CESIF
Master in Cosmetics and Dermopharmacy

DEGREE TYPE

Master degree

DURATION

8 months

LANGUAGES

Spanish

PACE

Full time

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Request application deadline

EARLIEST START DATE

Sep 2025

TUITION FEES

Request tuition fees

STUDY FORMAT

On-Campus

Key Summary

About : The Master in Cosmetics and Dermopharmacy focuses on the science behind cosmetic products and dermatological therapies. This program covers essential topics such as skin physiology, cosmetic formulation, and regulatory aspects. Students will gain practical experience and in-depth knowledge, preparing them for roles in the cosmetics industry.

Career Outcomes : Graduates can pursue diverse careers including cosmetic product development, dermatological research, and regulatory affairs. They may also work as product managers or consultants in leading cosmetic companies, guiding product innovation and compliance with industry standards.

Introduction

The Master in Cosmetics and Dermopharmacy has been designed with the aim of providing participants with comprehensive technical and managerial knowledge to develop professionally in this sector. Its practical orientation guarantees the training of experts in the field of cosmetics and dermopharmacy.

The professional prospects for students offer a significant diversity of opportunities, especially considering the importance of the Spanish sector at a global level. In fact, Spain is in the Top 10 of exporting countries in the world, with a turnover of more than 7 billion euros, data that reinforce this industry as an important source of employment and wealth in our country.

Specific and up-to-date training in the different areas of application is essential for professionals linked to this environment. An area defined by the need to adapt to increasingly demanding regulations and the trend towards innovation among cosmetics manufacturing companies, both in technological development and in the use of new components for their formulations, in order to adapt to new trends and user needs.

Train in a sector with excellent career opportunities

Connection with the reality of the sector: A teaching staff made up of active professionals, visits to companies organised during the course and professional internships for students who wish to do so, guarantee the connection with the working reality of all students and the direct application of the knowledge they acquire during the course to their workplace.
Laboratory practicals - creation of flavours and product launch: During the Master's degree, students will carry out a period of practical work in the production, analysis and quality control of cosmetics. These practicals will take place in external partner laboratories that will allow them to acquire practical knowledge about the production of cosmetic forms, control of raw materials, analytical techniques, microbiological control, instrument calibration, validation of analytical methods, control of finished products and control of packaging material. Throughout the course, various practical activities are also carried out, such as the creation of flavour tests or the launch of a product.
Institutional recognition: This qualification is endorsed by the Official College of Chemists of Madrid, the Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and the National Association of Perfumery and Cosmetics (STANPA).

Technical Sheet

The Master in Cosmetics and Dermopharmacy can be taken at the CESIF headquarters in Madrid and Barcelona, according to the provisional schedule detailed below:

Madrid:

Start 1: September 2025.
Start 2: November 2025.
Start 3: January 2026.
Completion 1: June 2026.
Completion 2: July 2026.
Completion 3: October 2026.
Delivery of Master's Final Project 1 and 2: September 2026.
Delivery of Master's Final Project 3: February 2027.
Class schedule: Monday to Thursday, 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Barcelona:

Start: October 2025.
Completion: July 2026.
Final Master's Project submission: September 2026.
Class schedule: Monday to Thursday, 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Admissions

Curriculum

The Master's program in Cosmetics and Dermopharmacy consists of the following blocks of content, which are addressed from a practical perspective by a faculty that is professional and expert in each of the topics:

Basic concepts. Skin and its appendages. Cosmetic forms.

Definition of cosmetic. History of cosmetics and cosmetic language: terminology.
Dermatology. Anatomy and physiology of the skin.
Skin structure: Pilosebaceous unit and sweat glands. Nails and teeth. Skin types.
Skin problems: Healthy skin. Basic and clinical lesions. Problems caused by sunlight.
Introduction to cosmetic forms.
Common cosmetic forms. Sensory analysis of cosmetic forms.
Stability of cosmetic forms.
Formulation criteria.
Formulation strategies.

Raw materials and components.

Surfactants and emulsifiers. Microemulsions.
Preservatives.
Fatty ingredients and humectant and gelling ingredients.
Antioxidants, Vitamins and biological, plant-based and cutting-edge active ingredients.
Cosmetic packaging (containers and cases).
Dyes.
Dermatological disorders: Oily and acne-prone skin.
Body products.
Dermatological alternatives in sensitive and damaged skin.

Cosmetic legislation and good manufacturing practices.

Cosmetic legislation.
Recent aspects in legislation.
Generalities. ISO 22716 standard. Annex I RD 85/2018.
Document system and human resources.
Buildings and facilities.
Purchasing and warehouse management.
Production and hygiene in production.
Management, Quality and internal audits.
Good Practices in the Pharmacy Office.
Manufacturing and importing cosmetic products: Implementations and Responsible Declaration.

Cosmetics production and quality control.

Production Management I.
Production Management II.
Industrial processes.
Quality Systems. Good Laboratory Practices. Non-conformity management. Quality system audits.
Cosmetic analysis. Laboratory techniques. Finished product control. Stability of cosmetics.
Packaging control. Statistical quality control. Production controls.

The module is completed with practical sessions on cosmetics production that will be carried out in the laboratory.

Microbiology. Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of cosmetics.

Microorganisms and cosmetics: Groups of microorganisms involved. Protection of cosmetics against microbial contamination. (Formula design phase).
Microbiological control of cosmetics. Standardized methods and rapid methods.
Microbial contamination hazard analysis and critical control points (Production phase).
Preservatives and protection systems against microbial contamination. Challenge test (Use phase). Calculation of theoretical PAO.
Clinical tolerance/safety studies.
Safety Assessment. Product File (I).
Safety Assessment. Product File (II).
Clinical studies of cosmetic efficacy I.
Clinical studies of cosmetic efficacy II.
"IN VITRO" efficacy and safety studies (Non animal methods).
Formulation strategies.

Marketing and business management.

Prepared for hygiene in bath and shower.
Body care products. Hand hygiene products.
Deodorants and antiperspirants.
Oral hygiene products.
Depilatories.
Solar products (a).
Solar products (b).
Shaving and aftershave products.
Introduction: Facial care. Facial dermis: Differentiated areas and specific characteristics. Neck and neckline.
Facial hygiene.
Facial treatment: general, eye contour, lips.
New formulation trends. Formulation examples.
Hair types and characteristics. Hair and scalp pathologies. Market trends.
Shampoos and conditioners.
Dyes and bleaches / Lacquers and fixatives.
Perms and straighteners.

Fragrances and perfumery. Decorative cosmetics.

Introduction to the world of perfume.
Sector analysis and olfactory marketing.
Chronology and history of perfume. Natural raw materials.
Synthetic raw materials. The language of perfumery.
Quality control in perfumery. Philosophy for choosing a fragrance.
Perfumery of cosmetics. Alcoholic perfumery. Manufacturing equipment and facilities. Packaging.
Basic concepts in decorative cosmetics: Origins, products, pigments.
Decorative cosmetic products (I): Makeup powders.
Decorative cosmetic products (II): Lipsticks.
Decorative cosmetic products (III): Cosmetic pencils, nail products.
Decorative cosmetic products (VI): Facial makeup, compacts and emulsions.
Decorative cosmetic products (V): Mascara and eyeliners.
Specific additives and new trends. Launch of a colour line.

Marketing, product launch and development.

Concept and philosophy of cosmetic product marketing. Code of good conduct in cosmetic marketing.
Market analysis and research.
Guide to launching and marketing new cosmetic products.
Planning and strategies (I): Price and distribution.
Planning and strategies (II): Communication.
Practical aspects of marketing (I): Management of the launch project (a).
Practical aspects of marketing (I): Management of the launch project (b).
Practical aspects of marketing (II): Trade Marketing Mintel.
Packaging in cosmetics. Types and characteristics of choice.
Packaging development. Compatibility and consequences.
Training in cosmetics.

Personal development program and profile 3.0.

Professional Careers (Linkedin, Personal Branding).
Effective presentations, Communication.
Teamwork, cooperation, time management.

The program includes practices in the preparation, analysis and quality control of cosmetics.