ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Cosmetics Formulation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Harry's

Soft Products Formulation Chemist

Wayne, NJ · On-site

$90K - $100K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, or a related science. * 2+ years of formulation experience in cosmetics, personal care, or health & beauty. * Experience in fast-paced product development ...

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 ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsCosmetics Formulation Jobs

Cosmetics Formulation information

See salary details

$14

$22

$42

How much do cosmetics formulation jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for cosmetics 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 the difference between Cosmetics Formulation vs Cosmetic Chemist?

AspectCosmetics FormulationCosmetic Chemist
Required CredentialsDegree in Chemistry, Pharmacy, or related field; knowledge of formulation techniquesDegree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related; often with advanced certifications
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, R&D departments, manufacturing facilitiesResearch labs, product development teams, quality control
Industry UsageDeveloping new cosmetic products, improving formulationsDesigning, testing, and optimizing cosmetic formulas

Cosmetics Formulation involves creating and developing cosmetic products, focusing on formulation techniques. Cosmetic Chemists typically have similar educational backgrounds but may also engage in testing and regulatory compliance. Both roles are essential in the cosmetic industry, often overlapping in responsibilities, but formulation emphasizes practical development, while chemists focus on scientific analysis and product stability.

What are some common challenges faced by cosmetics formulation professionals when developing new products?

Cosmetics formulation professionals often encounter challenges such as ensuring product safety and stability, meeting regulatory requirements, and achieving the desired sensory properties like texture and fragrance. Balancing innovative ingredients with cost-effectiveness and scalability for mass production can also be complex. Additionally, formulators must collaborate closely with marketing, regulatory, and manufacturing teams to align product performance with consumer expectations and brand standards.

What is cosmetics formulation?

Cosmetics formulation is the science and process of creating and mixing ingredients to develop products such as creams, lotions, shampoos, makeup, and other beauty items. Formulators must carefully select ingredients for safety, effectiveness, and aesthetic qualities, ensuring the final product meets regulatory standards and consumer expectations. This field combines knowledge of chemistry, biology, and product design to produce safe, effective, and appealing cosmetic products.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Cosmetics Formulation Scientist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Cosmetics Formulation Scientist, you need a strong background in chemistry, cosmetic science, and product development, often supported by a relevant degree such as chemistry, biochemistry, or chemical engineering. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, formulation software, regulatory systems (like FDA or EU regulations), and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) is essential. Creativity, attention to detail, and strong problem-solving and communication skills are highly valued in this role. These skills ensure the development of safe, effective, and innovative cosmetic products that meet regulatory standards and consumer expectations.
More about Cosmetics Formulation jobs
What cities are hiring for Cosmetics Formulation jobs? Cities with the most Cosmetics Formulation job openings:
What states have the most Cosmetics Formulation jobs? States with the most job openings for Cosmetics Formulation jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Cosmetics Formulation jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Cosmetics Formulation jobs are:
Cosmetics Formulation jobs near you
Infographic showing various Cosmetics Formulation job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 59% Full Time, 33% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 1% 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 • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

About the Company
e.l.f. Beauty, Inc. stands with every eye, lip, face and paw. 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, pioneering clean beauty brand Well People, Naturium, high-performance, biocompatible, clinically-effective and accessible skin care, and our newest brand, rhode, 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 six 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.

Apply