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Cosmetic Formulation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Atrium

Formulation Scientist

Princeton, NJ · On-site

Familiarity with stability testing, scale-up, and cosmetic regulations. * Strong problem-solving, communication, and project management skills. Preferred Experience/Skills For The Formulation ...

Marykay

Senior Scientist Color Cosmetics

Lewisville, TX · On-site

$85K - $116K/yr

Ability to independently conduct development work requiring a thorough knowledge of cosmetic formulation, application of advanced technical knowledge and demonstrated successful stability. Works with ...

Revance

Sr. Research Scientist

Johnson City, TN · On-site

$94K - $120K/yr

Lead formulation development activities for skincare, cosmetic, OTC, personal care, and related products from concept through commercialization. * Serve as a technical expert in emulsion and ...

Revance

Sr. Research Scientist

Johnson City, TN

$94K - $120K/yr

Lead formulation development activities for skincare, cosmetic, OTC, personal care, and related products from concept through commercialization. * Serve as a technical expert in emulsion and ...

SV Labs Corporation

Formulation Chemist

Watsonville, CA · On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

EDUCATION • Bachelor's degree with a Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Cosmetic Science, or a related field. WORK EXPERIENCE • Minimum of 3-5 years of hands-on formulation experience in the ...

SV Labs Corporation

Formulation Chemist

Watsonville, CA · On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

EDUCATION • Bachelor's degree with a Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Cosmetic Science, or a related field. WORK EXPERIENCE • Minimum of 3-5 years of hands-on formulation experience in the ...

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How much do cosmetic formulation jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for cosmetic formulation in the United States is $22.83, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.27 and $22.84 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a cosmetic Formulator job description?

A cosmetic formulator develops and creates skincare, haircare, and makeup products by combining ingredients to achieve desired textures, stability, and efficacy. They often work in laboratories, utilizing knowledge of chemistry and formulation techniques, and may need certifications or experience in cosmetic science. Attention to safety, regulatory compliance, and innovation are key aspects of the role.

What is a Cosmetic Formulation job?

A Cosmetic Formulation job involves creating and developing skincare, haircare, makeup, and other beauty products by selecting and combining ingredients for efficacy, safety, and stability. Cosmetic formulators work in labs, conducting research, testing formulations, and ensuring compliance with industry regulations. They collaborate with chemists, regulatory teams, and marketing professionals to develop products that meet consumer needs and market trends. This role requires knowledge of chemistry, product development, and raw materials to create innovative and high-quality cosmetics.

What are the highest paying jobs in cosmetics?

In cosmetic formulation, senior roles such as Cosmetic Chemist, R&D Director, or Formulation Manager tend to have the highest salaries, often exceeding six figures with experience and advanced degrees. These positions typically require strong technical skills, knowledge of ingredients and safety regulations, and leadership responsibilities within cosmetic companies.

How do I become a cosmetic formulator?

To become a cosmetic formulator, typically a background in chemistry, pharmacy, or chemical engineering is required, along with knowledge of cosmetic ingredients and formulation techniques. Gaining experience through internships or entry-level positions in cosmetic companies and obtaining relevant certifications can also be beneficial. Strong skills in research, safety testing, and familiarity with formulation tools are important for success in this field.

How much do cosmetic formulators make?

Cosmetic formulators typically earn between $50,000 and $90,000 annually, depending on experience, education, and location. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced formulators with specialized skills can earn higher salaries, especially in larger companies or with advanced certifications.

What are some common challenges faced by Cosmetic Formulation professionals in the workplace?

Cosmetic Formulation professionals often face challenges such as meeting strict regulatory requirements, ensuring product stability and safety, and balancing innovative formula development with cost-effectiveness. Collaboration is also key, as formulators frequently work with marketing, regulatory, quality assurance, and manufacturing teams to bring new products to market. Staying updated with the latest raw materials, industry trends, and sustainability demands can be demanding but rewarding. Overcoming these challenges requires continuous learning, strong communication skills, and the ability to adapt quickly to evolving industry standards.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Cosmetic Formulation position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Cosmetic Formulation professional, you need a strong background in chemistry or chemical engineering, typically supported by a relevant degree and experience in product development. Familiarity with formulation software, regulatory compliance systems, and laboratory equipment such as mixers and viscometers is essential. Attention to detail, creativity, problem-solving, and effective communication are valuable soft skills in this field. These abilities are crucial for designing safe, innovative, and compliant cosmetic products that meet both client expectations and regulatory standards.

More about Cosmetic Formulation jobs
What cities are hiring for Cosmetic Formulation jobs? Cities with the most Cosmetic Formulation job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Cosmetic Formulation jobs? The most popular types of Cosmetic Formulation jobs are:
What states have the most Cosmetic Formulation jobs? States with the most job openings for Cosmetic Formulation jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Cosmetic Formulation jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Cosmetic Formulation jobs are:
Cosmetic Formulation jobs near you
Infographic showing various Cosmetic Formulation job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 87% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 88% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $47,488 per year, or $22.8 per hour.
Manager, Color Production, rhode

Manager, Color Production, rhode

e.l.f. Beauty

Beverly Hills, CA

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 13 days ago

Job description

About the Company
 
e.l.f. Beauty, Inc. stands with every eye, lip, face, paw and fin. Our deep commitment to clean, cruelty free beauty at an incredible value has fueled the success of our flagship brand e.l.f. Cosmetics since 2004 and driven our portfolio expansion. Today, our multi-brand portfolio includes e.l.f. Cosmetics, e.l.f. SKIN, Well People - clean beauty powered by plants, Naturium - high-performance, biocompatible, clinically-effective and accessible skin care, and our newest brand, rhode skin - developed by Hailey Rhode Bieber, a line of curated skincare essentials, formulated for a variety of skin types and needs with high performance ingredients, it's a daily routine that nourishes your skin barrier over time
 
In our Fiscal year 25, we had net sales of $1 Billion and our business performance has been nothing short of extraordinary with 29 consecutive quarters of net sales growth. We are the #2 mass cosmetics brand in the US and are the fastest growing mass cosmetics brand among the top 5. Our total compensation philosophy offers every full-time new hire competitive pay and benefits, bonus eligibility (200% of target over the last seven fiscal years), equity, flexible time off, year-round half-day Fridays, and a hybrid 3 day in office, 2 day at home work environment. We believe the combination of our unique culture, total compensation, workplace flexibility and care for the team is unmatched across not just beauty but any industry.
 
Visit our Career Page to learn more about our team: https://www.elfbeauty.com/work-with-us

At rhode, we are focused on creating intentional products with exceptional standards for quality, performance, and aesthetic execution. We are seeking a highly detail-oriented Product Development Color Production Manager to support all color cosmetic production across complexion, lip, cheek, and eye categories.

Reporting to the Sr. Director, Product Development (Color), this role will serve as a key technical partner throughout commercialization and production, ensuring products consistently meet approved color, texture, performance, and aesthetic standards. The ideal candidate has hands-on experience in color cosmetics, color formulation and shading, batch evaluation, and manufacturing oversight, with a strong understanding of both Product Development and Quality processes.

What You'll Do
  • Review production batches and commercial bulk against approved standards to assess shade accuracy, texture, appearance, odor, and overall product quality.
  •  Partner closely with Product Development teams to support shade development, shade matching, and color standard management across multiple product categories.
  •  Evaluate manufacturing submissions and provide timely approvals, feedback, and corrective actions to contract manufacturers.
  •  Support day-to-day production oversight, including batch reviews, reorder approvals, and expedited manufacturing decisions.
  • Travel onsite to manufacturing facilities as needed to review production batches, support line trials, troubleshoot issues, and ensure alignment to approved standards.
  • Collaborate with Quality, Operations, Regulatory, and external manufacturing partners to investigate and resolve color, aesthetic, and production-related issues.
  • Establish, maintain, and periodically refresh approved production standards and retains to ensure consistency throughout a product's lifecycle.
  • Maintain organized archives of standards, retains, production references, and batch history documentation.
  • Support continuous improvement initiatives related to color consistency, manufacturing robustness, and batch approval processes.
  • Provide technical expertise on color cosmetic formulation, pigment behavior, shade development, and manufacturing variability.
  • Balance multiple project reviews, production timelines, and manufacturing priorities while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.
What You'll Bring
  • Bachelor's degree in Cosmetic Science, Chemistry, Product Development, QA or related field preferred.
  •  5-7+ years of experience in Color Cosmetics Product Development / QA, Color Formulation, Shading, Quality Assurance, Quality Control, or Manufacturing Support.
  • Strong understanding of color cosmetic formulation, pigment technology, shade matching, and production processes.
  • Familiarity with cosmetic commercialization, scale-up, and production troubleshooting.
  • Demonstrated experience reviewing pilot, line trial, bulk, and production batches.
  • Exceptional visual color assessment skills and ability to identify subtle shade, texture, and aesthetic variations.
  • Knowledge of cosmetic quality systems, manufacturing controls, and batch approval procedures.
  • Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
  • Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
  • Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally to manufacturing partners as required.
Other Details For Consideration
 
  • Location of Position: Los Angeles, California 
  • Must be a commutable distance to office in Los Angeles
  • Hybrid Model Expectation: Must be able to work 3+ days a week in the office 
  • Budgeted Hourly Rate: $90-$110K
$90,000 - $110,000 a year
The base salary range for this role is listed above. 
 
Total compensation includes base salary, annual company-based performance bonus, and equity. Under e.l.f.'s annual bonus program, employees are eligible to earn up to 200% of their target bonus when company performance exceeds defined goals. In addition, e.l.f. provides a variety of other benefits to employees, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a retirement savings plan, gender neutral parental leave, and unlimited paid time off. The amount of total compensation (including base salary) offered will be based on a wide range of factors, including geographic location, experience, specific skills, and qualifications.
 
Compensation components are subject to change at the company's discretion
 
This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed in this position. It also reflects the general details considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job identified, and shall not be considered, as detailed description of all the work required inherent in the job. It is not an exhaustive list of responsibilities, and it is subject to changes and exceptions at the supervisors' discretion.
 
e.l.f. Beauty respects your privacy. Please see our Job Applicant Privacy Notice (www.elfbeauty.com/us-job-applicant-privacy-notice) for how your personal information is used and shared.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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