Meet the pH Factor Team
WHERE PASSION MEETS EXPERIENCE
Create the Different with our Industry Professionals
Skip the overwhelm, confusion, and frustration of learning the hard way and work with pH Factor. Our team of skilled professionals have a combined total of over 40 years of experience in product and scientific formulation.
Our expert consultants have a over 20 years of experience in research, product development, benchwork, education & training. Not only that, they are backed by science degrees in Chemistry, Food Science & Biology, Pharmaceutical Science, Cosmetic Science and Beauty Therapy. Together, their unique experience allows our team to deliver the most innovative and on-trend products while meeting your quality and timeline targets.
We are passionate about providing high-quality education and experiences for our clients, and our end-to-end services help you unlock excellence in both your products and your business.
Our highly qualified specialist team will work with you through every step of the process. With guidance available in all areas including: research and development, manufacturing, testing and filling, brand development, and sales strategy. Our bespoke services are tailored to your needs.
Meet Rita Sellars
Meet
Rita
Director & Chief Chemist
The Expert Formulator, Speaker And Educator To Help You Create The Different.
Rita Sellars is a renowned Cosmetic Chemist, Formulation Scientist, and Educator, with over 25 years of experience in the personal care and homecare industries. As the Founder and Director of pH Factor, she has built a career around cosmetic formulation, product development, manufacturing, regulatory compliance, and industry education. With a deep understanding of ingredient functionality, formulation science, and product innovation, Rita is a trusted mentor to formulators, brand owners, and manufacturers—whether they are launching a new product or refining existing formulations.
Her extensive expertise has played a pivotal role in the development and success of numerous skincare brands, working across startups and global beauty companies to create high-performance, market-ready formulations. Rita specialises in guiding formulators through the entire product development process, from ingredient selection and stability testing to claims substantiation, regulatory approvals, and commercialisation.
With a strong foundation in education, Rita is known for her ability to break down complex scientific principles into practical, actionable knowledge. She has mentored hundreds of formulators, industry professionals, and brand founders, providing them with the tools and confidence to navigate the science of skincare and cosmetics. Her hands-on workshops offer a unique opportunity to learn from one of Australia’s leading formulation experts, covering skincare trends, ingredient innovations, sustainable formulation strategies, and advanced formulation techniques.
Beyond education, Rita is a recognised thought leader in the global cosmetic science community. She has been invited to speak, present, and moderate panels at major industry events, sharing insights on formulation science, skincare innovation, sustainability, ingredient technology, and brand development.
Industry Speaking Engagements & Roles
• ASCC Conference 2022 – Panel Speaker: Is the Marketing of Cosmetic Products a Pseudo-Science?
• Beauty Expo 2022 – Speaker: Unpacking Skincare Ingredients
• ASCC Conference 2023 – Panel Moderator: Are We All Playing by the Same Rules When It Comes to Sustainability?
• APPEX 2024 – Speaker: Formulating for a Future Brand – From the Inside and Out (And Yes, Your Packaging Matters!)
• SEPAWA Congress 2024 – Poster Presentation: Enzymes in Laundry Liquids – Eco-Driven Formulations to Meet the Sustainability Needs of Today
• Panellist for ‘The Impact of Dupes on Our Industry: How to Protect Your Business’ – 2024
• Educator & Trainer – Industry workshops on formulation science, ingredient technology, and business development
Rita’s commitment to advancing the industry extends beyond education. She is a past Chairperson of the Australian Society of Cosmetic Chemists (ASCC) and a Fellow of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (MRACI CChem). She is also the creator of The Startup Collective, an industry-first initiative that brought together all facets of the beauty industry—from ingredient suppliers to brand strategists—to help emerging brands understand how to execute success in product development.
Holding a Bachelor of Science in Applied Chemistry (Honours), along with multiple diplomas and certifications in cosmetic science, organic formulation, natural preservation, and skin biochemistry, Rita is also a qualified educator with a Graduate Diploma of Education from the University of Sydney.
She has been featured in many publications, including Professional Beauty Magazine, Cosmetic Design Global, The Beauty of Science and more, discussing skincare, regulatory insights, and startup brand success.
Looking for an engaging speaker?
Rita Sellars is a passionate advocate for education, innovation, and female leadership in STEM. With a career dedicated to bridging science and beauty, she brings a unique perspective to cosmetic science, formulation trends, and sustainable product development.
As a dynamic speaker, panellist, and moderator, Rita is frequently invited to industry conferences, trade shows, and corporate events to discuss cosmetic science, sustainability, regulations, and brand innovation. Her engaging and educational approach makes her an ideal speaker for industry panels, corporate training sessions, and beauty business summits.
If you are looking for a knowledgeable, engaging, and inspiring speaker for your next event, contact pH Factor to book Rita Sellars.
Looking to train your staff?
Navigating cosmetic regulations, ingredient compliance, and formulation best practices can be overwhelming for brands and manufacturers. Without a solid understanding of compliance requirements, teams can struggle with product claims, regulatory approvals, and ingredient functionality, leading to costly mistakes or reformulations.
Rita offers customised training programs designed to educate and upskill staff across formulation, ingredient science, regulatory compliance, and product safety. Whether your team consists of new formulators, marketing professionals, or regulatory officers, these training sessions ensure staff feel confident in their roles, equipped with the necessary knowledge to develop compliant, high-quality products.
Through her industry-leading training, Rita provides tailored education sessions for cosmetic brands, manufacturers, retailers, and suppliers, helping them:
- Understand global regulatory frameworks and how to ensure compliance with Australian, EU, US, and other international markets.
- Develop a strong grasp of ingredient science, from emulsifiers and actives to preservatives and stability testing.
- Improve product claims knowledge, ensuring legally compliant and effective marketing messaging.
- Enhance cross-functional collaboration between marketing, R&D, and regulatory teams for streamlined product development.
- Stay ahead of industry trends, ingredient innovations, and consumer demands.
Investing in staff training not only ensures compliance but also improves efficiency, innovation, and overall business success.
For customised training programs tailored to your business, contact pH Factor to discuss your team’s learning needs today.
Meet
Jennifer
ADMIN & ACCOUNTS MANAGER
Your Personal Task Master.
Jennifer is the glue that holds our business together. You will also see Jennifer behind the scenes of pH Factor, placing your orders and following up on tasks and projects to ensure our projects run on track, on time and within your allocated budget.
TAKING YOU TO THE NEXT LEVEL
TAKING YOU TO THE NEXT LEVEL
Meet the
pH Factor Partners
Whether you decide to sell your products on the retail floor or online, the physical aesthetic of your product packaging comes first. In today’s highly saturated beauty and home care markets, you must have access to an outstanding production team to help you with the ins and outs of sales, marketing and merchandising.
That’s where our Brand Development Partners team steps in. Belinda, Sue, and Nicole, collectively hold over 30 years of experience in packaging design, merchandising, operations, and sales and marketing. Our team has the expertise to ensure your packaging design and marketing is unmatched and won’t go unnoticed!
TAKING YOU TO THE NEXT LEVEL
TAKING YOU TO THE NEXT LEVEL
Meet the
pH Factor Partners
Whether you decide to sell your products on the retail floor or online, the physical aesthetic of your product packaging comes first. In today’s highly saturated beauty and home care markets, you must have access to an outstanding production team to help you with the ins and outs of sales, marketing and merchandising.
Our Partners
Belinda
Boom Designs & Creations
Your Creative Packaging & Design Connoisseur
Belinda is highly experienced in creative packaging design. Her team can assist with many aspects of the design process. From sourcing packaging, logo & label design, screen printing onto packaging, business stationery, and ensuring labels & packaging are compliant.
