Our Story How a family’s search for better sun care became Meadow & Bark—a plant-powered skincare brand grown and formulated in Long Beach, New York. A Family, a Life Outdoors and the “Sunscreen Dilemma” Years ago, my husband, Scott, and I found ourselves facing what we came to call the “sunscreen dilemma.” As a family of five who loves surfing, the beach and life outdoors, sun care was part of our everyday routine. But finding products our children were comfortable wearing—and that we could apply without a struggle—wasn’t easy. They rubbed their eyes, sunscreen shifted, and they sometimes came home with red, irritated-looking skin beneath their eyes. We relied on sunscreen as directed, along with rash guards, hats and shade, but I began paying much closer attention to the products we were using. I read ingredient labels, researched formulation methods and searched for mineral sunscreen options that felt good on the skin. Many of the formulas we tried were thick, pasty or simply unpleasant to use. What started as a practical search for our family soon became a much deeper curiosity about skincare: what goes into a formula, how it is made and how thoughtfully chosen ingredients can transform the experience of using it. The Journey That Changed Everything That curiosity took an unexpected turn when Scott traveled to the Mentawai Islands of Indonesia on a surf trip. After spending days beneath the intense tropical sun, he was introduced to a traditional bark-based paste used within the local community’s skin rituals. He came home fascinated—not with a “miracle cure,” but with a new perspective on the longstanding relationship between plants, place and the way people care for their skin. Inspired by that experience, we began experimenting with botanical oils, plant waxes, minerals and traditional extraction methods. There was plenty of trial and error, but those early experiments eventually led to our first formula, Everyday Sun Shield, and planted the seed for something much bigger. From Seed to Bottle in Long Beach, New York We officially launched Meadow & Bark in 2020 and opened our formulation studio and retail atelier in our hometown of Long Beach, New York. Much of what makes Meadow & Bark special begins close to home. Scott grows many of the herbs and flowers used in our botanical infusions and distills aromatic hydrosols that become the foundation of select water-based formulas. I spend my days researching ingredients, developing and batching formulas, and working with independent laboratories on appropriate stability, compatibility and product testing. We combine carefully prepared whole-plant extracts and botanical oils with modern cosmetic ingredients—including peptides, advanced vitamin C derivatives and plant-derived actives—to create luxurious formulas with purpose. Many of our homegrown botanicals come together in PLT-9, our proprietary Phytolumen Complex. Created through a slow botanical extraction process, PLT-9 is woven throughout the Meadow & Bark collection and represents our seed-to-bottle approach to formulation. Skincare for Life in the Sun Today, Meadow & Bark includes plant-powered facial skincare, body treatments, mineral SPF products, lip care, hair care and fragrance. Every formula begins with the same intention: to create skincare that feels beautiful, fits naturally into daily life and supports healthy, radiant-looking skin through every season. We call it Skincare for Life in the Sun—skincare made for beach days, travel, changing climates, busy schedules and all the ways modern life can leave skin looking depleted. Our purpose is simple: to restore what modern life takes away. Thoughtfully Made, With a Greater Purpose Our responsibility extends beyond the formulas we create. We thoughtfully source ingredients from growers and suppliers around the world, prioritizing women-led cooperatives and community-based partners whenever possible. We support organizations focused on environmental stewardship, women’s empowerment and our local Long Beach community. We are also continually exploring more responsible packaging choices through dark protective glass, refillable systems, bottle-return incentives and formats designed to reduce unnecessary waste. We know there is always more to learn and more we can do—and we remain committed to making thoughtful progress as we grow. Today, Meadow & Bark can be found at our Long Beach atelier, online and through a growing collection of select spas, hotels and independent retailers. Still, our proudest moments are the personal ones: when someone tells us that a Meadow & Bark ritual has helped them feel more confident, cared for and connected to their skin. What began with our family’s sunscreen dilemma has become a beautiful journey—one rooted in curiosity, plants, purposeful formulation and a lifelong love of the sun. We truly hope you love your experience with Meadow & Bark. With love, Marisa Russell Founder & Chief Alchemist Meadow & Bark