How to Source Cosmetic Ingredients If You’re Just Getting Started
One of the most common challenges for indie formulators and early-stage brands is sourcing raw materials. You can have a great product idea, but without…
Category: Cosmetic Industry
The 5 Types of Raw Material Suppliers Every Formulator Should Know
When we talk about cosmetic formulas, the focus is usually on ingredients. But behind every emulsifier, surfactant, or botanical extract is an ingredient supplier and…
Review of InCosmetics Asia 2024
In November, I had the privilege of attending and speaking at In-cosmetics Asia 2024 in Bangkok. Held at BITEC from November 5-7, this year’s show…
Innovation in cosmetics: The haircare conundrum
Innovation is and always has been one of the core foundations of the beauty and personal care industry. Cosmetics products are most likely to see…
Embracing Artificial Intelligence as a formulator’s assistant in the cosmetics industry
Over the past couple of years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has begun to permeate businesses across the board, spanning numerous regions and industries. A study from…
Environmental Impact of the cosmetic industry
When I started formulating cosmetics back in the late 1990’s, one regulatory movement was to reduce the VOC (volatile organic compounds) of cosmetics. What this…
Misunderstood motivations of big cosmetic companies
There is a lot of misinformation posted about beauty products on the Internet. For consumers this is a big problem because it causes them to…
Cosmetic innovation challenges - Is there innovation in cosmetic science?
Every year, many of the magazines and websites dedicated to the cosmetic industry publish their lists of cosmetic innovations or trends that will affect formulating.…
Cosmetic science - why isn’t there more research?
I was having a discussion on a recently developed Discord channel about cosmetic science and people were lamenting the fact that there were not very…
Challenges of being a cosmetic chemist
Most scientists who end up in the cosmetic industry didn’t plan it that way. While there are now college and university cosmetic science programs, the…
Fragrance Loophole Fears Are Unfounded
A common claim I see about cosmetics and fragrances in particular is that there is a “fragrance loophole” that allows cosmetic companies to fill their…
Cosmetic Regulations Around The World
It has never been easier than it is now to create your own cosmetics for personal use and for sale. The Internet has made it…
The 20 Biggest Cosmetic Companies in the World
While having a good working knowledge of raw materials and formulations is important for being a great formulator, having a working knowledge of the cosmetic…
How to be convincing
When I participate in discussions about cosmetic ingredients, I’m usually disappointed in the quality of arguments people put forth in support of their positions. It…
in-Cosmetics North America Partners with Leading Cosmetics Trade Associations
Two leading US cosmetic trade associations have been confirmed as partners for this year’s in-cosmetics North America exhibition. The Independent Cosmetic Manufacturers and Distributors Association (ICMAD) and The Personal…
Naturals, facial masks and color cosmetics featured at in-cosmetics Asia 2017
Three major cosmetics trends which are driving substantial growth within the beauty and personal care market across APAC will be examined at this year’s in-cosmetics…
in-Cosmetics 2017 recap
The second day of in-cosmetics Global closed in style, with awards presented to suppliers excelling in innovation, green and sensory product development. New to…
Upcoming Continuing Education Opportunities
If you are looking for some live courses in cosmetic science, the National SCC is sponsoring a number of them coming up this year. In…
An Open Letter to Cosmetic Chemists
I saw this article about Bodisafe Cosmetics which claims their products are natural and chemical free. Normally, I would just file this away with all…
Cosmeceuticals in cosmetics
A reader asked me why there weren’t more high performance cosmeceutical ingredients in cosmetics. I think there are a few reasons you don’t see many…