Why Your Formula Isn’t Working (and How to Fix It)
Every formulator has been there. You’re developing a new formula and something just won’t cooperate. It separates. It’s too thick. It’s too thin. When cosmetic…
Category: Science
Selecting Emollients by Function Not Hype
Emollients affect not just hydration but also slip, spreadability, skin feel, absorption, finish and barrier function. They can make or break the sensorial profile of…
The Science Behind Surfactants
Surfactants are among the most versatile raw materials in cosmetic formulations. But with that versatility comes complexity. Not all surfactants clean the same way. Some…
Choosing the Right Emulsifier
You can’t make a lotion, cream, or serum without creating an emulsion. And, at the heart of any emulsion is the emulsifier, a raw material…
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…
What does Chat GPT mean for beauty and cosmetic chemists?
No doubt you have heard about Chat GPT which seems to have taken the world by storm. AI is a fast growing and ever developing…
First Aid Beauty Bump Eraser Body Scrub and the science behind its TikTok success
Love it or hate it TikTok is one of the fastest growing digital platforms and has become an essential marketing platform for beauty brands. In…
Chemistry concepts most important for cosmetic formulators
Whenever we do a webinar, we find that about 30 - 40% of people interested in formulating cosmetics don’t have a background in science. In…
Color Selection for Cosmetics and Personal Care Products
Part 1: Stability of Certified Colors An important consideration in the color additive selection process is stability. Once the regulatory requirements for the market(s) where…
What is in a cosmetic ingredient
Formulating cosmetics can be a challenge. You’ve got to make a product that performs well enough for your consumers, is easy to make for your…
Why are some oils solid while others are liquid?
Fats, oils, waxes and butters are natural materials that find use in improving the look and feel of skin and hair. They can provide shine,…
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…
10 Things Surfactants Do In Cosmetics
In the first part of our cosmetic surfactant series we talked about what surfactants are and how they behave in a cosmetic mixture. In this…
What are surfactants? A Formulators Guide
Of all the ingredients you could use to formulate cosmetics, surfactants are perhaps the most important. They are used for a wide range of applications…
What is an emulsion? Back to Basics
You may have heard the term emulsion, but still don’t quite understand what it means, especially if you are not a chemist. Well, I thought…
Cosmetic Science - What is known and unknown
One of my Facebook friends posted a question looking for advice about which sunscreen she could use for her child. It turns out her daughter…
The Importance of UV Protection Ingredients in Cosmetics Formulations
There was a time when having tanned skin and laying out in the sun’s rays was considered healthy. However, the dangers of UV rays are…
Sun Damage in the Dark – Yes, in the Dark
Here is some surprising research that suggests a new angle to explore in the formulating of skin care and sunscreens. Contributing authors - Meaghan Lee-Erlandsen…
Biochemistry Terms that Cosmetic Chemists Should Know
When I was in high school I learned about cloning and thought it would be a great idea to clone myself. I wasn’t particularly serious…
How do moisturizing ingredients work?
This is a pretty good summary of how skin moisturizers work on dry skin.