The Chemistry In Cosmetics

 Jillian Olear

Prof. John Horgan 

HST 401A Seminar in Science Writing- Paper #1

24 January 2026

I pledge my honor that I have abided by the Stevens Honor System.

The Chemistry in Cosmetics

There’s a lot that’s been said to me whenever I’ve told someone I’m majoring in chemistry. The most popular response is when they just go, “Wow. Sounds hard.” Which, honestly, is valid. The assumptions that typically follow that remark though are, “Oh, you must want to go to medical school” or “So you want to do pharmaceutical research?” Don’t get me wrong, I debated both of these paths at one point in time. However, now, it couldn’t be farther from the truth. It’s at this point in the conversation where I tell these people that I want to pursue a career in cosmetic research. I’m met with shock and surprise, but I never have the opportunity to elaborate. Until I got to write this essay. 

I had been taking dance classes since I was three years old, but it wasn’t until sixth grade when I joined the competition team and was met with a challenge I didn’t expect: makeup. It’s not as simple as one may think. There’s different products meant for different purposes. Some are supposed to directly match your skin tone, some are meant to be the complete opposite. Products you have to use, others that are unnecessary but could be beneficial depending on the occasion or scenario. All these things that I would have never thought to consider had it not been for YouTube. 

However, to my surprise, I immediately found makeup was something I really enjoyed. I began to constantly try different application techniques and wanted to buy new products that were gaining popularity to see what the hype was about. Learning about makeup was no longer a chore, but rather something I did whenever I didn’t have homework or needed a break from life. I not only found it as a creative outlet, but one that improved my mood, confidence, and well-being. Studies show that this is actually a common phenomenon referred to as “The Lipstick Effect,” where putting on makeup can increase an individual’s energy by 25% (Liia 2025). 

It wasn’t until late high school and college where I began to look at cosmetics from a scientific perspective. I started to wonder what went into these products. How could so many brands be making what they claim to be the same thing, yet still be so different? That’s what cosmetic research is all about. Cosmetic chemists aim to develop desirable formulas through choosing effective ingredients, testing stability and consistency, and ensuring the safety of products for consumer usage. There are so many attributes that are evaluated- color, texture, fragrance, weight to name a few. While all companies have regulations they must adhere to regarding safety, every brand has a different set of standards that they personally follow, which makes their products so unique in comparison to others, creating that variation in the market. This makes a number of options available to customers, allowing them to choose what best suits their needs and interests. 

One of the coolest parts of the beauty industry is that it’s constantly evolving. When I think about the products I had been using ten years ago in comparison to the ones I purchase now, there is a huge difference, and that’s not just because 11-year old me was buying everything that had even the littlest bit of glitter in it. I’ve noticed a drastic increase in quality, which isn’t a coincidence given the current trends in clean skincare and beauty. From a scientific standpoint, several brands within the cosmetic industry are now implementing more sustainable components into both their products and development processes. According to the American Chemical Society, over 40% of consumers are now seeking natural ingredients in the personal care products they wish to purchase (CAS Science Team 2024). This has influenced companies to replace synthetic preservatives and heavy metals they used to use with safer and more environmentally friendly ingredients that not only satisfy customers but increase the quality of their products.

There’s so much within the cosmetics industry that I find fascinating. However, it’s sixth grade me, starting competitive dance, that’s driving me to pursue a career in cosmetic research. So that the next girl who doesn’t know where to start with her makeup has the best quality products and can feel her best. In the meantime, I’ll take the comments and assumptions that come with my chemistry major. 

Works Cited

Liia, Dr. “The Psychology of Makeup: Why We Wear It, What It Signals, and How It Shapes 

Confidence.” EpiLynx, EpiLynx, 5 Nov. 2025, www.epilynx.com/blogs/news/the-psychology-of-makeup-why-we-wear-it-what-it-signals-and-how-it-shapes-confidence. 

Team, CAS Science, and Person. “Evolving Beauty: The Rise of Sustainable Cosmetics.” RSS, 

CAS, 24 May 2024, www.cas.org/resources/cas-insights/the-rise-of-natural-ingredients-for-cosmetics#:~:text=There%20is%20a%20significant%20move,Tegosoft%20OER%20leading%20the%20way. 

“What Is Cosmetic Formulation in R&D?” KBL Cosmetics, 

kblcosmetics.com/blogs/news/what-is-cosmetic-formulation-in-r-d#:~:text=Cosmetic%20formulation%20in%20research%20&%20development,innovative%2C%20high%2Dquality%20products. Accessed 24 Jan. 2026.