Science

The Chemistry of Beauty: The Lore and the Science

November 17, 2020  • Science & Society

This panel discussion explored the chemistry underlying common hair and skin products. Expert industrial and academic scientists working in cosmetic science offered insights into key properties and ingredients, new breakthroughs in the field, how the industry responds to the diversity of its consumers, and the science behind regulation and terms like “clinically approved” and “dermatologist-tested.” Please join us for a dynamic conversation that included a public Q&A. Our featured experts are:

Kelly A. Dobos
Cosmetic chemist, skin care and color cosmetic formulation expert, 2019 Society of Cosmetic Chemists President

Nonhlanhla Khumalo, Ph.D.
Founder and head of the Hair and Skin Research Laboratory at the University of Cape Town, expert in hair and skin and the structure of the tissues and cosmetics applied to them

Anne Wagner, Ph.D.
Protein engineer and biochemist, Group Leader at L’Oréal, specialist in mass-market hair color brands

Moderated by
Shruti Naik, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Pathology at New York University, expert in skin and stem cell biology

This event is co-hosted by the Aspen Institute Science & Society Program and the American Chemical Society.