Mara - High-Performance Marine Algae Skincare | Superskin
The power of the ocean concentrated in every bottle. Mara transforms your skin with seaweed hand-harvested in France and Ireland, scientifically proven to smooth, plump, and illuminate. Founded in 2018 by former beauty editor Allison McNamara, this California-based brand embodies blue beauty—clean, effective formulas inspired by the sea. Its secret? A unique seaweed blend developed over two years and clinically tested to boost natural hyaluronic acid and deliver a radiant glow. Silky textures, powerful actives, visible results.
What Makes Mara Unique: Clinically Proven Blue Beauty
Mara revolutionized clean beauty by creating "blue beauty," an approach that places marine botanicals at the heart of high-performance formulas. Where other brands add algae as a secondary ingredient, Mara spent two years developing its own clinically tested and scientifically validated algae blend. This philosophy is based on a simple observation: the oceans are teeming with essential nutrients capable of transforming the skin. Allison McNamara sought to capture this vital force by harvesting her algae through wild collection in Ireland and France, thus preserving the integrity of the colonies and the potency of the active ingredients. Every Mara product is based on this signature blend before being enriched with other marine superfoods and next-generation clean actives.
The Mara algae blend combines brown algae and plankton to naturally stimulate hyaluronic acid synthesis, visibly smooth wrinkles, and improve the appearance of elasticity and firmness while intensely hydrating. The formulas incorporate superfoods like moringa, with its 90 nutrients and 46 antioxidants; chia, rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids; cacay, a natural source of vitamin A; and chlorophyll-rich spirulina and kelp. The textures embody Californian luxury: silky oils that absorb instantly, ultra-fresh aqueous serums, and cleansers that transform into a creamy milk. Natural aromas of bitter citrus and marine botanicals create a soothing sensory experience reminiscent of the ocean.
Mara is Leaping Bunny certified, the strictest cruelty-free standard. Almost the entire range is vegan; only the volcanic clay mask contains beeswax. The formulas exclude over 2,700 potentially harmful ingredients: parabens, sulfates, phthalates, PEGs, silicones, synthetic fragrances, and artificial colors. Recyclable glass packaging with aluminum caps embodies the brand's environmental commitment. Mara donates 1% of its annual sales to 1% for the Planet, is Plastic Neutral certified in partnership with Repurpose Global, and collaborates with Sea Trees to reforest kelp forests.
Mara caters to discerning minimalists who refuse to compromise between clean and high-performance. Their philosophy? Three steps maximum – cleanse, treat, hydrate. These are multifunctional products you'll invest in for years because they truly work. Whether you're looking to smooth fine lines with gentle retinol, brighten your complexion with marine vitamin C, or simply maintain a natural glow, Mara offers reinvented modern classics. The results are visible quickly: plump skin, a luminous complexion, refined texture, and long-lasting, deep hydration.
The Story of Mara: A Revelation on the Sea of Marmara
In 2015, Allison McNamara was at a turning point. After a decade as a beauty presenter for PopSugar, her show was canceled. She took a step back to reflect on what she truly loved doing. During a trip to Istanbul, she found herself on the Sea of Marmara and realized that "Mara," the last four letters of her name McNamara, means "sea" in Gaelic. This coincidence became a revelation. Allison, an Irish citizen with a passion for the Pacific Ocean where she grew up in Southern California, decided to create a line of seaweed-infused skincare.
She spent 2016 formulating her first product, Universal Face Oil, bucking the prevailing trend of using as many skincare products as possible. Allison believes that less is more, in skincare as in other areas. In 2018, Mara was officially launched with this cult product. Success was immediate. In 2020, the Retinol Face Oil won the Allure Best of Beauty Award.
Mara Cult Products at Superskin
Universal Facial Oil - The Universal Oil That Changes Everything
This is the product that launched Mara and remains a bestseller ten years later. This hydrating face oil is suitable for virtually all skin types: dry, oily, combination, sensitive, and acne-prone. The silky texture absorbs instantly without leaving a greasy residue. The algae blend visibly plumps and smooths, while four superfood plant oils—moringa, baobab, kalahari watermelon, and chia—flood the skin with essential fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants. Plankton extract boosts firmness. The result? Bouncy, radiant, perfectly hydrated skin with an incomparable natural glow. It's the oil you'll repurchase endlessly because it works every time.
Retinol Face Oil - The Revolutionary Gentle Retinol
This night oil won the Allure Best of Beauty 2020 award for a reason: it delivers all the benefits of retinol without the typical irritation. The formula combines 1.2% clean retinol with natural sources of vitamin A, like cacay. Fermented green tea provides its 20 amino acids and antioxidants to soothe skin while the retinol works its magic. Evening primrose and brown algae plump and lock in moisture. After a few weeks, fine lines are visibly reduced, pores are tightened, texture is refined, and skin tone is evened out. Skin looks radiant without ever feeling tight. It's retinol that even sensitive skin tolerates perfectly.
Algae and Enzyme Cleansing Oil - The Cleanser That Transforms
This multi-functional oil cleanser won the Allure Best of Beauty 2024 award. It removes makeup, SPF, and impurities while gently exfoliating with four fruit enzymes—papaya, pineapple, grapefruit, and pumpkin. Upon contact with water, the oil transforms into a creamy milk that rinses off easily without leaving any residue. Chlorophyll-rich spirulina and kelp slow down cellular aging. Chia and moringa flood the skin with nutrients. Squalane and seaweed deeply hydrate. The result: impeccably clean, soft, radiant skin that never feels dry. It can even be left on for 5–15 minutes as a gentle enzyme peel. It's the cleanser you'll use morning and night without ever getting tired of it.
Sea Vitamin C Serum - The Marine Illuminator
This ultra-light serum concentrates vitamin C in its most stable and effective form to brighten the complexion, fade dark spots, and boost collagen. Marine algae provide powerful antioxidants, while hyaluronic acid deeply hydrates. The fresh texture absorbs instantly without leaving a sticky residue. After a few weeks, the complexion becomes visibly more even, luminous, and radiant. Signs of fatigue diminish. The skin displays that vitamin-enriched glow characteristic of healthy skin.
Frequently Asked Questions about Mara
Are Mara products suitable for sensitive skin?
Absolutely. Mara formulates by excluding over 2,700 potentially irritating ingredients. Seaweed and superfoods like chia, aloe, and fermented green tea provide natural soothing. Even the Algae Retinol Face Oil is designed to minimize irritation with its moisturizing and calming agents. Thousands of people with sensitive skin use Mara daily with success. As always, perform a patch test on a small area before first full use.
Who are Mara products aimed at?
Mara is for discerning minimalists of all ages who seek visible results with a simplified routine. If you love the "less is more" concept, refuse to sacrifice effectiveness for cleanliness, and appreciate luxurious, sensorial textures, then Mara is for you. The formulas are suitable for all skin types: dry, oily, combination, sensitive, mature, and acne-prone. The Universal Facial Oil lives up to its name: universally effective.
How long does it take to see results with Mara?
Hydration and radiance are immediate from the first application, especially with the Universal Face Oil. For anti-aging results such as smoothing fine lines or evening out skin tone, allow 4-6 weeks of regular use, particularly with the Algae Retinol Face Oil or the Sea Vitamin C Serum. Skin texture gradually improves with the Enzyme Cleansing Oil used daily. Consistency is key to maximizing benefits.
Can multiple Mara products be used together?
Absolutely, it's even recommended! Mara encourages a 3-step routine: cleanse (Enzyme Cleansing Oil), treat (Retinol Face Oil or Vitamin C Serum), and moisturize (Universal Face Oil). The formulas are designed to be layered without overloading the skin. In the evening, apply the Retinol and then seal with the Universal Face Oil. In the morning, use the Vitamin C Serum followed by the Universal Face Oil and then the SPF. The Mara key: a maximum of three products per routine to allow each formula to do its job.
Is Mara suitable for acne-prone skin?
Yes. Contrary to popular belief, Mara oils regulate sebum production rather than increasing it. The non-comedogenic formulas, rich in algae and squalane, hydrate without clogging pores. The enzymatic cleanser gently exfoliates to prevent blemishes. Retinol helps refine pores and clarify skin tone. Many users with acne-prone skin report a significant improvement in texture and radiance with Mara.
Superskin Review
Mara reinvents skincare with the power of clinically proven seaweed. Minimalist, high-performance formulas deliver a radiant glow in three steps. Bottles so beautiful you'll want to display them in your bathroom.
