Benefits
When you have completed the SCS Diploma in Cosmetic Science you will have a thorough and up-to-date knowledge of raw materials and products in the cosmetics and toiletries and will be able to:
- Work with a high degree of independence in formulating cosmetics and toiletries.
- Evaluate and use appropriate raw materials, processes and equipment.
- Be competent in identifing problems, making decisions and developing technical procedures.
- Retrieve and evaluate information from a range of sources.
- Become a full member of the SCS, which gives a variety of benefits, such as discounts on attending conferences and access to lectures, see http://www.scs.org.uk
You will also have:
- A responsible attitude to product safety and safe practice, and be fully aware of the principles of Good Manufacturing Practice.
- Competence in the application of the scientific principles to formulation, production and packaging of cosmetic and toiletry products.
- A full understanding of the regulatory and quality requirements of cosmetic and toiletry products.
- An appreciation of the marketing of cosmetics and toiletries.
- An understanding or marketing trends.

- Foundations in chemistry, physiology, biochemistry and microbiology
- Key functional roles of product development, production, packaging and marketing
- Vital auxiliary services such as stability testing, microbial preservation, quality assurance, legislation, safety assessment, performance evaluation and market research
- Specific product categories; hair; skin; oral care; colour cosmetics; aerosols and perfumes
Short videos, on either laboratory work or aspects of production, that cannot fully be captured by the written word accompany some units. The full list of subjects can be found in the course prospectus.
The first module introduces students to the basic sciences together with cosmetic raw materials and safety in the workplace.
The emphasis in Modules Two and Three is on formulating and manufacturing cosmetic and toiletry products. They include hair products (e.g. shampoos); skin products (e.g. moisturisers); cleansing agents (e.g. shower gels and body wash prodcts) and decorative cosmetics (e.g. lipsticks, eye shadows and foundations), together with their production and packaging.
The final module concentrates on finished product use and efficacy and includes legislation; product safety; the marketplace; environmental impact; marketing; consumer research; product evaluation; statistics and claim support.
All course material is the intellectual property of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists. It is for the sole use of the named student who has been accepted onto the course and paid in full. Access must not be shared or given to another person. No course material should be copied or used other than for the purpose of completion of the SCS Distance Learning Course.
Final assessment takes the form of four formal two-hour examination papers covering all the modules of the course.
The Hibbott Memorial Prize is awarded to the student, who completes the SCS Diploma within one year, with the highest overall mark.
Dr H W Hibbott was President of the Society in 1960 and 1961 and the memorial prize is awarded in his honour.
There is also a prize for the best essay submitted as an assignment. The winning essay is published in SPC magazine.