Could your beauty routine be putting plants under threat?
As the beauty industry continues to boom, it’s time to confront an uncomfortable truth: our insatiable demand for cosmetic ingredients is driving some of the world’s most cherished plant species to the brink of extinction.
This week’s episode of Green Beauty Conversations exposes the hidden impact of our favourite cosmetics on biodiversity, revealing how our choices are putting plants under threat.
Last week, we had an eye-opening discussion with Dr Sally Gouldstone about the beauty industry’s biodiversity challenges.
This week, Lorraine Dallmeier, Chartered Environmentalist, Biologist, and CEO of Formula Botanica, dives deeper into this topic, unravelling the intricate story of two plant species under threat: the fragrant frankincense tree and the vital candeia tree.
Don’t miss this chance to understand how your everyday choices can make a difference in preserving nature’s delicate balance. Tune in and join us in the fight to protect our planet’s precious resources.
“The cosmetics industry needs to take fairly dramatic and immediate action to conserve biodiversity because once it’s gone, it’s gone.” — Lorraine Dallmeier
Key takeaways
- Frankincense and its threatened future: Frankincense is beloved for its aromatic qualities, but its popularity comes at a cost. Lorraine discusses how over-tapping and high demand have left frankincense trees vulnerable to disease and pests.
- Understanding the Boswellia species: The Boswellia genus, responsible for producing frankincense, consists of various species, each facing unique challenges. Lorraine highlights the need to research the provenance of frankincense and supports suppliers who prioritise ecological sustainability.
- The candeia tree and its synthetic counterpart: The candeia tree is a critical source of alpha-bisabolol, a popular cosmetic ingredient. The episode highlights synthetic alternatives and encourages listeners to choose responsibly sourced products.
- Global impact of cosmetic ingredients: Lorraine shares eye-opening statistics about the environmental toll of producing beauty ingredients. She urges consumers and industry leaders to prioritise ethical sourcing and biodiversity conservation, offering insights into the real costs behind our beauty products.
- The role of NGOs and cooperatives: NGOs and cooperatives are crucial in protecting vulnerable plant species and promoting sustainable practices. Lorraine encourages listeners to support these organisations, emphasising the collective need to preserve our planet’s biodiversity.
Thank you for joining us for this episode of the Formula Botanica Green Beauty Conversations podcast. If you enjoyed listening, please share, subscribe and review this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube so that more people can enjoy the show. Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.
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Lorraine Dallmeier is a Biologist, Chartered Environmentalist and the CEO of Formula Botanica, the award-winning online organic cosmetic science school. Read more about Lorraine and the Formula Botanica Team.
