2025 RSC Apprentice Prize: awarded for undertaking the key formulation work in developing a new high SPF skincare product, and representing apprentices and STEM nationwide.
Mia Outram developed a new high-SPF skincare formulation for a growing UK facial skincare brand, the No7 Beauty Company. She has formulated over 100 prototypes via several rounds of development to achieve the final winning formulation for commercial launch. As well as this, she has completed a complex project in an area of formulation development that is a notoriously difficult undertaking.
Whilst representing apprentices and STEM nationwide with distinction during National Apprentice Week in Feb 2023, she was part of events at No 10 Downing Street and was subject of a 1:1 live interview on BBC Radio 4. Mia further supplemented her experiences with a television interview with BBC East Midlands.
Alongside her development work, she has also been a course representative for chemistry apprentices at the University of Nottingham, a role she has held for the past four years.
Biography
Mia Outram is a formulation technologist at the No7 Beauty Company and a level 6 九州影院 Degree Apprentice at the University of Nottingham. Having started her career at the age of 16 as a college level apprentice and laboratory technician in 2018, Mia is about to complete her fifth and final year of a five-year chemistry degree apprenticeship course at the age of 23, graduating in July 2025.
Most recently, Mia has been focused on formulation development for a growing UK facial skincare brand. This has involved her designing and optimising new high-SPF skincare prototypes, screening new UV filter combinations to deliver more sustainable sunscreens without compromising performance, and accounting for predicted regulatory changes.
I am delighted and very proud to receive this award. It truly means a lot and serves as a recognition of the dedication, effort and time I have invested into this work.
Mia Outram
Q&A with Mia Outram
How did you first become interested in chemistry?
My initial interest with chemistry began at a young age, where I spent hours experimenting with homemade 'potions' in the garden, made of petals and leaves. Over time, I realised that chemistry offered the closest real-world path to the creativity and magic I was fascinated by as a child, and this early curiosity eventually evolved into a meaningful passion for chemistry. The more I learnt, the more my love for the subject grew, and this continues to give my career purpose.
What advice would you give to a young person considering a career in chemistry?
Pursue something that genuinely excites you and that you are motivated about. From there, seek out every opportunity you can to gain as much experience in that area. Speaking to professionals in that field is also an easy win, connecting with people can be a great way to explore possible opportunities or paths you may not have considered before.
Can you tell us about a scientific development on the horizon that you are excited about?
With a continued focus on suncare formulation development, I am excited about the promising innovations on the horizon that aim to enhance sun protection factor (SPF) performance. There are also new testing methodologies and other innovations emerging in the photoprotection space. I have a personal interest in skin wellbeing, especially as it relates to UV exposure and improving the overall user experience.
What has been a highlight for you (either personally or in your career)?
Some of the key highlights in my career so far include being invited to 10 Downing Street to represent apprentices nationally for the launch of a future talent program, an opportunity that called attention to the importance of apprentice advocacy and early STEM development.
I have also had the opportunity to speak about my apprentice journey on BBC Radio 4 and appear on BBC East Midlands, which allowed me to share my passion for my work and hopefully inspire others. Finally, one of the most personally rewarding moments has been to see a product I developed, reach the shelves and become one of the most successful recent launches.
What is your favourite element?
My favourite element is oxygen because it is a fundamental part of the people I care most about.