Spa Review: We Tried the Cranial Wave Facial at OSEA Skincare Studio
OSEA Skincare Studio is located on Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice, CA.
OSEA is an amazing line of natural skincare that was inspired off the coast of Malibu, so when it opened its Skincare Studio last year just a few blocks from the beach in Venice, California, the location choice could not have been more ideal. The chic space, which features a light and airy setting with a minimalist beach bungalow vibe, is warm and welcoming from the minute you walk in to the minute you leave.
When I arrived for my recent appointment at OSEA Skincare Studio, I easily found street parking right in front. Granted, I was visiting during the week, but even if your treatment is scheduled during the weekend, the studio does have a few complimentary spots directly to the left of the entrance, which helps to ease one’s worries.
As an added bonus, the studio is located along Abbot Kinney Boulevard just a few blocks away from the stores, restaurants, and beach, so you can spend time exploring the neighborhood before or after your visit as well!
The reception desk and check-in area.
Here’s what you’ll love about OSEA Skincare Studio:
OSEA Skincare Studio is bright and airy, featuring a chic minimalist beach bungalow aesthetic.
It is conveniently located on Abbot Kinney Boulevard, within a short distance to nearby shops, restaurants, and the beach.
All OSEA products are seaweed-based and include active plant botanicals that soothe, heal, and reinvigorate skin.
There is a large retail area in the studio, where you can stock up on products and take home product samples to test out.
A beautiful outdoor patio offers a space to relax before or after treatments.
OSEA facials focus on restoring and nourishing the skin—they do not include harsh treatments or peels, so right after your treatment your skin will be glowing and ready to go!
OSEA’s Venice Skincare Studio Membership Program sets you up to receive a 50 or 80-minute facial monthly and offers many benefits, including discounts on treatments, product credit with each facial, invites to members-only events, and more. To sign up, click here.
The studio offers an LA Recycling Program, where you can earn a $40 treatment credit for every six empty product bottles you bring in. Learn more here.
The bright entryway includes a sitting area next to the window.
Check-in took less than five minutes—I filled out some standard waivers and paperwork via an iPad that was provided to me by the friendly gal at the front desk, and voilà—I was ready to go. At the front desk, there is a bowl of product samples that you can browse through and take home to try before you buy. They come in convenient travel-size packets, ideal for carrying in your purse or on your next vacation!
Guests can also browse, test, and take home samples from OSEA’s product line.
In addition to two sitting areas by the front windows, the studio also has a large retail space that carries the brand’s various products, which are available for purchase. All of OSEA’s skincare is vegan, free of toxic, synthetic ingredients, and features innovative formulations of certified organic seaweed, which when infused with pure steam-distilled and cold pressed essential oils create powerful anti-aging solutions and reduce the appearance of blemishes.
Founder Jenefer Palmer created OSEA more than two decades ago, which embodies the core elements of wellness—ocean, sun, earth, and the atmosphere. In 2002, OSEA was the first company to sign “Compact for Safe Cosmetics,” an initiative that holds companies accountable for ensuring that their products are free of chemicals known to or suspected of causing cancer, mutation, and other defects.
The studio has a large retail area where guests can purchase products.
The retail area also has another sitting area for guests.
My esthetician Jayde came out to greet me and led me down the hallway to start my service. The studio has two sliding doors that are opposite each other, each leading to a private treatment room. There was also a table with cucumber-infused water on it at the end of the hall for a quick refreshment.
The hallway leading to the treatment rooms and patio.
During my recent visit, I sipped on refreshing cucumber-infused water.
After showing me to my treatment room, Jayde stepped out so that I could change into a comfortable spa wrap and an OSEA headband to keep my hair back. Once I had changed, I slipped under the covers of the soft, cozy bed and was ready for my facial to begin.
Today, I was receiving the Cranial Wave Facial, one of the studio’s signature services. The 50-minute treatment ($125) is inspired by the aura-shifting techniques in craniosacral therapy, and is designed to transform one’s skin and mood. The facial is customized according to each guest’s unique needs and works by deeply infusing skin with nutrients, soothes inflammation, and includes cranial touch massage.
*Craniosacral therapy (CST) is a form of bodywork that uses gentle pressure on the head, neck, and back to help relieve stress and pain caused by compression.
The treatment rooms are located behind sliding barn doors.
My facial began with a double cleansing—first, Jayde applied OSEA Cleansing Milk (a hydrating, creamy cleanser) to gently remove impurities and reduce any redness or irritation in my skin. For my second cleansing, she used OSEA Ocean Cleanser, which is a mineral-rich organic seaweed cleanser that removes excess oil, deeply hydrates, and gently exfoliates with vegan lactic acid to minimize the appearance of pores.
Next, she exfoliated my skin using OSEA Vitamin C Probiotic Face Polish, which combines pure vitamin C with vegan probiotics to instantly brighten skin and reduce the look of hyperpigmentation. She followed this up by applying OSEA White Algae Mask, an age-defying mask that contains white marine algae, white tea, and resveratrol to improve dull, uneven skin tones and soften the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
Afterwards, Jayde performed high-frequency and LED light therapy, which are totally painless and help to enhance circulation, increase collagen and elastin production, eliminate toxins and other bacteria that cause acne, and improve the absorption of skincare products.
To finish off the facial, she applied a combination of OSEA Brightening Serum and OSEA Hyaluronic Sea Serum for double hydration and brightening. Then, I was treated to an application of OSEA Undaria Argan Oil, which plumps skin and makes it more luminous, along with OSEA Blemish Balm to target and prevent breakouts. My service concluded with a refreshing mist of OSEA Sea Minerals, a nourishing elixir containing organic Patagonian seaweed, Dead Sea salt, and aloe vera to soften, hydrate, and refresh skin.
I enjoyed my facial in the cozy and stylish treatment room.
My skin felt incredibly soft, smooth, and plump—and my complexion was glowing. One of the great things about OSEA facials is that there are no harsh peels using in the treatments, so as soon as your facial is done, you’re ready for the world with confidence!
The studio also has a lovely outdoor patio space in the back where guests can lounge on the comfy seating and relax before or after their treatments. A set of stairs leads to a stunning outdoor bathtub, which is for display purposes only, but perfect for the ‘Gram.
OSEA Skincare Studio has a patio in the back where guests can relax before and after services.
Another cute sitting area in the patio.
A view of the back of the studio from the patio.
The restroom is also located in the back building, along with a beautiful display tub.
The tub is for display only, but perfect for taking fun pictures during your visit!
There is also a restroom in the back building, which is decorated accordingly to match the OSEA theme, and it also has several tester products out on the counter, along with large bottles of the OSEA for Parachute Purifying Hand Soap and Parachute Hydrating Hand Cream—the ultimate dry weather saviors!
The bathroom.
The bathroom amenities include OSEA for Parachute products.
I headed back to the main reception area to browse the retail area and grab some samples to-go. All of the products that were used in my service, along with the other two OSEA Facials on the menu, are available for purchase. The other two OSEA treatments that are offered include:
Deep Sea Age Defying Facial ($165) - This 80-minute facial infuses holistic methods with next-gen science to age defy and transform. Skin is infused with a potent mix of sea minerals and plant-based botanicals to stimulate collagen and elastin production, and the treatment includes therapeutic cranial touch therapy, lymphatic drainage massage, high-frequency and LED light therapy.
Sculpt & Lift Gua Sha Facial ($195) - This 80-minute treatment blends crystals with thermal and sound vibrational therapies to lift, tone, and contour the face. It also increases collagen production, plumps lines, stimulates tissue, and reduces facial tension, resulting in a radiant glow.
OSEA’s Vagus Nerve Oil ($48) activates the calming effects of the vagus nerve response, inviting an uplifting, meditative state of consciousness.
OSEA Undaria Algae Body Oil ($48) is a botanical-based body oil that hydrates and firms skin while minimizing the appearance of stretch marks.
One of the products used in my treatment was the OSEA Blemish Balm ($48), an ultra lightweight yet powerful moisturizer that targets blemishes and future breakouts.
Before I headed out the door, my esthetician was kind enough to write out a list of all the products that were used in my service and in what order, as well as making recommendations for how to maintain my skincare results at home. I absolutely loved my experience at OSEA, from the gorgeous environment to the excellent customer service. I will definitely be back and am looking forward to trying a different facial next time!
Until next time, OSEA Malibu!
Cost: Cranial Wave Facial 50 minutes ($125)
Insider Tips:
There are a few parking spaces to the left of the front door reserved for the studio, in addition to street parking.
Arrive 5-10 minutes prior to the start of your appointment to give yourself time to sit down and relax with a glass of water.
Hours:
12 - 6 p.m. (Tues; retail only)
11 a.m. - 7 p.m. (Wed - Fri)
9 a.m. - 6 p.m. (Sat)
10 a.m. - 6 p.m. (Sun)
Address: 1732 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, CA 90067
Phone: 310-985-1447
Email: bookings@oseamalibu.com
For more information and to book an appointment, click here. Follow the brand on Instagram: @oseamalibu
[Images by Kamala Kirk]
Kamala Kirk is a University of Southern California graduate and has been an editor/writer for more than a decade. She has written for E! Online, Total Beauty, TravelAge West, Malibu Times Magazine, and many more. She resides in Los Angeles and is a proud pug mom. Follow her on Instagram: @kamalakirk