Senior Chemist II, Skincare Formulation Development, L'Oréal Research & Innovation

L'oreal Usa; Clark (NJ); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 129,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work policy

Paid time off

Employee discounts (VIP Shop)

Job summary

L’Oréal USA is seeking a Senior Chemist II for our Clark, New Jersey skincare development team. You will create new formulas, collaborate with internal and external partners, and drive the next generation of blockbuster skincare products for global consumers.

In this role you’ll lead multiple projects, apply deep formulation expertise, and align with safety, microbiology, and regulatory standards while delivering high-impact innovations in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or related discipline required.
• 5-7+ years of hands-on formulation research experience in R&D.
• Experience delivering robust, innovative products in a project‑oriented setting.
• Knowledge of quality, safety, microbiology, and regulatory considerations across product development.

Responsibilities

• Develop innovative skincare formulations across diverse galenic forms.
• Collaborate with cross-functional R&I teams, stakeholders, and partners to ensure design quality and timely delivery.
• Design and execute research and testing strategies with a global network of researchers.
• Manage multiple projects with strong timeline discipline and accountability.
• Build cross-functional relationships to align formulation decisions with organizational priorities.
• Incorporate market trends and consumer insights into formulation strategy at scale.

Skills

Formulation expertise

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Regulatory compliance knowledge

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry

Related disciplines (Biology, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science)

Job description

Life is too short for a boring career, so build an extraordinary one with us. We believe your career should spark the same thrill and curiosity as your personal interests. Creativity drives everything we do, turning ideas into meaningful impact. With opportunities across brands, markets, and divisions, your growth knows no boundaries.

Hello, we're L'Oréal, we're not just building brands; we're shaping how the world experiences beauty (and it takes a lot of cool jobs to do it).

Intrigued? Keep reading, this might be the opportunity you've been searching for.

Who We Are

Join us at L'Oréal, the world's #1 beauty company present in over 150 markets. For over a century, we have been transforming; fueled by data, tech, innovation, and science. Together, we tackle big challenges while making sure we stay committed to making the world a more inclusive and a better place for everyone & our planet.

At L'Oréal Research & Innovation we are pushing the boundaries of Science & Tech. We invest heavily in cutting-edge research, leveraging advanced technologies to understand skin, hair, and microbiome, while discovering new active ingredients and launching outperforming formulas. Our 3,500 L'Oréal R&I experts leverage Science & Technology to invent safe, trustable, sustainable & responsible beauty products and experiences that will change people's lives.

We are seeking a Senior Chemist II to join our Skincare Development team within theL'Oréal Dermatological Beauty division at our Clark, New Jersey facility. In this role, you will create new formulas and textures, collaborate with internal and external partners and fellow scientists, and bring these formulas to life as the next generation of blockbuster skincare products enjoyed by consumers around the world.

A Day in the Life:

As a Senior Chemist II on the Skincare Development team, you will:

• Develop innovative skincare products across diverse galenic forms, leveraging new ingredients to create unique, high-performing textures that deliver exceptional efficacy for a broad and diverse consumer base.
• Collaborate across functions and geographies, partnering closely with cross-functional R&I teams, business stakeholders, and industrial partners to guarantee optimal formula design, timely project delivery against well-defined milestones, and rigorous adherence to quality standards across safety, microbiology, and regulatory compliance.
• Design and implement comprehensive research and testing strategies, working alongside a global network of engaged researchers to substantiate robust product quality and performance at every stage of development.
• Own multiple projects with precision and pace, prioritizing and managing concurrent projects with strong sensitivity to timelines and deliverables, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks in a fast-moving development pipeline.
• Build strong cross-functional relationships, fostering collaborative partnerships across R&I, Operations, and Business teams to ensure formulation decisions are aligned with broader organizational priorities.
• Bring consumer insight into your formulation strategy, continuously learning about and integrating market trends and consumer insights to develop strategic, relevant, and forward-thinking formulation approaches at scale.

We Are Looking For:

You're a great match for this role if you are an innovator, entrepreneur, integrator, and problem-solver with a research-minded approach, eager to bring deep formulation expertise to accessible, high-impact skincare innovation.

• Education: A completed Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related discipline is required.
• Experience: 5-7+ years of hands‑on experience in formulation research is required, with proven experience in Research & Development and a demonstrated project‑oriented mindset focused on delivering robust, innovative, and highly functional products.
• Technical Expertise:
  • Strong formulation expertise across diverse galenic forms, with a proven ability to translate new ingredients and technologies into differentiated, high-performing products at consumer scale.
  • Solid understanding of quality, safety, microbiology, and regulatory compliance considerations throughout the product development lifecycle.
  • Ability to prioritize and manage multiple concurrent projects with strong sensitivity to timelines and deliverables in a fast‑paced development environment.,
• Soft Skills & Attributes:
  • Innovator — you challenge the status quo and strive for excellence in everything you do.
  • Entrepreneur — you take ownership of your projects and research with courage and transparency.
  • Integrator — you foster cooperation and agility across projects, actively encouraging communication and collaboration across teams.
  • Problem‑Solver — you demonstrate sound judgment and thoughtful decision‑making, grounded in results and supported by all available expertise.
  • Research‑Minded — you enjoy digging into detailed analysis and measurement, applying the scientific method rigorously to support formulation efforts.
  • A genuine desire to learn and integrate market trends and consumer insights into your formulation strategy.
• Authorization to work in the United States is required. No immigration support/sponsorship offered for this role.
• The ability to be onsite, in the office at least 3 days a week, as this is an essential function of the position (required).

What's In It For You

• A place for you to leave your comfort zone and grow beyond your potential (here, you'll be encouraged to try new things and take risks!)
• Real responsibility from day 1, there's no sitting on the sidelines at L'Oréal
• An environment where people of every ethnicity, social background, age, religion, gender and sexual orientation as well as people with disabilities are accepted, can speak up, will thrive and are celebrated!
• A place where you can contribute to something bigger! Many of our brands have societal/environmental causes to make concrete difference
• Base Salary Range: $90,200 – $128,500 (The actual compensation will depend on a variety of job‑related factors which may include geographic location, work experience, education, and skill level)
• Hybrid Work Policy (Up to 2 days per week work from home for eligible roles, subject to manager approval)
• Flexible Time Off (Paid Company Holidays, Paid Vacation, Vacation Buy Program, Volunteer Time, Summer Fridays & More!)
• Access to Company Perks (VIP Access to L'Oréal's Internal Shop for Discounted Products, Monthly Mobile Allowance)
• Learning and Development Opportunities (Unlimited Access to E‑learnings, Lunch & Learn Sessions, Mentorship Programs, & More!)
• Employee Resource Groups (Think Tanks and Innovation Squads)
• Access to Mental Health & Wellness Programs

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and take pride in a diverse environment. We're committed to guaranteeing inclusive recruitment processes and advocating for hiring and promoting each candidate in an ethical and equitable way. The Group strictly prohibits discrimination against any applicant for employment because of the individual's gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, visible and/or invisible disabilities, socio‑economic and/or multicultural origins, health conditions, age, religion, or any other characteristics protected by law.