Sun care products: our strict tests on different species of marine biodiversity
Today, our oceans are in grave danger from several factors:
- Climate change
- Overfishing
- Plastic pollution
- The presence of chemicals, particularly UV filters.
Why does sun care product formulation matter for our oceans?
UV filters in sun care products directly impact ocean biodiversity
- After 20 minutes of swimming: 25% of sunscreen dissolves in the sea.
- Between 16,000 to 25,000 tons of sunscreen are used annually.
- Coral reefs absorb 4,000 to 6,000 tons of sunscreen annually.
The destruction of the seafloor threatens the life of ecosystems and the entire food chain that depends on them
The health of coral reefs is crucial for marine biodiversity. Reefs alone are home to 25% of ocean life.
However, 20% of the reefs and associated ecosystems have already been irreversibly destroyed. According to the French Ministry of Ecological Transition and Solidarity, 80% of the remaining 30% are still in a healthy state.
We must take action!
Strict tests to verify the non-toxicity of our sun care products on algae and corals
Which tests did we choose**?**
Faced with these challenges, we conducted rigorous tests to assess the impact of our sun care products on algae and corals. Our testing included sea anemone cells, which belong to the Cnidaria family (corals), coral fragments, and algae, which are at the base of the marine food chain.
Comparative results of cytotoxicity tests conducted on different sun protection products
This test compares the cytotoxicity of three SPF50+ sun protection products formulated with different filters: titanium dioxide (TiO2), zinc oxide (ZnO), and the complex of new generation UV filters used in our sun protection products.* It is conducted on cnidarian cell cultures (coral family) by the marine biology laboratory of the University of Nice and IRCAN.
Result
This SPF 50+ sun protection formula incorporating our new generation UV filters shows no significant effect on cell viability after 7 days of incubation.
This test allowed us to choose between these synthetic organic filters and mineral filters, which appear more toxic to corals.
Cytotoxicity test example on corals performed with our Sun Stick
An independent laboratory conducted a cytotoxicity evaluation on coral fragments (species: Seriatopora hystrix). The study was conducted under "extreme"; conditions compared to those in the natural environment, meaning that the concentration of the product tested was much higher than what would be found in the marine environment. Various parameters, including the bleaching of the fragments, were studied.
Result
The results allow us to conclude that our sun stick is “non-ecotoxic” to coral fragments.
Cytotoxicity test example on algae performed with our sun milks and sun oils
An independent laboratory evaluated the ecotoxicity of our sun care products on marine algae according to ISO 10253 standards.
We tested the impact of our sun protection products on algae growth at very high concentrations, up to 100 mg/L. This concentration is much higher than what would be found in natural environments.
Result
The study demonstrated that our sun care products are "ecotoxic" to marine algae growth.
Biodegradability tested
In addition to cytotoxicity tests, we have also evaluated the biodegradability of our formulas according to the OECD 301F standard.
All these tests allow us to conclude on the minimal impact of our sun protection products on the marine environment.
Our sun care products
Formulated with new generation UV filters, our products are more respectful of the marine ecosystem.
Our sun care range effectively protects your skin from the sun's harmful effects, for a
radiant and long-lasting tan, while being more respectful of algae and coral reefs: learn more!