Céline Cousteau Stands With La Prairie’s Advanced Marine Biology
La Prairie Advanced Marine Biology Collection
“The Sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” — Jacques Cousteau
Celine Cousteau, founder of CauseCentric Productions and granddaughter of the legendary Jacques Cousteau, is a born explorer who continues to create awareness for protecting the sustainability of our ocean resources. For the past five years Cousteau has engaged in a partnership with the prestigious Swiss skincare company, La Prairie. Their partnership has evolved to reveal the protective powers of the sea through the development of the Advanced Marine Biology Collection, an eco-conscious skincare line that is focused on protection and prevention. The nutrients and anti-oxidants found in the marine extracts help prevent environment stresses from damaging the skin. La Prairie says these extracts have the ability to give the skin radiance, energy and vitality. For example, the new Advanced Marine Biology Eye Gel is formulated with a Green Microalgae Oligopeptide that targets and improves the appearance of dark under eye circles and spider veins.
This season marks the expansion of the collection with the introduction of three luxurious aging-preventive products: Revitalizing Emulsion (for face, eyes and neck), Eye Gel and Foaming Mousse Cleanser.
“Life is about choices – whether it’s using a recycling bin, eating sustainable seafood or purchasing products that make a conscious effort to protect our environment. I am proud to be affiliated with the Advanced Marine Biology Collection, as it gives consumers the skincare option of a versatile collection of multi-tasking, high-performance products with healthy ingredients that are not depleting our environment,” says Cousteau.
We spoke with Cousteau about the benefits marine life can have on the skin, ways in which we can help protect the environment and Jacques Cousteau’s legacy.
NM: What made you decide to partner with La Prairie on this collection?
CC: My partnership with La Prairie’s Advanced Marine Biology Collection came about for several reasons. One is their commitment to quality and diminishing environmental impact. This line is a symbol of what a luxury company can do to not only offer their clientele an expected high quality product, but also do so while thinking about reducing their environmental impact, including creative use of marine elements. Because the ocean-related ingredients in the Advanced Marine Biology Collection are grown in laboratories rather than taken from the ocean directly, the product not only benefits in terms of quality but the very inspiration for the ingredients, our ocean ecosystem, is not harmed.
Through this partnership, I have been able to speak to a wide variety of audiences around the world and spread the message of my work connecting humans to our natural world.
NM: What life choices can we make, as a society, to protect the environment?
CC: There are so many life choices we can make every day that it is really about deciding where to start and continuing to include better choices whenever we can. The foods we eat are a good place to begin: choose sustainably harvested fish by referring to information such as the Seafood Watch guide from the Monterey Bay Aquarium. You can also stop and think about using only what you need, buying only what you use, and therefore wasting less.
The three R’s of environment “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” can be applied to any part of your life. Bring your own Kanteen or Sigg bottle to work or on your errands and refill it as needed via a water cooler or water fountain – stop buying a new plastic one each time you are thirsty. Donate old clothes and furniture. Consider buying recycled goods. Choose more environmentally safe products (from household cleaners and cosmetics, to clothing and food) and / or choose those that contribute a portion of their profits to environmental causes. Don’t forget that the consumer drives the market – if we demand it, they’ll supply it – we have the ultimate power over what we are offered by industries. Choose a cause, whether it is a species, an ecosystem, or human related and support those who are working to improve conditions for your chosen cause. Everything you do matters – but it only counts of you take action.
NM: Are you currently feeling optimistic or pessimistic in regard to ocean conservation?
Like many people, how I feel about the state of our oceans depends on many circumstances. When I see how much destruction is happening, from over-fishing to plastic and chemical pollution being dumped into our seas, I think that we are either not cognizant of the state of affairs or don’t care what happens… On the other hand, I know many people – scientists, filmmakers, policy makers, everyday citizens – who are fighting every day to protect our oceans, and I have incredible confidence in the work they are doing and their ability to create positive change in our environmental policies and attitudes.
NM: What do you consider your greatest professional success?
CC: There are many projects that I am proud to have been a part of which include in great part filming around the world over the course of the past six years, to bring a plethora of documentary films to audiences everywhere. Some of these include a series for PBS called “Jean-Michel Cousteau: Ocean Adventures,” a Discovery Channel show “Mysteries of the Shark Coast,” and most recently a 12-part series for Chilean television, “Oceano: Chile Frente al Mar.” Recently, I have embarked on another adventure: my own non-profit organization CauseCentric Productions, created to tell short stories about real heroes finding solutions to cultural and environmental challenges. We will officially launch to the public with our first four projects later this year.
NM: What gave you the idea to start CauseCentric Productions?
CC: CauseCentric Productions was formed as a creative means to support people and grassroots organizations working in the field to better our cultural and environmental situations. Over the years I spent filming around the world, I have met and heard many people’s stories. These are everyday people, fighting to better health conditions for other people, striving to protect a species and their habitat, and generally working to find a solution to an existing problem. They may not have access to high-powered people or companies for financing, and are generally working with very little means and not many resources. But what they all have in common is a vision, incredible energy, and determination to make a situation better. I felt the best help I could bring them was to continue working in a field I was already involved in and film them in action, creating a short story about them and their work. This visual communication tool provides a powerful method for them to share their message with an international community in a compelling way. With this tool they can attract volunteers, funders, and share a positive message of action. With their stories, they can inspire others to do more.
NM: What technology are you currently most excited about?
CC: To be honest, it’s not a technology I’m most excited about – it’s the new products themselves and continuing to spread the message that we can reap the benefits of the sea without harming it. I’m all for a simplistic beauty ritual ~ with the new Cleanser, Emulsion and Eye Gel, I’ve got all of my beauty bases covered.
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