Honouring cosmetic science excellence 

Dr Awanthi De Silva, (PhD, CChem MRACI)
NPD Lead (Senior Chemist), Moorebank aerosol fillers

Awanthi obtained her PhD from UOW, Wollongong in Australia, is published in peer reviewed material journals & is a reviewer for RSC journals. During her 18+ years tenure in R&D with manufacturers, research institutes, universities & luxury brands, she has developed 100+ new formulation types to commercialization ranging from personal care to cosmetics, fine fragrance, aerosols to therapeutic hydrogels. She is currently the NPD Lead (Senior Chemist) for Moorebank aerosol fillers and an independent R&D consultant.

Dr. Jaesung Hwang
Professor, KyungHee University

Dr. Jaesung Hwang is a professor of Genetic Bioengineering at KyungHee University. He currently leads the Innovative Skin Technology Development Division (Korea Ministry of Health and Welfare) and previously headed the Advanced Dermatological Ingredient Development Division. With over a decade at KyungHee, he's been a vital part of the academy, industry as well as authority point of view. His expertise extends from Amorepacific Corporation skin research team (1994-2009) to roles like IFSCC's Academic Director and positions in Korean skincare research societies.

Dr Joonho Choi
Chief Researcher, Amorepacific

Dr. Joonho Choi is a pharmacist who graduated from Seoul National University's College of Pharmacy. He has been actively conducting research on functional cosmetics, new drugs, healthcare products, future technology, and new materials at Amorepacific Research Center. His expertise and research experience in recently published articles about green chemistry is highly valued in the industry.

Dr Kilala Tilaar
CEO, Martha Tilaar Group

In addition to being its CEO, Dr Kilala Tilaar is also the Chairman of Corporate Creative and Innovative of the Martha Tilaar Group, one of the largest natural beauty companies in Indonesia.  He focuses the Group’s research activities on natural, organic, halal and sustainable products based on the richness of Indonesia’s biodiversity and marine resources.  He also actively published scientific journals on cosmetics ingredients and received more than 30 cosmetics ingredients patents.

Dr Oliver Hofmann
in-cosmetics Asia Official Technical Advisor and Technical Director, Shieling Laboratories 

Oliver heads the technical department of Shieling Laboratories, a contract manufacturer, developing and manufacturing for over 250 different cosmetic brands. Oliver studied chemistry in Frankfurt, Germany  to a Master’s Degree and then moved to New Zealand to complete his PhD in Biochemistry. Oliver joined the personal care space 22 years ago where he designs and formulates new products, manages the up-scaling process, and supports the engineering team with the design of specialised equipment.

Faiza Hussain
Director of Product Innovations & Co-founder of NEX™ Skincare 

Award winning MSc Cosmetic Scientist Faiza Hussain specialises in safety assessments and toxicology, in addition to advanced anti-ageing solutions and skin colour. Faiza has had a passion for science from an early age, formulating with herbs and winning BBC Blue Peter awards for writing articles on 'dry skin and eczema'. Now with over 15 years of industry experience and recently appointed British Beauty Council board member, Faiza is widely known for her results-driven, clinically-backed innovations, formulating for laboratories, leading R&D, developing IP-protected delivery systems and contributing to the launch of hundreds of products taken to market by global leaders. 

John Jimenez
Senior Researcher, Belcorp 

John Jiménez is a pharmacist from the National University of Colombia with a Master's in sustainable development and specialization studies in marketing, cosmetic science and neuromarketing. He is a prolific writer, having contributed to 30 publications worldwide and he has received countless, prestigious industry awards. He also speaks at various international conferences in Europe and Latin America. He joined Belcorp in 2005 and is currently serving as Senior Researcher for skincare, suncare and personal care categories.

Merve Samur
Director, The INCI Lab

Merve Samur, based in Auckland, New Zealand, is an accomplished chemical formulation designer with extensive experience in FMCG and contract manufacturing. As the Director of The INCI Lab Ltd, she has been leading the development of skincare, hair care, and natural home care products for over a decade. Her expertise in the industry is recognized by award winning formulations, making her a leading force in the field of formulation design.

Mike Sohn
General Manager, REACH24H Consulting Group

Mike Sohn is the General Manager and Principal Consultant at REACH24H Consulting Group. Mike studied biotech and public health with 10+ years in regulatory affairs and market research. Being a Key Opinion Leader in global cosmetics industry, he has been invited as speaker 100+ times globally, including in-cosmetics series and many others. Currently, Mike Sohn is active in multiple authority advisory groups in Korea and co-authored the 2018 & 2019 Korean Wave whitepaper.

Muriel Pujos
Technical and Scientific Director, Skin Care, Coty Monaco

Muriel Pujos is head of active ingredients innovation for the new developments & innovation at Coty from skin to sun, make-up & body. She is also responsible for the scientific communication of Lancaster, COVERGIRL Skincare, Philosophy, etc. A Doctor in Pharmacy, she has spent the past 25 years applying her visionary scientific approach and expertise turning clinical science into exceptional, everyday beauty care with a focus on skin ageing, sun damage and make up. 

Ranelle Anderson
Technical Director and Co-Founder, Ausmetix Pty Ltd

A graduate from Melbourne’s Monash University with a degree in Formulation Science with a placement in France, Ranelle has been formulating for the past 15 years. She began in the dermatology industry working for GSK before crossing over to the cosmetics industry. With a focus on innovative skincare formulation and development, Ranelle approaches work with sincerity and ethical consideration for both client and consumer at Ausmetix, a personal care manufacturing/consultancy company based in Australia.

Stacey Fraser (DipFormChem)
Personal Care Product Design Consultant, Stacey Fraser.co

With more than 20 years’ experience in the beauty and cosmetics industry, Stacey understands the importance of ingredient selection, packaging, branding, consumer expectations and sustainability. Stacey is a Design Practice Teaching Fellow for the School of Product Design at University of Canterbury and a board member at Cosmetics New Zealand and is highly connected in the ingredients and formulations industries. She is passionate about following curiosity, anticipating trends and acknowledging sustainability. 

Yvette Ishac
Head of R&D, IconsIRauxel

Yvette is the Head of Research and Development at IconsIRauxel. She has a Bachelor’s degree in pharmaceutical science and a cosmetics brand management diploma. Yvette is also a member of The Australian Society of Cosmetic Chemists and its Technical Committee. With more than 20 years in the cosmetics industry, Ms Ishac brings wide experience in formulation, manufacturing, quality compliance, regulatory affairs and handling certifications as GMP & COSMOS.

Belinda Carli
Director/Cosmetic Chemist, The Institute of Personal Care Science

Belinda is the Director of the Institute of Personal Care Science, providing training in cosmetic formulation, brand management and regulatory affairs. Her work features on YouTube, in-cosmetics Connect, Cosmetics Design, COSSMA, Cosmetics Business, UL Prospector and Special Chem. She was Official Technical Advisor to the in-cosmetics Group for 5 years and has published books on organic and colour cosmetics as well as beginners and advanced cosmetic formulation. Belinda holds a Bachelor of Natural Therapies and a Cosmetic Science Diploma.