Meet: Gemma Braganza, Principal Scientist (R&D Director) at Procter & Gamble
- Written byEleanor Harvey
- Published date 24 April 2025
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Gemma Braganza is a Principal Scientist (Research and Development Director) at Procter & Gamble (P&G) in Singapore. She was part of the first cohort of graduates from BSc (Hons) Cosmetic Science at London College of Fashion (LCF) in 2005.
In a full-circle journey, Gemma is now involved in the P&G Responsible Beauty Award which will support postgraduate students at LCF for the next 5 years.
She spoke to us about the edge that her undergraduate course gave her in her career, as well the impact she hopes the new award will have on the students who receive it.
You graduated from BSc (Hons) Cosmetic Science in 2005. What drew you to this course in particular?
When choosing where to further my education, I knew I wanted to pursue a course that would allow me to actively apply the science I would learn. I have always had a passion for beauty and cosmetics, and this course seemed like the perfect intersection of my academic and personal interests. I knew if I had passion for the subject then it wouldn’t feel like studying at all!
I was excited about the prospect of learning about formulation, product development, and the chemistry involved in creating cosmetic products. This unique combination of science and beauty not only fuelled my curiosity but also laid a strong foundation for my career in the industry.
What was your time at LCF like?
I enjoyed my time at LCF - the college’s vibrant atmosphere, especially being in the centre of London, combined with its focus on creativity and innovation, allowed me to immerse myself in the world of fashion and beauty in an inspiring and educational way.
I had the opportunity to collaborate with talented peers and course tutors who were industry professionals. The course was hands-on and practical, enabling me to apply my knowledge of formulation development directly to real-world projects. This practical experience was invaluable in preparing me for my career
Can you tell us about your career since you graduated?
I was fortunate to be hired by P&G immediately after graduation as a formulator in the Hair Colour organisation, where I worked on early prototypes for a hair highlighting product. From there, I gained experience in scaling up to manufacturing and worked on delivering new technologies such as Clairol Perfect-10 to the market.
When an opportunity arose to work at our new Singapore Innovation Centre, I took a leap of faith and applied. The move to Singapore has been fantastic for me both personally and professionally; I get to work with a diverse organisation and contribute to the growth of many talented team members. I have seen multiple projects I have led or contributed to go to market, for example, Pantene Three Minute Miracle and Miracles Dual Effect Milk Jelly.
Did your time on the BSc Cosmetic Science course help you in your career at all? If so, how?
Absolutely! The course had a direct application to my work when I joined P&G, providing me with relevant knowledge that gave me an edge over my peers. While P&G offers world-class onboarding and training programs, the experiences I gained throughout the course gave me a broader perspective on the work I was doing and different ideas about how to go about the work.
The BSc in Cosmetic Science covered a wide range of disciplines, and even when I stepped into hair colour which I hadn’t studied, I still had a solid baseline of formulation principles and scientific thinking to guide me.
You’re now a Principal Scientist (R&D Director) at P&G in Singapore. What does a typical day look like for you? Can you share some of the exciting challenges and projects you work on?
The great thing about R&D is that there is no 'typical' day! I collaborate with multiple project teams to design and deliver the newest innovations. In my Hair Care role, I work on products for various brands, including Pantene and Head & Shoulders.
Some days, I’m in the lab formulating the next hair treatment, while other days I focus on how to industrialise our latest innovations. Currently, I’m working on our latest launch, Pantene's Pro-V Pearls, developed at the Singapore Innovation Centre. It’s been amazing to be part of this project since its inception and to see it finally come to market!
Procter & Gamble is generously funding the P&G Responsible Beauty Award to support postgraduate students at LCF for the next 5 years. Can you tell us more about the reason behind this award? What impact do you hope it will have on the students who receive it?
The P&G Responsible Beauty Award has been introduced as a natural evolution of the P&G Better Lives Award, continuing its mission to celebrate student work that uses fashion to drive change, build a more sustainable and inclusive future, and improve the way we live.
The award reflects the shared values of the fashion and beauty industries - quality craftsmanship, inclusivity, creativity, and innovation - and their potential to shape a more sustainable future together. By linking the concept of ‘responsible beauty’ to fashion, it highlights how these interconnected industries serve as powerful platforms for cultural influence and positive change. It reinforces the idea that beauty today is defined not only by aesthetics, but by the sustainable and creative use of materials, inclusive innovation and compelling storytelling.
Through this award, we hope to inspire and support innovative work across all areas of fashion and beauty—helping individuals bring their most ambitious projects to life.
What advice would you give to someone wanting to study Cosmetic Science and pursue a career in the beauty industry?
Build you network by attending industry events, join professional organisations, connect with mentors or past cohorts of the course. Networking can open doors and mentors can provide valuable guidance as you navigate your career in Cosmetic Science. Work placements and internships are another way to build your network as well as giving you opportunity to apply your studies in an industrial context!
