Obituary: Robert Goldemberg, Cosmetic Chemist

Posted: October 20, 2008

Robert Goldemberg, a cosmetic chemist who preached the beauty benefits of egg yolk, olive oil, yogurt, honey and other kitchen ingredients, died Oct. 1, 2008, at the age of 83.

A native of Hasbrouck Heights and a Princeton graduate, Goldemberg worked for the cosmetic houses Coty, Shulton and Lanvin-Charles of the Ritz, as well as for Van Dyk and Co., which supplied raw materials to cosmetic makers.

While running a consultancy called Rakuma Laboratories, he received two patents for an oral rinse designed to loosen plaque. The invention was called Plax; it is now a product of McNeil Consumer Healthcare, a unit of Johnson & Johnson.

Goldemberg, president of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists in the early 1970s, gave much thought to how people can glow without the use of chemicals.

Years later, Mr. Goldemberg and his second wife, Rose, whose pen name was Beatrice Traven, teamed up on "The Complete Book of Natural Cosmetics: An Authoritative Guide to Natural Beauty Aids That Can Be Prepared in the Buyer's Own Kitchen."

Husband and wife detailed a recipe for a basic cold cream calling for beeswax, olive oil, heavy mineral oil, water and borax. For a luxurious facial mask, Goldemberg recommended one tablespoon mashed avocado, two tablespoons raw honey and two egg whites (or one whole egg). And apple juice found its way, along with isopropyl alcohol and witch hazel, into a refreshing toning lotion.