a judge at a local science fair for grade school students. It was great to see all the students excited about their…
10 Consumer Trends in 2013 that will affect cosmetic formulators
Euromonitor International is One of the market research firms that reports on the cosmetic industry. They often provide interesting insights into what consumers are thinking.…
The cure for contaminated cosmetic manufacturing equipment?
A big problem for contract manufacturers and finished goods makers in general is the development of a contaminating biofilm on the manufacturing equipment. Even after…
7 Reasons to attend the Mid-Year SCC Scientific Meeting in St. Louis
I enjoy being a card carrying member of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists. I respect and share their mission, it has been helpful for my…
Why most active ingredients don’t work
I was listening to one of my favorite skeptical podcasts, The Skeptics Guide to the Universe, and they were talking about Deer Antler Spray. Apparently, a…
Slime mold is smarter than we think
This is a pretty cool story about slime mold. I was a biology major and always appreciated interesting animal adaptations. Here’s the video. [youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lls27hu03yw’]…
How to find a cosmetic market niche
While it may be a dream of a cosmetic formulator to make a product that will be bought and used by everyone, this almost certainly…
How long do cosmetics last?
In Colin’s post on nail polish, he reminded me of a common question I’m asked about beauty products and cosmetics is “how long do they…
7 Tips for Falling in Love with Formulating Again
Over time, the job of a cosmetic chemist can occasionally get boring. With the endless stability test measurements and prototypes that fall apart, you can…