As an advanced marine skincare brand, Phytomer has a deep connection with nature with a philosophy hinged on creating sustainable, high-performance skincare innovations, with respect for both the sea and environment.

Since its inception, the restorative healing power of wild, organic and natural marine ingredients have remained at the heart of Phytomer’s products, in order to deliver the sea’s benefits to each and every customer’s skin.

Deputy general manager Tristan Lagarde says the natural world is ingrained within the core of the company’s DNA, after it was founded in the picturesque French seaside town of St Malo in Brittany in the 1970s.

Phytomer still operates out of the very same location and relishes its physical proximity to nature, with the beach just a short walk away. Lagarde says this acts as a constant reminder and form of inspiration for the brand to maintain committed to producing sustainable blue beauty.

Responsibly-sourced ingredients
Phytomer works with a plethora of powerful marine ingredients, all obtained through eco-friendly and responsible means to preserve natural resources. 70 per cent of these actives are sourced from Brittany via a carefully selected network of trusted local partners including growers, start-ups and researchers.

“We source our ingredients in Brittany because of the region’s exceptional biodiversity,” explained Lagarde, “and at Phytomer we believe the sea’s boundless generosity demands our respect.

“Although the ocean offers us an exquisitely rich and promising treasure trove of ingredients, we recognise it’s a fragile ecosystem which should be carefully looked after and not taken advantage of.”

In a nod to this, the remainder of marine active ingredients are produced responsibly by Phytomer’s in-house marine biotechnology research laboratory.

The lab cultivates marine algae, plants and microorganisms and, to date, has discovered 60 new micro-organisms with fascinating beauty potential.

Powered by 100 per cent renewable energy and 45 years of experience in sustainable marine ingredient cultivation, the facility is run by researchers specialised in skin and marine biology who use green methods to extract powerful natural active ingredients from marine microorganisms.

Lagarde says this controlled method not only ensures a sustainable approach to ingredient sourcing but also allows Phytomer to monitor and observe the environment in which the ingredients grow to ensure optimal levels of purity.

At the forefront of cosmetic discoveries, Phytomer’s Laboratory is one of the few in the world to master marine biotechnology and was recognised for its sustainability commitments in 2019 with the prestigious RSE Ecovadis Gold certification. The award was presented to celebrate its pioneering progress in sustainable marine algae and seaside plant cultivation.

One step further
“At Phytomer we’re immensely proud of our innovative green formulas and responsible production process, but we decided to go the extra mile in our sustainability mission by refreshing our products with eco-friendly packaging,” Lagarde added.

In 2020, the company completed a sustainable packaging update meaning its lines were upgraded to feature less plastic and more eco-friendly materials, including recyclable outer packaging, glass jars and plant-based tubes.

The changes were quickly rolled out across all of Phytomer’s lines with immediate effect to reduce the organisation’s impact on the environment, all while maintaining its high-end design and professional finish.

A cut above the rest
According to Lagarde, this unwaverable and authentic commitment to sustainability through every facet of the business is part of what makes Phytomer stand out from the crowd.

“Spas appreciate our genuine enthusiasm about making the world a better place and are impressed by our innovative green methods to produce blue skincare. This is why Phytomer offers an ideal partner for spas who want premium responsibly-sourced marine skincare.”

Phytomer’s sustainable production process and dedication to the environment from start to finish makes it a market leader in producing blue beauty using green methods.

In Lagarde’s opinion, Phytomer leads by example and the brand is continuing to innovate to further prove its respect for protecting the planet and creating outstanding blue beauty products.