Cosmetic and Beauty

Stirbar Lab, founded by Dr. Maryam Mardkhe, PhD, is a first-of-its-kind experiential chemistry lab model where individuals use real scientific equipment to extract botanicals, study ingredients, and formulate their own skincare and color cosmetics in a patented 2-hour process. Originally from the Middle East—a region known for centuries of botanical science and distillation traditions; she moved to the United States to pursue her PhD in Chemistry. She went on to spend over 15 years working across advanced materials, energy storage, coatings, and cosmetic formulation, as well as serving as a university chemistry professor.
Despite her deep technical background, she noticed that consumers had almost no transparency or understanding of what they were putting on their skin. The moment that changed everything came when she read the label on her young daughter’s lipstick and discovered that many of the same chemicals she used in a lithium-ion battery lab were also present in cosmetic formulations. This realization sparked a personal mission: to create a new, science-driven beauty standard built on transparency, education, and empowerment.
Located in Mountain View, California, Stirbar Lab merges ancient botanical extraction practices with modern cosmetic chemistry. Participants learn to distill hydrosols, extract oils and waxes, and work with tools such as pH meters, centrifuges, homogenizers, precision balances, heating mantles, and filtration systems. Under guided protocols, they create fully customized skincare, haircare, fragrances, and color cosmetics tailored to their needs.
Stirbar Lab democratizes chemistry by transforming consumers into creators. It brings the hidden world of formulation out of factories and into an accessible, hands-on learning environment. Through this model, Dr. Mardkhe combines scientific expertise, cultural heritage, and modern innovation to redefine how beauty is created, understood, and experienced.