Interview: “Sustainable Beauty”
Dr. Florian Wecker, co-founder of the German Sustainability Award, in conversation with Sven Ingo Jarck, CEO and founder of caremare .
1. Mr. Jarck, you come from the advertising and marketing world. What motivated you to found a sustainable cosmetics company?
Sven Jarck:
I spent many years working in marketing and advertising for major brand manufacturers and retailers. At some point, I asked myself: What is it really all about – besides consumption? That's when I developed the desire to build my own brand that combines consumption with active sustainability. I also have two sons, now 17 and 19 years old, and naturally , that's another reason why I think about how we will leave our planet to the next generation.
This is where my personal connection to the sea comes into play: I've been diving and sailing since childhood, the oceans are an emotional home for me, and I truly don't know anyone who doesn't love the sea with its tranquility and simultaneously powerful energy. Unfortunately, plastic is now ubiquitous in this fascinating habitat. In today's world, so much revolves around preserving beauty and health – I believe this should absolutely apply to nature as well. Caremare was born out of this inner need to combine beauty with responsibility .
2. Caremare focuses on combining high-performance natural cosmetics with marine conservation. How exactly does that work?
Sven Jarck:
We combine the active effect on the skin and the environment. Our Ageless Skin Formula is based on highly potent algae active ingredients and replaces conventional, often problematic substances with natural alternatives.
In parallel, all green parts of our packaging are made from 100% upcycled #tide ocean material – marine plastic that we thereby permanently remove from the ecosystem.
3. Many brands talk about sustainability. What makes you different?
Sven Jarck:
We didn't want to be "a little more sustainable," but measurably effective . Our goal is not just to avoid harm, but to actively make a difference.
Therefore, we work according to three clear principles:
- Zero-bullshit formulas – free from microplastics, silicones, mineral oil, synthetic polymers, PEGs, parabens, paraffins and perfume.
- Marine High-Performance – natural effectiveness instead of synthetic substitutes.
- Beauty as an attitude – every product actively contributes to marine conservation.
This is achieved on the one hand through the use of upcycled marine plastic for packaging and on the other hand through supporting NGOs dedicated to protecting marine ecosystems. We are particularly committed to the Iberian Orca Guardians Foundation, founded by Sarah Connor and Janek André, which works to preserve the last remaining 35 or so Iberian orcas.
4. You mention algae-based active ingredients. Why do they play such a central role in Caremare?
Sven Jarck:
Algae are the sustainable, high-performance active ingredients of the future. They grow extremely quickly, require no agricultural land, and are rich in bioactive substances. Furthermore, they bind CO₂ and convert it into oxygen and biomass – they are true climate protectors.
They are a blessing for the skin: they not only replace chemical active ingredients, but are often more effective and considerably better tolerated.
5. Where does the plastic you use for your packaging come from?
Sven Jarck:
Almost all ocean-bound plastic is collected in the coastal regions of Southeast Asia and upcycled by #tide into a high-quality material using a technically sophisticated process. Unfortunately, soft components such as airless vacuum bags pose a challenge – currently, we still have to use virgin material for these, but we are working intensively on recycled or biodegradable alternatives.
We see this as a journey: Every step counts – and we will continue consistently.
6. Considering the millions of tons of plastic that end up in the ocean every year – can your initiative really make a difference?
Sven Jarck:
I think every initiative makes a difference. What's crucial is not just the amount of plastic that #tide removes, but the impact we have on consumers.
For our initial production run, we used approximately three tons of upcycled marine plastic. This required recovering a total of about 10 to 12 tons of waste from the sea. The remaining, non-recyclable plastic and other waste will be sent to the local waste management and recycling system – and this is just the beginning.
When consumers understand that sustainable consumption is possible without sacrificing quality – and actively demand it – a domino effect will occur. The impact would be enormous.
In the long term, plastic must be replaced as a packaging material. Only then would our intensive efforts result in a genuine transformation.
7. Where can consumers buy your products?
Sven Jarck:
Available from January in our online shop caremare.com , at Müller Online , at Galeria Online and in selected Galeria department stores with a new beauty concept.
We would of course like to have more trading partners, because the goal is to reach as many people as possible with our actively sustainable, high-performance natural cosmetics.
8. How do you see the future of sustainable consumption?
Sven Jarck:
I am convinced that brands that boldly invest in sustainability today will be the role models in their industry tomorrow. And I believe that consumption can be more than just satisfying an impulse – it can generate good karma.
9. And where is Caremare headed?
Sven Jarck:
We aim to become a leading European brand for marine natural cosmetics. Alongside the continuous development of our active ingredient complexes, we intend to leverage this growth to further expand marine conservation efforts and launch additional collaborations that achieve genuine ecological impact.
And if I may dream, I would wish that one day we could produce our packaging from biodegradable, natural raw materials, because there simply isn't enough ocean plastic left – that would be a fantastic moment.
Mr. Jarck, I wish you and caremare every success and look forward to seeing you again at the German Sustainability Award 2025.
Written by Sven Jarck
