She’s never met anyone working in Cosmetic Chemistry who doesn’t love what they do. Now, she’s waiting to share her enthusiasm and passion for the field with you!
Q. Tell us a little bit about your background and how you became interested in the field of cosmetic chemistry?
A. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry at Kent State University in Ohio, before attending graduate school at Marshall University in West Virginia. Winters were quite cold there, and I wanted to move someplace warm and work in the biotech industry. I flew out to San Francisco, where it was freezing! Thinking I would never be in California again, I ended my job hunt early and headed down to Los Angeles, where it was an 80° day in January. I thought, this is where I need to be! I started looking for jobs in biotech and couldn't find many, but I noticed several ads for cosmetic companies hiring chemists. I thought, “Wait a second! I can get paid to make lipstick for a living?” The rest is history! My expertise has primarily been in hair products, formerly as an executive at Paul Mitchell, the world’s largest privately owned salon brand. Today, I run my own R&D laboratory, Simply Formulas, where we formulate for brands and manufacturers around the world.
Q. What do you find most exciting about the industry?
A. I love the other people who work in the industry. We have such a fun career – it’s a lighthearted field (it’s just shampoo, as I always say!). I’ve never met one person who doesn’t love what they do, whether they’re a chemist, product developer or are in raw material sales.
Q. Which course(s) do you teach in the Cosmetic Chemistry program?
A. I teach Introduction to Cosmetic Science and Skin and Hair Biology.
Q. What are three things students can expect to take away from your course(s)?
A. Students will know everything there is to know about skin and hair! They’ll also learn how products and commonly used ingredients interact with these two biological substrates. We’ll be able to apply our new-found ingredient knowledge to analyzing products on the market—helpful for when marketing needs you to develop a new product, or your bestie wants to know if a $200 eye cream is worth it!
Q. What is unique about this certificate program?
A. This certificate program is unique compared to other programs on the market because it’s from an esteemed accredited institution with a hands-on component. Whether you’re in the industry and are looking to enhance your knowledge or want to break into the industry, this program gives you that foot in the door to take your career to the next level or land your dream job!
Q. What career (or other) advice would you give to your students looking to move into the industry?
A. Success in any field comes from two avenues of knowledge – what you know, and who you know. This program not only provides and enhances your “what you know,” but also introduces you to other industry colleagues and helps you network with established veterans in the industry. As cheesy as it sounds, networking is the only way to meet people, find out who is hiring, and gain a credible reference for a role you’re applying for!
Q. What are some of your professional affiliations?
A. I’m currently a National Society of Cosmetic Chemists board member, a two-time past chair of the California Society of Cosmetic Chemists, past chair of the Committee on Scientific Affairs for the National Society of Cosmetic Chemists, 2016 Chapter Merit Award Recipient for the CA Society of Cosmetic Chemists, and a two-time award-winning speaker for various chapters. I’m also a board member of the Foundation at Kent State University and a board member of the Independent Beauty Association, an industry organization that represents small to medium-sized brands and manufacturers to provide technical and regulatory support.
Q. Anything else you’d like your students to know?
A. My previous experience as a high school teacher in chemistry and experience instructing others as a guest lecturer in hair color science at the University of Toledo gives me the confidence that I will fulfill the initiatives for this program, and help you achieve your goals. In addition, I was also instrumental in advising UC Riverside on the creation of the curriculum for this certificate. Finally, I am the co-host of an award-winning, ad-free podcast called The Beauty Brains! We have over 3 million downloads. Check it out!
Valerie George, BSc (Chemistry)
UCR University Extension Instructor