Home Cosmetic Science Talk Formulating Cosmetic Industry Career Question on Experience

  • Question on Experience

    Posted by simranpatel on June 18, 2020 at 8:23 pm

    Hi!

    I’m currently a student who wants to work in the cosmetic chemistry field - more focused on product management and formulation in the R&D department.  Would working as a medical assistant at a cosmetic medical spa be helpful in terms of experience? I’m trying to get as much experience and connections as I can get before continuing onto my masters.

    Thank you so much! Have a great day!

    EVchem replied 3 years, 9 months ago 5 Members · 7 Replies
  • 7 Replies
  • belassi

    Member
    June 18, 2020 at 11:44 pm

    Not in my opinion.

  • chemicalmatt

    Member
    June 23, 2020 at 5:14 pm

    Contradicting my amigo Belassi here: working in a setting that exposes you to direct product application with final customers may be an invaluable experience when you get down to formulating products for the high-end skin care market. E.g. I’ve never used or seen azelaic acid 15% applied to a patient-consumer, I just studied it and formulated. I’d have a better understanding of its melanocyte inhibitor mechanism if I’d witnessed the application and actual final results.

  • markbroussard

    Member
    June 23, 2020 at 6:19 pm

    @simranpatel:

    Certainly if you are an esthetician that would be useful experience as a grounding for cosmetic chemistry & formulating.  What are you currently studying?

    Getting a job with a contract manufacturer would be even better to get some experience and then going on to a Masters degree in Cosmetic Chemistry.

  • chemicalmatt

    Member
    June 24, 2020 at 9:26 pm

    Mark has a good point and I’ll welcome you to the Contract Manufacturing Vortex from which I have yet to emerge after 30+ years.

  • simranpatel

    Member
    June 26, 2020 at 6:03 pm

    @MarkBroussard Hi Mark! I’m currently studying Chemistry as my major and I’m also minoring in Business Administration. I’ll definitely look into contract manufacturing, hopefully they’re hiring right now! Thank you so much!

  • simranpatel

    Member
    June 26, 2020 at 6:08 pm

    @chemicalmatt Hi Matt! Contract manufacturing is something I was suggested to before, I have no idea where to start looking (especially in the cosmetic science career field). Thank you for this suggestion!

  • EVchem

    Member
    June 29, 2020 at 12:19 pm

    What exactly does a medical assistant at a spa do?
    Working as some kind of lab tech or qc position will help but is more standard route. Most places appreciate having an R&D person who can reliably interface with clients and help sell so a spa position might work to your advantage there.

     Contract manufacturing stops for nothing, pandemic or not from my experience. Get on Linkedin if you aren’t already and look for formulation chemist positions to find companies would be my suggestion.

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