During HBA the Pierce Mattie team had the pleasure of meeting KAO’s cosmetic chemist Kelly Dobos. She currently formulates for the Jergens’s brand. She dishes with us on the trends for 2010 and 2011 in product formulation, going green, UVA protection and lets us know that Talc is OK in cosmetics.

Pierce Mattie: What are some of the trends in skin care formulas for 2010 and 2011 that you are seeing being requested from your clients as they go into R&D? 

Kelly Dobos: Of course, green and natural are major trends that won’t be going away.  But I think, on a large scale, consumers aren’t dedicated enough to accept the extra costs associated with these products at this time.   I foresee a real demand for multifunctional products that maximize value.  I also expect user-friendly approaches to more technically challenging products as consumers cut back on spa, derm, and salon treatments, opting to do them at home instead.

Pierce Mattie: Do you subscribe to the belief that parabens are bad on the skin and should not be used in skin care products? Or do you find it t