Circularity and recyclability are often-misunderstood concepts in the beauty industry. Last week, we explored the potential of upcycled beauty ingredients with Harry McIlwraith of the Upcycled Beauty Company. Building on that enlightening discussion in this week’s opinion episode, Formula Botanica CEO Lorraine Dallmeier tackles a crucial question: What really defines a circular beauty product, and how does it differ from mere recyclability? Tune in as we unravel the misconceptions and...

In this episode, Formula Botanica CEO and podcast host Lorraine Dallmeier talks to Harry McIlwraith, the visionary mind behind The Upcycled Beauty Company, a trailblazing venture revolutionising the beauty industry by repurposing overlooked food waste resources into potent skincare ingredients. With a focus on innovation and sustainability, Harry's insights shed light on the incredible potential of upcycled beauty and inspire us to rethink traditional manufacturing practices. Join us as we...

In the latest episode of Green Beauty Conversations, we delve into the “science washing” that is rife in the beauty industry. This term, akin to its near neighbour “greenwashing”, refers to the use of scientific jargon to mask pseudoscientific ideas. Last week, podcast host Lorraine Dallmeier, CEO of Formula Botanica, explored the nuances of so-called “medical-grade skincare” with Ana Green, Education Manager at Formula Botanica. They unpacked its role as a marketing term, and how its hype...

Today, we are seeing a rise in so-called medical-grade skincare and liberal use of the word “clinical” to describe brands and formulations. In this episode, Formula Botanica CEO and podcast host Lorraine Dallmeier is joined by colleague School Education Manager Ana Green to delve into the controversial world of medical-grade skincare, and explore the intricacies of this term and its implications. Ana sheds light on the marketing strategies behind the medical-grade term and unravels whether...

Have you ever felt isolated due to a beauty concern, thinking you're the only one struggling? This episode of the Green Beauty Conversations podcast, hosted by Lorraine Dallmeier, delves into the myths and realities surrounding beauty standards. It highlights the silence and stigma around female hair loss, challenges the negative perceptions of hyperpigmentation and cellulite, and advocates for a broader representation of beauty across the industry. By sharing high-profile stories and...

In this episode, we give voice to the often unspoken world of hair loss, particularly in women. Podcast host and Formula Botanica CEO Lorraine Dallmeier talks to guest Helena Gibson, a seasoned expert in haircare solutions, who shares her insights into the stigma and solutions to hair loss in women. The issue prompted Helena's journey into business with her company Strut Hair Solutions, and the creation of Unveil Restorative Haircare, a line of haircare products targeting weak and thinning...

Is the beauty industry truly saturated? In a world where being the first is often confused with being the best, Formula Botanica CEO Lorraine Dallmeier uses this episode of Green Beauty Conversations to discuss the opportunities and risks facing beauty brands. Featuring insights from industry pioneers and a special homage to Dame Anita Roddick’s legacy of The Body Shop, this episode is a wake-up call to aspiring beauty entrepreneurs. FREE FORMULATION RESOURCES Free formulation course |...

In this episode, we dive deep into the rise and fall of an iconic beauty brand, The Body Shop. Podcast host and Formula Botanica CEO Lorraine Dallmeier is joined by Wizz Selvey, a seasoned beauty retail expert and analyst, for an insightful exploration of the brand’s evolution over the years. Wizz explains the challenges the familiar, and much-loved beauty retailer faced, from its changing ownership to shifts in consumer behaviour, and unravels the recent announcement of The Body Shop...

In our last episode, host Lorraine Dallmeier had a fascinating discussion with Joel Tasche, Founder of CleanHub, on the beauty industry’s sustainability challenges, in particular its commitment to reducing its reliance on plastic, which as we know, has a huge carbon footprint. Building on that conversation, today’s episode takes a close look into a groundbreaking report in late 2023 by the Carbon Trust, provocatively titled “Greenhouse Gloss – Is the beauty industry’s commitment to tackling...

In this episode, we have an enlightening conversation with Joel Tasche, the visionary founder and CEO of CleanHub, a company dedicated to liberating the planet from plastic pollution. Growing up with a profound connection to the ocean through sailing and surfing, Joel’s passion for marine conservation led him to establish CleanHub with a mission to create, foster and shape waste management solutions where this infrastructure is lacking globally. This is a subject close to the heart of...

In this opinion episode, Formula Botanica CEO and podcast host Lorraine Dallmeier dives deep into a topic that’s been buzzing in the beauty industry for a while – upcycled ingredients. In a world where environmental consciousness is on the rise, and the use of waste materials to create beauty products is gaining traction, you would think that upcycling food industry waste and byproducts as cosmetic ingredients would be unquestioned. However, some might ask if there are potential downsides to...

Our guest in this episode is Dr Terence Chung, visionary co-founder of FRUU Cosmetics, which is a company dedicated to turning sustainable ingredients, particularly “wonky fruits” or byproducts from the juicing and agricultural industries, into natural cosmetics. In conversation with Formula Botanica CEO and podcast host Lorraine Dallmeier, Terence not only shares the remarkable journey of FRUU, but also provides valuable insights into the company’s total commitment to sustainability. In...

Welcome to the 200th episode of Green Beauty Conversations in which we celebrate not just this milestone, but also six years of thought-provoking dialogues in the world of clean beauty. Join Formula Botanica CEO and podcast host Lorraine Dallmeier as she marks the occasion with her reflections on the profound changes witnessed in the green beauty landscape since the inception of this podcast. Listen in for a journey that charts the change through Green Beauty Conversations’ episodes, and...

We explore the dynamic world of sustainable beauty with a true expert, Thomas Kerfoot, who is a co-founder of O&3, The Oil Family. Thomas brings over 17 years of passionate expertise to the conversation. His self-proclaimed “oil nerd” status sets the stage for an enlightening journey into the fascinating realm of natural oil ingredients. O&3 isn’t your typical manufacturer or cosmetic ingredient supplier. It is a pioneering force, not only distributing, but innovating by bringing...

In last week’s Green Beauty Conversations, we delved into a pivotal conversation with Noelly Michoux from 4.5.6 Skin, exploring the significance of inclusivity in skincare science and formulation. Building on this crucial theme in this opinion episode, Formula Botanica CEO and podcast host Lorraine Dallmeier reflects also on her episode with guest Dija Ayodele – author, aesthetician and beauty industry advocate for women of colour – which discussed why black skincare matters. However, if the...

In this episode, we embark on a transformative journey with founder Noelly Michoux, the visionary force propelling 4.5.6 Skin to the forefront of skincare innovation with the world’s first Skin Tone Research Lab. Shaped by experiences in France, and now reshaping beauty norms, Noelly’s evolution from a corporate background to pioneering a skincare revolution is a narrative that resonates. Discover the complexities involved in establishing the Skin Tone Research Lab and the profound...

In this episode, we’re addressing a question that has surfaced time and again, and that is whether age is a barrier to becoming a beauty entrepreneur. This stems from the inspiring interactions we had during a recent VIP webinar we held at Formula Botanica, where attendees opened up about their concerns, particularly around one recurring question: “Am I too old to start a beauty brand?” This episode addresses that very question and extends a message to those who may feel limited by age,...

We dive into the amazing and inspiring journey of Formula Botanica graduate Debbie Alger, who is the founder and lead skincare formulator of Canada-based skincare company Birch Babe. Her story is one of the most extraordinary we’ve come across of a hobbyist formulator turned professional beauty entrepreneur. Debbie’s passion for clean beauty and sustainable practices led her to embark on a 6-month solo hike from Patagonia to Chile, ultimately inspiring the creation of Birch Babe. From...

Happy New Year and welcome to 2024! As we step into this brand new year, full of hope and opportunities, let's dive into the exciting world of green beauty formulation. As CEO of the award-winning online organic cosmetic formulation school Formula Botanica, and your podcast host, I am here to guide you through formulating not just your skincare products, but your entire year. Reflecting on last week's episode in which we discussed the evolving dynamics in green beauty with visionary skincare...

In this episode, we hear about the enlightening journey into the world of skincare and beauty of April Gargiulo, a visionary and entrepreneur who is the founder of the cult beauty brand Vintner’s Daughter. April stands out as a trailblazer, redefining the industry’s standards with her innovative, yet also timeless approach to skincare. Armed with a passion for wellness and a commitment to empowering individuals to embrace their natural beauty, April has carved a unique niche for herself...

As the holiday season approaches, many of us in the Green Beauty Conversations community are contemplating how to gift beauty sustainably. This topic, which recalls our well-received episode on sustainable beauty alternatives to Black Friday, is more relevant than ever. Brands face financial and emotional challenges as they enter the fourth quarter of the year; a peak period they rely on for the seasonal spend it brings. But, consumers in recent years have their concerns too and are now...

As the festive season approaches for many of us, one trend that has captured the beauty industry’s attention is the rise of beauty advent calendars. These calendars go way beyond traditional paper or chocolate calendars and have become a significant phenomenon in some branches of the beauty industry, and in certain countries. In this episode, Formula Botanica CEO and host Lorraine Dallmeier, in discussion with colleague School Education Manager Ana Green, delves deeper into the intricacies...

The beauty industry's exploration and use of biotechnology is growing fast as we heard in the previous episode with Josh Britton, CEO and co-founder of Debut Biotech. Large corporate cosmetics companies are turning to biotech - or synthetic biology - to grow their high-performance cosmetic ingredients sustainably in labs. The contrast in approach between the industrial and artisan beauty sectors is intriguing. The indie beauty sector, represented by the Formula Botanica community, shows...

In this ground-breaking episode of Green Beauty Conversations, we dive into the world of biotech beauty, a realm where the age-old practices of botanical extraction meet cutting-edge science. For millennia, the natural world provided the raw ingredients for cosmetics. The early 1900s brought chemistry to bear on ingredient manufacture, but now, with the massive rise in demand for all-natural beauty products, we are seeing demand for plant-extracted cosmetic ingredients outstripping supply. ...