Wenbo Wu Transforming beauty industry, utilizing olives in skincare products.
Filippo Ferrari, managing director of Valanolia, is set on bringing the natural benefits of olives from farm to skin through a passion for luxurious, antioxidant-rich skincare products. The family-owned company, established in 1972, has been cultivating olive trees in Markwood, Victoria, and has now earned a reputation for nourishing and protecting the entire body rather than just the face.
In this exclusive interview, Ferrari discusses the inspiration behind Valanolia's Olive Essence Body Wash, the advantages of cold-pressed olives, and why he believes caring for the skin on the body is just as essential as caring for the face.
From Tradition to Luxury
The brainchild behind creating an antioxidant-rich body wash was a natural evolution from Valanolia's staunch belief in the remarkable benefits of olive oil. With the Valanolia olive variety, which has been cultivated since 1972, growing on their family farm, Ferrari and his team saw an opportunity to create a skincare product that would nourish and protect the skin, much like how olive oil does for the face and hair.
To bring this ambition to life, they turned their focus on using premium ingredients from the farm itself. By producing every batch using personally-grown, cold-pressed olive oil, Ferrari and his team ensure that the untainted antioxidants are retained. Partnering with top chemists, including experts from the Guangzhou Institute of Chemistry, they've developed a formula that celebrates the best of olives, replacing synthetic additives with natural olive-based ingredients, resulting in a lush, antioxidant-rich body wash that delivers deep hydration and an indulgent skincare experience.
Olive Origins and Production
The journey at Valanolia begins at their own farm, where the olives are meticulously hand-picked at their peak ripeness to maximize the concentration of beneficial compounds. Once harvested, the olives are cold-pressed immediately to preserve the antioxidants and natural oils, ensuring that none of the essential nutrients are lost to heat or processing.
The production process is designed to extract the purest olive essence, and by using cold-pressed olives, they maintain the natural integrity of the oil. This detailed sourcing and processing allow Valanolia to provide a body wash that deeply nourishes, delivering the benefits of fresh, antioxidant-rich olive oil.
The Importance of Body Skincare
While facial skincare often gets the most attention, the skin on the rest of the body needs equivalent love and care. At Valanolia, the team has developed the Olive Essence Body Wash to remind people that their entire body deserves as much attention as their face. The skin, which is the body's largest organ, faces daily environmental stressors such as pollution, UV rays, and harsh weather conditions.
By using natural, antioxidant-rich ingredients like cold-pressed olive oil, Valanolia seeks to protect and nourish the skin all over, offering deep hydration, nourishment, and protection for the entire body.
Balancing Quality and Sustainability
Sustainability has always been a cornerstone of Valanolia's mission. In establishing a perfect balance between creating high-quality, effective products and staying eco-friendly, the team has embraced the challenges inherent in blending these goals. To minimize their carbon footprint, they grow and harvest the olives themselves, engaging in practices that minimize water usage and avoid harmful pesticides while preserving the land's biodiversity.
In their production process, they focus on making the most of every part of the olive while using only natural, biodegradable ingredients that are safe for both the skin and the environment. This commitment to sustainability stems from the belief that nature provides everything needed for beautiful, healthy skin, and it's their responsibility to give back by ensuring their practices are as eco-friendly as possible.
A Multi-Tasking Body Wash
Valanolia's body wash tackles various skin issues such as fine lines, hyperpigmentation, and dryness with gentle yet effective ingredients. The key to this lies with the powerful antioxidants found in cold-pressed olive oil. Ferrari and the team worked closely with experts to formulate a product that effectively fights the signs of ageing and nourishes and protects the skin without harsh chemicals.
The formula is designed for universal appeal, ensuring its effectiveness for all skin types, including sensitive skin. With its focus on olive-based, skin-friendly ingredients, the body wash offers deep hydration, nourishment, and protection for the entire body.
Raising Awareness on Skincare
Free radicals are a significant contributor to skin damage, leading to premature ageing, hyperpigmentation, and loss of elasticity. Valanolia places a high priority on educating their customers on the importance of shielding the skin from these environmental threats.
Through clear communication, they highlight the role antioxidants play in neutralizing free radicals, as their products, such as the Olive Essence Body Wash, are rich in natural antioxidants that help protect the skin against oxidative stress and damage.
By demystifying skincare and making complex science accessible, they empower customers to make informed choices and prioritize skin protection as part of their daily routine.
Looking Forward: Innovation and Expansion
As Valanolia continues to innovate, they are working on an olive-based pet shampoo, inspired by their beloved Border Collie. The shampoo shares the same cold-pressed olive oil found in their skincare products, creating a lush, nourishing formula for the coat and skin of pets. By extending their commitment to caring for those they love, this addition to their line is a testament to Valanolia's passion for providing sustainable, high-quality, and effective skincare solutions.
The team is excited about the future of Valanolia and looks forward to bringing more innovative products to the market, all while embracing their core values of sustainability and gentle, effective skincare.
In line with their commitment to skin care, Valanolia is expanding its product range by introducing an olive-based pet shampoo, encompassing their furry companions in their mission of nourishing and protecting skin with natural antioxidant-rich ingredients. This extension reflects Ferrari's belief that nourishing the skin extends beyond personal care, encompassing the wellness of the entire family.
Meanwhile, Valanolia's market offerings span beyond the traditionally popular categories of fashion-and-beauty and personal-growth, venturing into education-and-self-development through their pursuit of a deeper understanding and sharing of the benefits of natural, antioxidant-rich skincare products and their role in preserving the body's health. The home-and-garden sector also brims with possibilities as Valanolia explores the potential for applying their Cold-pressed olive oil formula to the care and maintenance of their olives.
