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Need Advice for hiring a Cosmetic Chemist
Hello,
I’m looking to hire someone to analyze/research product ingredients of existing natural and organic products. Would a cosmetic chemist be suited to this type of position?I need someone with extensive knowledge about cosmetic, skin care and cleaning product ingredients. I’d need them to analyze ingredient labels on existing natural & organic products. Specifically whether any of the ingredients had aromatic qualities, contain fragrance, as well as judging the safety of these products (are the ingredients contaminated with other chemicals, are they gluten-free, vegan, nut-free etc?)
Would a cosmetic chemist do this type of work? Are there freelance cosmetic chemist consultants out there? How much should I expect to pay someone offering these services, and what type of qualifications should I look for?
Thanks
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10 Replies
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To clarify, by analyze/research I don’t mean physically test the formula in a lab. Just analyzing the ingredients by reading them (and possibly following up with the manufacturer) and providing consultation based on the qualities I’m looking for in the products (fragrance-free, chemical-free, gf, veg, etc)
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I would suggest looking in the pinned thread where there are some people who list their services.
I would also suggest you look in this forum for @microformulation and @bobzchemist
They are both very good and may be able to help. We used to have more on here like Duncan and others but I don’t know what happened to them. -
Thanks, @DavidW.
@greenearth, it would help if you’d tell us why you want this analysis to be done and what purpose you’d use the results for. -
I’m putting together a resource listing fragrance-free products for people with allergies/chemical sensitivities to access online. Products that are cleared by this chemist will then end up being posted in the resource. I don’t have a chemistry background which is why I want to work with someone who can validate the ingredients.
Would this be suitable work for a cosmetic chemist?
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Yes, it would. I don’t think either a fragrance chemist or a toxicologist would have the breadth of knowledge that would be needed for a project like this.
Depending on the resources you have available, and the level of ownership you will be asserting over this information, you might want to consider using a student/group of students in a graduate-level cosmetic chemistry program, or hiring a cosmetic chemist who acts as a consultant. -
Great suggestions. Thank you - I appreciate your input!
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Hello:
I’m looking for more information and possibly to hire someone as a cosmetic chemist consultant for a new start-up beauty line company. I have many questions but one of which is can a cosmetic chemist test another formula to determine the products used and in which quantities then supplement with other products to change the formula slightly? Just simply based upon the product itself.Also, what is the benefit of having a cosmetic consultant beyond what is available in house at cosmetic laboratories. I am looking for help with formulation, manufacturing and production. Any suggestions?Thank you! -
Are you asking which is better, to go with a consultant or a cosmetic laboratory?
Without a list of ingredients for a product, if it is possible to break down a formula it is going to be VERY expensive and time consuming and probably not complete. But, everything from this country has a list and a chemist will be able to use his/her best guess based on years of experience. If they are good they will get so close you won’t know the difference.
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@Bobzchemist
How much should I expect to pay a consultant by the hour? -
Depends. Consultants charge different rates, depending on the job, the customer, the intensity, and the duration. I’ve done work (for friends) for a home-cooked meal and home-made cookies - on the other hand, I was able to charge one client $200/hr for a one-time, ten-hour job. There are also other ways to get paid - royalties, percentages, sometimes even stock.
Full-time corporate cosmetic chemists make between 60 - 100k/yr. Most full-time consultants need to make at least that much.
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