Centre profile

The Consumer Chemicals Technology Centre (CCTC) at Singapore Polytechnic was established in 2019 to support beauty and personal care companies throughout the entire business lifecycle, from generating business ideas to successfully commercialising their products.

CCTC offers services for formulation creation and refinement, product development and testing, regulatory guidance, and training to ensure alignment with consumer expectations and compliance with industry standards.

_{CCTC’s senior lead research scientist Chris Ching formulating a moisturiser}

Problem statement

The beauty and personal care industry is seeing rising consumer demand for eco-friendly and ‘clean beauty’ practices, such as plastic-free packaging, transparent labelling, and organic, vegan, cruelty-free ingredients.

However, companies face complex regulatory requirements that vary by region, while striving to keep costs low and prices affordable. This is especially challenging for small companies with limited capital and no economies of scale.

_{Ching testing the effectiveness of the moisturiser.}

Impact Achieved

In 2022, CCTC launched a one-week STAR for Formulation Science of Cosmetics course to train participants in independent cosmetic formulation and quality testing, addressing industry needs for practical training. Chris Ching, the centre’s senior lead research scientist, said the course aimed to help companies enhance their products and achieve market success.

One participant, Adeline Lim, director of local brand Nila Singapore, sought guidance on developing a marine-safe sunscreen and an Aloe Vera soothing gel. “The instruction was tailored specifically for me,” she said, adding that she learned “a great deal” about the science behind skincare formulation and finding the right target audience.

_{The sunscreen Nila Singapore made with CCTC’s guidance.}

Lim found the course so beneficial that she extended her partnership into a five-month project in July 2023. Ching’s team assisted her in refining the products' texture so they were longer-lasting and glided on smoothly, and organised testing with a panel of scientists.

The collaboration with Nila Singapore was a success, as they developed viable prototypes, paving the way for public sales. Nila Singapore’s sunscreen is now available on the market.