Steve Schnittger retired from the Estée Lauder Companies after 38 years of service. During his tenure at Estee Lauder, he worked closely with the formulation and safety team to ensure preservative efficacy and safety for all product types.

Steve was also responsible for the EL’s Global Fermentation Department which had been tasked with delivering new “active” ingredients using state of the art fermentation technology to continue to feed Estée Lauder’s Innovation Pipeline. Over these past twenty years, the fermentation team developed over 50 new breakthrough technologies which has led the Estée Lauder Companies to be recognized as the leader in fermentation technology within the Personal Care Industry.

Externally, Steve represented the U.S. Cosmetic Industry in ISO – International Standards Organization, European Cosmetic Trade Organization, ICCR – International Cooperation on Cosmetic Regulation and PCPC – The US Cosmetic industry Trade Organization.

Steve has a degree in Microbiology from Tulsa University in Oklahoma and has over 20 patents in the area of fermentation and preservation. He is recognized as an expert in the area of preservation, microbiology and fermentation and is asked frequently to give lectures in each of these areas.