Vitamin C has lengthy reigned as skincare royalty – the ingredient everybody is aware of and trusts for its brightening and antioxidant powers. However a quiet revolution could be underway.
And on this week’s episode of Inexperienced Magnificence Conversations, Lorraine Dallmeier, CEO of Components Botanica, asks whether or not vitamin C’s reign might lastly be coming to an finish.
The challenger? Hydroxytyrosol – a pure compound present in olives that early analysis suggests might outperform vitamin C in antioxidant power, whereas additionally soothing redness and supporting collagen manufacturing.
Much more remarkably, this potent ingredient is upcycled from olive waste, turning what would in any other case be discarded right into a sustainable skincare innovation.
On this fascinating episode, Lorraine is joined by Charlotte Julien, Components Botanica graduate and founding father of Edelweiss Creation, previously often known as éméo consulting (as referenced within the episode).
Charlotte additionally labored with Swiss biotech pioneer Gaia Tech, serving to the corporate perceive indie magnificence and skincare model wants, and now runs her personal consultancy-turned-branded firm targeted on guiding magnificence manufacturers in formulation, sustainability, and strategic positioning.
Collectively, Lorraine and Charlotte discover whether or not this olive-derived antioxidant might change into the following huge factor in inexperienced magnificence – and maybe the ingredient that lastly dethrones vitamin C.
“If we will use an upcycled ingredient that’s secure, multifunctional, and sort to the atmosphere, it’s a win–win for each pores and skin and planet.” — Charlotte Julien
On this episode with Charlotte Julien, you’ll hear:
- How Gaia Tech is popping olive waste into skincare gold: Charlotte explains how Swiss start-up Gaia Tech developed Phenoliva Lively, a COSMOS-approved antioxidant produced from upcycled olive pomace that might outperform vitamin C.
- Why hydroxytyrosol might rival vitamin C: Uncover how hydroxytyrosol delivers antioxidant efficiency stronger than vitamin C itself. Charlotte reveals the way it additionally brightens pores and skin, calms irritation, and helps collagen – all whereas remaining mild and secure in formulations.
- The sustainability story behind the science: Phenoliva Lively is a superb instance of a full-circle sustainability mannequin – from natural olive farms in Tuscany to Swiss innovation labs. Charlotte shares how Gaia Tech’s course of reduces waste, lowers carbon impression, and maintains full traceability all through the availability chain.
- Why indie magnificence manufacturers are finest positioned to innovate: Charlotte discusses why small, agile manufacturers are main the cost in adopting novel actives like hydroxytyrosol. Due to low minimal order portions and accessible pricing, indie formulators can now experiment with cutting-edge elements that after solely main manufacturers might afford.
Key takeouts embrace:
- Hydroxytyrosol might outshine vitamin C in antioxidant energy: Early analysis exhibits hydroxytyrosol’s antioxidant power surpasses that of vitamin C, providing a number of pores and skin advantages similar to soothing, brightening, and firming. Its multifunctionality makes it a compelling new energetic for the following technology of inexperienced formulations.
- Upcycling is driving the way forward for magnificence innovation: By remodeling olive waste right into a high-value skincare ingredient, Gaia Tech highlights how waste discount and innovation can go hand in hand. Their course of is COSMOS-approved, solvent-free, and confirmed to have a smaller carbon footprint than conventional disposal.
- Stability and usefulness set it aside: Not like vitamin C, which is notoriously unstable, hydroxytyrosol is water-soluble, colour-stable, and retains efficacy over time. It’s straightforward to formulate with and efficient at simply 0.2-1% focus – making it cost-effective and formulation-friendly.
- Empowering small manufacturers to steer in science and sustainability: Gaia Tech’s choice to make Phenoliva Lively obtainable in portions as little as 100 ml opens the door for indie manufacturers to compete with bigger gamers.
- The sweetness business’s subsequent chapter is round: As customers demand transparency and duty, Charlotte and Lorraine agree that upcycling should change into the brand new regular. Turning “waste” into world-class actives exhibits how true sustainability can energy the following wave of magnificence.
Meet our visitor: Charlotte Julien, founding father of Edelweiss Creation


Charlotte Julien is the founding father of Edelweiss Creation. After greater than ten years of making, growing, and managing her personal pure skincare model, she now dedicates her experience to supporting skincare manufacturers and firms in strengthening their id and rising with readability and confidence.
Her mission is to make the digital and strategic features of magnificence accessible, human, and efficient, whether or not it’s launching a brand new idea or elevating an current model. With Edelweiss Creation, she provides an area the place magnificence companies can evolve, stand out, and flourish.
Charlotte additionally consults for Gaia Tech, translating market wants into clear strategic steering. She helps form advertising and marketing and visibility methods that join Gaia Tech’s progressive Phenoliva Lively with the real-world wants of indie and established magnificence manufacturers.
Discover out extra about Charlotte & her consulting companies beneath:
Particular provide: Use code ‘BOTANICA’ to get €10.00 off all orders on Gaia Tech and 10% off on any consultancy charges with Charlotte
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Lorraine Dallmeier is a Biologist, Chartered Environmentalist and the CEO of Components Botanica, the award-winning on-line natural beauty science college. Learn extra about Lorraine and the Components Botanica Group.

