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2022-10-21

Meet one of our Product Developers: Nadia Nikzad

 

Hi there Nadia Nikzad, Product Developer of Cosmetics at Paragon Nordic!

 

How come you decided to pursue a career in chemistry?

A few different reasons, actually. Chemistry has enormous importance for many processes in society and sustainability. I've always been interested in environmental issues. But it's also an area that's both practical and theoretical, which is precisely how I like to work. 

 

What did you study?

I attained a Master's degree in Chemical Engineering from KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm.

 

What does your current role entail?

As a Product Developer, my job is to transform the client's idea into a finished product. I work closely with the Account Manager to ensure we understand their vision. The first step often is to research raw materials before making the first recipe. Then, I hit the lab bench! 

Creating new formulations is a lot like cooking or baking (another passion of mine). You add a little more of this or a little less of that to work your way toward the look, feel and effect you're going for. The packaging is essential, too. Not all formulations work for all types of containers or application techniques. We also do stability testing of the final product to confirm that it is safe to use for its entire shelf life and maintains, for example, its function, pH, scent, color, and viscosity under different conditions and over time. 

 

What happens after a client approves a prototype?

Each time a client approves a prototype, it's such a milestone! We've often worked together for months, tweaking the formulation to match the claims and product features they wish to have. When they're happy with the prototype, the next phase begins. I start all necessary prototype testing, such as stability, claim substantiation testing, and microbial tests. I collaborate with our Regulatory Affairs team to confirm that the product artwork contains the required information and with our production staff to scale up the recipe from a handful of laboratory samples to manufacturing in the thousands. 

 

What's the best part of your job?

The variation! I get to create numerous types of products, from dry shampoos to roll-on deodorants. Also, it feels very fulfilling each time I see one of "my" products on store shelves or in a webshop. 

 

Are there any particular skills you've developed since joining the company?

Apart from the chemistry side, I've improved my work on complex projects and my ability to be more customer-centric. 

 

Any dream project for the future?

That's a secret... but I'll say this much: emulsions are some of my favorite mixtures.

 

What's the best part of working at Paragon Nordic?

The open and helpful atmosphere, for sure. The colleagues are great, and there is no internal competition - we're all aligned to the same goal.

 

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