How to get useful cosmetic information sent to you

The Internet has really changed the way you should be doing cosmetic formulating. In the past, you used to rely on your suppliers, trade shows and SCC events to learn the latest in cosmetic science developments. However, the Internet has made it much easier to find information without leaving your desk. Here is one of our favorite tricks for keeping track of what’s going on in the cosmetic industry and in your particular area of interest.

Google Alerts

Google has lots of cool features but one of the most useful is their Google Alerts. Google alerts is a service in which you sign up for keywords and when the word gets mentioned anywhere on the web (that Google tracks) you’ll be sent an email.

Go here to learn how to sign up for a Google Alert.

So why would you sign up for one?

You use email everyday and it is sent to you passively. This means you’ll see only the most relevant stories and you can decide on whether you want to read them or not. It is great for keeping track of the new product alerts, technology developments, and any other information about whatever topic you want to be an expert about.

What kind of alerts should you get?

There are a number of alerts you should sign up for but it typically depends on what subject you are researching or developing products in.

First, you should sign up for an alert of your name. It’s important to know what people are saying about you. Especially if you want to become an expert in a certain area.

Next, you should sign up for an alert of all the relevant brands that you work on and that you compete with. If you are in hair care, you should have an alert for the top brands like Pantene, Suave, Tresemme, Herbalessences, etc. You should not be hearing from your marketing people about new product launches. You should be telling them about them.

Other keyword terms to sign up for include…
1. Makeup
2. Hair care
3. Skin care
4. Beauty products
5. Product type (shampoo, body wash, skin lotion, suntan, lipstick, etc)
6. Natural terms (natural preservatives, natural cosmetics, green cosmetics)

The benefit to using Google alerts is that you can keep track of your competition and get new product ideas. You can also learn of potential problems with your brand. And best of all, it’s a passive process that requires almost no work by you.

Do you have some other cosmetic industry keywords that cosmetic chemists should follow? Leave a comment below.

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How to Become a Cosmetic Chemist

The job of a cosmetic chemist, or as they call it in the UK a cosmetic scientist, requires you to do a wide variety of things both in and out of the lab. Your main responsibility will be that of a formulator. This means you mix raw materials together to create cosmetic products like lipstick, nail polish, skin lotions, shampoos, toothpaste and any other type of personal care product.

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