Story of Kinship: Skincare brand with FSC and OWP-certified products -Entrepreneur
Story of Kinship:
Kinship was founded by Alison Haljun and Christin Powell
with a simple but powerful idea: skincare should be clean, effective, and
ethical. They wanted to build a brand that cared not only for skin but also for
the planet. With that vision, Kinship was born in Corte Madera, California, as
a company that blends innovation with sustainability.
A Mission for Clean Beauty
From the beginning, Kinship’s focus was on clean beauty. The
founders wanted to avoid harmful chemicals and instead create products using
natural, plant-based ingredients. Every formula was designed with transparency,
avoiding GMOs, parabens, sulfates, and other substances that could damage skin
or the environment.
The Kinbiome Advantage
One of Kinship’s signature innovations is its Kinbiome
complex, a plant-based prebiotic that helps balance and protect the skin’s
microbiome. This unique ingredient sets the brand apart by offering not only
effectiveness but also a scientific edge, showing that natural beauty can also
be rooted in research.
A Commitment to Cruelty-Free Care
Kinship quickly earned Leaping Bunny certification, ensuring
all of its products were cruelty-free. The brand strongly opposed animal
testing and aligned itself with the growing global movement of ethical beauty.
By doing so, it won the trust of conscious consumers who wanted skincare
without guilt.
Protecting Marine Life
Kinship also took steps to make its products reef-safe.
Recognizing that certain chemicals in sunscreens and skincare could harm coral
reefs, the company made sure its formulas excluded those harmful ingredients.
This ensured that skincare routines did not come at the expense of marine
ecosystems.
Fighting Plastic Waste
Every year, millions of tons of plastic end up in the ocean,
threatening wildlife and ecosystems. Kinship decided to take action by using Ocean
Waste Plastic (OWP) in its packaging. This plastic is collected by fishing
communities in the Java Sea and rivers around Jakarta, then recycled into new
packaging materials. With each product sold, Kinship actively contributed to
removing waste from the oceans.
Circular Packaging Philosophy
In addition to OWP, Kinship also made use of post-consumer
recycled (PCR) materials, ensuring that new plastics were kept to a minimum.
Their packaging reflected a circular economy mindset—reuse, recycle, and
reduce. This choice highlighted the brand’s responsibility toward minimizing
its carbon footprint and waste.
Story of Kinship: Skincare brand with FSC and OWP-certified products#startup #AI#entrepreneur#net worth#Kinship story#investor#Alison Haljun story
Backed by Strong Investors
To grow its mission-driven brand, Kinship raised $2.8
million in early-stage venture capital. The company gained support from
investors like Sugar Capital, True Beauty Ventures, and Short List Capital.
These partners shared Kinship’s belief in ethical consumerism and helped
accelerate its growth in the clean beauty market.
Certified for Responsibility
Kinship also earned certifications like the Forest
Stewardship Council (FSC), ensuring that its raw materials came from
responsibly managed forests. These certifications were not just labels but
proof of Kinship’s deep commitment to environmental responsibility and ethical
sourcing.
Products with Purpose
Kinship’s product line grew to include cleansers,
sunscreens, and acne treatments. Each product carried the same
philosophy—effective skincare that was guilt-free and environmentally
conscious. The brand made it possible for consumers to care for their skin
while also caring for the planet.
Setting New Standards
In a beauty industry filled with greenwashing, Kinship
became a trailblazer. It showed that sustainability and product performance
could coexist. By combining natural ingredients, eco-friendly packaging, and
fair practices, Kinship set new benchmarks for how modern beauty brands should
operate.
A Future Built on Values
Today, Kinship stands out as more than just a skincare
company. It represents a movement toward clean, sustainable, and ethical
beauty. With growing demand for environmentally responsible products, Kinship
is poised to continue making a lasting impact. Its story proves that true
kinship is not just with customers, but with the planet itself.
Kinship Timeline
- 2018
– Founding Vision
Alison Haljun and Christin Powell establish Kinship in Corte Madera, California, with a mission to create clean and sustainable skincare. - 2019
– Product Development
Kinship launches skincare lines using natural and plant-based ingredients, introducing its Kinbiome prebiotic complex. - 2019
– Leaping Bunny Certification
Achieves cruelty-free status, reinforcing its ethical brand promise. - 2020
– OWP Commitment
Adopts Ocean Waste Plastic (OWP) and post-consumer recycled packaging, directly reducing ocean pollution. - 2020
– Reef-Safe Products
Ensures sunscreens and skincare formulas are free from chemicals that harm coral reefs. - 2021
– FSC Certification
Gains recognition from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) for responsible sourcing of raw materials. - 2021
– Early-Stage Funding
Secures $2.8 million in venture capital from Sugar Capital, True Beauty Ventures, and Short List Capital. - 2022
– Product Expansion
Expands line to include sunscreens, cleansers, and acne solutions, all aligned with sustainability goals. - 2023
– Consumer Growth
Gains popularity among eco-conscious beauty consumers, positioning itself as a leader in clean skincare. - 2024
– Industry Recognition
Recognized as a trailblazer in sustainable beauty, setting new standards for ethics and innovation. - 2025
– Future Outlook
Positioned strongly to grow as demand for clean and ethical beauty rises globally, proving that effective skincare and sustainability can thrive together.
