Marin Skincare

Most skincare ingredients come from a lab or a farm. Marin Skincare's signature ingredient comes from a lobster.

Amber Boutiette, a biomedical engineer, and Patrick Breeding, her partner in life and business, launched Marin in 2017 after discovering that marine glycoproteins found in lobster hemolymph — the fluid that functions as lobster blood — have serious hydrating properties. Both are University of Maine graduates, and the connection to the state's fishing industry wasn't lost on them. They source their key ingredient from Luke's Lobster in Saco, Maine, turning what was once processing waste into the active base for their skincare line.

The science isn't gimmick. Glycoproteins from marine organisms bind moisture to skin in ways synthetic humectants struggle to match. Amber's engineering background shows in the formulation work — each product goes through lab testing, and the ingredient lists stay tight. No fragrance overload, no filler oils to pad the jar.

Their flagship Soothing Hydration Cream built the brand's reputation. It's a rich, unfragranced moisturizer designed for sensitive and reactive skin. The lip treatment line followed — available in unscented and a few seasonal flavors (Blueberry French Toast and Campfire S'mores among them) — and gift sets round out the catalog.

Marin raised $1.33 million in debt financing in 2023 from Happy Planet Capital. That's a loan, not equity — no ownership changed hands, no board seats were granted. The founders still run everything. They've landed shelf space at L.L.Bean, The Paper Store, and a growing list of national retailers while keeping production in Maine.

For a brand with a seven-figure revenue run rate, the team remains small and the product line stays focused. Amber and Patrick aren't chasing every skincare trend. They found one remarkable ingredient, built a brand around it, and kept the operation rooted in the same state that supplies it.

Products

• Soothing Hydration Cream (flagship moisturizer)
• Lip Treatments (Unscented, Blueberry French Toast, Campfire S'mores)
• Gift sets and bundles

Why We List Them

• Founder-owned and operated — debt financing only, no equity investors
• Key ingredient sourced from Maine lobster processing (upcycled marine glycoproteins)
• Biomedical engineer-formulated with lab-tested ingredient lists
• Stocked at L.L.Bean and national retailers while keeping production in Maine
• No synthetic fragrances or unnecessary fillers
• Supports Maine's fishing industry by adding value to processing byproducts