“We are proud to be on the ground and in the water for every step of our process – from growing kelp in our local Maine waters, to harvesting, drying, and developing the best possible formula. We see our product development all the way through, from sea to skin.”
Cold Current Kelp is a women-owned kelp farm and skincare company in Southern Maine. Business partners Inga and Krista are good friends who share a desire to grow kelp for its many environmental benefits and its incredible potential as a nutrient-packed ingredient. Starting their seaweed journey in 2021, their goal is to create clean skincare products that are unique, authentic, and effective. Cold Current Kelp is committed to sustainability, clean ingredients, and spreading the power of seaweed in skincare.
Inga Potter, Co-Founder
Inga is a marine biologist and educator whose life-long love of the ocean began during early childhood summers on Nantucket Island. Inga earned her Ph.D. from the University of New Hampshire in 2010 studying the ecology of large oceanic fish. She has collaborated with scientists all over the world in her research and has enjoyed teaching biology and environmental science to students of all ages and backgrounds. It was her environmental science background that first drew her to the many benefits of kelp farming.
Krista Rosen, Co-Founder
Krista grew up in coastal and rural Maine. She attended Bowdoin College, where she studied government and economics. After law school, she practiced securities litigation for many years in New York City and later, Maine. Krista served on the board of Laudholm Trust, supporting the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve for six years, where she became more passionate about issues around climate change. This, combined with Krista’s family roots in Maine, led to her interest in ocean farming and the blue economy.
Bob Leipold, Chemical Engineer
Bob Leipold is a PhD chemical engineer with professional experience in the chemical industry, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical consulting. He is also, not coincidentally, Krista’s uncle. It took the combination of family ties and the undeniable allure of working with kelp to drag him out of what had been a quiet and happy retirement, so here we are. Bring on the seaweed!
Kirsten Thomas, Chemist
Kirsten grew up on the Maine coast with a love for the ocean and a passion for cosmetics and skincare. She graduated from Furman University with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry with the goal of pursuing cosmetic formulation science. After learning about the potential of kelp in skincare, Kirsten was excited to join the Cold Current Kelp team to develop natural, unique and effective skincare formulas. In her free time, she enjoys being on the water, sewing, and volunteering with a cat shelter. Kirsten continues to have a deep love of the ocean and all things kelp.