Lianna Albrizio, Assistant Editor05.03.24
The Future Chemists Workshop welcomed some 120 students from over 30 colleges and universities to the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City at Suppliers’ Day hosted by the New York Society of Cosmetic Chemists (NYSCC).
This year’s workshop, now in its seventh year, was presented by Jane Tsui, better known as influencer Jane the Chemist.
In an exclusive interview with Happi, Tsui called her presence at the workshop a “full circle moment,” as she was a student six years ago while studying at the University of California, Irvine.
Today, Tsui is a TikTok sensation who has amassed over 36,000 followers on Instagram, thanks to a mix of work-oriented posts and documenting her experiences working in the field.
Coptis and Campo Research—were tasked with making an antioxidant primer.
The students at this year’s NYSCC Future Chemists Workshop —wearing lab coats donated by
Tsui schooled the students on the various gelling agents, including carbomer, xanthan gum, hydroxyethylcellulose and acrylates copolymer. They also learned about gelling agents’ versatility, and their ability to be used in hot and cold process formulas, and that some gelling systems can be electrolyte sensitive, which provides products the “water break” up skin contact.
One of the gelling agents used in the formula as sepimax zen. In addition, students used mattifying agents to formulate the antioxidant primer, including Valvance Touch 210 and Gransil SIW-038.
The workshop hosted two sessions on opening day, May 1 with students from the following institutions: Fairleigh Dickinson University; Long Island University; New Jersey Institute of Technology; Rutgers; Ramapo College; University of North Texas; University of Cincinnati; University of Toledo; Morgan State University; Lehigh University; Seneca College; John Jay College; Penn State; Manhattan College; University of New Orleans; University of Southern California; York College; University of Missouri; Florida Chapter of the New York Society of Cosmetic Chemists; University of Washington; Montclair State University; North Carolina A&T State University; John Jay College; LA Guardia Community College; Binghamton University; Monmouth University; Muhlenberg College; Saint Elizabeth; St. Johns; Stony Brook; and Stevens Institute of Technology.
Tsui is pleased by the growing number of students attracted to the cosmetic chemistry industry.
“I just want this industry to get more exposure and understand what cosmetic chemistry is, because I feel like there’s a lot of scary misinformation that make people not trust the industry,” Tsui said. “I feel like having more of a social media presence and having people be inspired by this industry makes me feel like there’s more positive light being shed onto this industry.”