The challenges of social and environmental responsibility and sustainable development have been at the heart of the growth model since the creation of the Pierre Fabre group.
As such, Eau Thermale Avène is aware of the environmental impact of sun protection and, consequently, in 2013 started a project to protect the oceans - Skin Protect Ocean Respect. This eco-responsible commitment aims not only to protect our skin, but also to protect the oceans from the sunscreens that are deposited in the waters.
Thus, since 2013, Eau Thermale Avènehas chosen to develop formulas that contain a minimum of sun filters and no silicones, for optimal biodegradability and therefore minimize their impact on the marine environment.
At the same time, the brand surrounded itself with the world's leading specialists in marine ecology and ecotoxicology, with the aim of developing innovative tests through which we can now say that our sunscreens respect marine biodiversity: they have no impact on corals, phytoplankton and zooplankton, which are at the base of the food chain. Thus, when choosing our sunscreens, consumers will not feel obliged to choose between their health and that of the planet. Likewise, because we know that sunscreens are one of the main pollutants of the oceans and because 70% of the oxygen we breathe comes from the ocean and since we are a reference in sun protection worldwide, we feel a responsibility towards the consumers to protect what we must leave for future generations: a more sustainable planet.
Alongside the Skin Protect Ocean Respect project, in 2016, a long-term partnership was also initiated with the social company PUR Projet, whose main mission is to safeguard marine ecosystems in Indonesia. This community-based project aims to regenerate damaged coral reefs, preserve mangrove forests, which are critical to preserving biodiversity and improving the environmental practices of local communities. As a result of intensive fishing, pollution, global warming and tourism, coral reefs are in danger. Scientists estimate thatcoral reefs will disappear by 2100, hence the need to establish coral nurseries in partnership with local populations.
Consequently, and given its importance, we have metrics drawn up for the Skin Protect Ocean Respect project and for the PUR Project. Regarding the first, in terms of formulations, we intend, whenever we innovate, to bring a cleaner formula with less environmental impact. In terms of the partnership with the PUR Projet, the goals for 2021 are: 6,120 transplanted corals, 6,000 planted mangrove trees and 80 tons of waste collected.
As a result of all the efforts that have been made over the last few years, in 2021, the new Intense Protect SPF 50+ sunscreen arrives on the market, as an ultra-innovative sunscreen, TriAsorB, the result of 20 years of research and development . This is the 1st organic sunscreen that protects from UVB/UVA rays and visible blue light. This sunscreen made it possible to reduce the concentration of filters in the new product Intense Protect SPF50+ by 10% and, consequently, it is an even cleaner formula for the marine ecosystem.