BEAUTYDIRECTORY is thrilled to welcome Australian brand Olive Oil Skincare to the site. We sat down with co-founder Jo Abignano to discover more about the brand and why, as they enter a period of growth, this brand should be firmly on your radar.
Please tell us about how the brand started?
We were founded in 2012. After importing a variety of olive trees from Umbria, Italy to the family grove in Hillston, Central New South Wales, we began by combining traditional methods with modern knowledge to produce Extra Virgin Olive Oil skin and hair care products.
To begin with, there was a small range of handmade products – unscented and scented hard bar soaps, a soothing balm and four varieties of castile body wash. The fragrances were Rose Geranium, Lavender and Mint Absolute to complement the original unscented, all pure products. This initial range was available to order on line and through health food stores, and over the course of the next few years, the company developed links with retailers in the US, Japan and Taiwan.
By the end of 2016, the product offering had grown considerably to encompass baby, body, hair and hand care ranges, as well as a fully comprehensive skincare range and an Aboriginal range. There are now over 50 different products available from the company – each one featuring their signature Australian Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Where are the ingredients sourced from?
The base ingredient … Extra Virgin Olive Oil is sourced from the family grove in Hillston, Central New South Wales. There are 110,000 trees at the grove offering five different varieties of olives. The olives are picked and processed on site at the ‘frantoio’ on the property, where it takes only two hours from picking to pressing, to ensure the optimum quality of the oil.
The other ingredients, such as essential oils, goats’ milk, manuka honey etc, are sourced from reputable Australian suppliers of quality all-natural ingredients.
What makes Olive Oil such an effective skincare ingredient/remedy?
Olive Oil has the highest compatibility with our own skin as the chemical composition is very similar. Quickly and deeply absorbed, Olive oil is rich in glycolipids and phytosterols, natural Vitamin E and Vitamin K. It helps to replenish moisture loss, resulting in restored flexibility and suppleness, assists in UV ray protection, and neutralizes the oxidant effect of free radicals that damage collagen and cause skin dryness and wrinkles. It also helps to rejuvenate cells, improve the look of scars and soothe damaged skin. Easy to spread, Olive Oil lubricates exceptionally well and leaves a non-oily soft, rich feel on the skin as it deeply hydrates. It has both detoxifying and anti-aging benefits, blocks and fights free radicals, helps reduce the look of fine lines and keeps the skin youthful.
Please can you share some of the positive feedback you've received so far? Do you take this on board when creating new products?
Olive Oil Skincare products have always been well received, with people loving the fact that they are all-natural, and 100% Australian made, with the Olive Oil being sourced from the family grove.
We often have feedback from people with sensitive and problem skin types to say that the products have helped them greatly and that they are so thankful to have found something that works for them.
Amongst other comments, we know people love the soap because it last so long; the body wash is creamy and smooth on the skin which people adore; the face scrub is a winner as it is so gentle and can be used regularly; the hand wash and hand cream are favourites because they leave the skin soft and smooth; the face wash is popular not only for its fragrance, but it feels wonderful on the skin.
One of our most popular products is our Original Soothing Balm, which is just pure Olive Oil in a balm form. We always have feedback on this as it has so many different uses and people just love it. It can be used from head to toe for things such as split ends, cracked heels, dry patches and everything in between!
With regards to creating new products, we always heed feedback generated from existing products. Feedback helps to give us a level of confidence when we are considering something new, even if it is as simple as introducing a new essential oil for a different fragrance.
What's in store for the brand in 2018?
In early 2018, the Olive Oil Skincare Company is planning to launch an exciting new range, which has been created using Extra Virgin Olive Oil and a potent Australian mineral. The range called Zetox, is made up of 10 different products with a focus on body and face care. All-natural, anti-pollution, detoxifying and purifying skincare, the brand tagline is “Nature’s Solution to Pollution”
What are the three things you'd like people to associate with the brand?
All-natural skincare, to naturally nourish.
Quality, affordable skincare, for all ages and all skin types.
Olive Oil Skincare for natural beauty.
To download hi-res images and find out more, visit the Olive Oil Skincare brand listing.