Where Beauty Meets Science
Kaia Ungerer (B.S. ’23, chemistry) takes on the challenges of product development in the beauty industry as a junior chemist at Cindy J Cosmetic Labs.
For as long as she can remember, Kaia Ungerer (B.S. ’23, chemistry) has been obsessed with beauty products, from skin creams and serums to shampoos and conditioners, each with its own unique combination of ingredients, textures and fragrances. Just trying these products was never enough—she wanted to make them.
“When I was growing up, I would create all kinds of different concoctions in my parents' kitchen, and they would get so mad,” she recalled, smiling. “I would do hair masks, face masks, just basic stuff, and I remember one time, I mixed bananas and honey and a few other ingredients using the blender, and I put it in my hair, and I couldn’t get it out, because I didn't blend it right. But it was fun anyway.”
Though not always successful, Ungerer’s kitchen concoctions were a harbinger of things to come. Today, thanks to her love for all things beauty, her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Maryland, and her determination to make cosmetics her career, Ungerer is taking on the challenges of product development as a junior chemist at Cindy J Cosmetic Labs in Baltimore, Maryland. Working at the intersection of beauty and science, she develops innovative skin care and beauty formulations for a variety of applications.
“My academic background has given me the technical expertise to understand formulation chemistry and the strategic mindset to think like a founder,” Ungerer said. “I love diving into the ‘why’ behind ingredients, understanding consumer needs and pain points, and bringing visionary ideas to life, from lab bench to product shelf. The beauty industry connects people in a very meaningful way, through packaging choices, formulas and ingredients. It's really a beautiful line of work when you understand the impact it has on others, and I'm grateful to be a part of it.”
From chemistry to cosmetics
As a kid growing up in Waldorf, Maryland, science was never on Ungerer’s list of favorite subjects. But a high school chemistry class changed her perspective.
“I remember the teacher gave us a periodic table, she printed it out, laminated it and made us color-code the different elements, and we had to classify the different types and specifications for elements,” she recalled. “It was really interesting to me, and I knew I wanted to learn more.”
But how would chemistry fit into her future? Even after Ungerer graduated from high school, she wasn’t sure. Then, on a family vacation in Aruba, she toured a local cosmetics factory, and everything just clicked.
“There's a brand in Aruba where they create skin care products, and we got to visit their factory, which was really cool,” she explained. “I saw all these chemistry equations on the whiteboards around the factory, and I could see the chemists working in the lab, and I was like, ‘Wait! This is what I want to do.’”
Inspired by the experience, Ungerer began her undergraduate studies at Maryland in 2019, taking advantage of unique learning opportunities in life sciences through the College Park Scholars program and building her skills in physical chemistry, organic chemistry and analytical techniques in her classes and lab work as a chemistry major.
“The chemistry program was so intensive, we were recording everything and focusing on every detail, working with lab partners, analyzing chemicals and chemical reactions, and improving our communication skills,” she said. “One class, Instrumental Methods of Analysis, was really impactful when it came to molding my skill set. We had to go into the lab and do an experiment every single week on a different analytical instrument. That was amazing because we got to do it hands-on, giving me the confidence I needed to work in a lab independently.”
The summer before Ungerer’s senior year, an internship at the biopharma company GSK broadened her interest in product development. Then, in 2023, she joined the Society of Cosmetic Chemists, hoping to build her contacts in the cosmetics industry. The move paid off—on the local chapter’s career day, she met the founder of Cindy J Labs, a connection that eventually led to an internship and a job offer after graduation.
Finding the formulas for success
At Cindy J Labs, Ungerer is learning the chemistry of beauty from the ground up.
“The first thing that they had me do was go through the entire inventory of ingredients, so I had to learn about the importance of ingredient selection, all of the different functionalities of different ingredients and the basics of formulating a product,” she explained. “It was really cool to see how suppliers can create ingredients for specific claims and uses, and it's all very unique and innovative.”
As Ungerer uses the knowledge and skills she gained at Maryland in the lab, her appreciation for her college experience deepens.
“All of the physical science classes and the hands-on experiences at Maryland helped me tremendously,” she said. “I still remember some of the projects and assignments, and now in my work, I'll remember, oh, I learned this in school, and now I'm working on this project, let me go back and do some more research because this is going to help me solve this problem I’m dealing with in my work right now.”
Now, as a junior chemist, she’s taking on new product formulations and creating beauty solutions for a variety of clients.
“Beauty brands and beauty founders come to us to get their products developed. My boss will give me a product brief that the client fills out that includes what they want their product to be, the texture, the feel, the viscosity, how thick or thin they want the product to be and how they want it to perform,” she explained. “I have been able to work on an entire hair care line specifically for Black hair, and I also helped develop a deep-hydrating face serum for a different beauty brand. I tell people who are interested in this career, you really need to enjoy the problem-solving process, because that's what you face every day, creating these products in the lab.”
Looking ahead, Ungerer hopes to pursue a master’s degree in personal care science to take her work to the next level, and she is grateful to be able to pursue both science and beauty in a career she loves.
“I’ve personally experienced how products instill confidence in your inner and outer beauty, allowing you to radiate your own unique self-expression, and that's exactly what led me to work in this field,” she explained. “I’m blessed that this career aligns so well with me in so many ways—with the analytical, intellectual, creative side and business sides of me. I just feel really lucky to be here.”
