A century of tenacity in an industry is a significant measure of a company’s ability to do something—and do it well. Achieving a 100-year milestone takes leading progress and adapting to change. Since its inception in 1906 as The American Perfumer, Cosmetics & Toiletries (C&T) magazine has watched and furthered the progressive work of bench chemists from around the world. As the industry changed, so did the magazine. The American Perfumer magazine title became American Perfumer and Cosmetics in 1962, as Charlie Fox writes in this month’s Technically Speaking column, when cosmetics were first considered a science.
The named changed to American Cosmetics & Perfumery in 1972, as companies began shifting their focus from essential oils to cosmetics technology; however, as distinctions between the fragrance and cosmetics industries became more clear, American Cosmetics & Perfumery branched out into the Perfumer & Flavorist and C&T publications known today.
This issue of C&T magazine is our special tribute to 100 years of scientific and technological advances, brilliant innovators and supplier support of the industry. Bud Brewster covers 100 years of formulating on page 37—from fragrance and emulsions, to surfactants, antiaging, sunscreens and more. This compilation is a look at when C&T first covered these key topics and the industry’s view of them today; with commentary from some of the industry’s pioneers.
Katie Schaefer, the magazine’s newest team member, expands on our 75-year anniversary issue (published in April 1982) on page 29, telling the story of the last 25 years of change as reported through its pages. These historic mergers, acquisitions, expansions, launches and appointments of prominent figures all have shaped today’s industry. A survey of cosmetic patents covered in C&T magazine over 100 years is discussed by Dolores T. Kenney on page 67, illustrating how ingredients and technologies have evolved from simple to sophisticated. Additionally, regulatory concerns and decisions over the past century are covered from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s and the Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association’s perspectives. Far-reaching notions dismissed as science fiction often become reality years later—even in cosmetic science. C&T magazine has been on board as the past 100 years of formulating yield evidence to support this fact. Who in the past imagined youth, energy or well-being in a bottle? What could be next?
Thank you, loyal readers, for following C&T through this evolutionary process.
