The SCC Celebrates 60 Years

1945-2005

The Founding of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists

A cosmetic chemist who attends a National Meeting of the Society and sees there are over a thousand fellow members may find it difficult to believe that this organization was founded only 60 years ago with a membership of twelve. It may also be intriguing to consider that it took Maison G. deNavarre ten years to see the fruition of his ideas, conceived in 1935, of forming a scientific Society of the technical men in the cosmetic industry.

Before World War II, few manufacturers of cosmetics maintained laboratories. The atmosphere in the industry was full of closely guarded secrets. To put it mildly, communication among the few chemists was not encouraged. The tremendous boost given to science and technology by the many war-connected programs may have assisted in lifting the aura of secrecy from our industry.

As early as 1935, Ed deNavarre had attempted to interest cosmetic chemists in forming a scientific organization. He encountered a great deal of apathy, and even fear of reprisals for participation in such an effort. However, he acquired wide acquaintance and reputation in the trade, through his monthly column “Desiderata” in The American Perfumer, his book “The Chemistry and Manufacture of Cosmetics,” and his country-wide consulting practice. Such factors, coupled with his energy and persistence, overcame the obstacles.

On May 23, 1945 , the founding meeting was held at the Lexington Hotel, New York City, and the Society of Cosmetic Chemists was formed as a non-profit professional Society. The Constitution and Bylaws were adopted at the meeting, establishing membership requirements for the Society whose objectives were “To establish a medium through which scientific knowledge of the toilet goods industry can be disseminated, and to improve cosmetic and perfumery chemists’ professional standing. Its purpose shall be limited to such as are scientific, professional, educational or charitable.”

At this first meeting Ed deNavarre was chosen as Chairman and two technical papers on the use of estrogens in cosmetic creams were presented.

The second meeting of the Society was held on December 5, 1945 , at the New York Athletic Club, and Ed deNavarre became the Society’s first President. Four technical papers were presented at this meeting – “Synthetic Organic Resins as Ion Exchange Materials,” E. Emerson; “A Few Indicators in Making Eau de Cologne,” S.A. Karas; Patentability of Cosmetic Inventions,” Dr. I. Fellner; and “Suspending Power of Gums,” M.G. deNavarre.