Say hello to MARA — ocean-powered skincare
We’re thrilled to welcome a new brand to Laurel & Reed — and it’s a special one. Some brands chase the newest lab-made molecule. MARA looked to the ocean instead, and built a cult following on the quiet intelligence of algae. To mark its arrival on the site, this month’s Brand in Focus dives into the sea-powered world of MARA: where it came from, what makes it different, and the hero products worth building a ritual around.
A brand born by the sea
MARA is the work of founder Allison McNamara, a former beauty editor and TV host who grew up along the Southern California coast in Palos Verdes — a childhood spent believing in the healing power of the ocean. The idea for the line crystallized on a trip abroad, on the waters of the Sea of Marmara, when a single word clicked into place. Mara is the last four letters of her own last name, and it means “sea” in Gaelic — a nod to her Irish heritage. A brand with an ocean at its heart practically named itself.
McNamara launched MARA in 2018 with a single product and a clear conviction: high-performance skincare shouldn’t require a ten-step routine. That belief — three steps or fewer in any given routine — still shapes everything the brand makes.
Why algae?
At the center of every MARA formula is a proprietary algae blend that took two years to develop. It’s wild-harvested by hand off the coasts of Ireland and France, gathered carefully so the algae colonies keep thriving — a small but meaningful detail for anyone who cares where their ingredients come from. The result is a clinically studied blend of brown algae and plankton, rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and amino acids, designed to support hydration, firmness, and a healthy-looking glow.
It’s the kind of thoughtful, single-minded sourcing we love to champion at Laurel & Reed: one exceptional ingredient, understood deeply, and used well.
The hero: Universal Face Oil
If MARA has a signature, it’s the Universal Face Oil — the very first product McNamara created, and still the one the brand is best known for. Powered by the algae blend and nourishing moringa, it’s a lightweight, fast-absorbing oil that layers beautifully under other products and makeup. If you’re new to the brand, this is where to start; the smaller size is a lovely, low-commitment way in.
A simple, sea-powered ritual
True to the “three steps or fewer” philosophy, MARA makes it easy to build a streamlined routine — a great cleanser, a great treatment, and a great hydrator. Here’s how the collection comes together.
Cleanse
The Algae Enzyme Cleansing Oil is one of MARA’s best-sellers — a gentle, exfoliating cleansing oil that melts away makeup and impurities without stripping the skin. It’s the effortless first step in a sea-powered ritual.
Treat
This is where MARA’s range really shines, with a treatment for nearly every concern:
- Algae Retinol Face Oil — McNamara’s personal favorite and a quiet overachiever. It pairs clean retinol with algae to smooth the look of fine lines gently, making it a lovely entry point for anyone who’s found traditional retinol too harsh.
- Flower Acid Algae Sérum — a 3-in-1 exfoliating serum powered by vegan lactic acid and gentle PHA to refine texture and reveal a smoother, brighter surface.
- Sea Vitamin C Sérum — a marine twist on the classic brightening antioxidant, made with a stable form of vitamin C alongside chlorella and reishi.
Hydrate
The Pearl Peptide Glaze Hydrating Facial Essence is one of MARA’s most-loved treatments — and it’s easy to see why. This multitasker stands in for both an essence and a serum, delivering a dewy, glass-skin finish with anti-aging pearl powder, beta-glucan, and marine collagen peptides. It’s the kind of do-it-all hydrator that quickly earns a permanent spot on the shelf. For a final layer of glow, the Universal Face Oil seals everything in.
Protect
Round out your ritual with the Sea Kale Sunscreen Sérum, a lightweight broad-spectrum SPF 30 built on reef-safe Algae + Zinc technology — because protecting your skin is the most important step of all, in every season.
The takeaway
MARA proves that clean, effective skincare doesn’t have to be complicated. With one remarkable ingredient at its core and a philosophy of doing more with less, it’s a brand that rewards simplicity — and delivers the kind of glow that comes from consistency, not clutter. Whether you start with the iconic Universal Face Oil or build the full sea-powered ritual, MARA is a beautiful way to bring a little of the ocean’s calm into your everyday routine.
MARA is here and ready to explore — we can’t wait for you to discover it.