Upfront: small team working on natural peptide from plants. Not selling anything, just sanity checking pricing with people who actually formulate.

Idea: a validated natural peptide, delivered with antimicrobial + skin-safety documentation, that you could license and drop into a formulation.

Gut reactions only — imagine an annual license for one such peptide:

1. Price where you'd suspect the validation wasn't serious?

2. Price that feels like excellent value?

3. Price where you'd think twice but still consider it?

4. Price that's completely out of the question?

Rough EUR/USD is perfect. DM if you'd rather not answer publicly. Happy to share results back with the sub. Thanks!

I started using this product (Eva Nyc Satin Dream Anti-Frizz Cream) recently hoping it would help with my bleached hair, but it always makes it worse! I've tried it alone, on top of leave in conditioners, dry, wet, and it always leaves my hair feeling like straw. Does anyone know what ingredient/ingredients might be causing this? I want to be able to avoid similar products in the future.

I know this technically is requesting consumer advice but I'm moreso curious about the science behind the product so I can be informed. Thanks!

Let’s say you want to sell a body wash on Amazon, where big brands like Olay and Cetaphil lead the market. We wanted to see if there’s a pattern in how they write their product titles, and after analyzing the data, we found there really is a formula.

We collected 44 Olay listings from Amazon to see how they write their product titles. After reviewing and annotating each one, we noticed their titles almost always follow the same order:

Brand > Category > Target User > Benefit > Key Ingredient > Skin Type > Scent > Size

The ingredient data was the biggest surprise. Vitamin B3, also known as Niacinamide, appeared in 41 out of 44 titles. That’s no accident—it shows exactly what shoppers in this category are looking for.

If you’re launching a new product in a crowded category, this kind of analysis takes out a lot of the guesswork. You get to use a formula that’s already been tested by a brand that spends millions on getting it right.

Do you ever check out competitor listings like this before writing your own?

Read the how to guide here: Reverse engineer Product Copy

There are a lot of ingredients that get discussed all the time, but I'm curious about the ones that don't.

Is there an ingredient you think is underrated or doesn't get enough attention despite performing well in formulations?

I'd be interested to hear which ingredient you'd choose and why.

I work in cosmetics and I'm also studying computer engineering, and I kept noticing that a lot of small-batch/indie formulators price their products by gut feeling rather than knowing the real cost per unit. I put together a small web calculator that takes your ingredient list (% + cost per kg) and spits out cost per batch/unit and margin: https://formulacost.netlify.app

It's very early / rough — I'm mainly trying to figure out if this is a real pain point or if everyone already has a system that works fine for them. Genuinely curious how you all currently handle this. Spreadsheet? Something else? Would something like this actually save you time, or am I solving a problem nobody has?

I’ve been diving deep into cosmetic science lately, and honestly, it’s wild to see how massive the gap is between actual chemistry and consumer marketing. The more I learn about formulation, testing, and ingredients, the more I realize that public perception rarely aligns with what the data actually shows.

For the formulators, R&D folks, regulatory professionals, or even long-time hobbyists here—what was the single concept that completely flipped the way you look at cosmetic products?

I'm thinking of things like realizing ingredient percentages don't tell the whole story, or how much the overall formulation matters compared to a single "hero" ingredient. Maybe it was something to do with stability testing, pH levels, the reality of preservatives, or how claims are actually proven in a lab.

I’m not looking for specific product recommendations at all. I’m just really curious about the scientific principles that made you think, "Wow, I wish I had known this sooner."

Would love to hear your thoughts!

I’m currently still in school pursuing my license as a skincare technician (in Manitoba esthetics is divided into two licenses - therefore an esthetician is someone who holds both skincare technician license and a nail technician license.)

I have been working on developing a line of skincare products and we are knee deep in R&D for formulating. Which leads me to my question for what’s something you think today’s cleansers on the market lack? What would you change about them?

Hi everyone,

I've been researching the cosmetics and beauty industry and I'm curious to hear different perspectives.

If you could change or improve one thing about the industry, what would it be?

Some ideas:

• New product concepts

• Sustainable or eco-friendly packaging

• Personalized skincare using AI or technology

• Better ingredients or transparency

• Affordable luxury products

• Solutions for underserved skin tones or skin conditions

• Better online shopping experiences

• Refillable or zero-waste cosmetics

I'm looking for fresh ideas, unmet customer needs, or pain points that current brands aren't solving well.

Are any of you paying attention to this new product? I am a big fan of brands like Oneskin, Defenage, Anteage, and Plated but this product approaches things so differently. I'm eager to see how they perform in the market but I saw they received investment money in June 2026.

I have been looking into the stability profiles of retinaldehyde in various anhydrous delivery systems and how they interact with common thickeners.

Specifically, I am observing that some Medik8 retinaldehyde products seem to exhibit unique film forming properties that can impact the layering of secondary occlusives. From a formulation science perspective, does anyone have insights on how the stabilization of retinal in these types of anhydrous bases might affect the overall surface tension and the tendency for pilling?

I am curious if this is primarily driven by the choice of silicone elastomers or if the solvent system plays a more significant role in the film's cohesion. Would love to hear thoughts from others working with high strength retinal systems.

Not sure if this is the right place to post this, but I recently formulated a hair oil and I’m looking for a cosmetic lab with low MOQs to partner with.
Ideally, I’d like a lab that can manufacture the formula in bulk, and I’ll handle the filling, labeling, and packaging myself.

I’m completely new to this side of the industry, so any recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance!

Not sure if this is the right place to post this, but I recently formulated a hair oil and I’m looking for a cosmetic lab with low MOQs to partner with.
Ideally, I’d like a lab that can manufacture the formula in bulk, and I’ll handle the filling, labeling, and packaging myself.

I’m completely new to this side of the industry, so any recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance!

There are so many cosmetic chemistry companies out there, I'm relatively new to the field so interested in any recommendations, referrals or feedback.

My primary concern is just having a simple question where I have my idea and I want general guidance for how much this would cost to manufacture and how much i could retail it for. A priority of mine is cost effective and efficient formulations but if my formula would end up costing patients $80... thats not worth it for me or for them.

Hi IS THE ANYBODY WHO HAS APPLY FOR PRODUCT TESTER OR HAVE AN IDEA HOW TO GO ABOUT IT ? LETS U KNOW IT CAN BE SKIN OR MAKE UP ANYTING THANKS

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New White Label Collection, Powered by WHSPR™ and Kleair™, Debuts with Revitalizing Scalp Serum and Scalp Screen Dry Shampoo SPF 45+ Sunscreen

Scalp Screen Dry Shampoo SPF 45+ Sunscreen Named a Finalist for the 2026 Cosmopack Award for Best Formulation at Cosmoprof Las Vegas

ROMEOVILLE, Ill., July 13, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Solésence, Inc. (Nasdaq: SLSN), a leader in scientifically-driven health care solutions across beauty and life science categories, today announced the launch of two new market-ready products: Revitalizing Scalp Serum and Scalp Screen Dry Shampoo SPF 45+ Sunscreen. Both products are available to brand partners globally and represent a significant expansion into the fast-growing hair and scalp care segment.

The launch advances the second pillar of Solésence's ongoing Transform and Transcend initiative, leveraging its patented and proprietary technology suites, including WHSPR™ and Kleair™, to introduce differentiated formulations that expand skin health claims within high-growth beauty segments.

“Scalp care is the next frontier for skin health innovation as consumers increasingly recognize the connection between the health of their hair and the health of their scalp. We developed our newest market-ready products with this in mind, combining enhanced scalp health benefits to reduce skin irritation and protect against UV damage and skin cancer,” commented Yoana Dvorzsak, Vice President of Innovation and Product Integrity at Solésence. “Both of these products incorporate Solésence's patented skin health technologies to deliver clinically validated performance and differentiated benefits that enable our brand partners to stand out in an increasingly competitive marketplace.”

Revitalizing Scalp Serum

Revitalizing Scalp Serum is a multi-benefit product designed to soothe irritation, hydrate the scalp, and repair and strengthen the skin barrier for optimal scalp health. Formulated with a proprietary combination of Solésence's globally-patented WHSPR™ technology and 5% niacinamide, the lightweight, oil-free serum delivers clinically proven improvements in barrier recovery, mitigating erythema, increasing scalp moisture, and controlling sebum to reduce hair oiliness.

WHSPR™ is Solésence’s globally-patented delivery system for allantoin, a well-known skin health ingredient on the OTC skin protectant monograph. By leveraging WHSPR™ in Revitalizing Scalp Serum, Solésence allows brand partners to access OTC skin health claims and sensitive-skin-focused products in scalp care.

Scalp Screen Dry Shampoo SPF 45+ Sunscreen

Shortlisted as a finalist for the 2026 Cosmopack Award for Formulation at Cosmoprof Las Vegas, Scalp Screen Dry Shampoo SPF 45+ Sunscreen leverages Kleair™, combining broad-spectrum, mineral-based UV protection with oil-absorbing and scalp-soothing benefits in a single product, providing a daily use SPF product that streamlines haircare routines.

Kleair™ is Solésence’s award-winning, globally-patented platform that transforms the way zinc oxide functions, maximizing its efficacy and aesthetics. Leveraging Kleair™, Scalp Screen shields the skin from more than 97% of UV radiation while Binchotan white charcoal and microzest bamboo absorb excess oil and perspiration, and niacinamide works to soothe the scalp and reduce itchiness and irritation.

“Today’s consumers are looking for multifunctional products that simplify their routines and deliver meaningful results,” commented Kevin Cureton, President and CEO at Solésence. “With nearly half of U.S. beauty consumers recognizing the connection between scalp health and overall hair appearance, and a higher mortality rate for melanoma on the scalp as compared to other areas of the skin, these innovations represent a significant opportunity for brands to offer scalp care products that provide multiple benefits across beauty, health, and wellness in a single step.”

Revitalizing Scalp Serum and Scalp Screen Dry Shampoo SPF 45+ Sunscreen are available through Solésence’s market-ready path to market. Explore Solésence’s entire menu of market-ready and custom concept products at solesence.com.

I'm trying to learn more about how formulators research ingredients and evaluate suppliers. I've come across UL Prospector, but I'm curious what other resources professionals actually use in their workflow.

Do you mainly use supplier technical data sheets, scientific papers, or other databases? I'd be interested to hear what has been the most useful in your experience.

Hi! I'm tired of doomscrolling, and I want to watch more cosmetic related. Any advice? TYIA

Hey all — cosmetic R&D scientist here (product development background). I keep noticing that ingredient-checker apps like Yuka or Think Dirty give you a score, but nothing actually teaches you the science behind it in a way that sticks.

So I’m prototyping something like a language-learning app, but for cosmetic ingredients — bite-sized daily lessons, streaks, levels, the whole gamified format.
Before building the real app, I put together a small demo page to see if this is actually useful or just a fun idea in my head. It has:
• A ‘tap an ingredient, get the plain-English explanation’ interactive bit
• A quick 3-level demo quiz (all about acne ingredients) that gets progressively harder — one ingredient, then spotting roles in a full formula, then telling a real acne treatment from a decoy
• A rough curriculum outline (label reading, skin biology, formulation, market trends)

If you’ve got 3 minutes, I’d really appreciate honest feedback — especially whether the quiz felt too easy/hard, and whether you’d actually use something like this daily or if it’s solving a problem nobody has.

https://incilopedia.vercel.app

There’s a waitlist at the bottom, but the actual point of this post is feedback, not signups.

Hello!

I am looking to join the cosmetic chemistry industry, and I am in need of some career advice. Any guidance, tips and general advice is greatly appreciated!

My Degree/Certifications:

Bachelors of Science in Biological Sciences 2024 Graduate (3.889 GPA)

Registered Pharmacy Technician (current)

Certified Pharmacy Technician (in progress)

My Current Career:

I have worked in pharmacy for nearly 3 years. I worked as a registered tech in a retail pharmacy for 2.5 years and now I am working as Quality Control and Quality Assurance Technician/ Non-Sterile Compounder at a GLP-1/peptide compounding facility. I am looking to grow in my career and expand into cosmetic chemistry. I have been looking into the Masters of Science in Cosmetic Science online program at the University of Cincinnati, but I am open to other options. I am based in Columbus, Ohio and am open to in person schooling options as well, but would like to work full time while completing the program.

My Questions:

- Is getting a Masters in Cosmetic Science the best next step? What programs would you recommend?

- How should I go about looking for internship opportunities and hands on experience?

- What advice would you give to a young professional trying to get into this industry?

I'd love to connect with folks in the industry as well and chat about your path to your career! Thanks all!!! :)

Hi!

A while ago, I started working on a hot sauce company with a friend, and couldn't find the tools I needed when formulating and testing my recipes.

Coming from two decades of software engineering, I built something that turned out to be the perfect tool to ease my scientific mind (precise measurements, reliable scaling, costing, production, traceability, etc...).

It got me wondering about cosmetic formulators, as your work seems to involve many of the same challenges around formulation, testing and production, so here I am.

I'm not linking my project because I'm not here to promote it, but to figure out how people actually work before assuming I know what they need (hence me calling this post "informal user research"), and it seems to be the perfect sub to ask.

If you have a few minutes to spare, could you somehow tell me about your company/hobby/project and answer these questions:

• Where do you keep your formulas today (Excel, Google Sheets, dedicated software, notebooks...)?
• When a formula evolves over time, how do you keep track of versions and know which one was used for a particular batch?
• How do you go from a small lab batch to production? Is scaling straightforward, or does it usually require manual adjustments?
• Do you keep production records, calculate costs, or track ingredient changes? If so, how?
• What's the most frustrating or time-consuming part of your formulation workflow today?
• How do regulatory requirements affect your formulation workflow? What compliance-related tasks are the biggest pain points?

Side note: I reformulated them with ChatGPT to make extra sure they're understood the way I want them to be understood. This is not an AI-generated post, I'm just French, and we're still real people, at least as real as we were before LLMs took over.

Thanks a lot for your time!

What it says on the tin. As an example, if I were to use a shampoo with a polyquat that deposits something like a UV filter or antioxidants or an AHA onto the roots, then use a non-conditioning shampoo, is the second shampoo rendering the coacervation of the first's materials moot? Are there deposition systems out there that help deposited materials withstand being cleansed away?

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Not looking for skincare advice or product recommendations just curious about the science behind this.

Why can the forehead appear darker than the cheeks even when the same products are used on the whole face? Could it be related to oil production, sun exposure, skin thickness, friction, or melanocyte activity differences in different areas of the face?

Would love to hear the cosmetic science/skin biology perspective on this.

From a cosmetic science perspective, what factors can cause the forehead to appear darker than the cheeks, even with a consistent cleansing and moisturizing routine? I'm interested in understanding the underlying biology and formulation science rather than product recommendations.