The Society of Cosmetic Chemists (SCC) has announced the recipients of its highest honors as well as its annual award winners, ahead of its virtual annual meeting, which will take place Dec. 7-11. The awards presentation will be made on Dec. 11. 

“Despite the global challenges faced by us all this past year, I am honored to recognize these outstanding achievements in cosmetic science and contributions that our members make to society,” said Mindy Goldstein, PhD, 2020 SCC president and president of Mindy S. Goldstein, PhD Consulting. “Congratulations to these winners who join a prestigious list of accomplished professionals being recognized by their peers for their outstanding work.”

Howard A. Epstein, PhD, director of technical services at EMD Performance Materials, is the recipient of the Maison G. deNavarre Medal Award. The medal is the Society’s highest honor, recognizing an individual for accomplishments and activities supporting the best interests of the cosmetics and personal care industry.

“Howard Epstein is recognized and well respected by professionals in the cosmetic and personal care industry for his outstanding technical contributions in functional skin care technologies,” said Erica O’Grady, CAE, executive director/CEO of the Society. “Howard has been on stage or in a classroom providing education to colleagues for the past decade. He is a renowned researcher and expert in skin product development and a deserved recipient of the Society’s highest award.”

Epstein has authored chapters in various cosmetic technology textbooks, including Harry’s Cosmeticology, and holds eight patents and two patent applications. He served as editor of the SCC’s Journal of Cosmetic Science and is a member of the International Academy of Dermatology. He is on the editorial board of the dermatological journals, Clinics in Dermatology and SKINmed, representing the cosmetics industry to dermatologists. 

“Dr. Epstein’s significant technical contributions are representative of what the Society’s founders envisioned this organization to be: highly ethical and educated professionals sharing research and innovations for the advancement of cosmetic science,” said Goldstein. “I am excited to present Howard with this award recognizing his professional achievements.”

Nava Dayan, PhD is the recipient of the 2020 Florence Wall Women in Cosmetic Chemistry Award, which honors women’s scientific and leadership contributions to the cosmetics and personal care industry. This the second year that the award is being presented.

“Dr. Dayan, a consultant specializing in skin care product innovation, efficacy claims, safety assessment and more, understands the importance of innovative ideas, education, mentoring and service to others,” said O’Grady. “Nava is representative of the stellar women in this industry who have made significant contributions while serving as an example of leadership and passion for future generations.”

In her 30 years of experience, Dayan has offered a wide range of services to the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, personal care, research entities, regulatory agencies and academic institutions through her consulting company, Dr. Nava Dayan LLC. She has worked on inventions that resulted in many patent applications, delivered 100+ oral presentations, has 150 publication credits in numerous industry-respected journals and in five books, and served as educator and advisory board committee member at several professional organizations including: American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientist, Society of Cosmetic Chemists, and The Center for Dermal Research. She has also written a monthly column for Happi. 

“Much like the namesake of this award, Dr. Dayan has made noteworthy technical contributions to the cosmetic science field,” said Goldstein. “As a fellow entrepreneur and woman in STEM, I am delighted to acknowledge Nava for fierce dedication to skin care product R&D and her involvement and influence in the cosmetic science industry.”

This award is supported through Concept to Commerce by Rodan + Fields – an open innovation portal where beauty startups, inventors, universities and biotech companies can submit ideas for new products and technologies to develop in partnership with the brand. Rodan + Fields is a prestige, dermatology-inspired skin care brand founded by Stanford-trained dermatologists, Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields. This open innovation portal follows their legacy to support the successful careers of women in both the business and science sectors.  

The Merit Award will be presented to Martha Tate, PhD, founder and CEO of Tate Science.

“Martha Tate has been an engaged and contributing member since the day she joined SCC,” said O’Grady. “We are delighted to present the Merit Award for her numerous contributions during her nearly 30-year membership, including lecturing at various education events, serving on the education advisory committee, volunteering countless hours of her time, and much more toward the advancement of cosmetic science.”
 

Other awards and winners include:

YOUNG SCIENTIST AWARD, sponsored by Surfatech: Recognizing the best paper by a young scientist under the age of 40 (for a podium lecture at the preceding Annual Scientific Meeting), this award will be presented to Lex Pelger (CV Sciences) for his paper, CBD, GRAS & The Largest Organ.

GREEN STAR AWARD sponsored by Colonial Chemical: Recognizing the formulator who has done outstanding work in green formulations during the previous 12-month period, this award will be presented to Samantha Guertin (Aveda) for her Botanical Repair Strengthening Leave-In Treatment. 

SOCIETY OF COSMETIC CHEMISTS AWARD, sponsored by Hallstar: Recognizing the best paper (presented at the preceding SCC Annual Scientific Meeting) that made the greatest scientific contribution to knowledge in the field of protecting against or ameliorating damage to human skin caused by exposure to UV radiation, this award will be presented to Juan Brito (BASF Corporation) for his paper, Formulating with Zinc Oxide.

HANS A. SCHAEFFER AWARD, sponsored by Lonza: Recognizing the most innovative paper (presented at the preceding SCC Annual Scientific Meeting), this award will be presented to Philip Ludwig (BASF Corporation) for his paper, Quorum Quenching: The New Way to Keep Microbiome Under Control.

JOSEPH P. CIAUDELLI AWARD, sponsored by Croda: Recognizing the best article (published in the Journal of Cosmetic Science or presented at the preceding SCC Annual Scientific Meeting) on the subject of hair care technology, this award will be presented to Manuel Gamez-Garcia, PhD (Ashland Specialty Ingredients) for his paper, Protein and Cellular Structures Stabilizing the Shape of Curly and Textured Hair: A Finite Element Analysis.

SHAW MUDGE AWARD, sponsored by the Mudge Family: Recognizing the best paper presented at the preceding SCC Annual Scientific Meeting, this award will be presented to Anna Langerveld, PhD (Genemarkers) for her paper, CBD: Next Big Thing in Skincare.

DES GODDARD AWARD: Recognizing the most innovative paper on the topic of polymer science related to cosmetics or personal care (presented at the preceding Annual Scientific Meeting or published in the Journal of Cosmetic Science), this award will be presented to Hy Si Bui, PhD (L'Oréal USA) for his paper, Physical Chemistry of Long-Lasting Color Cosmetics.

Watch these winners accept their awards during the SCC’s first-ever virtual Annual Meeting, December 7-11, 2020.  Register here: www.scconline.org/scc74.