New Beauty Brand Helps Save the Sea
By Olessa Pindak
Week of October 13, 2008
Week of October 13, 2008
Tim Schaeffer, a veteran of the natural-products industry, has just launched Depth, a beauty brand inspired by the sea. I spoke with Tim about the company and discovered that its body washes, hand soaps, shaving creams, shampoos, and conditioners don’t just smell sweet and work well—they also help protect the ocean.
Why did you start Depth? I was a marine biologist for ten years (my wife is still one), so I wanted to create a company that could have a positive impact on ocean life.
How are your products friendly to the seas? We work with companies that sustainably source the kelp and seaweed that go into our products. The bottles are 50 percent post-consumer recycled and are fully recyclable. Our artwork is silk screened on the bottles to reduce waste from plastic labels.
What would happen if I dumped a bottle directly into the ocean? The products are fully biodegradable. They have an extremely low aquatic toxicity, so they won’t harm wildlife or upset the balance of the ocean.
Natural scents often are milder than synthetic scents. How do you create such sweet scents with natural ingredients? Instead of traditional essential oils, I use natural isolates. You get isolates by heating up a natural substance (such as castor oil, which has no smell when at room temperature) and as soon as it begins to break apart, you capture the molecules, which sometimes have scents. In the case of castor oil, when heated up, one of the molecules smells like peach.
Does Depth have a charitable component? Depth partners with Camp SEA Lab, a nonprofit organization based in Monterey Bay, Calif., that focuses on ocean education for underprivileged kids.
I love the five products—can we expect more? Yes. Other bodycare products and new suncare products are already in development and are expected to hit shelves in 2009. For now, Depth is only available at Whole Foods Markets, but the line will roll out elsewhere in late 2009.
Read more Beauty articles.
Why did you start Depth? I was a marine biologist for ten years (my wife is still one), so I wanted to create a company that could have a positive impact on ocean life.
How are your products friendly to the seas? We work with companies that sustainably source the kelp and seaweed that go into our products. The bottles are 50 percent post-consumer recycled and are fully recyclable. Our artwork is silk screened on the bottles to reduce waste from plastic labels.
What would happen if I dumped a bottle directly into the ocean? The products are fully biodegradable. They have an extremely low aquatic toxicity, so they won’t harm wildlife or upset the balance of the ocean.
Natural scents often are milder than synthetic scents. How do you create such sweet scents with natural ingredients? Instead of traditional essential oils, I use natural isolates. You get isolates by heating up a natural substance (such as castor oil, which has no smell when at room temperature) and as soon as it begins to break apart, you capture the molecules, which sometimes have scents. In the case of castor oil, when heated up, one of the molecules smells like peach.
Does Depth have a charitable component? Depth partners with Camp SEA Lab, a nonprofit organization based in Monterey Bay, Calif., that focuses on ocean education for underprivileged kids.
I love the five products—can we expect more? Yes. Other bodycare products and new suncare products are already in development and are expected to hit shelves in 2009. For now, Depth is only available at Whole Foods Markets, but the line will roll out elsewhere in late 2009.
Read more Beauty articles.
Your Comments:
Wow. I can't wait to try this natural product. I usually get my body sprays and fragrances from Victoria's Secret or Bath and Body Works. I also live very close to the beach, Santa Barbara. It would be nice to have a product that smells as sweet and natural as the ocean!
-- Jovonne Simpson
Your Comments:
Dear Tim,
Wishing you continued success...try Henry's Market in So CA as you broaden your market outreach.
Keep up the good work.
-- Sue Miller-Parody
Your Comments:
I was literally blown after applying the Depth body wash. I'm definitely getting more!
-- Bob Harris
