Podcast 201: FRUU Cosmetics and the Sustainable Upcycling of “Wonky Fruits”

Our guest in this episode is Dr Terence Chung, its visionary co-founder FRUU Cosmeticswhich is a company dedicated to transforming sustainable ingredients, particularly “dirty fruit” or by-products from the juice and agricultural products industries, into natural cosmetics.

In conversation with Formula Botanica CEO and podcast host Lorraine Dallmeier, Terence not only shares FRUU’s remarkable journey, but also provides valuable insight into the company’s overall commitment to sustainability.

In this episode, we uncover the complexities and triumphs of incorporating unconventional ingredients into cosmetics, and gain a deep understanding of the challenges that come with this innovative approach. Join us for an insightful discussion that promises to reveal the hidden potential within these often undervalued ingredients, promising a paradigm shift in how we perceive beauty and sustainability.

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Inspirational Quote:

“Nature has a way of surprising us with beauty in unexpected places. At FRUU Cosmetics, we believe in unleashing the hidden potential of ‘wonky fruits’, turning nature’s gems into a sustainable source of beauty and empowerment.” – Dr. Terence Chung, Co-Founder of FRUU Cosmetics

In this episode with Dr Terence Chung, co-founder of FRUU, you will hear:

• Introduction to FRUU and its mission to turn fresh fruit into sustainable cosmetics.
• About the wide range of products offered by FRUUfrom lip balms and hand creams to deodorants and perfumes.
• Terence Chung’s inspiration behind the creation of FRUU and the unique challenges facing the cosmetics industry.
• The fascinating story behind sourcing harmless fruit and turning them into functional cosmetic ingredients.
• Information on the possibilities of recycling in the beauty industry and the role of waste-derived functional ingredients.
• Terence’s perspective on making upcycling the norm in the beauty industry and the need for a mindset shift:consumer acceptance of recycled formulations and the delicate balance of marketing sustainability.
• FRUU’s future plans, including exploring new product lines and addressing challenges in the fragrance sector.

Packed essentials include:

• Sustainability through harmless fruit: FRUU focuses on converting by-products, particularly fruit, into natural cosmetics, creating a sustainable approach to ingredient sourcing.
• A variety of products: From lip balms to perfumes, FRUU has expanded its product range, emphasizing the versatility of raw fruit-derived ingredients.
• Innovation in recycling: Terence discusses the potential of functional component recycling and the challenges associated with changing industry mindsets.
• Consumer mindset: While there is a growing interest in sustainable products, consumer priorities often prioritize price and brand recognition over environmental considerations.
• Future efforts: FRUU is set to explore new product lines, with a focus on home fragrances and bath products, and is actively working on developing fresh fruit fragrances.

Meet our guest: Dr Terence Chung

Dr Terence Chung, the co-founder of FRUU.., leads an innovative London-based brand that transforms ‘beloved fruits’ and agricultural by-products into eco-friendly beauty and grooming products.

With a solid background in biochemistry and a passion for sustainability and innovative brand design, Terence, along with co-founder Kelly, began manufacturing FRUU products in their lean stock in 2017. Since its inception, every FRUU product has been designed, meticulously modeled, and produced in their dedicated workshop in London. Recognized as an award-winning brand, FRUU proudly graces the shelves of notable retailers such as John Lewis, Sephora, Boots Beauty Only Store (Battersea), Holland & Barrett Netherlands and LOGON Hong Kong.

Recently, Terence’s visionary contributions to the industry earned him a spot among the top 25 in “Who’s Who In Natural Beauty,” a testament to his influence and innovation in the field.

Learn more about FRUU and Terence:
FRUU website | Instagram: @fruu.cosmetics | Tik Tok @FRUUcosmetics | LinkedIn |

Terence is offering a 15% online discount on the FRUU website.. to Green Beauty Conversations listeners with code: FB15.

FRUU-LAB offers free product development advice with prior booking.

There is a wealth of information in our old episodes and we encourage you to go back and listen to them. If you want to learn more about some of the topics we covered in this episode, check out the podcast archives again. Go and listen:

Episode 181: Sea Magic from Algal Waste to Cosmetic Ingredients, in which Lorraine is interviewed by Jeff Chapin of Carbonwave, who references this interview with Terence. Carbonwave has created an emulsifier derived from algae waste.
Episode 199: with Thomas Kerfoot of Inky Ingredients and O&3, who supplies upgraded ingredients to all sorts of beauty brands.
Episode 59: How recycled waste created a global beauty brand – in which we spoke to Upcircle’s Anna Brightman who processes her own waste ingredients to create cosmetics.

Thank you for joining us on this episode of the Formula Botanica Green Beauty Conversations podcast. If you enjoyed listening, please share, subscribe and review this episode at iTunes, Spotify the Youtube so that more people can enjoy the show. Don’t forget to follow and connect with us at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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Lorraine Dallmeier is a biologist, certified environmentalist, and CEO of Formula Botanica, the award-winning online organic cosmetics school. Read more about Lorraine and the Formula Botanica team.