Podcast 292: Why the beauty industry needs to stop blaming the consumer

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.

Following on from last week’s interview with Alexander van Oord from Forestwise, this episode challenges the idea that sustainability can only move forward when buyers ask for it. Forestwise’s work in Borneo shows what happens when brands take the lead instead – proving that real innovation begins when companies stop waiting for permission.

If you’ve ever felt frustrated by greenwashing or by brands claiming “people just aren’t ready for change,” this episode will shift your perspective.

Lorraine shares why the power to transform the beauty industry lies not with consumers, but with the companies designing, formulating, and marketing the products we all use.

“Stop saying consumers aren’t asking for it when, in truth, you’re not offering it in a way that works. The industry that created today’s beauty habits has the power – and the obligation – to create new ones.” — Lorraine Dallmeier

Key takeaways:

• The myth of consumer demand keeps the beauty industry stagnant: Lorraine argues that brands often hide behind the claim that shoppers “aren’t asking” for sustainable options. In reality, most consumers can’t demand what they don’t know exists. It’s a cycle that allows companies to maintain the status quo while appearing responsive to the market.
• Responsibility for change sits higher up the supply chain: From ingredient sourcing to packaging, brands and manufacturers make the decisions that shape what ends up on the shelf. Expecting busy, under-informed consumers to drive system-wide change is both unrealistic and unfair. Leadership in sustainability starts with the brands, not the buyers.
• Sustainability should be built into business models – not left to chance: Drawing on the example of Forestwise and its partnerships in Borneo, Lorraine shows how companies can create demand by doing the right thing first. By integrating sustainability into their core operations, brands can inspire both loyalty and long-term impact.
• Refillable beauty isn’t failing – its design is: When uptake of refill systems is slow, brands are quick to blame consumers for being “unwilling to change.” But, as Vogue Business notes, the barriers lie in convenience, habit, and hygiene – not consumer apathy. The system needs to make sustainable options effortless, not burdensome.
• Change will come from those who lead, not those who follow: The next phase of sustainability in the beauty industry will belong to the brands that make better choices, the easiest ones. Consumers do care – but they can only act on their values when the infrastructure supports them. It’s time for companies to step up, redesign systems, and build a future where sustainable beauty is the norm.

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.