Cosmetic Science and Formulation Design Bachelor's Degree Overview
The University of Toledo in Ohio is the only university in the country to offer an undergraduate program in cosmetic science and formulation design. UToledo’s cosmetic science graduates are in high demand. Nearly all recent graduates have landed jobs in the field.
The University of Toledo’s bachelor’s program in cosmetic science and formulation design is offered through UT’s College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Cosmetic science majors study the art, science and business of cosmetics. They learn to develop, formulate and produce cosmetics and personal care products. They study regulations and how to assess products’ safety, performance and quality.
UToledo students study key sciences, but also take business and economics courses and complete an internship. This gives graduates the flexibility to find careers in formulation development and manufacturing or the business side of the industry.
Cosmetic Science and Formulation Design Bachelor's Degree Highlights
Minors and more. Expand your opportunities in cosmetic science with a minor in business administration, marketing, international business or professional sales. Spend just one extra year at UToledo after finishing your bachelor’s degree and get an MBA. UT’s College of Business and Innovation is one of the country’s best.
Faculty who literally wrote the book on the subject. Dr. Gabriella Baki is the director of UToledo’s cosmetic science and formulation design program. She wrote the first cosmetic science textbook for undergraduates.
Acquire the skills employers want. Most entry-level jobs in the field require knowledge of how to formulate products. UToledo cosmetic science students spend four semesters in the lab, learning how ingredients work, how to select them and how to formulate and test products.
State-of-the-art facilities. Develop your skills with high-tech instruments used in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.
Internships. Get experience in a required, 400-hour internship. Cosmetic science interns from UToledo have worked at raw ingredient suppliers, finished goods manufacturers, contract manufacturers and research universities in Hungary and Japan. Some even get job offers from their employers before they graduate.
Student involvement. The UToledo Cosmetic Chemist Society:
- Recruits guest speakers
- Educates the campus community about important issues, such as sunscreen use
- Makes lotions and lip balms
- Networks with other chapters in Chicago, Cincinnati and Grand Rapids, Mich.
Career Opportunities
Graduates in the cosmetic science and formulation design program are skilled in developing new and novel products or improving existing ones. They assess the quality, durability, safety and packaging compatibility of products.
UToledo graduates are in enormous demand. Nearly all of recent graduates have found jobs in the cosmetics industry.
| Consumer affairs | Regulatory affairs |
| Marketing | Research |
| Packaging | Skin, hair and nail therapy |
| Product development and formulation | Technical sales |
| Production and manufacturing | Toxicity testing |
| Quality control |
Companies that Hire UToledo Cosmetic Science and Formulation Design Graduates
| Accupack Midwest | Pfizer |
| Active Concepts | ACT Solutions Corp. |
| Amway | Product Quest Manufacturing |
| Aring's Compound Corner Pharmacy | Reforma Group, LLC |
| Kenra Professional | Sigan America, LLC |
| L Brands | Wacker Chemie AG |
Our Alumni
"My internship experience was an eye-opener. I got to make my own formulation and could not have been more proud. Now I work full time at the same internship site, and every day is a new beginning. I love what I do."
Danesha Patel, Product Development and Formulation, Accupack
BSPS '16
"I love what this program has to offer. Upon graduating, you are fully equipped with the necessary skills to function successfully in the cosmetic industry. I was able to minor in general business and had the option of not only applying for lab-based cosmetic positions, but also those that focused more on the business side of cosmetic and personal care products."
Tamare Sweeting, Research and Development Chemist, Product Quest
BSPS '16
"Cosmetic science really appealed to me because I loved pharmacy, but I didn’t want to be a pharmacist. This major incorporates all sides of the industry into one major. My internship taught me how to formulate personal care products, and also how to make ingredients, such as extracts, for products."
Alison Wery, Formulation Chemist, ACT Solutions Corp.
BSPS '14
"Some people want to cure cancer; I want to get rid of wrinkles! I wanted to create products that people use in their everyday lives. The cosmetic science major at The University of Toledo gave me the skills and training I needed to be able to get a job at a top cosmetic company after graduation."
Sarah Breen, Quality Operations Professional, Pfizer
BSPS '14
Cosmetic Science and Formulation Design Bachelor's Degree Plan of Study
UT’s applied pharmaceutical science degree in cosmetic science is an interdisciplinary degree. Cosmetic science majors take key science classes, including chemistry, pharmacology, pharmaceutics, microbiology and cosmetic science. They also study business and get practical experience. Graduates are ready to work in the field or pursue a graduate degree in cosmetic science, medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, business or law.
Sample Cosmetic Science and Formulation Design Courses
- Introduction to Cosmetic Science
- Cosmetic Raw Materials
- Cosmetic Science 1 and 2
- Cosmetic Science Laboratory 1 and 2
Learn more about Cosmetic Science and Formulation Design at The University of Toledo
Cosmetic Science and Formulation Design Bachelor's Degree
4-year programProgram Availability
Program Quick Links
View Admission RequirementsPharmaceutical Sciences
College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
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