OSEA Malibu

OSEA Malibu is a women-owned, family-run clean beauty brand founded in 1996 by Jenefer Palmer in Malibu, California. What began with Jenefer mixing seaweed-infused skincare formulas in her bathtub and kitchen has grown into one of the most respected clean beauty brands in the industry—while remaining 100% family-owned and independently operated for nearly three decades.

The brand's origin story spans 100 years of women inspired by the sea: Jenefer's grandmother Elsa (one of the first female chiropractors in the U.S.) discovered the healing powers of seaweed and the ocean in the 1920s, even starting the first Polar Bear Club in New York and swimming in the Long Island Sound over 300 days a year. This passion for ocean-based wellness was passed down to Jenefer, who formulated what would become OSEA's first product (Essential Hydrating Oil) while serving as Spa Director at Murrieta Hot Springs in the 1980s.

In 1998, Jenefer's daughter Melissa officially joined the business, and together they grew OSEA from their garage to a nationally recognized brand. Melissa became CEO in 2016, bringing rapid growth through social media while maintaining the family's commitment to clean, sustainable, vegan, and cruelty-free skincare. OSEA has been vegan-certified by PETA and Cruelty-Free certified by Leaping Bunny since 2000, and was the first company to sign the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics in 2004. Their signature seaweed-based ingredients are sustainably sourced from a seaweed farm in southern Patagonia, and their cult-favorite Undaria Algae™ Body Oil has been their #1 bestseller for over 15 years.

Products

• Undaria Algae™ Body Oil (cult-favorite #1 bestseller)
• Ocean Eyes® age-defying eye cream
• Vagus Nerve Bath Oil
• Seaweed cleansers and exfoliators
• Bio-retinol lip treatments
• Firming serums and treatments
• Body care products
• Gift sets and skincare routines

Why We List Them

• 100% family-owned since 1996 (Jenefer Palmer founder, Melissa Palmer CEO)
• No corporate investors or outside ownership
• Three generations of women leading the brand
• Founders actively involved in daily operations
• First company to sign Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (2004)
• Vegan-certified (PETA) and Cruelty-Free certified (Leaping Bunny) since 2000
• Sustainable seaweed sourcing from Patagonian farms
• Transparent ingredient lists with no synthetic fragrances
• Independent advocacy for safer cosmetic regulation
• Multiple Allure Best of Beauty awards
• Profitable every year since founding through organic growth