Ron Robinson (chemist)
Ron Robinson | |
|---|---|
 Robinson in 2024 | |
| Born | 1965 (age 60–61) Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Education | Adelphi University (B.S.) |
| Occupation | Cosmetic chemist |
| Years active | 1990–present |
| Known for | BeautyStat, Rhode, and Yes Day |
Ron Robinson (born 1965) is an American cosmetic chemist and researcher who is the founder of the skincare brand BeautyStat and the formulator of the teen skincare label Yes Day.[1][2] He also helped launch Hailey Bieber's skincare line, Rhode, which was later acquired by e.l.f. Beauty for $1 billion.[3]
Early life and education
Robinson was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1965 to parents who emigrated to New York City from the Caribbean.[3] He earned a B.S. in chemistry and biology from Adelphi University in 1987.[4] He later attended the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey medical school (now part of Rutgers Health) before leaving after one year.[5][6]
Career
1990–2008: Early career
After leaving medical school, Robinson joined Clinique (Estée Lauder) in 1990 as a cosmetic chemist and later promoted to senior chemist and then product development manager.[1][7] He led the development of several anti-aging moisturizers that became best-sellers. He spent about a decade at Estée Lauder, including work with Aramis and La Mer, then held senior product development roles at L'Oréal Lancôme division, Revlon, and Avon through 2008.[1][8]
2009–present: BeautyStat, Rhode, and Yes Day
In 2009, Robinson founded BeautyStat as a blog focused on evaluating beauty products from a chemist's perspective.[1][9][10] In 2013, BeautyStat expanded its operations and launched an e-commerce store.[11] Later, Robinson also held resident expert roles at Allure and Refinery29.[12] In 2016, he joined Influence Nation as managing director.[13]
After receiving repeated questions about vitamin C instability, Robinson developed a method to stabilize pure L-ascorbic acid.[1] He funded the research himself, spent five years on development, and obtained three patents.[1][8] In 2019, he launched BeautyStat Cosmetics with the Universal C Skin Refiner, a serum containing 20% stabilized vitamin C.[14][15]
In 2021, Hailey Bieber contacted Robinson after using BeautyStat's vitamin C serum and asked him to help develop her skincare line.[16] He worked on formulations for over a year before Rhode launched in June 2022.[17] He serves as cosmetic chemist-in-residence and sits on its skincare advisory board.[3] Rhode was acquired by e.l.f. Beauty in May 2025 for about $1 billion.[18]
In 2022, BeautyStat expanded to Ulta Beauty stores across the United States and raised a Series A round led by VMG Partners and True Beauty Ventures.[19] Notable BeautyStat products include the Universal C Skin Refiner SPF 50[20], a peptide moisturizer[14], a coconut milk serum, and a vitamin C lip serum with mineral SPF 30.[3]
In October 2025, Robinson worked as formulator with Coco Granderson to launch Yes Day, a skincare brand for teens and tweens.[21][22]
As of 2026, Robinson also serves on the advisory board of Adelphi University.[23]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Wilson, Kimberly (November 15, 2024). "The Chemistry Of Success: How BeautyStat Founder Ron Robinson Went From Pre-Med Dropout To Beauty Industry Pioneer". Essence.
- ↑ Murden, Kiana (June 17, 2022). "9 Black Beauty Founders on How They're Honoring Juneteenth". Vogue.
- 1 2 3 4 Felder, Rachel (November 2, 2025). "Experts Say He Knows the Science of Skin Care" – via New York Times.
- ↑ Wilson, Todd (May 5, 2016). "Ron Robinson '87 | Adelphi Alumnus".
- ↑ Egan, Colleen (December 1, 2011). "Product Finder Expert of the Week: Ron Robinson". Allure.
- ↑ James, Danielle (July 29, 2025). "Meet The Black Beauty Chemist Behind A Billion Dollar Skincare Revolution". Essence.
- ↑ McNair, Sharelle B. (June 3, 2025). "Here's How Chemist Ron Robinson Is Paving The Way For Innovative Skincare In A Booming Industry".
- 1 2 Brookman, Faye (March 18, 2025). "A Beauty Chemist's Secrets to Building a Blockbuster Brand".
- ↑ DeFino, Jessica (December 8, 2020). "This Is Your Skin on Stress" – via NYTimes.com.
- ↑ "A pretty penny for prettier skin?". Chicago Tribune.
- ↑ Silva, Belisa (October 24, 2013). "Beautystat Relaunches With E-commerce".
- ↑ Egan, Colleen (December 1, 2011). "Product Finder Expert of the Week: Ron Robinson". Allure.
- ↑ Brown, Rachel (September 21, 2016). "Ron Robinson Signs on at Influence Nation".
- 1 2 Manso, James (January 19, 2024). "BeautyStat Launches New, Gen X Moisturizer".
- ↑ Collins, Allison (March 7, 2019). "New Patented, Encapsulated Vitamin C Launches With BeautyStat".
- ↑ Spruch-Feiner, Sara (November 9, 2022). "Ron Robinson, Beauty Stat | Glossy 50 2022".
- ↑ Manso, James (June 15, 2022). "Meet Rhode, Hailey Bieber's Minimalist Beauty Brand".
- ↑ Lieber, Chavie (October 14, 2025). "How Hailey Bieber Made Rhode Into a $1 Billion Success Story". The Wall Street Journal.
- ↑ Manso, James (January 28, 2022). "BeautyStat Teams Up With Ulta Beauty".
- ↑ Manso, James (March 3, 2023). "BeautyStat Ventures Into Sunscreen".
- ↑ Spruch-Feiner, Sara (September 19, 2025). "Pop Newsletter Exclusive: Rhode's formulator joins 13-year-old founder on Yes Day, a new Gen Alpha skin-care brand".
- ↑ Abdur-Rahman, Nahlah (October 27, 2025). "13-Year-Old Launches Youth-Focused Skincare Line With Famed Black Chemist Behind 'Rhode'".
- ↑ Burby, Liza N. (August 6, 2024). ""Accidental Cosmetic Chemist" Alum's Formula for Success Combines Skin Care, Celebrity Events and Student Mentorship".