A collaboration between the Society of Cosmetic Chemists and The University of Toledo.

Course Overview

This course will be of value to those unfamiliar with cosmetic product formulation, and also of use to those who have been in the industry for a while and would like to add breadth and depth to their formulation knowledge.  The course will begin with a scan of cosmetic raw materials, then off to studying one of the more challenging but eminently relevant topics – emulsions.  Such subjects as how emulsions break, what to do to fix them, effective formulation strategies (including overcoming those challenging situations), and manufacturing of emulsions.  This will be followed by a discussion of such specific topics as sunscreens, color cosmetics, and toiletries.

There will be instruction on the formulation of all sorts of cleansing products as well as hair care formulation basics.  Interesting discussions on preservation and enhancing efficacy of formulations will also take place.  A new feature of this course will be the opportunity of the participants to put this newfound knowledge into practice in the lab at the fantastic University of Toledo facility!

Who Should Attend

Anyone interested in the mechanics of designing a cosmetic formulation.  The course will be beneficial to beginning and seasoned scientists, whether in formulation, quality control, or claims testing.

***Due to lab capacity, the lab portion of this course is available on a first-come, first-serve basis***

Course Outline

Additional Information

Hotels: The Delta Hotel Toledo is adjacent to the Health Science Campus, and a five minute walk to the course location. The University of Toledo also provides a list of hotels on its website.

Transportation: There are a limited number of direct flights into Toledo via the Toledo Express Airport. The Detroit Metro Airport is approximately 1 hour's drive to the Univeristy of Toledo's Health Science Campus. Visitor parking is available on campus for a modest fee.

Instructors: Mark Chandler 

Format: On-Demand, Live Instructor Q&A, (Optional) In-Person Lab

Dates:

Course Release Date (On-Demand Content): 

• Thursday October 30, 2025

"Online-Only" Lab Exercise Recordings Release Date:

• November 2025 (TBD)

Live Online Instructor Q&A:

• November 2025 (TBD)

(Optional) In-Person Lab*:

• Spring 2026 (TBD)

Lab Location:
University of Toledo
Health Science Campus
3000 Arlington Ave.
Toledo, OH 43614

*The lab course will take place at the University of Toledo's Health Science Campus, not the Main Campus. 

Note: in addition to the online, on-demand instruction, live instructor Q&A, and (optional) in-person lab, Certificate in Skin Care participants will also receive a PDF copy of the course slides. Course module recordings and quizzes will be available from the course release date through the end of the participant's time in the certificate program.

ENROLL NOW

If also applying for SCC membership, please allow up to five business days for application processing. Member pricing will not be in effect for Certificate Program enrollment until after the membership application is approved. 

About the Instructor

Mark Chandler

ACT Solutions Corp

Mark Chandler is President of ACT Solutions Corp, a formulation design consultancy and laboratory founded in 2012, serving the cosmetic and topical pharmaceutical industries, focusing on Adaptive Aesthetic Design™, Advanced Emulsion Solutions™, and Formulating for Efficacy™. Mark has been in the industry for over 35 years, most recently serving as skin care applications manager for Croda Inc. He has had roles in Sales, Marketing, Strategic Planning and Acquisitions, and Research and Development. Mark has taught courses for the SCC, CfPA, and SpecialChem on Cosmetic Formulation, Cosmetic Raw Materials, Aesthetic Design, Liquid Foundation Emulsions, Practical Basics and Theory in Emulsion Technology, Formulating for Efficacy, Surfactant Selection, Formulating with Food Ingredients, and Low Energy Emulsification for over 20 years. 

Mark also is a frequent lecturer at the University of Toledo – College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. He was awarded Fellow status by the Society of Cosmetic Chemists in 2014 and served on the SCC National Board as President in 2023. Mark has presented technology in over a dozen countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. He has authored numerous technical articles and chapters in such publications as Harry’s Cosmeticology and the Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology.