The New Science of Hair Care

Webinar Format: 
Live Online W/Replay Access 
Moderated by Valerie George (Simply Formulas)

Date/Time: 
Tuesday, August 11, 2026 
1:00pm - 2:30pm ET (90 Minutes)

Webinar Overview:

Hair care innovation is evolving rapidly, with advances in scalp biology, active ingredients, and evidence-based formulation reshaping product development. Join the Society of Cosmetic Chemists for an engaging member-exclusive panel discussion featuring industry experts as they explore the latest trends in scalp health, ingredient innovation, performance testing, personalization, and the future of hair care science.

Rather than traditional presentations, this interactive discussion will bring together multiple perspectives from leaders across the industry, followed by live audience Q&A. Whether you work in formulation, product development, ingredient innovation, testing, or regulatory affairs, you'll gain practical insights into one of the cosmetic industry's fastest-growing areas of innovation.

How to Attend: 

• SCC Members: check your email for your free registration link or reach out to education@scconline.org for more info.
• Non-Members: click the button below to learn how you can join the SCC and gain access to free educational resources.

About The Panelists:

Cicely Shillingford, PhD

Amika

Dr. Cicely Shillingford, she/her, is an accomplished materials scientist, chemist, and is the AVP of Product Development, Innovation, and Regulatory at Amika. She has been with Amika for 2.5 years and is thrilled to bring her penchant for scientific innovation to the fast-growing brand. Dr. Cicely is a first-generation Caribbean-Canadian. She studied biochemistry at the Canada's premier science + engineering school, University of Waterloo, and holds a PhD in Chemistry from New York University. Prior to Amika, Cicely worked at the prestigious Wyss Institute at Harvard, where she was issued two patents for her work on bioinspired materials engineering. Cicely has authored 7 scientific publications spanning from structural biochemistry to colloidal materials, work that led her to pursue cosmetic product development. Cicely oversaw product development for health tech unicorn Ro (Roman Health Ventures), bringing to life their CPG business and supporting the launch of their dermocosmetic brand. Dr. Cicely resides in Harlem, NYC, and can surely be found biking the central park loop on a warm summer day, DIYing some home decor, or volunteering at her local farmer's market.”

Jay Small

Arey

Jay Small is a hairstylist, trichologist, and co-founder of Arey Haircare. Arey is the first and only functional beauty brand clinically proven to slow grey hair progression, reduce the appearance of greys, and support repigmentation—rooted in science and powered by innovation. By blending research, clinical validation, and thoughtful formulation, Arey helps people take control of one of the most visible signs of aging: grey hair. More than a product line, Arey is pioneering a new category of proactive, preventative haircare that bridges beauty, wellness, and longevity, all backed by measurable results. Based in Los Angeles, Jay brings over 24 years of experience working with clients ranging from celebrities to high-profile business and creative leaders. He trained as an apprentice to the owner of Paul Mitchell and went on to work globally in education and product development for John Paul Mitchell Systems. Jay is deeply passionate about the creative process—both in the art of hairstyling and in developing effective, science-driven products people genuinely love to use.

Sri Reddy

Ochre

Sri Reddy is the Co-Founder and CEO of OCHRE, a science-backed haircare brand designed to support the scalp’s natural microbiome. Raised in a family of physicians, Sri brings a lifelong exposure to medical thinking and evidence-based care to his work. Combined with his background in data and analytics and his own experience with a sensitive scalp, he leads the development of clinically validated formulas that challenge traditional haircare conventions. Sri holds an MBA from UC Berkeley Haas School of Business, a B.S. in Mathematics and Economics from University of California, San Diego, and previously worked as a management consultant at McKinsey & Company.

Stephanie Farsht

Small Wonder

Stephanie Farsht is the Co-Founder and CEO of Small Wonder, focused on disrupting the beauty industry through high-performance, waterless innovation. Stephanie has spearheaded the development of professional-grade, powder-to-lather haircare concentrates, with a mission to maximize potency of active ingredients and eliminate the waste inherent in shipping liquid-heavy, plastic-bottled products. Under her leadership, the brand developed a patent-pending refillable "Wonder Bottle" specifically engineered to keep powder dry and dispense with ease. She has a rich background in strategy and innovation, having spent over 15 years at Target Corporation where she specialized in strategy and innovation. Farsht also served as an adjunct professor at the Kellogg School of Management for eight years, teaching courses on entrepreneurship and innovation. Her educational background includes a BA in Economics and French from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, an MBA in Finance and Strategy from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, and a year of study abroad at Université Paris Dauphine. Originally from South Africa, Farsht has lived in France and currently resides in Chicago with her family.

About The Moderator

Valerie George

Simply Formulas

An award-winning cosmetic chemist and speaker, science communicator, educator, leader, and avid proponent of transparency in the beauty industry, Valerie George formulates for and lends expertise to beauty brands as CEO and Chief Creator at Simply Beauty Group. Previously, she worked on the latest research in hair care and hair color formulations as Executive Vice President of R&D at a leading salon brand, where she simultaneously oversaw R&D, regulatory, quality, packaging and manufacturing. Valerie also co-founded the University of California Riverside Extension Cosmetic Science Certificate Program, where she serves as an instructor. She is also a national board member for the Society of Cosmetic Chemists and was the past chair for their Committee on Scientific Affairs, as well as additionally volunteers on the Governance and Regulatory Committees for the Independent Beauty Association. With more than 15 years of beauty industry experience as an ingredient expert, she is a contributing writer at Happi Magazine and is the co-host of The Beauty Brains podcast, recently listed as the top beauty podcast by the New York Times.