our story
heritage and history
the early years
Mountain Ocean is not just a company, it's a way of life. In 1971, Karen and Tom Benjamin, two free-spirited adventurers exploring America in their blue boogie bus, forged their own path. Their travels took them from coast to coast ending up in the San Francisco Bay Area, where the Pacific Ocean and the counterculture of music and art inspired their creativity.
rocky mountain roots
Eventually, they found their way to Boulder, Colorado, and fell in love with the Rockies. In the dry mountain air, they saw a need for a light, fast-absorbing moisturizer that felt as natural as the landscapes they loved. From a small bodycare shop on The Hill called Everybody Ltd., they created Skin Trip, blending the essence of the ocean and mountains into a lotion that quickly became a customer favorite.
skin trip: local to legendary
Skin Trip quickly became a local favorite, beloved for its natural ingredients, fast-absorbing formula, and iconic coconut scent. Word spread, and what started as a small-town staple grew into a nationally loved brand. Mountain Ocean became known not just for skincare, but for capturing the spirit of adventure and sharing it with people coast to coast.
continuing the legacy
Today, the Mountain Ocean legacy continues with Karen and Tom’s daughter, Julie. Now living in California, Julie brings the journey full circle, blending her parents’ original vision with her own passion and fresh ideas for the future. Over 50 years later, Mountain Ocean remains family-owned, crafting Skin Trip and other natural products that celebrate the adventures of life. Take the Trip.
MOUNTAIN OCEAN
50 years of taking the trip
mountain ocean is a living memory