Start on something that you've been putting off regardless if you don't have a straightforward plan right now. That is why I started this project: to explore the world of Cosmetic Chemistry. It's been my interest since 2018! There aren't many resources in my area so I wanted to create one where I can teach others about the beauty industry and its careers.
So what is a cosmetic chemist? It's a chemistry professional who focus their research & development on creating new cosmetics. Using knowledge from their molecular interactions of specific substances, they conduct research and experiment with the creation & improvement of cosmetic products. A cosmetic chemist must ensure the safety of products that will be applied to a consumer's hair/skin. Chemists must also design functional products, utilizing combinations of compounds that will interact with hair/skin and produce an expected result. As you can see, there is a blend of both art and science!
There are three major "types" of cosmetic chemists: Research&Development, Process Chemist, and Compounder. Research & Development is the first step in the line of production where they meet with raw material suppliers to create samples of make up. Process chemists are the middle-man in the production line where they mass produce what R&D make. Compounders are the last step in the production line where they make a production size large enough to ship to stores like Ulta, Sephora, and Target. Each of the three types of chemists are crucial to making any beauty products.
There is so much of the beauty industry that isn't widely taught about so I want to begin providing that opportunity for others to learn about what I learn as I become a cosmetic chemist. Here, we will begin taking bite-sized pieces of the industry and educating ourselves physically and academically!