Custom Balm Formulation

We're launching The Boop Balm, a purpose-built beauty balm for the skin around the nose. We need a cosmetic chemist to develop, test, and document a custom formula. Formulation targets: 1. Completely fragrance-free: no added scent, and no raw materials that carry their own natural odor. 2. A matte, fast-absorbing dry-down that avoids the greasy, shiny finish typical of petrolatum-based balms (Vaseline, Aquaphor) 3. Protective and soothing efficacy on par with Aquaphor for chapped, raw, or irritated skin. This needs to hold up to frequent reapplication and friction (nose-blowing, cold/flu, allergy season) 4. Gentle enough for repeated use in a sensitive, high-exposure area of the face Deliverables: 1. Iterative bench-scale prototypes (please propose how many rounds of samples/revisions are reasonable for a project like this) 2. A stability testing plan and results (accelerated stability at minimum) 3. A safety assessment / allergen review sufficient to support FDA cosmetic compliance under MoCRA (or clear guidance on coordinating with a third-party safety assessor if that's outside your scope) 4. Full INCI ingredient listing and complete formula documentation, including exact percentages and any supplier/sourcing recommendations for raw materials 5. Manufacturing-readiness documentation: written batching and process specs (mixing, heating, order of addition, equipment considerations) suitable for handoff to a contract manufacturer for scale-up production 6. Ideally, some involvement or advisory support during the handoff to our contract manufacturer, to help catch any bench-to-industrial-batch scale-up issues before they become expensive problems Ideal Experience 1. Proven formulation experience in skincare, ideally balms, ointments, or other occlusive/protective products 2. Experience with matte or mattifying formulations (makeup primer chemistry crossover is a plus) 3. Familiarity with FDA cosmetic regulations (MoCRA) and standard stability/safety testing protocols 4. Prior experience taking a bench formula through to contract manufacturer production (not just developing a recipe that never left the lab) IP Ownership & Confidentiality All formulas, documentation, test data, samples, and any other work product created under this contract become the sole and exclusive property of Boop Balm LLC upon payment. You will retain no ownership, resale, reuse, or reproduction rights to the resulting formula. All deliverables must include complete, unredacted documentation: exact formula percentages, full INCI listing, and any raw material sourcing information. We're not able to work with "black box" proprietary blends where full composition isn't disclosed to us.