The principles of cosmetic chemistry are necessary to properly blend these ingredients to create a lipstick that places long-lasting colour on the lips, offers deep hydration, and leaves the lips feeling soft and smooth, all without exposing the body to dangerous toxins or causing unwanted side effects. Of course, lipstick is just one of the countless products that consumers need, so the same process must be applied to foundation, concealer, mascara, eyeshadow, lotion, deodorant, toothpaste, perfume, and much more.

Finding the Right Cosmetic Chemist
Cosmetic chemists aren’t easy to find, as the specialty requires a comprehensive understanding of chemistry principles and cosmetic demands alike. To most people, terms like emulsion, surfactant, ester, emollient, hygroscopic, transepidermal, and turbidity are rather confusing, but to a cosmetic chemist they are basic terms that are used every day during product development. Furthermore, cosmetic chemists understand the role of different active ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, titanium dioxide, and avobenzone in serving purposes ranging from increasing collagen production in the skin, fighting acne, and protecting the skin from damaging UV rays.