How I Became a Cosmetic Chemist - Geek Makeup Wisdom - Mica Oba

Hey, boosukes! Want to hear about my journey about becoming a cosmetic chemist? You’ve come to the right place! I struggled a lot with very limited resources even though I was in California. Here is what I did so you can emulate these same steps in case you’re still struggling to break into the cosmetic industry as a formulator/cosmetic chemist!
WHAT I DID IN COLLEGE TO GET INTO COSMETIC CHEMISTRY
1. Majored in chemistry (6:59)
2. Got lab experience (8:32)
3. Demonstrated ability to multi-task & lead (9:53)
4. Studied a foreign language (10:40) → kind of helped me with getting my first internship, but my Japanese language ability gave me a huge advantage later on in my career
5. Kept applying for jobs & internships (11:54) → this includes through the Society of Cosmetic Chemists
6. Demonstrated my passion for cosmetic chemistry (12:07)
HOW I SOLD MYSELF IN MY INTERVIEW
1. Emphasized my enthusiasm (14:38)
2. Good grades (14:52)
3. Applicable lab experience (14:56)
4. Good time management (15:35)
5. Good at following instructions (16:35)
6. Familiarity with ingredients (16:50)
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GEEK + MAKEUP + WISDOM LINKS:
Geek + Makeup + Wisdom: www.geekmakeup...
My introduction to formulation ecourse: geekmakeupwisd...
My tutoring & consulting services: www.geekmakeupw...
Grab my free ebook, A Student’s Guide to Becoming a Cosmetic Chemist: www.geekmakeupw...
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COSMETIC CHEMISTRY RELATED LINKS:
Society of Cosmetic Chemists: www.scconline....
Swift Crafty Monkey: www.swiftcraft...
Chemists Corner: chemistscorner...
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MUSIC CREDITS:
“Feeling Good” by Lakey Inspired: / lakeyinspired

[@adhd_alchemy]

Thank you for sharing! I'm a grad student in a Cosmetic Science program and I totally forgot about SCC. Just joined! I'm excited for you and your journey. Sky is the limit Sis!

[@Cutejustcus]

What school did you attend?

[@joannam1284]

Awesome video. I’m a little old going back to school (27 only ever finished my associates degree). I want to be a cosmetic chemist and I’m so nervous.

[@promakazi]

Hey, I'm in the similar boat at you, how's your journey to becoming a cosmetic chemist going?

[@celinehosea]

Your video inspired me to become a cosmetic chemist. (I wasn't sure before.) Thank you! 💗

[@srishtitripathi5130]

i really reallyyyy reallyyyy wanna thank youuuuu....this was sooooo helpful

[@mariasudja4225]

Can you pleeeeeease make more videos? Especially breaking down product decks would be amazeballs!

[@geekmakeupwisdom7279]

That's the plan. :)

[@KG-tn5kk]

I'm also a chemist (major: organic chemistry) N really want to become cosmetic chemist....

[@jancesbangui5290]

Your video answer my questions thank youuuu!!

[@toptierbeauty]

Love this video, very real and insightful 💗

[@ddlover911]

Hiii what would you say about the chances of a foreigner getting a cosmetic chemist job in America with a foreign degree? ( Just a normal chemistry degree, not prestigious or anything )

[@CYPHERZ-gz3bp]

Hi,I just watched your video and I had a question.I am a 2nd year student in med school thanks to my parents forcing me into it but I always have been interested and fascinated with make-up products a lot and it's been my dream to set up makeup brand where I formulate my products since there aren't many affordable local makeup brands in our country also for people like skin conditions like me can use makeup. Is there any way I can persue my dream ?Can a Medicine major.i.e. Doctor be a cosmetic formulator in any means?Do clinical dermatologists formulate products? I'll be really grateful if you reply. Thank you.😀

[@synsworld5433]

Hey there .. same story , yes i think you can actually by reading too many books about makeup reduction and do some courses + a medical major can help i guess

[@CYPHERZ-gz3bp]

@@synsworld5433 but such courses or books aren't really common in my country. This profession is a very niché one in our country. And I asked some medicine majors but none could reply.

[@geekmakeupwisdom7279]

Sure thing. You can start learning how to formulate at home and purchase ingredients through websites like makingcosmetics.com and lotioncrafter.com. Down the line, you can look at working with a contract manufacturing lab or a cosmetic chemist to help you create your line and improve your formulas.

[@CYPHERZ-gz3bp]

@@geekmakeupwisdom7279 Thank you so much for replying.I was really feeling hopeless. I'll be really grateful if you answered another query of mine. But just how by learning at home and without a certificate or experiences companies will give any job contract?Are there any post graduation courses I'll have to do? Or do I persue Clinical dermatology along with learning how to formulate cosmetics? Sending you lots of love from 🇧🇩 Bangladesh ❤️

[@geekmakeupwisdom7279]

@@CYPHERZ-gz3bp If you want to create your own brand, you don't need a formal certificate to hire anyone to make the formulations for you. In fact, most of my previous clients had no formulation or chemistry background and just told me what to make. If you're looking to work in the cosmetic industry, that's a different story. If you're looking to be a cosmetic chemist, I suggest getting a chemistry degree. You could also still pursue clinical dermatology and educate yourself on the side. If you're interested in listing formal programs and certifications on your resume, I suggest looking at CfPA or see if there's a Society of Cosmetic Chemist chapter in Bangladesh (I'm not familiar with opportunities there are in your country). If your goal is to not be a cosmetic chemist and you just want to have your own line but be knowledgeable in formulation, there are a lot of free and cheap resources on the web. Free includes the websites I gave you, specialchem.com, cosmeticandtoiletries.com, makingskincare.com, and ULprospector.com. Cheaper ways to learn about cosmetic chemistry without a formal certificate include my course and a ton of cheap and well-written literature you can purchase from Swift Crafty Monkey.

[@maggiechen1593]

Hi! Do you think it is necessary to have a masters in cosmetic science to get a job as a cosmetic chemist? Also would your e-course be helpful to someone who does not have any experience in cosmetic chemistry at all. I have a bachelors in Chemistry but haven't had any lab work experience.

[@geekmakeupwisdom7279]

A BS in chemistry is fine! You don't need a masters, but a masters degree may help with a salary bump. You can still use your lab course work as lab experience if you've things like balances or pH meters. Yes, my ecourse is made just for beginners to cosmetic chemistry. Feel free to send me any questions about it at micao(at)geekmakeupwisdom.com before signing up to make sure it's a good fit for you.

[@piarit]

How can I get your freebook for now? looking forward to seeing more of your videos

[@Android-ds9ie]

How can we personally contact you we want to form late some product

[@csmithw2kidz]

Is there any products we should watch out for?

[@geekmakeupwisdom7279]

Home brands who sell their products on Etsy without doing proper safety and micro testing.

[@jancesbangui5290]

What major to take to become cosmetic chemist?

[@frederickbatula2248]

What major did you took up?

[@geekmakeupwisdom7279]

I double-majored in pharmaceutical chemistry and Japanese for undergrad, and then got my MS in pharmaceutical chemistry with a cosmetic chemistry emphasis.

[@Cutejustcus]

What school did you you attend?

[@geekmakeupwisdom7279]

UC Davis for undergrad and University of Cincinnati for grad school.

[@akeiladyett4139]

Very interested in this channel ❤️👏🏾please don’t forget us🙃

[@lillianjuan8954]

Your video is the most useful one I found on yt im in 11th grade n want to be a cosmetic chemist tooo do u recommend me to choose major in chemistry or biochem?🤍🤍🫶🏻thank you