Podcast 244: The forgotten pillar of sustainability

When we think of sustainability in beauty, we often picture eco-friendly packaging or organic ingredients. But have you ever stopped to consider the people behind the products?

In this week’s episode of Green Beauty Conversations, host Lorraine Dallmeier—Chartered Environmentalist, Biologist, and CEO of Formula Botanica—unpacks the often-overlooked cornerstone of sustainability: ethical supply chains.

Building on last week’s inspiring discussion with Rahama Wright, founder of Shea Yeleen, Lorraine delves into why sustainability isn’t just about protecting the planet but also about supporting the communities that grow, harvest, and process the ingredients we love.

Tune in now to uncover how ethical supply chains can revolutionise the beauty industry and find out what it truly means to be sustainable.

“Sustainable beauty isn’t just green—it’s fair. Without ethical supply chains, the concept of sustainability falls apart.” – Lorraine Dallmeier

Key takeaways:

• Sustainability requires social equity: Sustainable beauty is more than just the planet. It’s about having fair wages and improved living standards for ingredient producers.
• Fair wages benefit brands too: Supporting fair trade doesn’t just uplift communities. It creates more resilient supply chains, higher-quality ingredients, and better long-term outcomes for beauty businesses.
• Ethical supply chains need commitment: Building an ethical supply chain is a long-term effort. It involves transparency, trust, and investment across global industries—but it’s very much achievable and incredibly rewarding.
• Your role as a conscious consumer or formulator: If you’re a consumer, buy from brands that prioritise ethical sourcing. If you formulate your own products, choose suppliers who value fair labour practices to make an actual difference.

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

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.