Imagine a beauty ingredient so potent and sustainable that it grows abundantly without needing fresh water or fertile land. Welcome to the world of seaweed, beauty’s most regenerative ingredient.
In this episode of Green Beauty Conversations, Lorraine Dallmeier, Chartered Environmentalist, Biologist, and CEO of Formula Botanica is joined by Catarina Ricca, the visionary Business Development Manager at Ínclita Seaweed Solutions.
This pioneering company is at the forefront of producing sustainable, seaweed-based ingredients that are transforming the beauty landscape. And together, Lorraine and Catarina discuss how seaweed is becoming one of beauty’s most regenerative ingredients today.
Seaweed isn’t just an oceanic wonder. It’s a solution to many of the sustainability challenges faced by the beauty industry today. So if you’re passionate about green beauty and want to stay ahead of the curve, this episode is a must-listen.
“Seaweed is not just an oceanic wonder. It’s a powerful ally in our quest for sustainable beauty. With its rich bioactive compounds, seaweed offers a unique opportunity to redefine the way we approach skincare, making it both eco-friendly and incredibly effective.” — Catarina Ricca
In this episode with Catarina Ricca, you will hear:
- The significance of seaweed in the beauty industry: Highlighted as a rapidly growing source of biomass, seaweed requires no fresh water or arable land to grow, making it an environmentally friendly choice for beauty products.
- Types and benefits of seaweeds: Ínclita harnesses the power of brown and red seaweeds, such as Fucus vesiculosus and Chondrus crispus, to create a range of cosmetic ingredients. These seaweed-based ingredients are renowned for their anti-ageing, cleansing, and hydrating properties.
- Sustainability and the biorefinery concept: Ínclita prioritises sustainability and ethical sourcing. The company collaborates with local communities to maintain a low carbon footprint and conserve biodiversity.
- Addressing seaweed myths: Catarina dispels myths about seaweed’s odour in cosmetics. She explains that processed seaweed ingredients have a subtle scent and can help enrich a product’s narrative.
Key takeouts include:
- Seaweed as a regenerative ingredient: Seaweed is one of the most regenerative ingredients available today. It grows rapidly without needing fresh water or arable land, making it an ideal choice for eco-friendly beauty products.
- Ínclita’s mission: The company aims to be a global leader in sustainable seaweed-based ingredients, focusing on applied research to develop innovative solutions for the cosmetics industry.
- Sustainability and community engagement: Ínclita partners closely with local fishermen and communities to ensure responsible seaweed harvesting. This collaboration not only promotes sustainability but also helps protect marine biodiversity, creating a positive impact on both the environment and local economies.
- Seaweed’s multifunctional benefits: Seaweed provides anti-ageing, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties, making it a versatile cosmetic ingredient.
- Biorefinery for zero waste: Ínclita employs a biorefinery approach that maximises the use of seaweed biomass. By doing so, it creates products for both cosmetics and textiles, all while ensuring zero waste in production, making seaweed a regenerative ingredient.
Meet our guest: Catarina Ricca
Catarina Ricca is the Business Development Manager at Ínclita Seaweed Solutions, a pioneering company dedicated to producing sustainable seaweed-based ingredients.
Ínclita Seaweed Solutions is at the forefront of sustainable practices within the seaweed network, acting as a reliable pivot between producers and the industries. The company aims to harness seaweed’s natural benefits and become a global leader in sustainable ingredient production.
As a former biotechnology researcher and passionate about the blue economy movement, Catarina’s mission is to elevate the Ínclita Seaweed Solutions brand by translating its complex scientific and data concepts into accessible business strategies while setting new standards in the industry and contributing to a more sustainable future.
Find out more about Catarina Ricca and Ínclita Seaweed Solutions:
- Website: Ínclita Seaweed Solutions
- LinkedIn: ISS
Related episodes:
- Episode 168: Algae, the future of sustainable beauty
- Episode 181: Marine magic- from seaweed waste to cosmetic ingredient
- Episode 215: How seaweed becomes sustainable beauty
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.
