It was the dermatologists who went viral first, offering sage advice on social media platforms often filled with overhyped products and misinformation. Then, the cosmetic chemists soon followed suit. One after the other, they took to their front-facing dimming cameras, demystifying list , explaining formulas, and educating viewers on hyper-specific products. By stepping out of the laboratory and meeting viewers face-to-face, cosmetic chemists have become a new type of beauty influencer, racking up hundreds of thousands of followers and dedicated fan bases . After all, who knows more about your favorite products than the people who actually created them?

Having the knowledge to look at a list of ingredients and know how a product performs is a studied gift. But what products do these experts admire? We ask 12 chemists to spill the sunscreen, skincare, haircare, and fragrance they idolize most.