The Society of Cosmetic Chemists has a series of monographs that include relevant technical information and can be ordered online. The topics covered are:

• Silicones in Hair Care: The use of silicone materials in hair care and skin care has been known in the art for over 50 years. Skin care formulations incorporating dimethicone polymers premiered in the marketplace slightly earlier than did hair care products.

• Surfactants: This monograph is intended to introduce practicing cosmetic chemists to some of the principles of surfactant use. For this reason, only those theoretical aspects of surface chemistry are discussed which are believed to be important to cosmetic formulators.

• Permanent Hair Dye: Although hair dyeing has been used as a cosmetic treatment throughout history, the process as we know it today stems from the discoveries in the 19th Century that hydrogen peroxide both bleaches the natural color of hair and oxidizes chemicals such as aromatic amines on hair to give dark colors.

• Antiperspirants and Deodorants: The intent of this monograph is two fold. First, to provide the reader not familiar with antiperspirants and deodorants with basic information and secondly, to provide readers experienced in the field with specific detailed information relevant to many aspects of antiperspirant and deodorant technology.

• Nail Lacquer Technology: In spite of the long history and relative ubiquity of nail products, the formulation of nail lacquers traditionally has been a highly specialized discipline within cosmetic science.

• Skin, Hair and Nail Structure and Function and Associated Diseases: The skin is the body’s largest organ in the average adult; yet, in most places it is less than 2mm thick. Although we are all aware of our skin and its state of health, few of us appreciate the complexity of its structure and the diversity of its functions.

• Lipstick Technology: The use of colorants to enhance the appearance of the lips dates back to antiquity. Paintings and archaeological excavations from early Egyptian, Babylonian and Sumerian civilizations confirm that women in these early societies painted their lips with mixtures of hematite and red ochre in vegetable oil or animal fat.

• Colorants Used in the Cosmetic Industry: The purpose of this monograph is to give the reader a general idea and overview of the basic concepts and principles of color usage in the cosmetics industry.

More info: www.scconline.org