Heather hopes the Brains can help: Hi, I’m currently looking in to Cosmetic Science as a career. I will be graduating from uni this year but have no previous experience in the area. I plan to do a diploma from the SCS in Cosmetic Science to start me off. If you have any advice or information I’d be very grateful. Thank you!
Right Brain responds:
Heather, how wonderful that you want to enter cosmetic science. This industry, and science based
industries in general, need more women. I have always found it amusing/appalling to hear non-make-up wearing, bald men men in our industry blab on about exactly what women want. Ha!
We often get asked this and similar questions about becoming a cosmetic scientist on the Beauty Brains so we’ll provide a general answer here. Hopefully, some of this information helps you.
Key Moves to Become a Cosmetic Scientist
1. Get a science degree. Unless you have a relative who started the company, you will need a college degree in science since most cosmetic firms require it. Preferred ones include degrees in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering. However, plenty of scientists in our industry have Biology, Microbiology, and even Physics degrees. The specific college or Uni that you attend is less important than which degree you received.
2. Consider getting an advanced degree. True, a 4-year college degree is all you need, but you can improve your chances of breaking into cosmetics by getting an advanced degree. Your involvement with the SCS is a great start in the UK. In the United States, there are only a few advanced degrees offered. These include places like the University of Cincinnati, St. John’s University, Rutgers University, University of Southern California, etc. Check the college’s Pharmacy departments for more information. You can contact the Society of Cosmetic Chemists (SCC) for a complete list. In addition to getting something good for putting on your resume, you’ll get invaluable experience making cosmetic products & meet some great people.
3. Find the companies where you’d like to work. This industry has thousands of companies that employ cosmetic chemists. Where do you find them? If you like, internet searches work, but you can also search trade magazines like Happi or GCI. In GCI, your search can be done by region of the US or world. Of course, you can also look at what company makes a product you like and Google their contact information to inquire about jobs.
4. Figure out what job you want. Speaking of jobs, many different different ones exist in the cosmetic industry for scientists. If you actually want to make formulas, you’ll want a formulating job. People who enjoyed experiments in Organic Chemistry might like these jobs. If you were more interested in Analytical Chemistry than you’ll want to find a job in an analytical lab. You can also find jobs in microbiology, perfumery, and quality control. For chemical engineers, your job search can lead you to process engineering which requires you to figure out how you might scale 1kg batches up to 10,000 kg tanks. Finally, if all else fails you can get a sales job. Raw material suppliers always look for people with technical backgrounds who can sell product. Personally, I think formulating jobs rule!
5. Find a temporary assignment. If it is too difficult to break directly into the industry, you might try finding a job through a temp agency. These companies can place you at big cosmetic companies like P&G or Unilever for a short or longer term assignment. Many people get hired on permanently at companies after starting as a temp.
6. Network with other cosmetic chemists. If you really want to step ahead of the other cosmetic science job seekers, strike up relationships with other scientists that already work on cosmetics. The most popular US association is the SCC and in the UK it is the SCS. For other countries you can contact the IFSCC to find out your local organization. The SCC has chapters throughout the US and you can often visit a monthly meeting for free. There you can meet the most famous cosmetic chemist. If you prefer computers, look on LinkedIn, Facebook or MySpace for chemists who list their affiliation. You can even join our Beauty Brains Forum and get connected with other cosmetic chemists.
Cosmetic science is a rewarding career which enables you to create and use almost any cosmetic or personal care product you want. Better living through chemistry. I love it!
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There are a few other notable schools offering advanced degrees for readers to consider. Fairleigh Dickinson University, Long Island University and University of Southern Mississippi all offer graduate degree programs that are geared towards the cosmetic science industry.
HELLO! My name is monet and right now I’m trying to start my own cosmetics line! Only problem is idk where to start but I have so many creative ideas for my line and I know what I want my products to be like, basically I want to make a make-up line that is good for your skin and wont break skin out. Ok so I am looking for a cosmetic chemist to help me out and be on my team to start a cosmetic line! If you are interested or know somebody who will be interested please email me as soon as possible at monet4eva@yahoo.com Thank you!
I am looking for a person with a science related degree and 1-5 yr experience with cosmetic/personal care product formulation. If you feel you are a fit please send me your resume
I am a former science teacher and I started my own cosmetics business. It is the best job in the world!
hey i am a graduate of chemistry 2008. i am more interested in organic synthesis.i love the world of perfumes and chemical raw materials. i want to start my own beauty line but i need a cosmetic chemist and also i want to be one as well.ideas are welcome and needed.this is a dream that must grow
I am about to graduate with PhD in bio-analytical chemistry and currently I am job searching. My dream position would be somewhere in the personal care and beauty product R&D department.
I have been in the job search for the last 4 months, and no success so far. Seems that all companies want cosmetic chemists with at least 5-7 years experience in field of cosmetics and formulations. I feel that I can offer so much- I am an excellent analytical chemist, can handle any instrument, design experiments with meaningful quality control asessment, have good background in the microbiology, biochemistry, water chemistry. And I have been passionate about cosmetic chemistry for years- books, scientific articles, Happi, took a class Skin Care Science. My independent proposal (one of the qualification exams in the chemistry program) was about sunscreens… But officially I don’t have any experience…it is like Catch 22 – can’t get job without experience, can’t get experience, because everybody wants experienced people…oh well, got little bit sad while writing my pity story…
If
Came across this site in research, I am a 25yr. vet in the beauty business, currently doing education for a popular wet line of products, I know what will sell and what wont in this market place, I have also seen a huge gap in a specific category, anyone out there willing to partner with me in developing something HUGE?
krodriguez104@yahoo.com
I would like information on reverse engineering. Do cosmetic chemists in boutique labs, for example, do this sort of thing. Could someone point me in the right direction please?
Thx!
Nikki
They absolutely do. You can find more about what cosmetic chemists do (and even get a free book on how to duplicate any cosmetic formula) at the cosmetic chemist resource site. Chemists Corner
Hi, I’ll be a 2009 Biochem/pharm chem grad from UCSD and looking for any guidance or possibility of networking within the cosmetic field. I originally wanted to go into pharmacy but through personal growth within the past few years has changed my choice. I have no prior work experience but I am a newly grad and ready and willing to start entry-level and work my way up. Please send any guidance or help point me to the right direction. Thanks in advance!
no
I am so happy i found this site! It’s really useful.
I did a diploma in science in year 2008, i got a conditional offer in London College of Fashion in doing a Cosmetic Science BSc sandwich degree (including a one year placement) starting from 2009 – 2012 =)
This degree covers all aspects in terms of sales, marketing, formulating and other topics, so i hope i will find what’s my strongest interest when i start studying this year.
Is formulating new cosmetic products difficult? or very long hours at work may i ask?
Many thanks for your advice.
Mandi
Hello Mandi,
Formulating cosmetic products are not difficult but making really great ones are a lot harder. Being a cosmetic chemist is much like being a cook. Anyone can make an omelet, but it takes a real chef to make a great omelet.
You can find more advice about becoming a cosmetic chemist on this site Chemists Corner
I also wonder, why does some people think Cosmetic Science degrees are mickey mouse courses what are your opinions upon that? I just want to follow my instinct, do what i want to do regardless of what others’ say. I’m really looking forward to this degree and i would be happy to achieve a 2:1 are there any tips in how to ahieve that? Although i know you need to work hard but are any tips available?
Many Thanks
Mandi
Cosmetic science courses are definitely not Mickey Mouse courses. In fact, many of them are the same ones that pharmacists & dermatologists have to take. There are some that would be “soft” science such as the testing & consumer research stuff but those subjects are just in their infancy.
You should do what makes you happy. Forget about what other people say about your degree. In the Society of Cosmetic Chemists (Scientists) there are some excellent scientists. Unfortunately, I don’t know what you mean by a 2:1.
Hi Beauty brains, thank you for the valuable advice.
I have a 3rd year placement, do you know what it takes to get into L’Oreal? Or which beauty companies are good to work with?
Many Thanks again
Mandi
L’Oreal is a great company to work with for cosmetic chemists. Also, big companies like P&G, Unilever, etc. are good and don’t forget raw material suppliers like Rhodia, National Starch, ISP. Unfortunately, we can’t tell you specifically what to do to get in there beyond sending out resumes & attending industry meetings like the SCC to meet people that already work for those companies. Another strategy is to create a LinkedIn profile and see if you can connect with people who work at the companies you want to work for.
This is exactly what I was looking for thanks!
i have a bachelor’s in biology and am soo lost in what i really wanted to do (i orginally intended on med school)… cosmetic chemist seems like an amazing career and i enjoy lab work. i looked up some jobs but all want year(s) of experience….what should i do??? i took a million lab courses in college at rutgers, but i would be lying if i said i remembered even half of what i learnt…it’s been years now. any advice on where i should start? there must be entry level jobs somewhere!!
The best place for cosmetic chemist jobs is in New Jersey. However, I would suggest you join a lab temp agency. They will often place people in jobs for an extended period of time and you can gain experience. Also, look at the website “Careers in Cosmetics”. They might have some leads for you.
thank u, very helpful!
Hello all,
I was accepted into the Cosmetic Science degree program at the London College of Fashion. I had to defer enrollment because i’m trying to source funding. It’s an undergrad 3yr sandwich degree. As far as i know the only other school offering something even close on the undergrad level is FIT in NY (Cosmetic Marketing BS). Does anyone have any suggestions about finding grants or scholarships or an alternative route. I and 10 credits shy of an associate degree. This would be a great opportunity to study abroad. Its just soo expensive and financial aid offers only Stafford loans. I’m going to contact the SCC in NY about a list of schools too.
Thanks in advance for any feedback.
I like to visit this website because I am working in Cosmetic company in USA last 6 years.I love my job. If you want to cosmetic chemist, you need to learn how do work analytical instrument such as HPLC and GC.I am writing in my blog about cosmetic chemistry and chemistry. http:btumur.blogspot.com
Thank you thebeauty brain it was very helpful information.
i have 4-5 years experience has a formulation chemist/scientist. best program is the master degree program at fairleigh dickinson unversity. i finish my masters degree in 2006. i loveeeeeeeeeee my job
need a formulation chemist/scientist. in your company or want to design your own line, please contact me via email lolafalana20032003@yahoo.com. i can help
want to break into cosmetic industry, or looking for opportunities , send me a email lolafalana20032003@yahoo.com
Hi, can someone tell me more about the London College of Fashion Cosmetic Science degree…I already graduated from UIUC with degree in Chemistry and I’m thinking about applying to this program. Please share any advice you may have.