In the world of clean beauty and intentional living, few brands embody effortless elegance quite like Oak Essentials. We sat down with founder Jenni Kayne and CEO Lauren Harris to explore the brand’s roots, the California lifestyle that inspires it, and how their thoughtful approach turns everyday rituals into elevated moments of self-care. From skincare staples to future innovations, this conversation — led by Teagan, FabFitFun’s Senior Buyer of Skincare + Bath & Body — offers a glimpse into the philosophy (and the people) behind the glow.
Q&A with Jenni Kayne, Founder of Oak Essentials, Jenni Kayne, and Jenni Kayne Home
It’s such a pleasure to chat with you. Your brands, Jenni Kayne, Jenni Kayne Home, and Oak Essentials, truly embody that effortless California lifestyle vibe, creating a world that feels both luxurious and approachable. To kick things off, could you tell us a bit about how you first envisioned building a lifestyle empire centered around this distinct aesthetic?
J: My brands have always been a true reflection of my personal style and the way I live every day. I was born and raised in California, so that laid-back, naturally elegant way of living has always been a source of inspiration for me. When I started Jenni Kayne twenty-two years ago, I was excited by fashion and driven to create the pieces I wanted in my own closet. Over time, as I’ve grown, become a mom, and
started focusing more on my family’s wellbeing, my businesses have naturally evolved with me. What began as a fashion brand has become a full lifestyle offering, including clothing, interiors, hospitality, and most recently, skincare with Oak Essentials. No matter the category, my intention is always the same – to create pieces that feel effortless, elevated, and made to fit seamlessly into your life.
From timeless apparel to beautiful home goods, and now exquisite skincare with Oak Essentials, your brands feel incredibly authentic and deeply personal. How do you tap into your own daily life and the little joys you experience to inspire the products and experiences you create for your community?
J: Growing up in Los Angeles, I’ve always felt deeply connected to nature—it’s where I feel most at peace and most like myself. Some of my favorite moments are the simple ones, like sharing a meal outside with my family, feeding our animals, or clipping flowers from the garden to bring into the house. Those rituals really ground me, and they naturally shape the way I think about what I create. With Oak Essentials especially, that connection to simplicity and intention feels front and center. The products are sourced from natural ingredients and rooted in this idea of taking care of yourself in a way that’s gentle, natural, and real—again, something that fits into your life without overcomplicating it.
We’d love to hear about your personal connection to these products! What’s your favorite way to incorporate the Ritual Oil, Renew Face Polish, Balancing Mist, and Pure Gel Cleanser into your own daily skincare ritual? Do you have any pro tips or a specific sequence you love that you could share with our members?
J: I always start my mornings with Pure Gel Cleanser to refresh my skin without stripping it. Then a few times a week, I follow with Renew Face Polish
to gently exfoliate and smooth out any texture. Balancing Mist is great as a toner or used throughout the day for a spritz of hydration. And Ritual Oil is an all-time favorite—the scent is incredibly luxurious and the formula is so calming and soothing. I also have to mention our Moisture Rich Balm, because it’s really the product that started it all and probably the one I use the most!
Beyond just the products themselves, Oak Essentials truly talks about elevating daily rituals into moments of luxury. What advice would you give our members on how to make their skincare routine a more intentional, calming, and enjoyable part of their day, even when life gets busy?
J: Skincare is one of those rare moments in the day that’s really just for you, and because it either starts or ends your day, I think it’s worth making it feel special. Even when life is busy, I try to slow down for just a few minutes. Light a candle, do a quick gua sha, or swap your shower for a bath if you can—it doesn’t have to be elaborate. The idea is to turn something routine into a small act of care. Our products are designed to support that, with beautiful scents and spa-like textures. At the end of the day, it’s really about creating a moment where you can just breathe and reset.
Just For Fun: This or That?
Teagan: Facial or Massage?
Jenni: Facial.
Teagan: Cozy sweater or lightweight linen?
Jenni: Both.
Teagan: Bubble bath or quick shower?
Jenni: Bubble bath with Cloud Foaming Bath Oil, always.
Teagan: Coffee or herbal tea?
Jenni: Tea.
Q&A with Lauren Harris, Oak Essentials CEO
The commitment to a “clean standard” with a focus on natural origin ingredients and sustainable practices is a cornerstone of Oak Essentials. Why are these aspects so crucial to the brand’s identity, and what was the journey like to ensure these high standards were consistently met, from formulation to packaging?
L: Jenni was an early adopter of non-toxic living, and is very well-researched when it comes to crafting her environment to promote the healthiest lifestyle possible. Oak Essentials is an extension of that—executed through thoughtful product development. And with so much inspiration coming from nature, it only makes sense that sustainability and natural ingredients are reflected across all of our touchpoints. At the end of the day, we believe true innovation means creating products with incredible results, using ingredients you can feel good about putting on your skin and bringing into your home.
Oak Essentials beautifully describes itself as valuing “efficacy alongside a sensorial, spa-like experience.” How important was it to you that these products not only deliver tangible results but also create those intentional moments of self-care, transforming a routine into a daily ritual?
L: While there is so much exciting innovation in beauty, we know that it can also be very overwhelming for our customer—knowing which product to use, how to layer them, and which concerns to target. Suddenly, a ten-step routine is born that feels more like a chore than something to be relished. We’re passionate about delivering a pared-back assortment of essentials that support skin during the aging journey—while taking the headache out of figuring out what to use. Just as important as the results is the sensorial experience of using the products. Everything from the texture, to our aromatherapeutic essential oil blends, to the minimal packaging is designed to inspire a moment of calm and create a mini spa ritual in your space.
We all know how vital hydration is for healthy, youthful skin. Could you walk us through how the products in our Fall Boost assortment – the Ritual Oil, Renew Face Polish, Balancing Mist, and Pure Gel Cleanser – work synergistically to achieve that head-to-toe glow you champion? What makes this quartet such a perfect foundation?
L: Pure Gel Cleanser and Renew Face Polish are such a powerful duo—they give you this smooth, clean canvas and prep your skin to receive the benefits of everything that follows. Balancing Mist is my go-to toner both post-cleanse and throughout the day. It delivers an instant hit of hydration and refreshes skin on the spot (I love keeping it in the fridge for an extra calming, cooling effect). And
Ritual Oil is one of our hero products for a reason. It’s this beautifully lightweight hydrator with the aromatherapeutic and anti-inflammatory benefits of Blue Tansy. It absorbs quickly and works for all skin types—especially sensitive—to give you the most radiant glow.
Lastly, what’s next for Oak Essentials? And for you personally, what are you most excited about on the horizon? Can you share any glimpses into what your customers and followers can look forward to from the brand, or from you, in the future?
L: We have so many exciting innovations coming up, especially in our body category which has really taken off this past year. We’re also continuing to bring more brand moments to life in-person through our partnership with Ulta Beauty. We can’t wait for even more customers to experience the brand in real life, right in their neighborhoods. Keep an eye on our channels—we just might be popping up in a city near you!
You can shop Oak Essentials in the Fall Add-Ons Sale open to Annual Members now, and opening to Seasonal Members on August 14th.
Xx, The FabFitFun Team
