The Science in Beauty REPLAY
Thanks everyone who attended the Science in Beauty E-Summit, a full day free conference to dig into the current science topics that are important to the cosmetics sector. This page has the replay + the PDF slides for all of the presentations! Huge thank you to everyone who helped make this event possible! To our summit speakers who donated their time and expertise, Luciana Smaldore and our sci-comm project cohort for taking on the e-book summary (stay tuned for that!), and our summit sponsors, who are the reason we’re able to continue hosting these events completely free of charge. Big thank you to our gold sponsor, Pantene, silver sponsor, Medik8, bronze sponsor, BASF, and media partner, White Rabbit Social.
The science in beauty e-summit is part of our broader free e-conference initiative. A conference like this would generally cost you thousands of dollars to register, in addition to whatever the travel costs are to get you to it - there’s obviously value to in-person conferences, but when they’re in the city centers they often are, at the prices they usually are, a lot of people get left out. From students, many of which are currently losing funding to attend these types of events, to smaller businesses and independent professionals, to people who are located in areas where the travel just isn’t possible. I personally think this is a problem. Industry conferences are a very important place for knowledge sharing - but if the knowledge isn’t accessible, how is it helpful to the broader community and industry? I find these gaps create pretty big, and maybe underappreciated, knowledge discrepancies between companies, leaving a lot of people and smaller businesses without the tools they need to succeed. This was the motivation for this conference initiative. Interested in supporting this work? Please share!
If you’re a company wanting to partner with us to support one of our future e-summits, please reach out at info @theecowell.com.
Agenda Topics
The Evolution and Science of UV Filters. Presented by Myriam Sohn PhD
The Evolution and Science of Preservatives and Multifunctionals. Presented by Sabrina Behnke PhD
The Evolution and Science of Surfactants. Presented by Dennis Abbeduto
The Evolution and Science of Fragrance. Presented by Christophe Laudamiel
The Science of Skin and Common Skin Concerns. Presented by Aegean Chan MD
The Science of Hair and Common Hair Concerns. Presented by Ernesta Malinauskyte PhD
Skin Microbiome Research Update. Presented by Kristin Neumann PhD
Trending Ingredients VS Science. Presented by Lanesa Mahon
Toxicology Hot Topics. Presented by Barae Jomaa PhD ERT
A Formulation Science Crash Course. Presented by Perry Romanowski
Clinical Research Journey Behind Improving Hair Retention Through Scalp Care. Presented by Jeni Thomas PhD
A Brand R&D Case Example with Retinal. Presented by Hannah Biggerstaff
About our summit speakers!
Dr. Jeni Thomas, Ph.D. is the Senior Director & Principal Scientist at P&G Hair. Jeni has been studying hair and scalp science for more than 17 years. Her fascination with hair began at age 13 when her once straight hair mysteriously turned curly. More than a decade later and after completing her Ph.D. studies in Analytical Chemistry, she turned her scientific curiosity to the world of hair. She learned that her teenage hair mystery could be explained, yet many other unanswered hair and scalp questions remained. Jeni’s work at P&G Beauty has included research and partnerships with experts around the world to deepen our scientific and consumer understanding across all topics related to hair and scalp health. Throughout her career, Jeni has designed studies to answer common hair & scalp questions (e.g. does rinsing your hair in cold water really give you better shine?), published research on a range of hair & scalp topics, and co-founded a new brand focused on improving scalp condition to improve hair retention. She now leads P&G Hair’s Global Scientific Communication and Education programs to provide women and men with the information they are seeking for their best hair and scalp results.
Christophe Laudamiel is a master perfumer in fine fragrances, ambient installations, and film. He is the in-house perfumer at Osmo New York and BélAirLab Tokyo. "In my opinion he is the greatest inventor of novel perfume structures working today," Luca Turin wrote in (2016). He created several top-10 scents for fashion and beauty houses such as Abercrombie & Fitch (Fierce), Beyoncé, Clinique, Tom Ford (two scents), Ralph Lauren (Polo Blue for Men), and for numerous niche brands, including the award-winners Annindriya, Grandiflora, Richmess, Savoir-Faire, and Strangelove NYC. Christophe is the only perfumer whose scents have been included in collections at the International Perfumery Museum in Grasse, the Cleveland Museum of Art, The Rubin Museum NYC, and the Harvard University Archives. In 2017, he received the first lifetime achievement award ever given by the Institute of Art and Olfaction in Los Angeles for his "Exceptional Contribution to Scent Culture." For his complete osmography, please visit Christophe's Wikipedia page.
Dr. Ernesta Malinauskyte PhD earned her PhD in Chemical Engineering from Kaunas University of Technology (Lithuania). With nine years of experience in hair science, she currently serves as Hair Research Director at TRI Princeton, leading a team exploring how hair chemistry shapes mechanical properties and fiber interactions with treatments and environmental factors. Her team also develops innovative methods for claims substantiation and expands research into analytical sciences, textiles, and skin and nail care. Ernesta actively contributes to the research community through publications and presentations across academia, industry, and hairdresser networks. She also serves on the editorial board of International Journal of Cosmetic Science.
Perry Romanowski is a cosmetic chemist and Vice President of Element 44. He joined the IFSCC Praesidium as Chair of Education in 2019. He earned his BS in Chemistry and MS in Biochemistry from DePaul University, and began his career at Alberto Culver. He founded ChemistsCorner.com, an online educational company for cosmetic chemists. He has co-authored the industry standard book Beginning Cosmetic Chemistry along with numerous other publications. He is also co-host of the popular beauty podcast The Beauty Brains. Previously President of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists (USA & Canada) he has held numerous other offices at national and regional level.
Dr. Aegean H. Chan, MD, FAAD is a double board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist, practicing in Santa Barbara, CA. She is also an adjunct professor in the Department of Dermatology at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California. Her area of clinical expertise is in complex medical dermatology, skin cancer, and acne. She has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed medical journals on the science of the skin barrier, electron microscopy, and congenital skin diseases. Dr. Chan is an advocate of minimalist, evidence-based, and effective skincare and uses her Instagram platform to provide relevant, useful skin education. For more skincare tips from Dr. Chan, check her out at @draegeanchan on Instagram or her website, aegeanmd.com.
Dennis Abbeduto has over 25 years surfactant and formulation chemistry experience and currently works for Colonial Chemical, Inc as Personal Care Business Manager. He has also served as Product Applications Manager at Colonial. Prior to his time at Colonial Chemical, he worked for Alberto-Culver Co in Chicago, Illinois on skin care technology and as a formulation chemist for the St. Ives and Noxzema brands. Dennis also worked for McIntyre Group, Ltd in University Park, Illinois as an R&D synthesis, applications, and claims chemist. He has a BS in chemistry from Governors State University in University Park, Illinois.
Dr. Sabrina Behnke PhD is a microbiologist with a Ph.D. from Montana State University and over 12 years of experience in the personal care industry. She currently serves as Director of Marketing for Personal Care Preservation, where she leads strategic initiatives in modern preservation technologies. Sabrina’s career spans roles in business development, product management, and innovation, with a strong focus on microbiome-relevant solutions and sustainable preservation systems. She is an active contributor to industry committees and frequently speaks at global conferences on cosmetic science, regulatory trends, and the evolution of preservative technologies. Her expertise bridges the gap between scientific research and market strategy, helping shape the future of safe and effective personal care products.
Lanesa Mahon is a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate in Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Cincinnati. She originally earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Vanderbilt University in 2020 then went on to pursue a Master of Business and Science in Cosmetic Science at Rutgers University, graduating in 2022. During her master’s program, Lanesa volunteered with the New York Society of Cosmetic Chemists (NYSCC), where she created educational and promotional content and served on both their Social Media and Diversity and Inclusion committees. Lanesa is passionate about bridging the gap between the lab bench and the beauty aisle. Her work is driven by a desire to make cosmetic science more inclusive and accessible, and empowering consumers to make informed decisions through evidence-based knowledge.
Dr. Kristin Neumann PhD, a microbiologist with a PhD in Microbiology, is dedicated to exploring life at the molecular level, focusing on bacteria and the microbiome. Motivated by the need for impactful solutions, she has worked on combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria, a global health crisis. Dr. Neumann contributed to developing innovative methods to counter antibiotics' harmful effects, targeting harmful bacteria while preserving microbiome balance. Recognizing gaps in knowledge, she deepened her study of this vital field. To advance understanding, Dr. Neumann co-founded MyMicrobiome, an educational platform that bridges the gap between human health and microbiome science. Alongside Tanja Walbrunn, she also launched the world’s first certification seal for microbiome-friendly products, empowering consumers to make informed choices for their well-being. With her scientific expertise, entrepreneurial drive, and commitment to public health, Dr. Neumann is at the forefront of promoting the microbiome's critical role in maintaining health.
Dr. Barae Jomaa, PhD, ERT, serves as a Principal Toxicologist and International Regulatory Lead at Colonial Chemical, Inc. With over 14 years of experience in toxicology, regulatory affairs, and scientific communication, he spearheads international regulatory initiatives at Colonial Chemical, Inc. These initiatives focus on safety assessments and substance registrations in accordance with global regulations. A European Registered Toxicologist (ERT), Dr. Jomaa holds a PhD in Toxicology. His doctoral research centered on the development of alternatives to animal testing. He has significantly contributed to the field, notably through the development of cutting-edge in vitro tests for thyroid disrupting compounds. A staunch advocate for animal welfare and environmental protection, Dr. Jomaa is passionate about scientific innovation. He is the founder and Editor in Chief of the Journal of the Netherlands Society of Toxicology (JNST). His scholarly contributions include various peer-reviewed papers on alternative testing methods. Additionally, he regularly authors and serves as the Editor in Chief for TCDD, the newsletter of the Netherlands Society of Toxicology.
Dr. Myriam Sohn PhD gained her Master degree in industrial cosmetology in 2002 in Lyon, France. She joined Ciba Specialty Chemicals in 2002, subsequently she started with BASF and has been working since then in the Global Technical Center Sun Care where she took over different positions as lab head or technical manager for dedicated customers. In the meantime, she completed her doctoral studies at the University of Basel in Pharmaceutical Sciences in 2015. Today, she is IP Manager for the Sun Care field and is involved in various projects as a senior application technology scientist.
Hannah Biggerstaff is the Head of Product Futures at Medik8 - one of the fastest growing global skincare companies loved by industry professionals and skincare enthusiasts. A chemist with 9 years of experience in skincare product development, Hannah leads a team of skin scientists & market experts to develop cutting-edge skincare innovations. During her career, Hannah has developed 50+ unique products, including the award-winning Crystal Retinal & Liquid Peptides ranges, and is a specialist in development of novel retinoid, vitamin C & peptide technologies. She is passionate about creating innovative products which excite the consumer, without compromising on scientific truth.
Thank you to our e-summit sponsors, they are the reason we can host these free of charge!
