2026_02_cosmegram - Flipbook - Page 2
MESSAGE FROM
The Chair
January is officially in the books, and we're all settling back into the rhythm of the year. I want to start by
extending my heartfelt thanks to all our members and guests who joined us for our first educational meeting
of 2025 at the Universal City Sheraton. With over 100 attendees, the energy in the room was absolutely
palpable!
I was particularly energized by the number of first-time attendees and their genuine excitementÑwhether
they're just entering the industry or have recently relocated to Greater Los Angeles to pursue their cosmetic
chemistry dreams. For old grizzled vets like myself, there's something genuinely special about witnessing the
mix of nerves and enthusiasm as newcomers introduce themselves to the group. That spark never gets old.
The evening also allowed us to recognize some well-deserved excellence within our chapter. Nasrat Hamid
received the Debbie Pierce Chapter Merit Award for outstanding service to our organization, and Krissie
Gerrard earned our Best Speaker Award for 2024. Both recipients exemplify the dedication and expertise that
make our chapter thrive. (You'll find more details about these awards elsewhere in this issue.)
We also shared exciting updates about upcoming eventsÑincluding the Cosmegram, our annual Dinner
Dance, and NexGen programmingÑall of which underscore our continued momentum and commitment to
delivering value to our members. I'm personally counting down the days until the Dinner Dance aboard the
Queen Mary in Long Beach. I'm a big fan of everything Long Beach has to offer, and the Queen Mary is one of
those iconic venues I've never experienced. Stay tuned for details!
Our featured speaker, Luciana Uttembergue D'Elia, delivered an excellent and comprehensive presentation on
BemotrizinolÑthe first UV filter approved by the FDA in over two decades! Whether you're excited about its
exceptional stability, broad-spectrum protection, or enhanced cosmetic elegance, this innovation is poised to
make serious waves in the sunscreen industry.
As always, I want to remind everyone that the California Society of Cosmetic Chemists is a volunteer-driven
organization. If you've enjoyed something we've created, organized, or shared, I encourage you to thank a
volunteer when you see them. And we always welcome your feedbackÑit helps us continue improving and
serving our community.
We'll see you at the February 17th meeting in Manhattan Beach!
Warm Regards,
Matt Driver
Chair, California Society of Cosmetic Chemists
