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SCC's 79th Annual Meeting and Industry Showcase provided a space for collaboration, exploration and engagement.
December 30, 2025
By: Christine Esposito
Editor-in-Chief
The 79th Annual Meeting and Industry Showcase of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists (SCC), held Dec. 16 and 17, brought scientists, researchers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs and students to New York City for two days of keynote lectures, technical presentations, poster sessions and networking opportunities. The industry showcase allowed attendees to meet with industry partners from across the supply chain, including ingredient manufacturers, testing providers and related products and services such as novel packaging and more.
(See the gallery at the end of the story for photos and video from the Annual Meeting.)
This year, the annual meeting was preceded by a gala celebrating the Society’s 80th anniversary. Members representing the SCC’s local chapters gathered for an evening of drinks, dinner and dancing. During the gala, SCC debuted a new video highlighting the Society’s history of advancing cosmetic science and fostering collaboration across the industry.
On Dec. 16, presentations began with the Frontiers in Science keynote lecture featuring Sam Kean, New York Times best-selling author and podcaster, who shared stories exploring the wonders of science and human nature. He was welcomed on stage by Paul Lawrence of Biocogent, chair of the Committee on Scientific Affairs (COSA), the group tasked with creating the annual meeting’s slate of topics, papers and keynote speakers.
Kean—author of “The Disappearing Spoon” and host of the podcast of the same name—opened his presentation with a personal story about his favorite element on the periodic table: mercury. He recalled encountering the substance at home after a thermometer broke, an experience that helped spark his curiosity and his career uncovering the lesser-known aspects of science and scientific discovery.
According to Kean, it is possible to pinpoint locations visited by explorers Lewis and Clark due to elevated mercury levels in the soil, a result of their use of mercury pills as a medical treatment. Kean also explained how aluminum—one of the most common materials in daily life—was once more valued than gold. He further discussed the politics surrounding the discovery and naming of the elements.
“The periodic table,” Kean said, “is the most precious real estate in science.”
The Henry Maso Keynote on Dec. 17 was delivered by Dr. Jane Yoo, MD, MMP. In her presentation, “Pixels to Formulations: How AI Is Shifting Dermatological Skin Care Solutions,” she detailed how artificial intelligence is currently being used in dermatology practices and where the technology is headed. Dr. Yoo also offered a preview of AI-driven technologies that will be showcased at CES in Las Vegas in early January.
The luncheon keynote on Dec. 17 was sponsored by the Alliance of Professional Tattooists (APT), a San Diego-based organization that promotes advances in tattoo health and safety and disseminates information to professional tattooists. APT representatives Angela Torresi, secretary, and Mikayla Hyland, MA, CPCP, director of research, took to the stage to discus current practices and emerging trends in pre- and post-tattoo skin care.
They shared perspectives from both clients and fellow tattoo artists. According to Hyland and Torresi, emerging trends in tattoo skin care include a preference for multi-use products, increased demand for vegan formulations, reduced tolerance for heavy fragrance and a growing emphasis on ingredient transparency.
“The average tattoo client doesn’t exist anymore,” said Torresi, noting that her clients range in age from 18 to 95.
“I have clients in every stage of life, color, size and physical condition imaginable,” she said, adding that she has worked with cancer survivors and individuals with immune disorders. She also emphasized the need for more research and product development focused on tattooing and aftercare for more melanated skin.
“We can’t just use what worked in the 1950s anymore,” Torresi said.
The APT leaders also addressed the growing volume of misinformation surrounding tattoo care, much of which is fueled by social media.
“TikTok is the number one enemy of tattoo healing,” Hyland said.
In addition to the keynotes, the SCC’s 79th Annual Meeting featured a fireside chat with Dr. Brent Ridge, founder of Beekman 1802. Ridge’s discussion with COSA Chair Lawrence opened the Skin Wellness session on Dec. 17.
Ridge shared the Beekman 1802 origin story, including how he and his partner acquired goats from a neighbor. He also discussed ongoing research into the unique properties of goat milk that make it so beneficial to skin health.
When asked about future research directions, Ridge kept specifics close to his vest, but noted that growth factors, peptides and exosomes were areas of interest.
The full slate of scientific presentations over the two days were grouped into the following sessions: Hair and Scalp Health; Skin Deep—Chinese Biotechnological Approaches to Skin Care; Inclusive Beauty; Emerging Technologies; Claims Substantiation; Advancing Photoprotection; and Skin Wellness and Biotechnology. The full list of presentations can be found on SCC’s website.
The SCC Annual Meeting also serves as an opportunity to recognize outstanding achievements. This year’s award recipients included:
On the second day of the meeting, 2025 SCC President Akshay Talati, RPh, of Supergoop!, ceremonially passed the gavel to incoming 2026 President Marisa Plescia of FemChem Beauty.
Plescia, a member of the Twin Cities Chapter, will be the youngest person to serve as SCC president and the 15th woman in the role.
“Cosmetic chemistry is a science deeply rooted in everyday life, human experience and direct connection to people. No matter where they are or who they are in the world, a product that one of us helped launch is part of somebody’s everyday life. A proof of the reach and the responsibility of our science. That is what makes this work special; that is what makes this community special,” she said during remarks on Dec. 17.
(You can listen to part of Plescia’s presentation in our video in the gallery below.)
The SCC’s 2026 board officers include Perry Romanowski of Element 44 Inc., vice president; Valerie George of Simply Formulas, vice president-elect; Mindy S. Goldstein, PhD, secretary; and Volodymyr Onyshchak of The Estée Lauder Companies, treasurer.
Additional voting board members for 2026 include area directors representing five regions across the Society: Area I—Amy Marshall (Eckart America/BYK USA/New York Chapter) and Chris Burger (Barnet Products/Long Island Chapter); Area II—Caryn Weiss (Amway/Michigan Chapter) and Frank Wagner (Southern Chemical & Textiles/ Midwest Chapter); Area III—Michelle Carrillo (MC Beauty Hub/California Chapter) Michelle Hines, PhD (SC Johnson Lifestyle Brands/Southwest Chapter); Area IV—Cheryl Seidell-Hili (DeWolf Chemical/Azelis/Carolina Chapter) and Teresa Fleming (Edgewell Personal Care/Florida Chapter); and Area V—Kendra Cutcher (DeWolf Chemical/Ohio Valley Chapter) and Shahin Kalantari (D’Avicenna/Ontario Chapter).
Hines, Fleming and Kalantari are newly elected board members for 2026.
The SCC’s 80th Annual Meeting will be held Nov. 30-Dec. 2, 2026 at the JW Marriott LA Live in Los Angeles.
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