Green Beauty Conversations by Formula Botanica

If your newsfeed has felt overwhelmingly negative lately, this episode of the Green Beauty Conversations podcast is exactly the antidote you need.

In this uplifting episode, Formula Botanica CEO and podcast host Lorraine Dallmeier takes a step back and reflects on the inspiring people she has interviewed over the years on the podcast.

This will leave you with a big smile on your face, so get ready to feel uplifted! 

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What if your cosmetics could keep forests alive?

In this episode of Green Beauty Conversations, Formula Botanica CEO Lorraine Dallmeier speaks with John Goedschalk, founder and CEO of BioTara, about how regenerative sourcing of Amazonian cosmetic ingredients can create real economic value for forest communities – helping make standing forests worth more alive than cut down.

Tune in to discover how ethical supply chains, traceable sourcing and natural Amazonian ingredients could reshape the future of sustainable beauty.

Special offer for listeners: Head on over to BioTara's express shop for samples and low-MOQ ingre...

For decades, green beauty has leaned heavily on one simple belief – if an ingredient comes from a plant, it must be better. Better for the skin, better for the planet and better for people. But what happens when that comforting narrative starts to unravel?

In this episode of Green Beauty Conversations, Formula Botanica CEO Lorraine Dallmeier explores the deeper story behind fermentation and asks a provocative question: could microbes help reshape the future of the beauty industry?

If you're interested in beauty and where its future might lie, this episode is for you. Tune in no...

Palm oil is everywhere in cosmetics – but what if it didn't need to come from trees at all?

In the latest episode of her Green Beauty Conversations podcast, Formula Botanica CEO Lorraine Dallmeier is joined by Nemailla Bonturi, co-founder and CEO of ÄIO, an Estonian biotech company developing fermentation-derived oils for cosmetics and personal care that can mimic the properties of palm oil and tropical butter – without plantations, deforestation or seasonal harvests.

If you're curious about palm oil, biotech, sustainable beauty, or the next generation of cosmetic ingredients, you need to listen to this!

Are modern beauty brand founders accidentally sabotaging their own success by hiding behind their screens?

In this thought-provoking episode of Green Beauty Conversations, Formula Botanica CEO and host Lorraine Dallmeier challenges one of the most widely accepted assumptions in today's indie beauty world: that selling online is always the easiest – and smartest – way to grow a beauty brand.

Tune in now to find out more!

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Ever wondered what it's like to build a family-led beauty brand?

Then tune in to this episode of Green Beauty Conversations, where Formula Botanica CEO Lorraine Dallmeier sits down with mother-daughter duo Angela Gargano and Kathy Griswold, co-founders of Lola Arnao Beauty, a family-run beauty brand for ultra-sensitive skin.

Discover the realities of building a family business, the practical advantages, tensions and emotional dynamics of owning a beauty brand when the relationship comes first and the business second. 

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The modern beauty industry didn't just happen – it was carefully designed.

In this episode of Green Beauty Conversations, Formula Botanica CEO Lorraine Dallmeier tells the remarkable story of Helena Rubinstein, the woman who helped invent the beauty industry as we know it today, yet whose name most people no longer recognise.

From lab coats and clinical imagery to the idea that beauty needs to look scientific to be trusted, this episode reveals how one brilliant marketer reshaped the way we buy, sell and think about beauty. Tune in now!

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If you've ever felt that learning to make your own skincare or haircare products is only reserved for people in lab coats, this episode of Green Beauty Conversations is about to change everything.

In this special episode, Formula Botanica CEO Lorraine Dallmeier is joined by Formula Botanica's in-house Cosmetic Scientist, Natalie Garwe, to tackle one of the most persistent myths in beauty – that you have to be a chemist to formulate.

They break down what you actually need to get started, why you don't need permission or formal qualifications to begin, and how you can con...

What if your relationship with eye makeup wasn't really a personal choice, but the result of 5,000 years of history, culture, and technology?

In this episode of Green Beauty Conversations, Formula Botanica CEO Lorraine Dallmeier explores how eye makeup evolved from ancient ritual and symbolism into a modern daily habit.

From kohl in ancient civilisations to Hollywood close-ups and today's social media beauty standards, this episode reveals how eye makeup became normalised – and why so many people feel more "put together" with mascara on.

If you feel like you can't leave the house without "pu...

We brush our teeth twice a day without even thinking, yet most of us can't name a single thing we do to care for our eyes – even though we expose them daily to mascara, eyeliner, lash serums, powders, creams and makeup removers, often for decades at a time.

In this episode of Green Beauty Conversations, Formula Botanica CEO Lorraine Dallmeier is joined by Dr Pam Theriot, optometrist, author and dry eye specialist, to unpack the rarely discussed relationship between beauty routines and long-term eye health.

If you're wondering how your everyday beauty habits can affect th...

What happens when indie founders sell their beauty brands and the authenticity that built them disappears? That's what Lorraine Dallmeier, Formula Botanica CEO, unpacks in this solo episode of Green Beauty Conversations.

The episode argues that indie beauty isn't really about being "independent"; it's about authenticity, craft, and founder-driven vision.

Find out what real authenticity looks like, whether you're building your own beauty brand or choosing which ones to support.

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Is pig fat the next big thing in beauty?

In this episode of Green Beauty Conversations, Formula Botanica CEO Lorraine Dallmeier speaks with Farrow founder Charles Mayfield about lard in skincare, animal fats, regenerative farming, and what this sometimes controversial ingredient means for the future of green beauty.

If you want to understand where the animal fat trend is really heading – and whether pig fat has a place in beauty's future – this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Special offer for listeners: Get 25% off your first order from Farrow Skinc...

We've been told for years that great skin comes down to the latest breakthrough active – the kind with a name that sounds more like a space mission than a skincare ingredient.

But what if the reason your serum isn't delivering results has nothing to do with missing actives at all? What if the ingredient that outperforms many so-called high-performance actives is already sitting quietly in your formulation, completely overlooked?

Find out what this ingredient is in the latest episode of Green Beauty Conversations.

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What does an active ingredient really do for your skin?

In this episode of Green Beauty Conversations, Formula Botanica CEO Lorraine Dallmeier is joined by Dr Jule Lexa Völzke, a skincare scientist at CLR Berlin, to uncover the truth behind these "hero" compounds.

Together, they explore how active ingredients are developed, tested, and why some of the simplest ingredients often outperform trendy actives. You'll also learn why hydration remains the foundation of healthy skin and how marketing can sometimes overhype scientific claims.

If you've ever been overwhelmed by ingredient lists, felt sceptical of...

For over a century, the beauty industry has told us that cellulite is a flaw. But the truth is that it's completely natural, and over 90% of women have it. So why have we been made to feel insecure? Because that belief fuels a multi-billion-dollar industry.

In this milestone 300th episode of Green Beauty Conversations, Lorraine Dallmeier, CEO of Formula Botanica, exposes the cellulite myth, reveals the science (or lack thereof) behind treatments, and shows how formulating your own skincare can help you reclaim your confidence and power.

Tune in to rethink beauty, celebrate your skin...

Every day, we drink coffee without a second thought – but few of us actually stop to think about what happens to the grounds left behind.

Globally, 60 million tonnes of spent coffee grounds are discarded every year, most of which end up in landfill, where they release methane. Yet those same grounds are packed with antioxidants, oils, and bioactive compounds with incredible potential for skincare products.

In this episode of Green Beauty Conversations, Formula Botanica CEO Lorraine Dallmeier speaks with Cynthia Staats, Business Development Manager at Caffe Inc., a pioneering Dutch company that's transforming coffee waste in...

Feeling the pull to start your own skincare or haircare brand? This week on Green Beauty Conversations, Formula Botanica CEO Lorraine Dallmeier reveals why 2026 could be the year you stop watching from the sidelines and start creating something truly meaningful.

The beauty industry doesn't need another celebrity-backed product – it needs honest, passionate, purpose-driven brands like yours.

If you've ever dreamed of creating your own beauty products or building a brand that reflects your values, this episode is your sign to finally say "yes". Tune in now!

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In the beauty industry, success is often measured by landing big retailers, securing investment, or building a large team. But what if some of the most resilient and values-driven indie beauty brands thrive precisely because they reject that model?

In this episode of Green Beauty Conversations, Formula Botanica CEO Lorraine Dallmeier sits down with Kristina Dunn, founder and formulator of RUA, to explore what it truly means to grow an indie beauty brand on your own terms – without Sephora, investors, or anyone else steering the ship.

Tune in now to find out more!

You might not have noticed it yet, but there's a new word quietly taking over the beauty and wellness industries: longevity.

It's showing up everywhere, from skincare marketing, supplements, blue zone diets, to so-called anti-zombie-cell serums (yes, you've read that right!). And while it sounds scientific, serious, and self-caring, longevity might just be the beauty industry's cleverest rebrand yet.

Tune in to this week's episode of Green Beauty Conversations to find out more about how the beauty industry is quietly rebranding the term "anti-ageing".

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Has vitamin C finally met its match? In this week's episode of Green Beauty Conversations, Lorraine Dallmeier, CEO of Formula Botanica, explores whether the beauty industry's favourite antioxidant could soon be dethroned.

Lorraine is joined by Charlotte Julien, Formula Botanica graduate and founder of Edelweiss Creation (formerly known as éméo consulting, as referenced in the episode), who also worked with Swiss biotech pioneer Gaia Tech.

Together, Lorraine and Charlotte discuss hydroxytyrosol – a powerful, upcycled antioxidant extracted from olive waste that early studies show may outperform vitamin C in both potency and stability. Find out more a...

Beauty thrives on adjectives – and the cosmetics industry knows exactly how to use them.

Walk into any beauty store and you'll see words like "nourish", "revitalise", "transform" and "illuminate" designed to spark emotional reactions. But more often than not, that reaction is insecurity.

In this episode of Green Beauty Conversations, host Lorraine Dallmeier argues that it's time for a radical rethink and proposes a radical proposal: adding a seventh criterion to Europe's cosmetic claims regulations – one that respects human dignity.

Tune in now to find out what it's all about! 

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Beauty products are full of bold promises: "anti-ageing," "chemical-free," "eco-friendly." But how many of these cosmetic claims actually hold up?

In this episode of Green Beauty Conversations, Lorraine Dallmeier, CEO of Formula Botanica, chats with cosmetic claims expert Dr Theresa Callaghan about the risks of misleading marketing, greenwashing, and how brands can build trust with honest, compliant claims.

If you want to create a beauty brand that's credible, ethical and future-proof, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Check out Theresa's books: 

Is the beauty industry really listening to what consumers want – or is it hiding behind them?

In this week's episode of Green Beauty Conversations, Formula Botanica CEO Lorraine Dallmeier calls out one of the industry's most persistent myths: that shoppers are to blame for the lack of sustainability progress.

It's a bold take that asks whether "consumer demand" has become a convenient excuse for brands to avoid taking responsibility. If you've ever felt frustrated by greenwashing or by brands claiming "people just aren't ready for change," this episode is for you.

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What if the future of beauty didn't come at the cost of rainforests? In this episode of Green Beauty Conversations, Lorraine Dallmeier talks with Alexander van Oord, Chief Commercial Officer at Forestwise, about how wild-harvested illipe nuts are transforming the beauty industry.

Discover how these sustainable ingredients – already used in products by major brands like Lush – help protect forests, support smallholder farmers, and offer a forest-friendly alternative to cocoa butter.

Tune in now to learn about Forestwise's mission to safeguard 100,000 hectares of rainforest, the story behind illipe butter, and how consumers and brands alike can driv...

The beauty industry has sold us the idea that natural automatically means good – good for us, good for the planet, good for everyone. But is that really true?

In this episode of Green Beauty Conversations, Formula Botanica CEO Lorraine Dallmeier asks whether it's time to break up with natural beauty. From deforestation to monocultures, the word natural is unregulated and often meaningless – it can hide a thousand sins.

Listen now to rethink what natural beauty really means and discover how we can create a beauty industry that truly honours the ecosystems it depends on.

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Discover the story of Hawaii Sandalwood and how it's restoring one of the rarest forests on Earth in this episode of Green Beauty Conversations.

This week on the podcast, Asa Suguitan, co-founder of Hawaii Sandalwood, shares how his family is regenerating Hawaii's tropical dryland forest by harvesting only dead or dying sandalwood trees and replanting 16 native species.

Learn how this unique approach funds reforestation, creates eco-certified sandalwood beauty ingredients, and connects beauty with real sustainability.

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What if your moisturiser wasn't mass-produced, but printed for you on demand?

In this episode of Green Beauty Conversations, Lorraine Dallmeier explores the futuristic – and very real – idea of 3D-printed skincare.

From personalised products that evolve with your age and lifestyle, to biotech-powered actives "printed" fresh at home or in pharmacies, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Could 3D-printed skincare be the frontier that takes green beauty to a whole new level? Find out in this episode!

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What if your skincare didn't come in a jar – but in a gummy?

In this episode of Green Beauty Conversations, Lorraine Dallmeier, CEO of Formula Botanica, interviews Melissa Snover, award-winning entrepreneur and founder of Nourished, the world's first 3D-printed personalised gummy stacks.

If you've ever wondered whether ingestible beauty is just a hype or genuinely works, this episode is for you.

Special offer: Get 20% off your first month of Nourished's collagen range subscription. Visit the Nourished website and use the code COLLAGEN20 at checkout. Offer valid for 8 months from October 2nd.

Walk into any beauty store today, and shoppers can tell you about the benefits of peptides, retinoids or hyaluronic acid with ease. Yet ask about seaweed and you'll often be met with blank stares or vague memories of green face masks.

And that's the case with many skincare ingredients, despite years of research and traditional use.

In this week's episode of Green Beauty Conversations, Lorraine Dallmeier asks a provocative question: why do some skincare ingredients make it big almost overnight, while others take decades to gain mainstream traction?

If you're a formulator, brand...

Could kelp be the future of beauty? Listen to this episode of Green Beauty Conversations with Samantha Garwin, Director of Market Development at GreenWave, to discover the untapped potential of kelp in beauty.

Sam reveals why kelp offers benefits land-based plants simply can't, how the beauty industry can harness this ocean-grown powerhouse, and the hurdles still keeping it from going mainstream.

If you're curious about the future of sustainable ingredients, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Special opportunity for beauty brand founders: Apply to GreenWave's Kelp Innovation CoLab, whic...

AI has levelled up – and if you've been playing with tools like ChatGPT lately, you've probably noticed it too.

Two years ago, Formula Botanica CEO Lorraine Dallmeier challenged ChatGPT to create a cosmetic formulation for her, and it was a frustrating merry-go-round of vague advice, incorrect safety limits, and an irritating insistence that she should "hire a cosmetic chemist." Fast-forward to today, and Lorraine decided it was time for a rematch… only this time, she listened.

Here's what happened.

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Artificial Intelligence is no longer just a futuristic buzzword – it's already shaping the way cosmetics are researched, formulated, and launched.

In this episode of Green Beauty Conversations, Formula Botanica CEO Lorraine Dallmeier talks to Hejab Malik, co-founder of Potion AI – a San Francisco-based technology company with over 10,000 global users.

Together, they explore how AI is already embedded in beauty R&D, what it can (and can't) do, and whether it will ever replace the cosmetic chemist. If you want to know how AI might transform your own formulation process – and how to stay ahead – you won't wan...

Behind the glossy claims and Instagram-friendly campaigns of beauty brands, there's a serious problem: most brands aren't actually measuring their environmental impact. And without hard data, all those 'sustainable' promises risk being little more than marketing spin.

In this week's episode of Green Beauty Conversations, Formula Botanica CEO Lorraine Dallmeier pulls back the curtain on the beauty sector's sustainability gap – the uncomfortable truth that without measurement, the industry can't meaningfully improve.

Tune in now to find out the truth.

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Behind every beauty product lies a hidden challenge: a complex data problem that makes true sustainability nearly impossible to measure.

In this week's episode of Green Beauty Conversations, Lorraine Dallmeier talks with Evan Peters, CPO of Fairglow, to uncover why the beauty industry struggles to put real numbers behind environmental claims – and why that matters more than ever.

Discover how data gaps hold brands back, the power of product-level impact measurement, and what the future of transparent, data-driven beauty looks like. If you care about real change in beauty, this conversation is a must-listen.

...

In an industry dominated by multinationals and million-unit launches, it's easy to feel like being a "small" beauty brand is synonymous with being insignificant. But what if this wasn't true?

In this episode of Green Beauty Conversations, Formula Botanica CEO and podcast host Lorraine Dallmeier unpacks the true meaning of "small" in the indie beauty industry and challenges the mindset that sometimes holds brands back.

Whether you're just launching your brand or you've been in business for years, this is your reminder that small beauty brands aren't just capable of change – they're often the ones dr...

What really happens behind the scenes of contract manufacturing in the beauty industry?

In this episode of Green Beauty Conversations, Formula Botanica CEO Lorraine Dallmeier goes inside the buzzing world of large-scale beauty production with Dan Williams, CEO of Orean Personal Care – the UK's only B Corp-certified beauty manufacturer.

Whether you're just starting your beauty brand or ready to scale, this episode is packed with practical insights, powerful advice, and behind-the-scenes stories from one of the industry's top contract manufacturers.

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What if the thing holding your indie beauty brand back wasn't failure – but success?

In this episode of Green Beauty Conversations, host Lorraine Dallmeier explores why, for many indie beauty founders, achieving success feels more terrifying than falling short.

We often talk about fear of failure, but rarely do we acknowledge that fear of success can be just as paralysing. In this episode, Lorraine challenges people to think differently about what success means, and how visibility, money, and mindset play into it. Tune in now!

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What does success really look like for a beauty entrepreneur?

In an industry that often celebrates rapid growth, aggressive fundraising, and influencer-heavy marketing, there's a quieter, more sustainable path – one that values creative control, profitability, and long-term impact over flashy headlines.

In this episode of Green Beauty Conversations, Lorraine Dallmeier – Chartered Environmentalist, Biologist and CEO of Formula Botanica – is joined by Chinelo Chidozie, co-founder of Bolden, a beauty entrepreneur who bootstrapped her brand into over 1,000 Walmart stores across the United States, without any external funding.

If you've ever wondered whether you can grow a beau...

Everywhere you turn in beauty, you get the same message: results, results, results. Products promise to brighten, firm, and smooth – fast. But what happens when efficacy becomes the only measure of a product's worth?

In this thought-provoking solo episode of Green Beauty Conversations, Formula Botanica CEO, Biologist, and Chartered Environmentalist Lorraine Dallmeier invites us to rethink one of the beauty industry's most entrenched standards.

Tune in now!

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Have you heard the news? Clean beauty is out. Dirty beauty is in.

This week on Green Beauty Conversations, Lorraine Dallmeier, Chartered Environmentalist, Biologist and CEO of Formula Botanica, speaks with Stephen Smith, the regenerative entrepreneur behind Nuturn – a pioneering skincare ingredient complex that redefines what it means to be effective, ethical, and elemental.

If you've ever questioned whether clean beauty has become too clinical, too sanitised, and too disconnected from nature, then this episode is for you.

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