Our BSc (Hons) Cosmetic Science course has been paving the way for future scientists for 25 years; leading in the teaching of critical, creative and technical skills to help students succeed in the cosmetics and personal care industries.
After recently hosting their annual Industry Day, in collaboration with The Cosmetic Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA), The course team showcased the successes of students who have completed industry placements in the sector. Final year students presented their projects and reflected on their placement experiences, exploring how the opportunity contributed to their professional and personal growth.
LCF strives to celebrate this education, the cosmetic science community and the valuable connections within the industry which support our students in becoming the scientific innovators of tomorrow. After the presentations the audience were given the chance to vote on their favourite speakers, who were then selected for CTPA sponsored awards, alongside others across the course. We spoke to some of this year’s student speakers to find out more about their placement experience and how the course helped prepare them for it.
Hi Sarah - Congratulations on winning the Diploma in Professional Studies placement presentation award at the Industry Day! What was it like presenting your placement experience to fellow students, LCF Staff, alumni and leading industry names?
I was at first a little apprehensive about presenting as I wasn't sure if the audience would find some of my work and roles as interesting as I did. However, I was mainly excited to share my work with the other students who I had studies alongside but also to show younger students what they could eventually be doing. It was really nice to see my lecturers in the room as well and show them what I had achieved! I wasn't sure how many people from relevant companies would be listening, so I think I didn't focus on that going into the presentation but in the end I was approached by several of the professionals who found work interesting and I had so many connections on LinkedIn the next day! I primarily took the experience honestly as a way I could show off a little bit!
You mentioned your placement focused on formulation, evaluation and trend research into colour correction. What were your responsibilities day-to-day?
I would spend most of my day making samples of the formulations I created and changing individual ingredients or the method depending on what worked or what fit the brief best. Sometimes I would measure the formulations effects with instruments and write up the results in Excel.
Then a lot of my time was at the desk writing up the formulations in presentations and posters, this is where I would research the trends and market info that was linked to it. Day-to-day I also did stability tests, checking on my formulations over time to see if they remained stable.
One of your projects involved supporting with sensory trials – what did these involve?
Yes one of my projects was an internal sensory test so only within the lab team but I created samples of an eyeshadow with varying functional fillers in and asked the team to rank the softness, coverage, and spread of the powders.
Working in Germany must have been really interesting. How did working abroad shape you going forward? Was the culture vastly different and has it affected your opinion of where you would like to work after graduation?
I am really glad that I took the opportunity to work in Germany, the culture wasn't too drastically different that I had any culture shock. It was mainly in the little things like how they use Sunday as a strict rest day and most shops are shut, they discussed how most German people are very against change and would oppose to this changing and they fight against putting the self-checkouts in the shops which I was not expecting!
The experience showed me that I could definitely work abroad after graduation however it also taught me that learning another language would really be key if I was to take this step as I don’t believe I would make a permanent move without being fluent! But I would consider options abroad if they came up after graduation.
Whilst you were working you had a fantastic opportunity to submit a paper to IFSCC which was chosen for display at [WHERE?]. What was it like to have gained this achievement?
This was a really unexpected achievement, one that I never thought I would do so it feels really exciting to have this on my CV before I even graduate, which I never would have achieved if I hadn't of taken this placement. It has definitely given me more confidence in my lab skills, and I have something concrete that I can show in the future as evidence of it.
What are the main skills you’ve taken away from completing your placement? How will this change the way you approach your final years with LCF?
The main skills were really my lab skills, but I can already see how having this industry knowledge has affected my studies. In class since, when we learn a certain theory I instantly think about how this would be applied to my day-to-day formulating.
I mainly have a better understanding of the industry now, I understand better how the supplier, distributor, manufacturer to market product chain works and how my skills and what I am learning can be applied to each of these areas. So, I have a better understanding also of the different jobs I could secure - whereas before placement I didn't even understand what the job titles for the lab would be!
Hi Rheem, it was great you were able to join your course mates at the Industry Day by presenting virtually – that must have been nerve wracking! What made you want to work with Barry M Cosmetics for your placement year and how did the company align with your personal values?
I really wanted to do a placement year to understand the industry on a deeper level. When Barry M offered me a position, it felt like a full circle moment because when I was a young teen I remember going into Topshop with my mom and admiring the Barry M stands. I would want every colour! (I was obsessed with nail art at the time) But they were quite expensive so my mom and I would compromise on 2 Barry M colours, and I would get the rest of the colours from our local chemist.
You mentioned your main projects with Barry M Cosmetics looked at reformulating and replacing product ingredients. Were you surprised by the process and work you were able to do when on placement?
I was actually surprised. I had no prior experience on working in the industry, so I did end up glamourising the job. Not to say it's not glamourous - but it is a job. And all jobs have their pros and cons, and all jobs have the tedious, not-so-expected tasks that must be done.
What was your highlight? Did you enjoy anything unexpectedly?
The highlight was definitely the friends I've made. I also feel like I gained a mentor. In life, not everyone will want to see you succeed and sometimes it is the people who closely work with you. But some people do want to see you succeed and improve and I'm so grateful I've found one who is on a more senior level and can guide me if needed.
It seemed from your presentation that strong interpersonal skills were very important to your work. What were the other main skills you’ve taken away from completing this placement?
Interpersonal skills, presentation skills, improvement in confident levels, I understood myself and how I interact with people a lot more and had a good read on power dynamics and how they can affect a relationship.
Hi Alex – Your placement journey with Church & Dwight Co. was inspiring. What were your responsibilities as a Research and Development Chemist Intern?
I managed weekly stability testing across 8 brands, carried out laboratory work for leading dry shampoo brand, Batiste, and even had my own personal project launching in 2026!
With the company based in Folkstone, what was it like not working in London? Has this changed your opinion of the roles you apply to in the future?
This has absolutely shifted my perspective! I never wanted to move out of London but took a chance when visiting and expected the worst. Honestly, I really loved it. Being by the sea was so calming and fun, now I actively look for roles all over the country and am excited for where I go next.
We loved your demonstration of the Batiste Dry Shampoo products you were working on. What was your favourite part of working on these projects?
I had a chartered project that I worked on for Batiste that will launch in 2026, having that responsibility of something that will end up on the shelves worldwide was a great opportunity. The project involves so many employees across the world, and I was so grateful to collaborate with such knowledgeable people. I can't wait to see it in the stores and know I was part of the creation!
How do you think completing this placement will support you in life after graduation?
Not only did I make wonderful connections and relationships at Church & Dwight but I learned so many skills and developed as a person.
I feel confident going into new roles and know I have a great work ethic that others value. I look forward to graduating and seeing where it takes me.
Hi Qiqi, the attention to detail involved in your time as a Technical and Regulatory Intern with Brand Agency London seems really rewarding. How did you find working in this area?
Working as a technical and regulatory intern in this area has truly opened my eyes. I had opportunity to communicate directly with suppliers and certification officers, and to get involved in official product registration systems. It was exciting to see everything transition from theory to real life.
How did you prepare for the role?
Before joining the role, I reviewed all relevant legislation and worked to understand the certification process (Specifically, leaping bunny in my case). I also familiarised myself with the brands and envisioned my potential responsibilities, such as communicating with suppliers and official officers. This preparation gave me talking points for my interview and provided valuable guidance before starting the role.
You presented the collaborative work you did with the Leaping Bunny Scheme and your focus on animal testing regulations. Was finding a role which worked directly with ethics and sustainability important to you in your placement search?
During my placement research, I was quite open to applying for a variety of roles within the industry. Gaining experience working directly with ethics and sustainability has definitely been a bonus for me. Although I didn’t specifically seek out this type of role, this experience has given me a new perspective. In the future, I would be more drawn to roles focused on ethics and sustainability.
Working within compliance and quality must have been fascinating and taught you a lot. How did working on this project help to build your communication and problem-solving skills?
Working within compliance, I learned how to communicate effectively and politely with suppliers and certification officers. Rather than writing lengthy emails, we focused on addressing key issue and expecting them to provide documents or feedback to keep our work moving forward. This experience further helped build my problem-solving skills. When issues arose, I stayed calm, generated ideas, and discussed them with my manager.
How will this change the way you approach your final years with LCF?
I feel more confident in myself, even though I am still working on building confidence in my academic abilities. However, I trust myself that I can handle things well, which helps me face the upcoming work and stress in my final years. I am committed to continuously improving myself.