EP297. How indie beauty brands really grow (without Sephora, investors, and a team)

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

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