Why we should take care of our oceans, because they take care of us

World Oceans Day is on Wednesday 8th June 2022, and whilst the sea is a constant source of nourishment and inspiration to us at Sereia, this is an important time for us to reflect on how essential the ocean is to us as humans - for the water we drink, the air we breathe, for human activity and for all life.

In this post, Charlotte talks about how the sea is close to her heart in many ways, and some of the steps we can take to preserve our precious ocean habitats....

"The sea is very personal to me. I find spending time by the sea so relaxing, and walking on the beach truly benefits my mental health. The sea is also a constant source of inspiration for me, it's part of what inspired me to create Sereia Skincare in the first place. Many of the ingredients found in our marine-inspired range of products are naturally abundant, enabling us to source them as sustainably as we can.

"Seaweed is one example - according to Dr Max Huber, this super ingredient is one of the 'fastest growing organisms on earth, with the ability to grow at a rate of two feet a day in prime seasons'. It has an endless ability to regenerate itself, and has incredible moisture retaining properties, making it an ideal choice for our hydrating products, such as our Firming Body Oil and Shape & Tone Body Butter.

"During World Oceans Day it is important that we help raise awareness of the threats to our beloved oceans. Here are some amazing but also worrying facts about the current state of our oceans... 

- As much as 80% of all life on earth is found beneath the oceans surface.

- More than half of the oxygen we breathe every day is produced by ocean organisms, generated by marine photosynthesizers, such as phytoplankton and seaweed.

- Oceans absorb around half of the world's carbon dioxide. Coastal systems like mangroves and seagrass meadows absorb CO² up to 50 times faster than the equivalent area of tropical rainforest.

- It is estimated that two thirds of ocean species are yet to be discovered. According to UNESCO, 226,000 marine species have been identified and described to date.

- More humans have reached the moon than have dived the deepest ocean trench.

- 90% of the world's wild fish stocks are now fully exploited or depleted. 

"One of the biggest problems threatening the stability of our oceans is of course plastic. At Sereia our approach to sustainability is inspired by our respect for the ocean and the abundance of life and nutrients it offers us. We are committed to being as sustainable as we can be. This extends from how we make our products, to the choices we make about our packaging, which is almost entirely recyclable.

"One thing I really wanted to do was to support an organisation that helps stop plastic reaching the ocean. Sereia is very proud to support CleanHub, the initiative working around the world to enable the safe collection and recovery of ocean bound plastic waste.

"These are some tips we can all keep in mind, that help prevent plastic reaching the ocean in the first place…

- Recycle properly - research your local recycling facility and make sure you follow their guidelines. If you're unsure, contact your local council to find out more.

- Reduce your use of single-use plastics - switching from disposables to re-usable or re-fillable every day items is a brilliant way to limit the amount of single-use plastic waste you create. Switching to things like reusable cotton makeup pads or washable nappies can have a huge positive impact. Our Body Cleansing Bars are 100% plastic free, making them an amazing alternative to bottles of body wash, plus they're designed to refill our Smoothing Body Mitt. 

- Participate in a beach clean up, or even organise a clean up on a beach near you - the Marine Conservation Society, the National Trust and the Million Mile Clean all have tips for how you can get involved.

- Avoid products with microbeads - in 2018 ban was enforced in the UK preventing the use of plastic microbeads in cosmetics and personal care products. Make sure you always check your products to help avoid introducing these tiny plastic particles into our ocean systems. Our  Smoothing Body Polisher is a rich exfoliating body scrub powered by natural sea salt - we think it does a better job and leaves our skin feeling smoother than any plastic could!

- Support charities that are doing important work by helping to clean up and protect our oceans. Sereia proudly supports CleanHub. Visit our progress page to see our live impact report, and to read about some of the amazing projects we're able to support through CleanHub.

"The next time you visit the beach our spend time by the sea, take a moment to think about this powerful natural force and remember it needs taking care of, just as much as we do."