Stewart Long, Cutest
Abstract
In this talk, I will provide a summary of the state of the art in safety and performance testing of the personal care, beauty and topical medical devices we are all familiar with. I will outline how products are tested to ensure their safety to consumers, and how we innovate to demonstrate benefits to consumers that can provide commercial opportunities for the industry. New imaging and biophysical evaluation techniques are being introduced to the industry, along with advanced biochemical analysis of skin to understand how products interact with our skin. I will attempt to give a flavor of the science behind many everyday products we all use daily.
Biography
A biochemist by background, with over 30 years’ experience in the beauty and healthcare industry. My current role is Chief Executive Officer of Cutest Systems Ltd, a contract research organisation providing claims and safety data for personal care, medical device and pharma companies, of over 35 years experience, based in Cardiff. I began my career with Unilever, initially in the dental research group at Colworth House, before moving into the skincare research group where I spent 8 years. I then joined Boots, where over a 12-year career, I held the positions of Claims Innovation Manager, Product Evaluation Manager, Haircare Scientific Adviser and became company Skincare Scientific Adviser across all Boots brands globally. In 2010 I joined Dow Corning in Belgium as Global Market Leader for Skincare, responsible for the skincare ingredients business and in 2014 I moved on to become Global Market Leader for Medical Device materials. I joined Cutest in November 2015 after nearly 6 years with Dow Corning.
Currently Immediate Past President of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry.