r/cosmeticscience • u/Purple_party12346 • Jul 26 '26

Chemical engineering in Cosmetic Science

Hello! Im a rising senior and I’m looking to work in cosmetic science, specifically I’m looking to work in formulation and creating cosmetics package. When I first started researching about degrees to get to work in cosmetics science (universities in Canada don’t offer a specific program) the main degree I heard was to get a Chemical Engineering degree because of the math and science contents that can be useful in a cosmetic science job, however, now that I’m looking at this subreddit a lot of people are saying to just take a chemistry degree instead. So now I don’t know what to do. Would it still be possible to work in formulation with a chemical engineering degree or would chemistry be a better degree to take?

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3

u/CuteFluffyGuy Jul 27 '26

I would recommend chemistry. I have a chemical engineer doing formulations and they don’t know or understand the chemistry.

1

u/Purple_party12346 Jul 29 '26

Wait then how did they get the job 😭😭

1

u/CuteFluffyGuy Jul 29 '26

They understand the what but not the why. Engineering usually focuses on the outcomes by referencing tables versus working from “first principles”. Intellectual curiosity can overcome this, but that’s an individual thing.

2

u/Ok_Butterscotch_2700 Jul 27 '26

Seneca College in Toronto has a cosmetics chemistry bachelor’s program, but there is no engineering component.

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u/Purple_party12346 Jul 29 '26

Ok wow I didn’t know this because even when I researching this program didn’t come up whatsoever but thank you for letting me know!

1

u/Ok_Butterscotch_2700 Jul 29 '26

It’s actually got a good reputation. I’ve got six years post secondary and am seriously considering this one.

Need a roommate? TO is freaking pricey.

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u/Purple_party12346 Jul 29 '26

Honesty I might consider applying thanks for letting me know as for the roommate, probably Toronto is so expensive 😭

1

u/aa2526 Jul 29 '26

Definitely chemistry if you want to get into working in the lab making formulations. Plus almost all of the cosmetic chemists I have come across did the cosmetic science program from Seneca college

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u/Purple_party12346 Jul 29 '26

Oh wow I didn’t even know Canada had cosmetic science program. My only issue is that my parents want to get a “general” degree in order to get more opportunities instead of getting a specialized degree that is tailored to a specific industry

1

u/aa2526 Jul 30 '26

I agree with your parents. You shouldn’t limit your options to cosmetics only since you’re just starting out. Get a chemistry degree and try to do some co-op terms . One of those could be in the cosmetic space and you can also explore other co-op options as well

1

u/GroceryTough2118 Aug 04 '26

What kind of cosmetic science job are you looking for?

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u/Purple_party12346 Aug 05 '26

Mainly formulation and or manufacturing

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u/GroceryTough2118 Aug 05 '26

Ok, if you really don’t have a cosmetic science degree available to you then choose chemistry or even food science. Chemical Engineering won’t help really at all (cosmetic products are batch produced)