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Generation of Women Inspired by the Sea
Our family’s relationship with the sea can be traced back to over 100 years ago.
In the 1920s our great-grandmother Elsa, a chiropractor, injured herself and became bedridden. She was unable to care for her patients for months. One night a message came to her in a dream:
“The ocean will heal you.”
At sunrise she insisted her husband carry her down to the sea near their home on Long Island. After swimming for a few days, her leg began to improve. She was healed within a few months. Elsa attributed her recovery to the minerals and trace elements present in saltwater and the abundance of seaweed found in the sea.
The women of our family followed Elsa’s dedication to healing and wellness.
Borrowing from our grandmother’s wisdom, Jenefer started mixing her own formulas rooted in the healing power of the sea. After a decade of formulation, OSEA officially launched in 1996. More than 30 years later, OSEA remains our family’s deepest passion.
Welcome to our family!
Jenefer (Mother + Founder) & Melissa (Daughter + CEO)
Our Timeline
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!
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.
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.
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.
1990s
I devote myself to the study of cosmetic chemistry and spend years perfecting my formulations.
1996
OSEA officially launches at Fred Segal on Melrose!
1998
My daughter Melissa officially joins me and we begin working on OSEA together (out of our garage).
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.
2002
Our first spa partnership is with the Four Seasons Maui, uniting our shared passion for holistic wellness, naturally-derived ingredients and rejuvenation.
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.
2004
OSEA becomes the first company to sign the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. Eventually, more than 1,000 other companies will join us.
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.
2010
We introduce our cult-favorite seaweed-infused Undaria Algae™ Body Oil, which to this day remains our #1 bestseller.
2016
My daughter Melissa becomes OSEA’s first CEO. She begins to rapidly grow our family-run company and expand our social media presence.
2018
Our first OSEA Skincare Studio opens in Venice, California. The response was overwhelming!
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.
2022
We win our first-ever Allure Best of Beauty award for Ocean Eyes®.
2021
Celebrating our 25th anniversary in front of our first-ever billboards in NYC and LA!
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.