EP301. I spoke to an active ingredient scientist… and it changed how I see skincare

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

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