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What Is Shea Butter?
OSEA FamilyShea butter is derived from African Shea trees, which produce smooth, round nuts. The kernel of these nuts is used...
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Generations of Women Inspired by the Sea
Our family's connection to the sea began more than 100 years ago.
Inspired by our great-grandmother Elsa's belief in the healing power of the ocean, Jenefer spent a decade developing seaweed-powered formulas before founding OSEA in 1996. More than 30 years later, OSEA remains family-owned and led by mother and daughter, creating clean, clinically tested skincare inspired by the sea.
Welcome to our family.
Jenefer, Founder & Mother
Melissa, CEO & Daughter
Our Timeline
1920s
Elsa discovers the healing power of the ocean.
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1920s
My grandmother Elsa (one of the first female chiropractors in the U.S.) discovers the healing powers of seaweed and the ocean. She starts the first Polar Bear Club in New York, swimming in the Long Island Sound over 300 days a year!
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1982
I immerse myself in the healing arts.
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1982
Moved to Orcas Island, Washington to raise my family in an intentional community. I immerse myself in the healing arts, including shiatsu, polarity therapy and biodynamic craniosacral therapy.
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1982
I begin creating OSEA's first formulas.
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1982
I become Spa Director at Murrieta Hot Springs, one of Southern California's first wellness spas. Unable to find clean skincare that meets my standards, I start creating my own formulas. The following year, I formulated what would eventually become the first OSEA product: Essential Hydrating Oil.
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1987
My seaweed skincare journey begins.
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1987
After Murrieta Hot Springs spa is sold, I focus my attention on creating seaweed-infused skincare. My bathtub becomes a seaweed storage facility and my kitchen, a laboratory.
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1990s
I perfect OSEA's formulations.
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1990s
I devote myself to the study of cosmetic chemistry and spend years perfecting my formulations.
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1996
OSEA launches at Fred Segal.
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1996
OSEA officially launches at Fred Segal on Melrose!
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1998
Melissa joins the family business.
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1998
My daughter Melissa officially joins me and we begin working on OSEA together (out of our garage).
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2000
Vegan and cruelty-free, always.
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2000
We have been vegan and cruelty-free since the beginning. We affirmed this commitment by becoming Vegan certified by PETA. We're also proud to be Cruelty Free-certified by Leaping Bunny since 2000.
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2002
Our first Four Seasons spa partnership.
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2002
Our first spa partnership is with the Four Seasons Maui, uniting our shared passion for holistic wellness, naturally-derived ingredients and rejuvenation.
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2004
Advocating for safer cosmetics.
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2004
Jenefer testifies before the California State Assembly with the Environmental Working Group in support of the Safe Cosmetics Act, which passed in 2005. I also work with the Environmental Working Group and the Breast Cancer Fund to advocate for safer cosmetic regulation.
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2004
First to sign the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.
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2004
OSEA becomes the first company to sign the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. Eventually, more than 1,000 other companies will join us.
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2005
We begin sustainably sourcing seaweed.
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2005
We begin sourcing our seaweed from a sustainable seaweed farm in southern Patagonia. It’s there that we develop OSEA’s signature, proprietary seaweed-based ingredients.
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2010
Undaria Algae™ Body Oil launches.
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2010
We introduce our cult-favorite seaweed-infused Undaria Algae™ Body Oil, which to this day remains our #1 bestseller.
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2016
Melissa becomes CEO.
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2016
My daughter Melissa becomes OSEA’s first CEO. She begins to rapidly grow our family-run company and expand our social media presence.
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2017
Melissa and Jennifer testify about safe cosmetics
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2017
Melissa and Jennifer go to Washington, DC to testify about safe cosmetics
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2018
Our first Skincare Studio opens.
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2018
Our first OSEA Skincare Studio opens in Venice, California. The response was overwhelming!
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2020
OSEA launches at Ulta Beauty.
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2020
We make our debut in Ulta Beauty as part of their Conscious Beauty initiative, which highlights brands that positively impact our community and the planet.
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2021
Celebrating 25 years of OSEA.
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2021
Celebrating our 25th anniversary in front of our first-ever billboards in NYC and LA!
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2022
Our first Allure Best of Beauty Award.
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2022
We win our first-ever Allure Best of Beauty award for Ocean Eyes®.
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2023
Vagus Nerve Bath Oil wins Allure.
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2023
We’re proud to win our second Allure Best of Beauty award for Vagus Nerve Bath Oil, a one-of-a-kind bath oil that soaks away signs of stress.
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2025
Undaria Algae™ Body Oil wins Allure.
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2025
Our #1 bestseller Undaria Algae™ Body Oil wins Allure Best of Beauty Award.
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Thoughtfully Formulated
Since 1996, we've created clean, clinically tested skincare inspired by the sea. Every formula begins with carefully selected ingredients chosen for their safety, efficacy and sensorial experience. Explore our full ingredient glossary here.
Clean by Nature. Backed by Science.
We believe the best formulas begin with exceptional ingredients. That's why we combine nutrient-rich seaweed with active botanicals and proven ingredients to create clean, clinically tested skincare with visible results.
We choose to formulate without the following ingredients:
- Animal-derived ingredients
- Benzene/benzene compounds
- Coal tar ingredients
- Formaldehyde/formaldehyde releasers
- Gluten
- Heavy metal compounds
- Hydroquinone
- Nanoparticles
- Polyethylene Glycol compounds (PEGs)
- Parabens
- Phthalates
- Silicone-based compounds/polymers
- Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES)
- Synthetic fragrance
- and many more
Ingredient Blogs
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Ingredients -
Ingredients Bio-Retinol Myths Debunked
OSEA FamilyIf you’ve started (or are considering) an anti-aging skincare routine, you’ve likely heard of retinol – the gold standard in...
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Ingredients Everything You Need to Know About Ceramides
OSEA FamilyGet ready for firmer, smoother, plumper-looking skin.
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Ingredients Everything You Need to Know About Glycerin
OSEA FamilyThe unsung hero of the skincare
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Dive Deeper Into Our Signature Seaweeds
Types of Seaweed We Use
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Undaria Pinnatifida (Wakame)Helps Replenish Skin's Moisture Barrier
Rich in vitamins, amino acids, antioxidants, minerals and nutrients.Sea It in Action:
Atmosphere Protection® Cream
Advanced Protection Cream
Dayglow Face Oil®
Ocean Cleanser
Ocean Cleansing Milk
Ocean Wave Cleanser
Ocean Eyes® Serum
Seabiotic® Water Cream
Sea Minerals Mist
Undaria Algae™ Body Oil
Undaria Algae™ Body Butter
Undaria Algae™ Body Lotion
Undaria Algae™ Body Wash
Undaria Cleansing Body Polish
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Red SeaweedMoisturizes + Smooths
Rich in bio-protective oligosaccharides and essential minerals.Sea It in Action:
Dream Night Serum
Ocean Eyes® Serum
Red Algae Clarifying Mask
Salts of the Earth Body Scrub
Seaglow Overnight Serum AHA Treatment
Sea Minerals Mist
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Brown SeaweedVisibly Firms + Boosts Radiance
Rich in polysaccharides, antioxidants, macro elements and trace elements.Sea It in Action:
Advanced Repair Eye Cream
Anti-Aging Body Balm
Atmosphere Protection® Cream
Ocean Cleansing Mudd
Sea Minerals Mist -
Japanese Miru SeaweedHydrates + Balances
Rich in amino acids and beneficial ocean-minerals.Sea It in Action:
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Inspired by Nature
Our name, OSEA, stands for Ocean, Sun, Earth, and Atmosphere, the natural elements that have inspired us since 1996. They continue to guide the way we formulate, the values we uphold, and the choices we make every day. Because for us, caring for skin has always been connected to caring for the world around us.
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Certified Vegan & Cruelty-Free
We've always believed caring for skin should never come at the expense of animals. That's why every OSEA formula is vegan and never tested on animals. Today, we're proud to be certified Vegan by PETA and Cruelty Free by Leaping Bunny.
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Advocating for Cleaner Beauty
In 2004, we became the first company to sign the Environmental Working Group's Compact for the Global Production of Safe Health and Beauty Products. Today, we continue to champion stronger ingredient standards and greater transparency because everyone deserves safer skincare. -
Giving Back
Creating positive change extends beyond the products we make. We're proud to support organizations working to protect our oceans, restore natural ecosystems, and strengthen communities, including Mission Blue, SeaTrees, Cancer Schmancer, A Sense of Home, Kiss the Ground, and Surfrider Foundation. Together, we're supporting healthier communities and a healthier planet. -
Sustainability
Our values extend beyond the products we create. Learn more about how we're putting them into action through our climate commitments, environmental partnerships, packaging progress, and recycling efforts.
Caring for What Inspires Us
The values that have guided OSEA since 1996 continue to shape the choices we make today. From climate action to thoughtful packaging and environmental partnerships, we're committed to reducing our impact over time.
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Climate Responsible
Understanding our impact is the first step toward reducing it. Since 2020, we've been Climate Label Certified. Every year, we measure our cradle-to-customer greenhouse gas emissions and invest in carbon credits as part of our ongoing climate strategy. -
Ocean Responsible
Healthy oceans depend on thriving ecosystems. Since 2022, we've partnered with SeaTrees to support mangrove restoration in Mida Creek, Kenya, and forest protection in Cambodia's Southern Cardamom region, helping protect landscapes that support our planet.Learn more -
Packaging with a Purpose
Since founding OSEA in 1996, we've prioritized glass packaging as part of our long-term approach to thoughtful design. Today, we're continuing that work by increasing the use of post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials, with a goal of 50% PCR in plastic components, while reducing shipper box materials and printed inserts wherever possible. -
Recycling Program
Some beauty packaging can't be recycled through curbside programs. That's why we've partnered with TerraCycle at our Venice Skincare Studio to help give beauty empties a second life. Bring back six empty OSEA products and receive a $40 facial credit toward your next skincare service.
Sustainability Blogs
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Inside-Osea Our Commitment to Sustainability and Our Planet
OSEA FamilyGreen when it was just a color.
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Inside-Osea We Are Ocean Responsible
OSEA FamilyFrom Climate Responsible to Ocean Responsible, we’re making waves to heal our planet.
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How-To Green Your Routine
OSEA FamilyEarth day, every day! Our founder & mama, Jenefer Palmer and our CEO, Melissa Palmer share some simple tips to...
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Products How to Recycle Your OSEA Products
OSEA FamilyFrom jars to lids, here's your complete guide on how to recycle your skincare products
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Sustainable Seaweed Harvesting
