13/11/2020 - Features
The ocean, an essential resource that we must protect
Protect your health, and the planet
Taking care of your skin to protect it from the sun's rays, the cause of many skin cancers as well as photoaging, is our primary mission. However, some filters contained in sun care products can be toxic to marine ecosystems. That is why, for the last 10 years, Eau Thermale Avène has been striving to reduce sun filter content without compromising on our very high UVA and UVB protection efficacy. We only use non water-soluble filters and always test their potential ecotoxicity to marine biodiversity.
To achieve this, we work hand in hand with experts from the Oceanological Laboratory in Banyuls-sur-mer, member of the EMBRC (European Marine Biological Resources Center), which studies the impact of sun filters on the oceans. Studies conducted and published have shown that our Skin Protect Ocean Respect filters are non-toxic to representative species of coral*, phytoplankton** and zooplankton**, meaning they respect marine biodiversity.
A new lease of life for the ocean floor
You have your own role to play in this mission.
Choosing Eau Thermale Avène Sun Care products means making a commitment to protect your skin while respecting the oceans!
*Stien et al. Scientific Reports. 2020.
**Thorel et al. Toxics. 2020.
Skin Protect, Ocean Respect. A Key Commitment
At Eau Thermale Avène, we are committed to taking care of all sensitive skin types and protecting them from the sun, while at the same time respecting the environment. This commitment has sparked the interest of BBC Storyworks, which features our brand’s Skin Protect, Ocean Respect project in its #Essentialsfordailylife campaign, aimed at highlighting innovative companies in the cosmetics industry. To help bring this partnership to life, we worked with them to produce a documentary looking back at the initiatives undertaken over the last few years. The Skin Protect, Ocean Respect project is very close to our hearts and we’d love to share more of it with you, giving you insight into what it is all about!
The ocean, an essential resource that we must protect
The Earth is known as the Blue Planet and for good reason, as oceans represent 71% of the world’s surface. This ecosystem may be huge, but it is also fragile and it is vital that we preserve it. Many of us aren’t aware of the fact that the oceans produce most of the oxygen we breathe as well as absorb much of the world's CO2. They play a key role in our lives without us even realizing it! At a time when global warming is at the top of the agenda, protecting our oceans is a major concern. Let’s not forget the millions of species that live in the oceans that are in danger of extinction if we fail to protect their natural habitat. These include corals, as well as the phytoplankton (micro-algae) and zooplankton (micro-shrimps) at the base of the food chain.
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Protect your health, and the planet
Taking care of your skin to protect it from the sun's rays, the cause of many skin cancers as well as photoaging, is our primary mission. However, some filters contained in sun care products can be toxic to marine ecosystems. That is why, for the last 10 years, Eau Thermale Avène has been striving to reduce sun filter content without compromising on our very high UVA and UVB protection efficacy. We only use non water-soluble filters and always test their potential ecotoxicity to marine biodiversity.
To achieve this, we work hand in hand with experts from the Oceanological Laboratory in Banyuls-sur-mer, member of the EMBRC (European Marine Biological Resources Center), which studies the impact of sun filters on the oceans. Studies conducted and published have shown that our Skin Protect Ocean Respect filters are non-toxic to representative species of coral*, phytoplankton** and zooplankton**, meaning they respect marine biodiversity.
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A new lease of life for the ocean floor
Our commitments don’t stop there. Since 2016, in addition to ensuring respect for marine biodiversity, we have been committed to regenerating corals reefs in Indonesia through the Pur Corail project, alongside the Pur Projet social enterprise.
Why is this important? Over the past 30 years, 30% of the world's corals have been destroyed. Yet this authentic underwater forest plays an essential role in regulating the climate and maintaining marine biodiversity as well as being home to millions of species.
Together with PUR Project, we have helped replant 4,200 corals over the last four years and we aim to reach 6,120 by 2021. Since 2019, our initiative has been expanding and we are now also involved in planting mangrove trees which are crucial for combating erosion and we have 6,000 trees set to be replanted by next year. Furthermore, we are supporting local populations to better manage their waste by setting up a collection and recycling system. Some 81 tons of plastic will have been collected and recycled by 2021, helping prevent the release of toxic gases through the burning of plastic waste.
The aim of all these initiatives undertaken with Pur Projet is to contribute to greater respect for our environment.
Why is this important? Over the past 30 years, 30% of the world's corals have been destroyed. Yet this authentic underwater forest plays an essential role in regulating the climate and maintaining marine biodiversity as well as being home to millions of species.
Together with PUR Project, we have helped replant 4,200 corals over the last four years and we aim to reach 6,120 by 2021. Since 2019, our initiative has been expanding and we are now also involved in planting mangrove trees which are crucial for combating erosion and we have 6,000 trees set to be replanted by next year. Furthermore, we are supporting local populations to better manage their waste by setting up a collection and recycling system. Some 81 tons of plastic will have been collected and recycled by 2021, helping prevent the release of toxic gases through the burning of plastic waste.
The aim of all these initiatives undertaken with Pur Projet is to contribute to greater respect for our environment.
You have your own role to play in this mission.
Choosing Eau Thermale Avène Sun Care products means making a commitment to protect your skin while respecting the oceans!
*Stien et al. Scientific Reports. 2020.
**Thorel et al. Toxics. 2020.