6 Things You Need to Know About Working in The Skincare Industry

If you’ve ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at a beauty brand, this is for you.

Presented by Her Campus x Neutrogena®

This is a sponsored feature. All opinions are 100% our own. 

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to work for a well-known skincare brand? Are you interested in pursuing a career in beauty or skincare but aren’t sure where to begin? If so, look no further. Right now, Generation Hired presented by Neutrogena® is bringing you exclusive webinars featuring leading experts in skin health, beauty, science, innovation, marketing, and more to help you navigate your career journey. You can check out the replay from our most recent event, Careers and Innovations in Skincare, HERE:

During this exciting event, Her Campus Media co-founder and president Windsor Western spoke with leading experts at Neutrogena®. They chatted about career tips, networking, mentorship, and outlined the diverse career options available within the skincare industry. Here are some key takeaways from the event that can help you navigate your career journey, whether you’re a college student or a recent grad looking to take your career to the next level.

There are many opportunities available within the skincare industry.

Early in your career, it can be difficult to envision a clear path to your dream job. If you’re interested in working in skincare, know that there are many diverse options to choose from! Nicole Doiron, the Brand Manager at Neutrogena®, recommends exploring different areas of the industry and determining what feels like the best fit for you. “As skincare brands, we have different functions that work together,” she says. “The good news is, there are a ton of options!” 

During the webinar, Nicole shares how working in skincare involves cross-collaboration between departments like sales, supply chain, technology, finance, communications, and more. So whether you’re interested in connecting with people directly, overseeing the retail experience, developing tangible products, or still exploring your passions, good news: there are plenty of opportunities for you within the skincare industry.

Your career path may not be linear — and that’s okay.

“My first co-op was in a call center for Johnson & Johnson for medical devices, which is so different from what I do now!” says Nicole, who worked in different areas of the industry before landing in her current role as Brand Manager. “I went into consumer products, then ended up in sales, then moved into an analyst role. I started my career in Los Angeles, then moved across the country to Boston, sold to CVS for a number of years, returned to LA to work in sales, then moved over to marketing,” she recalls. “[My career] definitely wasn’t a straight line, but it allowed me to see what I liked and didn’t like!” 

TBH, this is a valuable lesson for anyone navigating their career journey. The path may not be linear, but by narrowing down what you do and don’t enjoy, you can find a role and department that feels right for you.  

Know what your passions are, and be able to speak to them. 

Whether you’re searching for an internship or your first job, harnessing your passions can take you far! Julie M. Bianchini, PhD, Principal Scientist at Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health, recalls how her passion for science ultimately led her to where she is today. “I always loved science as a kid,” she says. “I took every science class you could possibly take.” While earning her doctorate from Stanford University, Dr. Bianchini developed a passion for communicating science to people with non-scientific backgrounds, which led her to apply for roles at Neutrogena®. 

Today, she oversees product and process innovation for Neutrogena® Hydro Boost, and works alongside scientists with diverse backgrounds from food science to engineering and biology.  “There are many different ways you can maximize your potential,” says Dr. Bianchini. “You can do anything within the technical space as long as you have a passion for science and bringing science to life.”

Mentorship matters.

Having a mentor can be a powerful resource, especially if you’re just beginning your career or looking to pivot into a new industry. From brainstorming to giving tangible career advice, Nicole encourages young people to find a peer mentor to explore ideas with. “Having a peer mentor has been so critical to me, especially as I’ve advanced my career in sales and marketing,” she says. “I leverage my peers constantly to help me brainstorm and offer a different perspective. It’s critical to have mentors in the company that you’re in, especially in different departments.”

Harness the power of networking to get your foot in the door. 

When Dr. Bianchini graduated from Stanford and began her job search in the skincare industry, networking became a key factor in landing her role. “I did a lot of networking, used LinkedIn, and set up a lot of informational interviews,” she recalls. “An informational interview is a great tool — it’s a good way to learn and see where you’d be a great fit.” When starting her career, Dr. Bianchini recalls reaching out to a former teacher’s assistant who worked in organic chemistry at a beauty brand, and asked for 30 minutes to chat virtually. This ended up being a helpful way to learn more about the industry and develop key insights that led her to be the Principal Scientist at Neutrogena®.

Highlight your skills, accomplishments, and be proud of what sets you apart.

During the job search, it can feel challenging to stand out among a sea of qualified applicants. Dr. Bianchini recommends highlighting your strong suits and communicating them clearly during the interview process when applying for a new role. “It’s about what you do, but also how you do it. Find ways to articulate both on your resume,” she says. “Your key accomplishments, GPA, and projects you’ve managed are what you do, and “how” you do it is leadership-based skills.” 

Dr. Bianchini also recommends highlighting personal experiences that other candidates may not have when interviewing for a competitive role. “I had opportunities to give the commencement speech at Rutgers University and present my research at national conferences, and I made sure to draw a lot of attention to that,” she says. “[Those things] can set you apart and make you different!”

We loved hearing Nicole and Dr. Bianchini’s tips for how to navigate a career in skincare, and we hope you did, too! If you missed the event, check out the replay here and stay tuned for the next career webinar presented by Generation Hired and Neutrogena®.