Detail

When Tan Ching Yao first entered Singapore Polytechnic (SP), she did so with curiosity and quiet determination. Driven by an interest in personal care products and a desire to understand the science behind their formulations, she pursued SP’s Diploma in Perfumery & Cosmetic Science (DPCS). Discovering that SP was the only polytechnic offering this specialised diploma, she found it an ideal choice to pursue her passion for formulation science and product development.

As an introvert, the Orchid Park Secondary School alumna initially struggled to speak up or take the lead in group settings. Her lecturer, Mr Heng Jun Jie, recognised her potential and encouraged her to take on the role of a student leader during SP’s Open House. She embraced this challenge, turning it into an opportunity, paving the way for more significant leadership roles.

A pivotal turning point in her SP journey came after attending her first LEAP Camp in her first year, which pushed her further out of her comfort zone. This led her to take on roles she would have avoided in the past, such as serving as the President of the DPCS Student Chapter. In this role, Ching Yao went beyond organising activities for students, planning community engagement visits to Thye Hua Kwan Hospital to engage and uplift elderly residents. These visits were deeply personal to her, as she had been involved with the hospital since childhood. Leading her peers in these initiatives allowed her to combine her leadership responsibilities with service, fostering empathy, responsibility, and community spirit among fellow students.

Her commitment to giving back extended beyond campus. Ching Yao actively participated in community service initiatives, including volunteering at St Luke’s ElderCare and taking part in Youths Give Back programmes, where she helped clean the homes of elderly residents and persons with disabilities. These reminded her of the value of empathy and respect, and the importance of recognising others’ dignity and lived experiences.

Professionally, Ching Yao gained significant industry experience through a 44-week internship at Evonik (SEA) Pte Ltd, where she worked as a Personal Care Lab Intern. There, she developed prototype formulations, conducted stability and efficacy testing, and contributed to a sunscreen formulation which was displayed at In-Cosmetics Asia 2025, an international industry exhibition held in Thailand. Exposure to both laboratory work and marketing processes gave her a holistic view of product development and reinforced her interest in formulation science.

Her academic journey culminated in a Final Year Project with Threessentials, in which she developed a water-based, alcohol-free hair perfume mist with a long-lasting scent using nanoencapsulation technology. The project challenged conventional industry practices, prioritised sustainability, and spanned the entire product development cycle, from consumer research to formulation, testing, and presentation to industry professionals.

As Ching Yao looks beyond graduation, her journey at SP stands as one marked by resilience, growth and purpose. Having transformed curiosity into capability, and quiet perseverance into confident leadership, she is eager to deepen her scientific expertise and contribute to the field.

Click here to read more about her SP journey.