How to Read a Raw Material Specification Sheet
You’ve found the right ingredient, or so you think. But before you place that order, there’s one more critical step: reading the spec sheet. Raw…
Category: Resources
Formulator’s Guide to Contacting Ingredient Suppliers
If you’re sourcing cosmetic raw materials, especially for the first time, reaching out to a supplier can feel intimidating. But clear communication, preparation, and the…
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…
Places to find ingredient lists for cosmetics
In the days before the Internet became what it is now, it was tough to find lists of ingredients. Even back then analyzing cosmetic ingredient…
To start a cosmetic lab you need Lab Supplies
Here’s the next article in our series about starting a cosmetic lab. Here is the basic equipment you’ll need. Containers Weighing equipment Mixers Heating &…
Did you know about this source for finding cosmetic information?
Although you can find lots of great formulating advice here on Chemists Corner and on our cosmetic formulating forum, there are numerous other places you can…
Cosmetic Science book review - Sustainable Cosmetic Product Development
Allured has a new book out about Sustainable Cosmetic Product Development. If you are interested in formulating for the Natural, Organic or Green market, this…
Learn All You Need to Know About Business for Free
Congratulations!! You spent your days in college making it through some of the toughest courses the place had to offer like Physical Chemistry, Advanced Inorganic…
How to read a cosmetic patent
As a cosmetic chemist, you’ll find patents to be an extremely useful source of information. In them you will find starting formulations, novel test methods,…
How to Read a Scientific Journal Article
If you want to stay up on the latest research in cosmetic science, you’ll have to learn to quickly filter and read scientific papers. With…
Cosmetic Chemist Jargon - Acronyms of the Industry
A list of over 100 cosmetic industry acronyms and their meaning. Essential knowledge for a cosmetic scientist.
California launches cosmetic database
Well, here’s the latest entry into the online cosmetic chemical database world. (California Safe Cosmetic Product Database). This follows sites like the industry supported Cosmetic…
Silicones for Personal Care - Book Review
This is a post by cosmetic chemist and formulator Valerie Patton. The world of silicones has grown exponentially since the mid-1970s, and their use in…
How to Tweet a Scientific Meeting
Coming up in December is the National SCC Cosmetic Science Symposium where cosmetic chemists and formulators from around the country and world will gather in…
Memories of a Cosmetically Disturbed Mind - Book Review
I first became aware of Johann Wiechers, the author of Memories of a Cosmetically Disturbed Mind, through the pages of the IFSCC magazine. He was the…
Organic Chemistry for Cosmetic Chemists - book review
I recently received the book Organic Chemistry for Cosmetic Chemists and am pleased to have it on my cosmetic science book shelf. It fills in…
The Best Formulation Software Options for Cosmetic Chemists
When I first started in the cosmetic formulation business, there was no such thing as formulation software. I did my cosmetic formulations using a lined…
Cosmetics Made Absolutely Simple - Book Review
We received a new book from Allured called Cosmetics Made Absolutely Simple. It’s a basic introduction to the field of cosmetics and is a translation…
What is the INCI?
In the cosmetic industry, the compounds on the ingredient list are determined by the PCPC and published in a book called the International Nomenclature of…
Top Sources for Reliable Cosmetic Ingredient Information
Somehow many consumers, DIYers, and even formulators stumble on to the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep database. Unfortunately, they have no way of knowing that…