Comedogenic
Comedogenic refers to ingredients or products that can clog pores and potentially cause acne. When reviewing resumes in the cosmetics industry, this term often appears in relation to product development, quality control, or formulation roles. Understanding comedogenic ratings is important because many beauty companies focus on creating "non-comedogenic" products, which are specifically designed not to clog pores. This is similar to terms like "hypoallergenic" or "dermatologist-tested" that indicate product safety and skin compatibility.
Examples in Resumes
Developed comedogenic testing protocols for new skincare formulations
Led research team in creating non-comedogenic facial moisturizers
Performed comedogenic ratings assessment for ingredient safety evaluation
Typical job title: "Cosmetic Formulators"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Cosmetic Formulators
Professional Associations
Job Boards
Industry Resources
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you develop a testing protocol for determining if a new ingredient is comedogenic?
Expected Answer: A senior candidate should explain the process of ingredient safety testing, including in-vitro testing methods, clinical trials, and working with dermatologists to evaluate potential pore-clogging properties.
Q: What strategies would you implement to reformulate a product that has been found to be comedogenic?
Expected Answer: The answer should cover ingredient substitution, understanding of the comedogenic scale (0-5), and experience with alternative ingredients that maintain product effectiveness while being non-comedogenic.
Mid Level Questions
Q: Can you explain the comedogenic scale and how it's used in product development?
Expected Answer: They should be able to explain that the scale ranges from 0 (non-comedogenic) to 5 (highly comedogenic) and how this information guides ingredient selection in formulation.
Q: What are common ingredients known to be comedogenic that should be avoided in facial products?
Expected Answer: The candidate should list examples like certain oils (coconut oil, wheat germ oil) and discuss alternatives that are safer for acne-prone skin.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What does comedogenic mean and why is it important in cosmetic formulation?
Expected Answer: They should explain that comedogenic means pore-clogging and why this matters for skincare products, especially facial care items.
Q: How do you identify if a product is non-comedogenic?
Expected Answer: The answer should cover reading ingredient lists, understanding product labels, and checking comedogenic ratings of individual ingredients.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of comedogenic ratings
- Familiarity with common skincare ingredients
- Knowledge of product labeling requirements
- Basic quality control testing
Mid (2-5 years)
- Ingredient evaluation and selection
- Formula modification expertise
- Testing protocol implementation
- Documentation of safety assessments
Senior (5+ years)
- Advanced formulation development
- Clinical testing oversight
- Regulatory compliance expertise
- Team leadership in product development
Red Flags to Watch For
- No knowledge of basic skincare ingredients
- Unfamiliarity with cosmetic safety testing
- Lack of understanding of FDA regulations
- No experience with formula documentation
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