Principal Formulation Scientist - Hair Care & Trichology

Tropic Skincare; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading beauty company in London is seeking a Principal Formulation Scientist for Hair Care & Trichology. This role involves developing advanced hair care products, applying scientific and trichological expertise, and mentoring junior chemists. Candidates should have a strong background in hair science, experience in product launches, and a passion for innovative, sustainable solutions. The company offers a competitive salary starting at £55,000 and a range of attractive benefits including hybrid working and generous product allowances.

Benefits

Hybrid working

Up to 33 days' holiday

Enhanced family leave

Private Medical Insurance

Life insurance

50% discount for family and friends

On-site parking

Regular social events

Qualifications

• 10-15 years' experience in developing and testing hair care formulations.
• Proven track record of successful product launches.
• Strong knowledge of choosing the right raw materials.

Responsibilities

• Develop formulations for hair care products from concept to commercialisation.
• Apply trichology expertise to design solutions for hair and scalp needs.
• Conduct ingredient research, stability studies, and performance evaluations.

Skills

Trichology principles

Hair and scalp biology

Formulation stability

Analytical ability

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Cosmetic Science

Job description

Responsibilities

• Develop formulations for hair care products from concept through to commercialisation with a thorough understanding of the different hair care formulations and their textures.
• Apply trichology expertise to design solutions that address specific hair and scalp needs.
• Conduct ingredient research, stability studies, and performance evaluations to ensure efficacy and compliance.
• Perform mechanical and physical tests, including tensile strength, combing force (wet & dry), elasticity, and friction coefficient analysis.
• Carry out surface and structural analysis, including SEM, light/confocal microscopy, atomic force microscopy, glossmeter readings, and colourimetry (ΔE measurement).
• Execute conditioning and manageability tests, including curl and volume retention, static charge evaluation, and slip/conditioning assessments.
• Assess moisture and hydration through water retention studies, moisture content analysis, and scalp TEWL measurements.
• Perform trichology-specific evaluations, including hair density and growth measurement, hair diameter measurement, shedding/fall count, and anagen/telogen ratio analysis.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams (Marketing, Regulatory, Manufacturing) to ensure product feasibility and compliance.
• Stay ahead of emerging scientific trends, raw materials, and technologies in hair and scalp science.
• Mentor junior chemists, fostering a culture of scientific excellence and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Cosmetic Science, or related field (PhD a plus).
• A minimum of 10-15 years' experience in developing and testing hair care formulations, with a proven track record of successful product launches.
• Strong knowledge of trichology principles, with a deep understanding of hair and scalp biology.
• Expertise in choosing the right raw materials, ensuring formulation stability, and navigating regulatory requirements and compliance.
• A creative problem solver with a passion for innovation, strong analytical ability, and sharp attention to detail.

Company Overview

At Tropic, we're on a mission to transform beauty across every category - and hair care is our next major frontier. With bold expansion plans and an ambitious pipeline of innovation, we're redefining what it means to create hair products that are not only high-performance, but also grounded in sustainability and rigorous science.

We're searching for a Principal Formulation Scientist - Hair Care & Trichology to lead this journey. This is a role for a true hair science expert - someone who understands both the artistry of cosmetic formulation and the biology of hair and scalp. From restoring strength and shine to addressing scalp health and supporting hair growth, you'll be developing advanced, science-led solutions that make a real impact on people's lives. This isn't just formulation - it's discovery. You'll design breakthrough products, apply trichology expertise, and lead advanced testing that shapes the future of Tropic's hair care innovation. Alongside this, you'll mentor junior chemists, foster scientific excellence, and help establish Tropic as a recognised leader in the global hair science space. If you're passionate about hair biology, motivated by innovation, and excited by the opportunity to create products loved worldwide, this is your chance to leave a lasting scientific and commercial legacy.

Susie, our Founder and CEO, started Tropic Skincare as a teenager, selling homemade body scrubs at Greenwich Market to help her mum pay the bills. She sold out on her first day, and the incredible response made her realise she had started something quite special. We still sell that iconic body scrub, and it sits alongside an extensive range of award-winning skincare and beauty products that have made us one of the UK's fastest-growing beauty businesses. Our brand is certified vegan, cruelty-free and CarbonNeutral®, and our infinite purpose is to create a healthier, greener, more empowered world. And that's where you come in! We're looking for creative and ambitious people who share our vision and get excited about beauty that's both innovative and sustainable. If you're passionate about skincare and have a genuine desire to empower communities across the globe, you could be a great fit.

Salary and Benefits

• Salary: Starting from £55,000 (depending on experience)
• Benefits: Hybrid working, up to 33 days' holiday, enhanced family leave, Private Medical Insurance, Medicash plan, life insurance, EAP through the Wisdom App, generous product allowance and 50% discount for family and friends, access to retailer discounts, Cycle to Work and Electric Car schemes, free breakfast bar, dog-friendly HQ with a chill zone and pool table, on-site parking, regular social events, and plenty of well‑being treats throughout the year.

Start Date

January 2026