Where Trust Leads, Bold Ideas Grow, and Community Thrives

Paula’s Choice, a global skincare leader founded in 1995, empowers individuals to define beauty on their own terms through science-backed products. Our mission comes to life through four core values that guide our actions, decisions, and impact:

Build Trust: We set the standard for skincare, transparency, and shared knowledge.
Be Bold: We lead through innovation and by challenging the status quo.
Act with Kindness: We operate with respect and care—for our customers, colleagues, and the planet.
Create Community: We believe in the power of connection—whether educating customers, supporting each other, or giving back, we grow stronger together.

Our team spans North America, Australia/New Zealand, Europe, and the broader APAC region, collaborating globally to drive innovation. We offer space to thrive—personally, professionally, and through our comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being at every stage:

Generous paid time off, including time off to volunteer
Learning and development resources to support personal and professional growth
Wellness benefits like meditation app memberships, product discounts, and free samples of our amazing products
Most roles are fully remote (roles that are required to be at our Seattle HQ can be found in the details section of this job post)
Great location – for roles that are hybrid or fully onsite, we’re in the heart of Seattle’s beautiful International District 
Did we mention we’re a dog-friendly office?

Our culture encourages continuous learning and is fueled by connection, curiosity, and cross-functional collaboration. Whether onsite, remote, or hybrid, we stay connected through shared initiatives that bring our teams together. If you’re inspired by transparency, driven to make an impact, and eager to help foster community—we’d love to have you join us.

How you’ll have an impact at Paula’s Choice:

The Research & Innovation team leads the discovery and development of new innovation and technology, and the creation of skincare development in our internal formulation lab and with external partners.

As a Senior Formulations Scientist, you will create new skin care development in our internal formulation lab, located in downtown Seattle. This key role will help drive our speed-to-market and innovation initiatives through the design, development, and execution of highly effective and quality formulations.

If you’re an experienced formulator skilled in creative thinking, building relationships, and have a passion for skincare, we would love to hear from you!

Product Development at Paula’s Choice is R&D led and starts with the science and is driven by what is truly safe and effective for skin. You will have a unique opportunity to contribute to new innovation and work on blue sky concepts.

As a Senior Formulations Scientist, a typical day might include a mix of the following:

Formulation Development: Develop and refine cosmetic formulations for skincare (cosmetics and OTC). Ensure formulations meet efficacy, safety, and stability requirements.
Innovation: Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging ingredients, and technological advancements. Participate in product ideation and blue-sky development to drive new product development (NPD).
Research & Development: Conduct research on new raw materials, formulation techniques, and emerging trends. Evaluate and source new ingredients for potential inclusion in formulations.
Testing & Validation: Design and oversee stability, compatibility, and performance testing for new and existing products. Review and interpret testing results to make data-driven decisions.
Documentation & Compliance: Enter formulas into the formula control system. Maintain accurate records of formulation processes and test results. Ensure all products comply with regulatory requirements and industry standards.
Collaboration: Work closely with cross-functional teams, including Product Development, manufacturing, quality assurance, packaging, etc., to ensure successful product development and launch.
Troubleshooting: Address and resolve formulation issues, such as stability, performance, or sensory attributes. Provide solutions to improve product quality and efficiency.
Vendor Management: Engage with suppliers and vendors to evaluate and procure raw materials. Stay informed about supplier innovations and potential new ingredients.
Quality Assurance: Support quality control efforts by reviewing and approving stability and performance reports. Assist in resolving quality issues and improving product formulations.
Cost Savings: Propose cost-saving measures and suggestions to reduce lead times.
Formula Transfer: Assist with the transfer of formulas to third-party manufacturers and help verify formula reproducibility prior to production.

The Details:

Location: This role requires on-site presence at our Seattle, WA, must be based in the Pacific Northwest
Hours: Typical PST Business Hours, some flexibility required
Physical requirements: Standing and working on the bench for most of the day
Travel requirements: 10-20%

What you’ll bring to the table:

Bachelor's degree in chemistry or a related science field or equal work experience
7+ years of experience formulating effective skin care products that have resulted in successful launches in a range of formats (creams, lotions, gels, liquids)
Strong knowledge of personal care ingredients, chemistry, product stability, and manufacturing processes
Skilled user of the Microsoft Office suite of products.
A high proficiency in of troubleshooting and problem solving.
Strong organization and attention to detail
Outstanding oral and written communication
Self-sufficient and able to work independently, as well as in team settings.

What can help you really stand out:

Strong background and knowledge in formula transfer, scaleup, manufacturing, and trouble-shooting stability issues
Ability to objectively read and interpret scientific findings
Strong understanding of product quality related issues
General understanding of global regulatory formula requirements
Experience and training with GMP guidelines
Working knowledge of Smartsheet

Approximate Salary Range Based on Experience and Location:

$115,000 - $130,000 USD/annually

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Paula’s Choice Skincare determines the pay for positions using local, national, and industry-specific survey data. We evaluate external and internal equity and the cost of labor/prevailing wage index in the relative marketplace for jobs directly comparable to jobs within our company. Our posted salary range is based on national data and may be refined for a candidate's region/town/cost of living.

For new hires, we strive to make competitive offers allowing the new employee room for future growth. The exact base salary is determined by various factors including experience, skills, education, geographic location, and budget. This position is also eligible for participation in the company discretionary bonus plan.

Paula’s Choice Skincare is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender identity, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other classification protected by Federal, State or Local law. We are committed to create a workplace that is inclusive of all. Where everyone feels empowered to bring their full authentic self to work.

Please note:

At any time, with or without notice, Paula’s Choice reserves the right to add/delete/change the position’s requirements.

If you are an individual with a disability in need of assistance at any time during our recruitment process, please contact us at [email protected]. This email is intended for individuals with disabilities in need of assistance and is not a means of inquiry about positions or application statuses.

We take your privacy seriously. For details please see our Privacy Notice.

Senior Formulations Scientist

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