The $5 Million Question: How to Create Beauty Products That Set the Standard with Holly Moore

In this episode of Beauty and the Brand, award-winning product developer and founder of The Ingredientist, Holly Moore, shares what she would create if handed $5 million to launch her dream beauty brand.

Known for her “ingredient nerd” roots and a career shaping some of the industry’s most innovative launches, Holly reveals how she’d blend science-backed claims, category-defining textures, and sustainable actives into a future-proof product pipeline. She explains why founder-led vision is essential, how to avoid fear-based marketing, and why hormones are “the language the skin speaks” when developing formulas. Whether you’re a beauty founder building your first hero product or refining a multi-year pipeline, Holly’s candid, values-driven approach will inspire you to think beyond trends and set the standard in beauty innovation.

Chapters:

  • 00:00:00 – Kicking Off: The Realities of Product Development
  • 00:01:29 – Meet Holly Moore: Beauty’s Award-Winning Formulation Powerhouse
  • 00:02:24 – From Childhood Curiosity to Full-On Ingredient Nerd
  • 00:03:53 – Blending Science, Ethics, and Skin Health
  • 00:06:43 – Clean vs. Synthetic: The Truth in the Gray
  • 00:11:26 – Crafting a Product Pipeline That Wins
  • 00:21:03 – Why Your Product Brief Can Make or Break You
  • 00:27:37 – Private Label or Custom Formulation? The Smart Choice
  • 00:38:58 – Green Chemistry and What’s Next for Beauty
  • 00:40:55 – My $5 Million Dream Beauty Brand
  • 00:43:47 – Where to Connect and Collaborate with Me
  • 00:44:27 – Wrapping Up: Final Founder Insights

Links and Resources:

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