Brand Breakdown
Is Mara Beauty a Clean Beauty Brand?
MARA Beauty has made a name for itself in luxury skincare with its algae-powered formulas, nourishing facial oils, and commitment to ocean-inspired beauty. Known for its Universal Face Oil and innovative marine ingredients, the California-based brand combines botanical skincare with modern science to create products designed to hydrate, strengthen, and support the skin.
But at Oh Daisey, we know that natural ingredients and clean beauty claims don’t automatically tell the whole story. We still want to know what’s inside the formula, how ingredients are sourced, and whether they align with our standards.
So we took a closer look at MARA’s ingredients, sustainability practices, and overall approach to skincare to see how the brand measures up.
The Mara Brand Story
MARA was founded in 2018 by Allison McNamara, a former television host and beauty journalist who wanted to create a skincare line that combined the benefits of natural ingredients with the performance of modern skincare.
The idea for MARA came during a trip abroad, inspired by the Sea of Marmara and the Gaelic meaning of “mara,” which translates to sea. Drawing inspiration from the ocean, McNamara spent two years developing the brand’s signature algae complex before launching its first product, the Universal Face Oil.
Today, MARA has expanded into a collection of facial oils, cleansers, serums, and moisturizers, all centered around its proprietary algae blend and the belief that effective skincare doesn’t need to be complicated.
What Mara Claims About their Ingredients
MARA describes its approach as Blue Beauty, focusing on ingredients that are thoughtfully selected for both skin health and environmental impact.
The brand maintains an extensive ingredient exclusion list, avoiding more than 2,000 ingredients, including parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrance, silicones, PEGs, formaldehyde, mineral oil, and certain chemical sunscreen filters.
Instead, MARA combines naturally derived ingredients with science-backed actives, using botanical oils, algae extracts, vitamins, and other skin-supporting ingredients to create its formulas.
One thing we particularly appreciate is the brand’s commitment to responsible algae harvesting. MARA sources its proprietary algae blend from the coasts of Ireland and France, where it is hand-harvested using methods intended to protect marine ecosystems and allow algae colonies to regenerate.
It’s a thoughtful approach that extends beyond simply choosing ingredients based on their skincare benefits.
Inside Mara's Ingredients
MARA’s formulas feature an interesting combination of botanical oils, marine extracts, and modern skincare ingredients.
Take the brand’s popular Universal Face Oil. Its formula includes moringa seed oil, sunflower seed oil, grape seed oil, linseed oil, bilberry seed oil, watermelon seed oil, and baobab seed oil, alongside algae and plankton extracts.
These ingredients provide fatty acids and antioxidants that help soften the skin, support its moisture barrier, and reduce moisture loss.
The brand’s proprietary algae complex is another standout. Made with wild-harvested algae and plankton extracts, it’s designed to support hydration, elasticity, and the appearance of smoother skin.
Across the collection, you’ll also find ingredients like vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, fermented botanical extracts, and retinol, reflecting MARA’s approach to combining plant-derived ingredients with proven skincare actives.
We especially appreciate that many of the formulas avoid synthetic fragrance and rely on recognizable botanical ingredients rather than unnecessary fillers.
Overall, MARA offers some thoughtfully formulated products, particularly within its facial oil collection, although individual formulas deserve a closer look.
Anything We'd Change?
Our biggest consideration with MARA is its use of essential oils and naturally occurring fragrance allergens.
For example, the Universal Face Oil contains bergamot oil and bitter orange peel oil, along with naturally occurring fragrance compounds such as limonene, linalool, farnesol, and geraniol.
While these ingredients aren’t necessarily concerning for everyone, they can cause irritation or sensitization, particularly for those with sensitive or fragrance-reactive skin.
We’d love to see MARA offer more fragrance-free alternatives, especially given the brand’s focus on skin barrier health.
We’d also encourage consumers to pay attention to the brand’s more active formulas. The Algae Retinol Face Oil contains retinol, which can be beneficial for improving the appearance of fine lines and uneven skin texture but may not be suitable for everyone, particularly during pregnancy.
None of these considerations take away from MARA’s thoughtful ingredient philosophy. However, they highlight why we prefer evaluating individual products rather than automatically approving an entire skincare collection based on its clean beauty positioning.
Our Verdict
MARA is a strong contender for Oh Daisey approval, with several formulas that align closely with our ingredient philosophy.
The brand has made a meaningful effort to eliminate many of the ingredients we prefer to avoid, while combining botanical oils, marine extracts, and science-backed skincare ingredients.
We particularly appreciate its extensive ingredient exclusion list, responsible algae harvesting, cruelty-free certification, and environmental commitments.
However, the use of essential oils and naturally occurring fragrance allergens in certain formulas means we’d recommend reviewing individual products, especially for those with sensitive skin.
For anyone interested in luxury skincare that combines marine botanicals with modern formulation, MARA is absolutely a brand worth exploring.
At a Glance
Founded:
2018 by Allison McNamara.
Cruelty Free/ Vegan:
Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free. Most products are vegan, but the entire collection is not vegan. The Volcanic Sea Clay Detox Masque contains honey, while Pearl Peptide Glaze contains pearl powder.
Certified Organic:
No brand-wide organic certification identified. MARA uses a combination of naturally derived botanical ingredients and science-backed skincare actives.
Sustainability:
A major focus for the brand. MARA is a member of 1% for the Planet, is certified Plastic Neutral through rePurpose Global, and supports ocean restoration through SeaTrees. The brand also emphasizes responsible algae harvesting, recyclable glass packaging, and FSC-certified paperboard.
Parent Company:
Independently operated, with no parent company publicly identified.
Manufactured:
Los Angeles, California. MARA states that its products are manufactured in Los Angeles using ingredients sourced globally.
Giving Back:
MARA commits 1% of annual sales through 1% for the Planet and supports ocean restoration initiatives, including kelp reforestation through SeaTrees.
Oh Daisey Rating
Mara Beauty is Oh Daisey Approved
MARA has several interesting formulas worth exploring, particularly its algae-powered facial oils, cleansers, and hydrating treatments. We’d recommend starting with the individual products that meet the Oh Daisey Clean Beauty Standards while paying attention to essential oil content, fragrance allergens, and active ingredients that may not be suitable for every skin type.
Where to Start
Curious where to begin? These are the products that stood out based on ingredient quality, formulation and overall usability.
