This is me.  I have worked for 17 years in the cosmetics and skin research industries (including 2003 to 2012 for Procter and Gamble, and 2012-2016 as a consultant, and more recently with GSK), in fields ranging from new product research with novel materials through to developing and running clinical studies to provide claims support data for product launches. Even in a corporate environment I worked across multiple project areas at any one time to translate the needs of the individual teams into executable study designs and plans. Research areas worked on include moisturisers, cleansers, and hair removal methods (shaving, waxing, epilation, depilatory creams, light based hair removal).

I have a very hands on approach to science and am experienced with the operation and use of a wide range of skin testing equipment including Corneometer, Sebumeter, TEWL, Colourimetry, Confocal Invivo Raman Spectroscopy (for hydration profiles and ingredient penetration), Photographic Imaging techniques, skin grading, tape stripping and SEM, and clinical test design.

After building my expertise in the skin methods field I also became more involved with teaching the science of skin measurement, to audiences from Dermatologists to Journalists and Marketing groups, and am a technical editor for the International Journal of Cosmetic Science and Skin Research and Technology journals. I am also strongly linked with Academic research, overseeing a number of projects with different universities.

I graduated from Durham University with a BSc in Chemistry in 1994, and went on to do a PhD in Surface Modification and Analysis which I completed in 1997, and loved the research so much that I stayed on for an extra 3 years as a Post Doctoral research assistant. During this time I developed a strong Analytical chemistry background with a wide variety of surface analytical techniques (XPS, Auger, ToF SIMS, Raman, ATR-IR, SEM and TEM, AFM) for materials analysis, along with cold plasma treatment of materials for the manufacture of metal surfaces and ultra low energy materials.

It is the cross discipline background I have from working at the boundaries between chemistry, physics and engineering, which I have now applied to my assessment of skin. I apply a strongly analytical approach to my work, and am known for being open and impartial and working with the highest integrity. I’m also a scientist through and through, and am driven to understand how the world works.  As such if you have an interesting problem where you think I may be able to help get in touch.

I am based in the UK, near to London, and with quick access to the rest of the world.

Specialties: Skin assessment methods, Confocal Raman spectroscopy, clinical testing of skin care and hair removal products, imaging, photography and microscopy (visible, IR, UV and fluorescence), in vivo and in vitro method development, cosmetic claim support, clinical study design and execution, scientific communication to a wide ranging audience, publication writing.

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