Seaweed Skincare by OSEA Malibu

As an Angelino, sustainable skincare fanatic, and a lover of the ocean, it seems like it was meant to be that the universe placed OSEA Malibu into my beauty routine. OSEA Malibu is an LA-based, family-run business with a beautiful selection of vegan and sustainable self-care products. With a true love for ocean and its healing remedies, many of OSEA Malibu products uniquely incorporate seaweed! I am so in love with these products that it’s hard to go a day without them.

 

In fact, last weekend I spent the night at my friend’s house. I forgot my cleanser, so I grabbed my friend’s countertop facial wash and proceeded to rub my makeup off. I immediately felt a strange tingling, then hyper cooling sensation, followed with a stinging on my face. I rinsed the goo off and looked in the mirror. My skin was red and sore.

Mind you, this wasn’t an allergic reaction. In fact, I’ve felt this feeling all throughout my teenage years, and always thought it was normal to feel irritated and red after washing my face. I truly think that the weird stinging and discomfort is just a staple of what happens when you blindly pick up a department facial cleanser. For one, these products are not heavily regulated. As you may or may not know, there hasn’t been a major federal law to protect men and women from the chemicals in cosmetic and beauty products since the late 1930’s.

One of the most impactful statements I’ve heard in a while was during an All Natural Beauty event in Hollywood where a panelist exclaimed that women have this notion that beauty is pain. She explained, “it doesn’t have to hurt you to help you.” It wasn’t until my mid twenties that I swore away from harsh beauty and self care products.

The transition from commercial products to high quality natural beauty remedies has my skin feeling so happy and healthy. I don’t trust companies to have my best interest most of the time. When I do find a company that gets it right, I want to tell everyone about them. OSEA Malibu is that kind of beauty biz, using only all natural, kind ingredients. They have their customers and the environment in mind, which gives me peace when trying out their products!

Let me tell you, their self-care products are the real deal!

How it Began

OSEA Malibu originated from a family history with deep ties to the ocean. The creator, Jenefer, gained inspiration to start one of the first vegan and sustainable skincare lines. It started from Jenefer learning about her grandmother’s knowledge of the healing properties from the ocean. Jenefer’s grandmother, Elsa, tore several tendons in her leg. By swimming in the ocean daily, her leg healed a few weeks later. Elsa attributed her quick recovery to the minerals and healing elements of seaweed mixed within the waves!

Jenefer took this mystic discovery to heart by experimenting different seaweed skincare formulas in her kitchen. Launching a line in 1996, OSEA Malibu has grown with huge success as a leader in the natural skincare industry!

Leader in Plant Based Beauty

In 2002, OSEA Malibu was the first company to sign “Compact for Safe Cosmetics”, an initiative started by the Environmental Working Group that holds companies accountable for ensuring that their products are “free of chemicals that are known or strongly suspected of causing cancer, mutation or birth defects.” Since the original signing, over 1,000 companies have joined in pledging to phase out the use of toxic chemicals in all beauty products! Jenefer explains how proud she is to have pioneered a plant based vegan and conscious skincare movement, and aspires to continue to educate and spread natural skincare.

Ocean Cleansing Milk

The first product I was excited to try was the Ocean Cleansing Milk. Unlike common drug store cleansers I had used for years, this cleanser removed impurities and visibility diminishes surface redness and irritation. I have highly sensitive skin, so being able to clean my face without it feeling red and sore is a win to me! It is formulated with organic algae, water lily, and cassie flowers to soften skin.

Ocean Cleaning Mudd

The next product I tried was the Ocean Cleaning Mudd. This mud has a creamy consistency that helps decongest oily skin. Along with my sensitive redness, I also have oily skin. The ingredients include USDA Certified Organic Algae, along with jojoba, cypress, rosemary, and tea tree oils.

Blemish Balm

I also tried the Blemish Balm, which is a lightweight moisturizer that helps fight against blemishes. I like this balm a lot because it minimizes pores and shine, and is very sensitive to the skin. This formula also has calming ingredients including USDA Organic Algae, Mineral Peptides and a blend of oil-balancing Tea Tree, Rosemary, Juniper, Cypress and Thyme essential oils. The moisturizer is very light on the skin!

Essential Corrective Stick

Another product I love is the Essential Corrective Stick! It’s filled with hydrating oils in a roll-on applicator. It’s super easy to use and perfect for traveling. The metal ball at the tip of the applicator offers a cooling effect and evenly distributes the formula. 

 

Veganism and Sustainability

Animal rights is an important issue to OSEA Malibu. In fact, OSEA found that it takes about 12 times as much land, 13 times as much fossil fuel, and 15 times as much water to produce a pound of animal protein, vs. a pound of plant protein. That alone, it’s amazing how many resources are saved by choosing plant-based products!

Another cool thing about OSEA Malibu seaweed skincare is that most of the products are packaged in recyclable glass bottles. As lovers of the ocean and fighters against micro plastics, Jenefer mandated to never place her products in plastic to reduce the spread of phthalates, which can alter the hormones of fish species and may even be carcinogenic to humans.

I love being able to support a green beauty self-care company that has the heart and initiative to be kind to other beings, including the planet.