 Cosmetic Chemist Lip gloss, nail polish, facial scrub, glitter, bath oil, lotion, hair conditioner, and perfume! Hot new colors, tropical ingredients, and chemical-free treatments! Care kits that can be fun for makeup parties and sleepovers or for relaxing alone! New cosmetic products are coming out all the time. Some of it is about creating a "look," but it's also about personal care and maybe a little bit of pampering. The Real Deal So, where do cosmetics come from? What's in them? Where did they come up with that shade or that scent? How did things like brazil nut oil and jojoba end up in your shampoo and conditioner? What is body butter, anyway? What keeps lipstick from being too thick or too thin? What keeps face cream from becoming "toxic" in the jar, just from the touch of your fingers? What if a product is good for you, but it smells bad? The answers to these questions and a hundred more come from cosmetic chemists. Many work for companies that make famous brands. Some are in smaller companies that are trying to make a big splash with something new or better. Others work on their own as inventors. Wherever she works, though, the cosmetic chemist spends a lot of her time in the lab, trying something new, mixing, testing, and working up the exact formulas to make the products we find at the store. It takes a lot of work to make products that are useful, safe, and appealing. So, a cosmetic chemist is usually part of a team. She often works with "idea" people who want their cosmetics to get the attention of a certain "audience," like teens, moms, older women, or men. These people might be asking the chemist some tough questions. Can it be packed in a can? How long it will last? Can you make it invisible? Can't you make it cost less? Sometimes the chemist is the "idea" person and has to push hard to show why her idea is worth the effort. The reward comes when a new product makes it into stores. One chemist was so excited that she went out to see her "baby" on the shelf and started telling people they should try it. Experience and Education Cosmetic chemistry is like most fields-the more you know, the farther you can go. There are "certificate" programs in cosmetic science that take a year or two to complete. However, most cosmetic chemists have a college degree in chemistry. Many have advanced degrees. Basic chemistry, microbiology, statistics, product development, and specialties like aroma and flavor chemistry, aerosols, and cosmetic formulations are examples of the courses you would take. What You Can Do Now Cosmetic chemists are naturally curious. They like taking an idea and seeing if they can make it work. Tests and experiments take planning and time, though. This means that chemists have to be patient and careful. To see if developing cosmetics is for you, take chemistry and other science courses and take math, too. Watch a few programs about science. Read about famous chemists, especially women. And, use your imagination. Think up a new or improved cosmetic. "Wouldn't it be good if they made ... ?" If you've got ideas and you're comfortable with measuring and comparing things to see how they work, you might be ready to make your mark where fashion and health come together-cosmetics. Links
http://www.lincoln.k12.or.us/newporths/staff/bmontgom/chemistry/chemuses.htm
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