Ivy Yip

I am very driven and passionate about chemistry and formulating products. I have taken my degree in Molecular Biology and Applied Chemistry in La Trobe University and graduated in April 2023. I completed my diploma in Perfumery and Cosmetic Science at Singapore Polytechnic from April 2018 to March 2021. During the course of my polytechnic days, I have acquired good chemistry and biology knowledge where it was very rigorous on chemistry and biology modules. The studies which I was assessed on included cell biology, inorganic and organic chemistry, skin care and hair care raw materials and products, analytical and physical/advanced chemistry, fragrance and flavor chemistry, and formulation and colloidal science of cosmetics in which I still found myself very excited and motivated for to do well. I had consistently performed well with an average of grades A/B+ for all the modules. Along the way, I took several coursework in haircare and skincare products which had trained me to have a strong understanding of a large bank of chemical and fragrance raw materials, their functions and their properties. I had an integrated learning experience where I was tasked to apply my chemistry knowledge in specific applications using my senses. For example one of my project work I had done was formulating a curling and deep repair conditioner and a 3-in-1-night fix mist using the chemical and fragrance raw materials I have studied and researched on. During the end of my polytechnic days, I took 6 months to complete my final year project which was about the study of Merquat polymers namely 5550, 295, 3330PR, 7SPR and 281 and the characteristics of the different Merquat polymers. in this project, I was to study the effects on transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and moisture content in consumers’ skin by testing the different families and dosages of Merquat Polymers in rinsed-off skin cleansing products, and at the same time compared the results with standards that were without the addition of Merquat Polymers to check for their performance, then I had to rank the Merquat Polymers in terms of which gave the least TEWL and most moisture content after application on the consumers’ skin. Furthermore, I have also received a Johnson and Johnson Certificate of Recognition for the Top 3 candidates, where I had participated in an industry project in collaboration with Johnson and Johnson to formulate a Clean & Clear Morning Energy cleanser. In this project, I had to select the size of exfoliating beads I felt most effective for cleansing based on its physical properties, I also had to research the properties of essential oil I had picked that could deliver its intended effects, in terms of its physiological characteristics and the type of fragrance families, that consumers want as derived from the survey conducted. For this, I have acquired the skills to calibrate the equipment, operate the machines like the corneometer, pH meter to check for pH of the samples I formulated, overhead stirrer to mix my formulations, prepare samples, interpret data, and how to create hypotheses and present my results in laboratory report to relate to my findings. I am trained to formulate Fragrances, Skin and Hair care products through laboratory practicals and Design Thinking projects, and I am confident that I am able to apply these skills and knowledge in the chemical and fragrance industry.

In a science course, I have to attend laboratory lessons, draw hypotheses from my results and at the end write reports on my findings. Additionally, I learnt how to use the different laboratory equipment such as rheometers, Brookfield viscometers, UV-vis spectrophotometer, skin and sun protection diagnostic meter, supercritical fluid extractor, FTIR and IR spectroscopy, and a multidimensional GC-MS to test formulations. I had performed purifying techniques such as recrystallisation and reflux, as well as the laboratory analytical skills like the titration. After every laboratory lesson, I am familiar with the conduct in a laboratory setting such as proper lab attire, lab cleanliness, equipment calibration, lab safety, knowledge and handling of chemical hazards and its proper disposal. During my 34 weeks of internship training at Senses International Pte Ltd in the final year of my polytechnic in 2020, I had worked with all the four departments, namely Gas Chromatography (GC), Olfactory Evaluation Board (OEB), Quality Control (QC) and lastly Fragrance  Lab. In the GC department I have been trained to be patient and meticulous in analyzing and interpreting the various peaks in a graph to identify raw materials in a fragrance sample and applied my laboratory skills and knowledge in chemistry that I have learnt in school, for  example liquid-liquid solvent extraction to extract raw materials from a viscous sample for the GC-MS machine. As for the QC department, I was taught how to operate the various precision equipment such as semi-automated Refractive Index, Specific Gravity Meter and Flashpoint Meter and the importance of conforming to Senses’ standards for quality assessment before using or  exporting to customers. I took the Safety and assessment, GMP and Cosmetic Regulations module in my polytechnic which I learnt that according to GMP guidelines, it is the company’s responsiblilty to make sure that all the products manufactured are safe and of good quality before releasing to its customers and I was able to apply my QC knowledge independently when I was tasked to carry out a quality control check. At the production factory I learnt how to  pass or fail an incoming goods based on standards of the company and ISO in a real-life setting. I had prepared standards and conducted various tests for viscosity to evaluate clarity and cloud point of the formulation, real-time and accelerated stability using an oven to determine the appropriate shelf life or retest period and applied relationships between the acceleration factor and the degradation rate to recommend storage conditions, odor and appearance check for the finished products. As for the OEB department, through evaluation tests and matching with standards, I was able to gain knowledge of the different chemical components that give their unique scents and the importance of meticulousness in diluting the fragrance because every drop can make a difference to the overall smelling profile. Working in the laboratory, I had also prepared both encapsulated fabric softener towel-samples using an encapsulation method to be sent out to overseas customers, and lastly the wick-stick diffuser counter bar for consumer sample testing. They have definitely improved my olfactory skills and given me the opportunity to apply my chemistry and laboratory knowledge. Lastly, in the Fragrance Lab department, I was exposed to new fragrance raw materials and compound samples that were not experienced in school. Interacting with the perfumers I have  gained important lab skills and become more familiar with the scent of the chemical raw materials. This whole experience gave me the opportunity to learn more about the various laboratory techniques and increased my passion working in the chemical and fragrance industry.

I have taken my degree in Molecular Biology and Applied Chemistry in La Trobe University and graduated in April 2023. I completed my diploma in Perfumery and Cosmetic Science at Singapore Polytechnic from April 2018 to March 2021. During the course of my polytechnic days, I have acquired good chemistry and biology knowledge where it was very rigorous on chemistry and biology modules. The studies which I was assessed on included cell biology, inorganic and organic chemistry, skin care and hair care raw materials and products, analytical and physical/advanced chemistry, fragrance and flavor chemistry, and formulation and colloidal science of cosmetics in which I still found myself very excited and motivated for to do well. I had consistently performed well with an average of grades A/B+ for all the modules. Along the way, I took several coursework in haircare and skincare products which had trained me to have a strong understanding of a large bank of chemical and fragrance raw materials, their functions and their properties. I had an integrated learning experience where I was tasked to apply my chemistry knowledge in specific applications using my senses. For example one of my project work I had done was formulating a curling and deep repair conditioner and a 3-in-1-night fix mist using the chemical and fragrance raw materials I have studied and researched on. During the end of my polytechnic days, I took 6 months to complete my final year project which was about the study of Merquat polymers namely 5550, 295, 3330PR, 7SPR and 281 and the characteristics of the different Merquat polymers. in this project, I was to study the effects on transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and moisture content in consumers’ skin by testing the different families and dosages of Merquat Polymers in rinsed-off skin cleansing products, and at the same time compared the results with standards that were without the addition of Merquat Polymers to check for their performance, then I had to rank the Merquat Polymers in terms of which gave the least TEWL and most moisture content after application on the consumers’ skin. Furthermore, I have also received a Johnson and Johnson Certificate of Recognition for the Top 3 candidates, where I had participated in an industry project in collaboration with Johnson and Johnson to formulate a Clean & Clear Morning Energy cleanser. In this project, I had to select the size of exfoliating beads I felt most effective for cleansing based on its physical properties, I also had to research the properties of essential oil I had picked that could deliver its intended effects, in terms of its physiological characteristics and the type of fragrance families, that consumers want as derived from the survey conducted. For this, I have acquired the skills to calibrate the equipment, operate the machines like the corneometer, pH meter to check for pH of the samples I formulated, overhead stirrer to mix my formulations, prepare samples, interpret data, and how to create hypotheses and present my results in laboratory report to relate to my findings. I am trained to formulate Fragrances, Skin and Hair care products through laboratory practicals and Design Thinking projects, and I am confident that I am able to apply these skills and knowledge in the chemical and fragrance industry.