PORTLAND, Maine — Maine is known for its lobster and they sure are delicious, but who would have thought these delectable creatures produced a protein that can cure your worst bout of eczema?
Portland-based skincare brand Marin Skincare, born out of the University of Maine Lobster Institute, has had great success with its hydrating body lotion since its 2020 launch.
This year, co-founders Amber Boutiette and Patrick Breeding are wowing customers again by adding a new lip treatment to their shelves, featuring a nostalgic Maine scent: blueberry French toast.
What's so special about a lip balm?
Marin’s products are made with marine glycoproteins, which are an upcycled byproduct from lobster processing. This protein found in lobsters is what allows them to fight off diseases, heal wounds, and even regenerate limbs, according to the Marin Skincare website.
Inspiration for the company came from Boutiette's own stubborn eczema. She said after creating a successful body lotion, she and her co-founder wanted to create something for dry lips as well.
“It was so rewarding to see these glycoproteins from lobsters helping others in the same way they helped me, and it was just the beginning,” Boutiette said in a news release. “My eczema was really bad not only around my eyes and face, but also on and around my lips, so I knew from experience that there weren’t products that addressed this painful problem. There was a huge gap in the market for lip treatments designed to be safe and effective for this delicate area that everyone can use—we knew we had to introduce a lip treatment."
Marin’s new lip product is intended to "deeply hydrate, repair, smooth, soothe, and protect lips," the release stated. The company says it can be used for both everyday dry, chapped lips, and for conditions like perioral dermatitis—eczema around the lips and mouth.
The lip balm comes in two different scents.
“We created the unscented lip treatment specifically to help with dry, cracked, flaky and irritated patches on and around the lips, and took it a step further with the blueberry French toast flavor as a nostalgic nod to heritage Maine flavors, reminiscent of a cozy brunch up at camp. It’s as fun and indulgent as it is functional and effective," Boutiette said in the release.
Currently working out of a 3,000-square-foot office and warehouse in Portland, the company of six employees said it's starting to outgrow the space, as the demand for Marin products has grown.
Marin sources their key ingredient (lobster glycoprotein) from local seafood company Luke's Lobster. And over the past three years, they have established a retail partnership with the companies L.L. Bean and Sea Bags.
“We’re humbled by what we’ve been able to build and the amount of impact we’ve had in just three short years with the support of UMaine, Mainers and beyond,” Boutiette said. “Growing our business here, helping others, creating new jobs and adding value in parallel industries has been such a rewarding experience. This product launch represents the next step in Marin’s evolution as a proud Maine brand.”