Cosmetica Awards

Cosmetica Awards™ was founded by Catherine McKinnon, a Cosmetic Chemist with nearly three decades of experience across formulation, regulatory standards, and global brand development.

As the author of Australia’s 2007 National Organic Standards and a former Industry Adviser to AQIS, Catherine has operated at the highest level of ingredient integrity, product design, and commercialisation across international markets.

The Awards were created to recognise what truly stands out; products, brands, and experiences that perform, resonate, and endure in real-world use.

In a global market shaped by visibility and narrative, Cosmetica Awards™ offers a clear and considered perspective; one that values performance, experience, and product excellence.

A new standard in recognition.

Our Approach

Every product accepted into the Cosmetica Awards is assessed using the same independent evaluation process.

Products are considered within their nominated category using published assessment criteria appropriate to that category.

Recognition is based on the assessment process, not the size of the brand, marketing budget or market presence.

Independent Recognition

Cosmetica Awards™ recognises products through an independent assessment process designed to identify excellence across beauty, skincare, wellness and personal care.

Products are considered within their nominated category using consistent assessment criteria appropriate to that category.

Independent Assessment

Every accepted product follows the same assessment process.

Merit-Based Recognition

Products are recognised on the strength of their assessment within their nominated category.

Industry Perspective

The awards are informed by experience in cosmetic chemistry, product development, regulatory standards and governance.

Assessment Integrity

Cosmetica Awards™ is committed to a fair, consistent and independent assessment process.

Assessors do not evaluate products where an actual, potential or perceived conflict of interest exists.

Where a conflict is identified, the product is reassigned to another assessor.

Products are initially experienced independently of brand identity, allowing formulation characteristics, sensory experience and performance to be considered before branding is introduced into the assessment process.

Founder & Chief Reviewer

Catherine McKinnon is a Cosmetic Chemist whose career spans formulation, product development, regulatory standards and international brand development.

She is the author of Australia's 2007 National Standards for Organic and Natural Cosmetics and Health and is a former Industry Adviser to AQIS, contributing to the development of ingredient integrity and regulatory frameworks.

Her work has included the creation and international expansion of skincare brands, technical writing, regulatory advisory work and the assessment of cosmetic products across multiple categories.

With almost three decades of industry experience, Catherine established Cosmetica Awards™ to recognise products through an independent assessment process informed by technical knowledge, governance and real-world product experience.

A Note from the Founder

"Creating a successful cosmetic product requires far more than a good idea. It requires thoughtful formulation, consistency, regulatory understanding and an unwavering commitment to quality.
Cosmetica Awards™ was created to recognise products that demonstrate those qualities through independent assessment. My hope is that the Awards celebrate not only innovation, but the discipline, care and expertise that underpin products people genuinely value and continue to choose."