Green Beauty Conversations By Formula Botanica | Organic & Natural Skincare | Cosmetic Formulation | Indie Beauty Business

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 confidently take your first steps into cosmetic formulation. If you've been dreaming of creating your own cosmetic products but felt held back by doubt, this episode is for you.   Free Resources Free formulation course | Green Beauty Conversations Podcast | Blog | YouTube Socials: Formula Botanica on Instagram | Lorraine Dallmeier on Instagram

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 "putting your face on", this episode is for you.   Free Resources Free formulation course | Green Beauty Conversations Podcast | Blog | YouTube Socials: Formula Botanica on Instagram | Lorraine Dallmeier on Instagram  

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 the delicate structure around your eyes, this episode is for you.   Free Resources Free formulation course | Green Beauty Conversations Podcast | Blog | YouTube Socials: Formula Botanica on Instagram | Lorraine Dallmeier on Instagram

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.   Free Resources Free formulation course | Green Beauty Conversations Podcast | Blog | YouTube Socials: Formula Botanica on Instagram | Lorraine Dallmeier on Instagram

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 Skincare using the code BOTANICA.   Free Resources Free formulation course | Green Beauty Conversations Podcast | Blog | YouTube Socials: Formula Botanica on Instagram | Lorraine Dallmeier on Instagram    

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.   Free Resources Free formulation course | Green Beauty Conversations Podcast | Blog | YouTube Socials: Formula Botanica on Instagram | Lorraine Dallmeier on Instagram

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 skincare trends, or are curious about what actually works, this episode is for you.   Free Resources Free formulation course | Green Beauty Conversations Podcast | Blog | YouTube Socials: Formula Botanica on Instagram | Lorraine Dallmeier on Instagram

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, and stop buying into lies.   Free Resources Free formulation course | Green Beauty Conversations Podcast | Blog | YouTube Socials: Formula Botanica on Instagram | Lorraine Dallmeier on Instagram

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 into high-performance cosmetic ingredients. Tune in now to learn how your daily cup of coffee could be upcycled into powerful skincare ingredients, and what the future of beauty holds.   Free Resources Free formulation course | Green Beauty Conversations Podcast | Blog | YouTube Socials: Formula Botanica on Instagram | Lorraine Dallmeier on Instagram

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! Free Resources Free formulation course | Green Beauty Conversations Podcast | Blog | YouTube Socials: Formula Botanica on Instagram | Lorraine Dallmeier on Instagram    

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!   Free Resources Free formulation course | Green Beauty Conversations Podcast | Blog | YouTube Socials: Formula Botanica on Instagram | Lorraine Dallmeier on Instagram

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".     Free Resources Free formulation course | Green Beauty Conversations Podcast | Blog | YouTube Socials: Formula Botanica on Instagram | Lorraine Dallmeier on Instagram

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 about it now!   Special offer for listeners: Use code 'BOTANICA' to get €10.00 off all orders on Gaia Tech and 10% off on any consultancy fees with Charlotte   Free Resources Free formulation course | Green Beauty Conversations Podcast | Blog | YouTube Socials: Formula Botanica on Instagram | Lorraine Dallmeier on Instagram  

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!    Free Resources Free formulation course | Green Beauty Conversations Podcast | Blog | YouTube Socials: Formula Botanica on Instagram | Lorraine Dallmeier on Instagram

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:  Help! I'm Covered in Adjectives (second edition) Oh! Cosmetic Claims: A Poet's Lament – all available via Formula Botanica's Amazon storefront* * Full affiliate disclosure: The links to books in this description are affiliate links. This means that if you click a link and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we genuinely believe in. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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.   Free Resources Free formulation course | Green Beauty Conversations Podcast | Blog | YouTube Socials: Formula Botanica on Instagram | Lorraine Dallmeier on Instagram

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 drive real change for people and the planet.   Free Resources Free formulation course | Green Beauty Conversations Podcast | Blog | YouTube Socials: Formula Botanica on Instagram | Lorraine Dallmeier on Instagram  

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.   Free Resources Free formulation course | Green Beauty Conversations Podcast | Blog | YouTube Socials: Formula Botanica on Instagram | Lorraine Dallmeier on Instagram

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.   Free Resources Free formulation course | Green Beauty Conversations Podcast | Blog | YouTube Socials: Formula Botanica on Instagram | Lorraine Dallmeier on Instagram

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!   Free Resources Free formulation course | Green Beauty Conversations Podcast | Blog | YouTube Socials: Formula Botanica on Instagram | Lorraine Dallmeier on Instagram