Cosmetic Science Basics - Silicones
The vast majority of cosmetic raw materials are based on hydrocarbons. Oils, polymers, waxes and more involve bonds of carbon and hydrogen. But a notable…
Category: Formulating
Salt Curve Analysis - How to control cleansing cosmetics
When you formulate an anionic surfactant based cleansing formula, you don’t normally have to include a separate thickening system. This is because salt will thicken…
Does it matter if your formulations are sustainable?
You can’t get around this trend in the cosmetic industry. Natural, green, organic, sustainable, etc. They are here to stay and will affect your formulation…
Microbial Enumerations Tests - What Every Cosmetic Chemist Should Know about USP 61
This is a guest post by Rachelle Baker, Lab Manager, Cosmetic Test Labs Microbial contamination of cosmetic and personal care products is a frequent concern within…
My first patent 8,277,790
One of the coolest things about being a cosmetic chemist is that you get to be an inventor. You invent new formulas, new processes, or…
Most significant challenges for natural formulators
One of the biggest trends in cosmetic formulating is the trend towards making “natural”, “green” and sustainable formulations. This represents a challenge for cosmetic chemists…
Cosmetic Challenge Testing: Why Even Well-Known Preservatives Need Testing
This is a guest post by Rachelle Baker, lab manager at Cosmetic Test Labs. A popular trend in the cosmetic and personal care product industry…
Are Stem Cells a Revolutionary Cosmetic Ingredient?
A significant trend in the cosmetic industry is one loosely called “customization”. A number of consumers claim that they want products that are customized to…
The science of Powdered Cosmetics
When I was a kid, I didn’t give much thought to cosmetics. When someone said the word cosmetics, I automatically figured they were talking about…
Sunscreen Simulator Formulation Tool
Here is a pretty useful sunscreen formulation tool created by BASF. I put together a video to show a formulator exactly how she might use…
Is sunscreen effective at preventing cancer?
Here was an interesting article published on Boing Boing about sunscreens. The basic premise is that we do not know whether sunscreens actually prevent cancer…
Cosmetic claims substantiation - Olay Wrinkle Smoothing Cream
Proctor and Gamble is arguably the biggest company in the beauty business. They also spend the most money on research and development which results in…
Are Cosmetic Chemists Going to be Replaced?
You may not have noticed but there is a small but significant DIY (Do it yourself) trend in the cosmetics arena. Well, a group out…
Penetration of Cosmetic Ingredients
When you are meeting with a cosmetic raw material supplier, they often talk about how their ingredient will penetrate the skin. Even cosmetic marketers use…
Kitchen Cosmetic Chemistry
It’s nice to see young people having an interest in cosmetic chemistry. This video shows you how to make your own lipgloss. [youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1R65bFmCro’] The…
Cosmetic Claims Substantiation - Case Study 02
Today, we turn out claims substantiation eye to a skin product, specifically, Peter Thomas Roth Unwrinkle Night Cream. Why this product? I don’t know. It…
Cosmetic Industry Jargon - Color Cosmetics
To become a cosmetic chemist, you are going to have to learn to speak like a cosmetic chemist. As in any industry, the cosmetic industry…
Cosmetic Claims Substantiation - Case Study 01
Formulating is only one of the responsibilities of a cosmetic chemist. An equally challenging task is to come up with claims and tests that will…
A cosmetic chemist in Charleston
Not much to post except to report that I’m in Charleston for the mid year SCC meeting and having a great time. Here’s a shot…
The Drunkards Walk - Book Review
I may be a bit odd but statistics and probabilities have always been favorite subjects of mine. Ever since I learned that I could calculate…