The Future is Now for Cosmetics and Consumer Products | AIChE

Other Sites & Tools

Technical Groups

You are here

The Future is Now for Cosmetics and Consumer Products

SBE Special Section
July
2020
Gabriel Levesque-Tremblay, Emily Petruzzelli

When you think about cosmetics, the first things that come to mind may be your grandmother’s favorite shade of lipstick, the zombie facepaint you applied on Halloween as a kid, or the brightly lit makeup counter in your local department store.

But the cosmetics industry produces more than just the multihued lipsticks and eyeshadows for which it is traditionally known. This fast-paced industry innovates and develops nearly every product you use on your skin and hair today — be it hand salve, dandruff shampoo, or sunscreen.

Worldwide, the cosmetics industry generates an annual revenue of more than US$170 billion. Major players like L’Oréal, Unilever, and Estée Lauder have long reigned over the global beauty market. But as consumers show an increasing interest in sustainable, vegan, and cruelty-free products, independent (i.e., indie) brands have grown in popularity.

Although the cosmetics industry has been around for hundreds of years, the industry today is remarkably technology-driven. For example, L’Oréal has developed wearable sensors to track the user’s exposure to sun, as well as a corresponding app that can predict sun damage to skin. Japanese beauty company Shiseido launched its Internet-of-Things (IoT)-powered skincare system Optune in 2019, which uses an app to analyze the user’s skin condition and a novel...

Would you like to access the complete CEP Article?

No problem. You just have to complete the following steps.

You have completed 0 of 2 steps.

  1. Log in

    You must be logged in to view this content. Log in now.

  2. AIChE Membership

    You must be an AIChE member to view this article. Join now.

Copyright Permissions 

Would you like to reuse content from CEP Magazine? It’s easy to request permission to reuse content. Simply click here to connect instantly to licensing services, where you can choose from a list of options regarding how you would like to reuse the desired content and complete the transaction.

Features

The Future is Now for Cosmetics and Consumer Products

Although the cosmetics industry has been around for hundreds of years, the industry today is remarkably technology-driven.

What’s Next for the Cosmetics Industry?

Cosmetics are moving toward a future of personalization and sustainability. As the industry modernizes, many companies are developing increasingly cutting-edge, innovative products.

The Formulator’s Toolbox for Consumer Products

Formulators use four main tools to tune the physical properties of a product and create the qualities and functionality that consumers expect.

Complex Fluid Formulations: A Source of Inspiration and Innovation

Chemical engineers are well positioned to design and manufacture formulated liquid products, but formulated product design is not often taught in a unified way.

Cosmetics and Consumer Products Special Section

The Future is Now for Cosmetics and Consumer Products; What's Next for the Cosmetics Industry?; The Formulator's Toolbox for Consumer Products; ...

Improving Food Safety

Various processing technologies are available to ensure the safety of the food supply, as well as meet consumers’ desire for minimally processed, clean-label, and low-cost food.

Prevent Disastrous Decisions

Whenever a decision can have a significant impact, the decision-making process becomes critical to minimize the potential for a poor decision to cause a disastrous outcome.

Departments

Calendars: July 2020

Learn about upcoming AIChE events.

Catalyzing Commercialization: Microfluidics-Based Chips Simplify Single-Cell Separations for Clinical Research

Single-cell approaches enable researchers to rapidly and comprehensively analyze cells for type and function, which cannot be done for intact tissues.

Commentary: The Challenges of AI

Gaining cultural acceptance of new analytics approaches in this digital age will require four actions: improving the data acuity of the workforce, building proper stories around the improvements achieved, finding scalable tools for the masses, and creating a strong digital thread (i.e.,...

Editorial: Puzzling through a Pandemic

During a pandemic, shortages of products like hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, personal protective equipment, and even toilet paper may be understandable, but a shortage of jigsaw puzzles might seem a bit, well, puzzling.

Institute News: July 2020

To enable members to make informed selections, the AIChE election candidates have provided overviews of their experience, as well as their plans for future programs and directions for the Institute.

New Products: July 2020

Browse our list of new products for July 2020.

CEP: News Update

Developing a Coronavirus Vaccine: A ChE Race; Industry, the Economy, and Coronavirus; Breathable Gear Could Help Guard Against Biological Agents; A New Class of Recyclable Rubber; A Sea of Artificial Coral Reefs

Process Safety Beacon: Process Interruptions — A Threat to Safety

On Oct. 13, 2002, an explosion in a vacuum distillation tower propelled large fragments of debris, injuring three people.

ChE in Context: The Plastics Circular Economy

Despite the long history of plastic manufacturing and widespread consumer use, there is no substantial capture and recovery system for waste plastic.

Trends: The Food-Energy-Water Nexus — A Complex Balance

The food-energy-water (FEW) nexus can be broadly described as an approach that considers the interactions, synergies, harmonization, and tradeoffs between water, energy, and food.

Emerging Voices: Sneak Peek — The 2020 AIChE 35 Under 35 Award Winners

AIChE and the Young Professionals Committee, with support from the AIChE Foundation, are recognizing 35 outstanding young professional AIChE members with the AIChE 35 Under 35 Award.