Based in Sausalito, California, the company was founded in 1990 by Jim Miller, a retail executive involved in the cosmetic and personal care business, after his research continued to show that men were looking for high quality skin care products, priced realistically, and made specifically for them. In the early 90s, many men were using women's products to enhance their look. A typical example was a retail shop in Mill Valley, California, which repackaged women's products into generic bottles for men to purchase. The lack of specific men's skin care products contributed to their development strategy, and further laid the groundwork for expansion into hair care, shave care, sun care, and appellation spa products.

The first seven products, made for shaving, after shave, and shower, were introduced only after extensive "real world" testing. The line was specifically designed to serve active men who were exposed to the rough outdoor climates of Northern California. The demanding tests on mountain climbers, mountain bikers, and sailors helped to define the function, ingredients, and quality of our products -- all of which help counteract the visual effects of sun damage, aging, environmental, and other life-style factors.

As their products grew in popularity, an increasing number of women have become interested in California North's high-quality, non-cosmetic approach for personal grooming. New skin care products were added to satisfy this demand, and families of subtle yet sophisticated fragrances were introduced to complement the skin and hair care items.

California North's commitment is very simple. To provide the highest quality, most consistently effective products to keep skin and hair healthy, looking good, and feeling wonderful.