After gaining capital from General Atlantic, seaweed-infused skin care brand OSEA Malibu is making executive moves.
Erika Kussmann has been tapped as chief executive officer and board director, succeeding cofounder Melissa Palmer, who will move to chief brand officer.
Kussmann most recently served as CEO and previously as chief marketing officer of Paula’s Choice. Prior to that, she held leadership roles at Rodan + Fields, Benefit Cosmetics and Revlon.
Kussmann will closely partner with mother-daughter founders Jenefer and Melissa Palmer to expand the brand’s global presence and deepen product innovation.
Kussmann said: “OSEA leads by standing apart — blending efficacy with wellness to create the differentiated experiences consumers crave while redefining what skin care can be. Customers who know about OSEA have fallen in love and we believe this is just the start. I am thrilled to join Jenefer, Melissa and the OSEA team to extend the brand’s international presence and strengthen its position in prestige body and skin care.”
“I was passionate about finding the perfect CEO with the expertise and experience to support OSEA’s global expansion,” added Melissa Palmer. “Erika’s leadership and proven ability to scale mission-driven brands globally make her the perfect partner for this next chapter. Her vision for bringing OSEA’s products to more people around the world aligns beautifully with our founding values and the brand’s strong momentum. I’m excited to closely collaborate with Erika as we continue to grow OSEA — anchoring our work in sustainability and wellness.”
OSEA, which was founded in 1996, derives its name — an acronym for ocean, sun, earth and atmosphere — from the seaweed blend and other botanicals it incorporates into its products. Among its hero products, its Undaria Algae Body Oil was named one of the greatest skin care products of all time by WWD Beauty Inc in February 2024. Other top sellers include its Anti-Aging Body Balm, Hyaluronic Sea Serum and Collagen Dream Night Cream.
Sources pegged the brand’s net sales at around $100 million annually, about an even split between retail and the brand’s website. In the U.S., it is available at Ulta Beauty, in addition to Nordstrom and smaller specialty retailers.
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