We encounter hundreds of brands every day, from skincare products to our favorite beverages. But how often do we stop to consider where our favorite products actually come from? Some companies have incredible backstories that make us even more loyal to what they create and the mission behind it. One of our absolute favorites? OSEA Malibu.
OSEA Malibu has been a beauty staple for millions since the ’90s. It was one of the first clean beauty brands ever, and it continues to make a global impact today. At The Skinny Confidential, we’re all about beauty, skincare, and wellness. So it only made sense for Michael and Lauryn to sit down with OSEA founders Jenefer and Melissa Palmer for an inspiring interview!
Interested in learning all they had to say? You can listen to the full Him & Her Show episode below! For now, we’re sharing some of our favorite insights from the conversation.
Who Owns OSEA Malibu: Meet Founders Jenefer and Melissa Palmer
They say never work with family or friends. However, this mother-daughter duo has done just that! They built OSEA Malibu into a globally recognized clean beauty brand while staying true to their shared values and vision.
In this post, we’ll discuss what OSEA Malibu is, how it started, and why the founders of this family-owned company are so special.
Here’s what you need to know:
What Is OSEA Malibu?
OSEA Malibu is a clean, plant-based skincare brand. The letters in the name stand for ocean, sun, earth, and atmosphere, highlighting the brand’s emphasis on holistic wellness and environmental responsibility. The products use seaweed-based formulas to harness the healing power of the ocean. Best of all? They are vegan, non-toxic, and sustainably made with quality top of mind.
Some of their most popular OSEA products include:
- Hyaluronic Sea Serum
- Ocean Eyes® Age-Defying Eye Serum
- Salts of the Earth Body Scrub
- Undaria Algae™ Body Oil
Curious about that last one? Here’s Jenefer and Melissa discussing the benefits of Undaria algae.
Who Owns OSEA Malibu?
The Palmer family, OSEA Malibu’s original founders, still control a significant share of the company. While outside investors now hold some equity, the brand remains firmly family-led.
Who Is Jenefer Palmer?
Jenefer Palmer is the founder and self-proclaimed “Chief Seaweed Officer” of OSEA Malibu. She spent many years as a spa director in Southern California, where she immersed herself in healing arts and natural skincare. Drawing on this experience and her background in holistic healing, she was inspired to create the OSEA Malibu we know and love today.
Who Is Melissa Palmer?
Melissa Palmer, daughter of OSEA Malibu founder Jenefer Palmer, is the company’s current CEO. Growing up immersed in the family business, she has taken OSEA to new heights. More specifically, she’s expanded the brand’s global reach and strengthened its sustainability efforts. Outside of OSEA, Melissa founded Hoopnotica, a fitness brand centered on hula hooping. She’s also a member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO)!
How Did Jenefer and Melissa Palmer Start OSEA Malibu?
Moved to an Intentional Community
Jenefer relocated her family to an intentional community in Orcas Island, Washington, in 1982. This group was focused on natural living and holistic wellness, which strengthened Jenefer’s interest in healing arts.
Studied Healing Arts and Drew Inspiration from Family
While working in the community, she studied acupressure, shiatsu, and cranial therapy. Practicing these natural healing methods reminded her of her grandmother, who had been healed through ocean therapies and hot springs. Following in her grandmother’s footsteps, Jenefer embraced naturopathy and holistic healing.
If you found this interesting, jump into the podcast to hear more about Jenefer’s childhood and the origins of her clean beauty inspiration.
Created Her Own Clean Skincare Products
As Jenefer cared for herself, her family, and her community, she grew frustrated with the lack of non-toxic body care and beauty products. It’s no secret that in the early ’90s, options were extremely limited. To fill the gap, she began formulating her own beauty and wellness products using seaweed-based ingredients.
Launched OSEA with its Flagship Product
As expected, Jenefer’s products were extremely well-received in her community. And once she realized that many holistically minded women were also searching for clean, effective skincare? She decided to share her work with the world. In 1996, she officially launched OSEA Malibu, starting with one of the brand’s most popular products to this day: the Essential Hydrating Oil.
Raised Melissa in the Family Business
From a young age, Jenefer’s daughter Melissa Palmer was immersed in OSEA Malibu. She helped package, label, and ship orders, learning the fundamentals of the business firsthand. This early experience laid the foundation for her future leadership in the company.
Melissa Took Over as CEO
After running her own fitness brand, Melissa took over as CEO of her mother’s company in 2015. She focused on expanding OSEA globally and modernizing operations through social media marketing and progressive sustainability initiatives. Under her leadership, the brand experienced exponential growth.
To hear more about Melissa’s approach, listen to the part of the interview where she discusses business fundamentals and growth strategies for OSEA.
Transformed OSEA into a Thriving Global Brand
OSEA Malibu has gone from a small family-run business to an international brand, stocked in major retailers worldwide and beloved by clean beauty enthusiasts. Under Melissa’s leadership, the company has expanded its global reach, strengthened sustainability initiatives, and maintained the core values that have defined the brand since its founding.
In the podcast episode, Melissa and Jenefer talk more on vision and integrity in business growth. Their perspectives are really interesting!
How Do Jenefer and Melissa Palmer Run OSEA Malibu?
Jenefer provides the creative vision behind the products.
Jenefer is OSEA’s “Chief Seaweed Officer” and the creative vision behind the brand. She leads product development, ingredient sourcing, and holistic education. In addition to this, Jenefer also shapes the overall brand philosophy.
Melissa leads as CEO with business acumen.
As CEO, Melissa focuses on business strategy, daily operations, social responsibility, and marketing. She also collaborates with Jenefer on product direction, bringing a perspective that stays in tune with the latest trends.
Both emphasize the brand’s core values.
Both women, along with their employees, emphasize the brand’s core values. Founded as a holistic wellness brand, OSEA Malibu continues to uphold high standards for quality, safety, and sustainability.
Both stay true to their original goal of providing clean beauty products.
From the Essential Hydrating Oil to the Undaria Algae™ Body Oil, OSEA Malibu’s products showcase the brand’s commitment to effective, plant- and sea-based formulations. Each product is carefully crafted to nourish the skin, deliver visible results, and honor the holistic, ocean-inspired philosophy that started it all.
OSEA Malibu is a global brand with a homegrown heart.
OSEA Malibu is more than just a skincare brand. It is a testament to creativity, dedication, and a family’s vision. Jenefer and Melissa Palmer have shown that combining passion with purpose can lead to something powerful. Their products not only care for the skin but also reflect a deep commitment to wellness, sustainability, and integrity. Their story reminds us that clean beauty can be powerful, intentional, and globally inspiring while staying true to its roots.
To hear the full story, listen to the Jenefer And Melissa Palmer podcast with TSC. Then, queue these wellness-themed episodes next: