In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the chemical processes hidden within the cosmetics we use every day and shed new light on their value.
Appearance isn’t everything, but we live in an era where it matters a great deal. Whether meeting a potential partner for the first time or attending a job interview, appearance plays a significant role in the first impressions we form of others. Not only that, but even on online platforms like social media, people share photos of themselves in an effort to make a good impression on others. That’s why these days, it’s rare to find anyone—regardless of age or gender—who doesn’t use cosmetics to enhance their appearance. From skincare and makeup to hair styling, people utilize a variety of methods to improve their looks. So, how are cosmetics actually made?
The first step is to create a basic sample of the cosmetic product. Creating a sample involves conducting numerous experiments in the laboratory using various chemicals and natural ingredients to identify the most efficient and effective method, ultimately producing a small quantity of the product. The quality and safety of the raw materials used at this stage are of the utmost importance. Since these products come into direct contact with human skin, ingredients that could cause allergies or substances likely to irritate the skin must be reviewed and excluded in advance. In particular, because modern consumers tend to prefer eco-friendly products, the proportion of natural ingredients used is becoming increasingly important.
In the second stage, full-scale production begins based on the samples created. To sell to a large audience, you manufacture cosmetics, create containers to hold them, fill the containers with the product, and then package them—thus producing the cosmetics we see on store shelves. Packaging also plays a crucial role here. Packaging design is one of the key factors influencing consumers’ product choices, as sophisticated designs, eco-friendly materials, and user-friendly features leave a positive impression on consumers.
However, a major problem arises here. These days, it’s rare to find anyone who doesn’t use cosmetics—virtually everyone does—and to meet the demand of so many people, you must produce a large quantity of cosmetics. But how do you produce that much? By hand, one by one, just like when making samples? That would require an enormous amount of labor. From your perspective as someone producing and selling cosmetics, you need to make a profit after production and sales; otherwise, you’ll actually end up losing money. Furthermore, since the work is done by hand, there is a high probability that the products will vary from one another or that defective items will be produced. In this situation, what is most needed is the field of “chemical engineering,” specifically the discipline known as “chemical processes.”
What exactly is “chemical processes”? Chemical engineering—which can be considered the broader field encompassing “chemical processes”—stems from chemistry, a discipline that forms part of the natural sciences. It is a practical discipline that does not merely seek to explore the laws of nature but aims to utilize and apply them for the benefit of our daily lives. Chemical process engineering, a branch of chemical engineering, is the discipline that develops and researches the entire process involved in the more efficient mass production of products—such as the cosmetics mentioned earlier—using chemical substances. This research not only focuses on improving processes but also considers eco-friendly methods to minimize environmental impact.
Returning to the topic of cosmetics production, suppose we have a sample of the cosmetic product we want to produce, and now we need to manufacture that same product on a large scale. To produce cosmetics on a large scale, we need large quantities of the chemical substances and natural materials that serve as raw ingredients, as well as a large container to mix them all in one place. We also need machinery, such as mixing rods. However, simply placing the cosmetic ingredients into a large container and stirring them does not mean the product will be made in the blink of an eye. Instead, another problem arises. Chemical substances are far more sensitive than we might think. Therefore, issues that could be easily overlooked or did not even appear when producing a small initial sample become impossible to ignore once mass production begins. For example, a slight heat build-up or even an explosion could occur during the manufacturing process.
Furthermore, since cosmetics can deteriorate or lose their efficacy over time, the use of preservatives must be carefully considered. While consumers seek to avoid harmful preservatives, the absence of preservatives can result in a very short shelf life or make the product vulnerable to microbial contamination. Therefore, selecting appropriate preservatives and conducting stability testing are essential.
And then there’s the most important issue: money. To give one example, let’s assume that during mass production, heat is generated in an unfinished cosmetic product. If heat is generated in an unfinished product, a coolant capable of lowering the temperature will be needed. Since purchasing the coolant incurs additional costs, the manufacturing cost of the cosmetic increases. As manufacturing costs rise, the retail price of the cosmetic naturally increases. If the price of a cosmetic is exorbitantly high, no one will want to buy it.
Chemical engineers who develop cosmetics anticipate these issues in advance and research and develop processes tailored specifically to each product to minimize additional costs. To ensure safer and faster production, they develop the substances, sequences, and methods required for mixing chemical compounds, as well as processes that utilize catalysts when necessary. The catalysts added at this stage play a crucial role in enhancing product quality and further improving process efficiency.
Chemical engineers work to achieve more efficient cosmetic production while minimizing additional costs—excluding those essential to production. Furthermore, before a product is launched, it undergoes rigorous testing and certification processes to ensure consumer safety. This is a crucial process that enhances product reliability and ensures it reaches consumers safely.
Although we’ve used cosmetics production as a simple example, nearly all the items we see around us—with the exception of natural substances—are byproducts of processes designed through such research and effort. Chemical engineering, and specifically “chemical processes,” which form its foundation, are closely intertwined with our daily lives and enrich them.
We have a strong desire for beauty. Therefore, products that enhance beauty, such as cosmetics, will continue to be in high demand. Chemical engineering is expected to advance further to produce even better products. While this may not be strictly scientific, understanding the effort that went into the cosmetics we use can lead to greater satisfaction. I hope everyone can become more beautiful by using cosmetics. It is also important to choose products with safety and quality in mind. By doing so, we can become wise consumers who take care of not only our appearance but also our health.
