Cosmetic ChemistExpired

We are seeking a highly experienced Cosmetic Chemist with extensive skincare formulation experience to join our fast-growing beauty company. This is a technical role suited to an individual who has successfully formulated and commercialised skincare products across multiple categories and has an in-depth understanding of cosmetic ingredients, formulation chemistry, product stability, and manufacturing processes.

The successful candidate will lead the formulation and optimisation of innovative skincare products from concept through to commercial production. They will be responsible for developing high-performance formulations, evaluating ingredients, troubleshooting formulation challenges, ensuring regulatory compliance, and working closely with manufacturing partners to deliver products of the highest quality.

Experience in formulating skincare products is the most important requirement for this position.

Product Formulation & Development

· Independently formulate and optimise innovative skincare products, including cleansers, toners, serums, moisturisers, masks, exfoliants, sunscreens and treatment products.

· Select functional and active ingredients based on efficacy, stability, compatibility and intended product claims.

· Design formulations that deliver superior texture, sensory experience, stability and consumer performance.

· Troubleshoot formulation challenges relating to viscosity, emulsions, preservation systems, ingredient incompatibility and stability.

· Reformulate existing products to improve efficacy, cost efficiency or manufacturing performance where required.

· Work with manufacturing partners to successfully scale formulations from laboratory batches to commercial production.

· Keep abreast of emerging ingredient technologies, delivery systems and global skincare formulation trends.

Product Evaluation & Quality

· Evaluate laboratory samples for texture, absorption, viscosity, fragrance, colour, appearance and overall consumer experience.

· Design and interpret stability, compatibility and preservative efficacy testing.

· Review production batches to ensure consistency with approved formulations.

· Investigate formulation-related quality concerns and recommend corrective actions.

Regulatory & Technical Compliance

· Ensure formulations comply with South African cosmetic regulations and applicable international standards.

· Review INCI listings, ingredient concentrations, product claims and supporting technical documentation.

· Compile and maintain Product Information Files (PIFs), formulation records and technical documentation.

· Review packaging compatibility to ensure product integrity throughout shelf life.

Marketing & Technical Support

· Provide scientifically accurate ingredient education to marketing, retail and customer service teams.

· Validate efficacy and ingredient claims before publication.

· Translate complex formulation science into consumer-friendly language.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

· Bachelor's degree in Cosmetic Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences or a related scientific discipline.

· Minimum of 5 years' hands-on experience formulating skincare products in a cosmetic laboratory or manufacturing environment.

· Demonstrated experience developing products from concept through to commercial manufacture.

· Strong understanding of emulsions, surfactants, rheology, preservatives, active ingredients and formulation chemistry.

· Experience conducting formulation troubleshooting, stability testing and compatibility testing.

· Extensive knowledge of cosmetic raw materials, ingredient interactions and formulation optimisation.

· Experience working with contract manufacturers and production facilities.

· Strong understanding of GMP and cosmetic quality systems.

· Excellent documentation, analytical and problem-solving skills.

Highly Advantageous

· Experience formulating products containing advanced active ingredients such as retinoids, peptides, vitamin C derivatives, ceramides, AHAs, BHAs, PHAs, niacinamide and sunscreen filters.

· Experience with natural, organic or clean beauty formulations.

· Knowledge of international cosmetic regulations.

· SCCP, CTFA or equivalent professional accreditation.

Key Competencies

· Expert skincare formulation knowledge

· Scientific curiosity and innovation

· Excellent analytical and troubleshooting ability

· Strong understanding of ingredient functionality

· High attention to detail

· Commercial awareness

· Ability to work independently while collaborating across departments

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills

· Passion for skincare science and continuous learning

Job Type: Full-time

Application Question(s):

• Do you have a strong knowledge of cosmetic ingredients, formulation techniques, and product testing methodologies?
• Do you have an understanding of South African regulatory requirements for cosmetics?

Education:

• Bachelors (Preferred)

Experience:

• formulating or evaluating skincare products: 5 years (Preferred)

Work Location: In person