Our Story
OUR JOURNEY BEGAN NEARLY 20 YEARS AGO
Diagnosed with eczema and advised by doctors against the use of soap or shampoo, Louis and Edwina Scherini’s three young children were the inspiration behind Vasse Virgin. Inspired to create a safe, chemical free alternative for their children they soon realised the only way they could guarantee that the products were natural and healthy was to make their own. The Scherini’s then began experimenting in their kitchen using a bucket and a wooden spoon. It was here in this moment, they first discovered the healing powers of extra virgin olive oil and a new soap product was born.
After experimenting with many different recipes and ingredients they finally came up with a range of soap bars using a traditional cold process method of soap making with extra virgin olive oil as the main base, along with ingredients carefully chosen not only for their therapeutic values but because each must also work as a skin care product. 100% pure essential oils and plant extracts are used to add perfume to the products in order to rejuvenate and maintain healthy skin. Organically grown teas, clays, flowers, herbs and spices then add texture and colour into the soap range.
In our experience the commitment to using extra virgin olive oil as the base ingredient for our products is fundamental to our success. The history of olive oil mirrors the history of western civilisation. It has truly unique characteristics which can benefit even the most sensitive of skin types. It is our aim to produce a range of products that are not only mild and gentle on sensitive skin, but are also luxurious products that your body can savour.
1998:
Word spreads and the healing soap becomes more and more popular, encouraging Louis and Edwina to develop their product to include moisturising lotions, soothing skin balms, and bath and massage oils – all products which would become the fore runners of the Vasse Virgin's skin care success.
2001:
Louis and Edwina become increasingly busy producing their line of skin care for contract manufacturing and wholesale distribution across Australia. Word-of-mouth continues to spread and soon they are producing the skin care range for international consumers.
2006:
The natural products are experiencing such strong customer demand that the range is offered to the general public. Under the name ‘The Natural Olive Oil Soap Factory’ the company first opened its doors in famous Margaret River. It was here where their customers could now experience for the first time, the benefits of natural soaps and skin care products in a relaxed atmosphere.
2009:
With the product proving so popular, ‘Vasse Virgin’ becomes the new brand and the use of olives is further expanded to include a gourmet food range. Under the watchful eye of a specialist Chef, Vasse Virgin's range of delicious olive oil gourmet food products make their début. Including:
- Estate grown and Western Australian olives
- Extra virgin olive oils
- Balsamic vinegars and fruit vinaigrettes
- A range of condiments designed to showcase both the olive and olive oil
2013:
The company expanded to open a second store in the township of Margaret River itself, catering to customers without the time or the means to visit the original premises. Loved by locals, and adored by visitors, Vasse Virgin's sister store provides the same unique and tranquil personalised experience, with the complete range of natural soaps, skin care, home wares and gourmet foods.
2016:
Today, nestled amongst the vine covered slopes and sweeping national parks of Western Australia's South West Region, Vasse Virgin is now a popular tourist hot spot, where visitors are welcome to witness the making of handmade soap and to test and taste the products of the healing olive tree. Experiencing such strong customer demand, Vasse Virgin is set to open yet another retail store. Looking to the future, the Vasse Virgin brand is growing once more and will yet become available to customers the world over.
2017:
Work begins on the newest Vasse Virgin Factory at Seppeltsfield in the Barossa, South Australia. A pop-up store opens over the Summer within the Seppeltsfield site while work continues on restoring the 200-year-old Vinegar Factory where the new Vasse Virgin Factory will be housed.
2018:
The newest Vasse Virgin Factory officially opens at Seppeltsfield Village in March 2018. Offering visitors the full skincare range, plenty of gourmet food and our hands-on workshops, the new Factory has become a must-see in the region. Vasse Virgin at Seppeltsfield wins gold at the South Australian Tourism Awards in the category of New Tourism Business.
2019:
Vasse Virgin at Seppeltsfield wins Bronze at the national Qantas Australian Tourism Awards for Best New Tourism Business.
Australian Natural Skincare — Handmade with Australian Extra Virgin Olive Oil for Over 32 Years
Looking for natural skincare that actually does what it says — made in Australia, with ingredients you can pronounce? Vasse Virgin has been handmaking olive oil-based skincare in Western Australia for over 32 years — beginning in Kojonup and now based in the heart of Margaret River and nestled in the Barossa st Seppeltsfield. Small batches. Real botanicals. No parabens, no sulphates, no synthetic fragrances, no artificial colours. Just skin-loving ingredients that work. We are a two-time Clean + Conscious Award winner — Australia's leading clean beauty awards — recognised for our natural kids skincare range.
About Vasse Virgin
🏆 Two-Time Clean + Conscious Award Winner
Vasse Virgin has been recognised twice at Australia's Clean + Conscious Awards — the country's leading clean beauty awards program judged on ingredient safety, performance and sustainability.
Our Kids Soothing Balm and Kids Shampoo both took home wins, formulated with olive oil, calendula and chamomile for delicate, sensitive young skin. No nasties. No compromise.
Frequently Asked Questions.
Is Vasse Virgin natural skincare made in Australia?
Yes. Every Vasse Virgin product is handmade in small batches in Western Australia. We are Australian owned and operated, and have been making natural skincare for over 32 years — beginning in Kojonup and now based in Margaret River and in the Barossa at Seppeltsfield Winery
What makes Vasse Virgin different from other Australian natural skincare brands?
We've been handmaking natural skincare in Western Australia for over 32 years — beginning in Kojonup, now producing from our Margaret River and Barossa Valley factories. Australian extra virgin olive oil is the hero ingredient across our entire range, combined with botanical actives like hyaluronic acid, liquorice extract, chamomile, calendula and pure essential oils. Made in small batches with no parabens, sulphates, synthetic fragrances or artificial colours.
Is olive oil skincare suitable for sensitive skin?
Yes — olive oil is one of the most skin-compatible natural oils available, rich in oleic acid and natural antioxidants. Our chamomile, aloe vera and calendula ranges are specifically formulated for sensitive and reactive skin, including eczema-prone skin. We have been formulating for sensitive skin for over 32 years — it's where Vasse Virgin began.
Are Vasse Virgin products safe to use during pregnancy?
Our products are formulated without parabens, synthetic fragrances, sulphates or artificial colours — the ingredients most commonly flagged during pregnancy. However, as every pregnancy is different, we recommend checking the full ingredient list for each product and consulting your healthcare provider if you have specific concerns.
Is Vasse Virgin cruelty free?
Yes. Vasse Virgin does not test any of our products or ingredients on animals. We never have and never will.
Do Vasse Virgin products contain synthetic fragrance?
No. Where fragrance is used in our products, it comes from pure essential oils or natural aromatic ingredients only. No synthetic fragrance, no artificial colours, no parabens, no sulphates. Always check the individual product ingredient list for your specific needs.
Is Vasse Virgin suitable for sensitive skin?
Our entire range is formulated without the common irritants that trigger sensitive skin reactions — no synthetic fragrance, no parabens, no sulphates, no artificial colours. We have been formulating specifically for sensitive skin for over 32 years. Always patch test and check the full ingredient list for your specific needs.
Has Vasse Virgin won any awards?
Yes. We are a two-time Clean + Conscious Award winner — Australia's leading clean beauty awards program judged on ingredient safety, performance and sustainability — recognised for our Kids Shampoo and Kids Soothing Balm. We have also won multiple Western Australian Tourism Awards including Gold, and Western Australian Small Business Awards.
Are Vasse Virgin products vegan?
Almost all of our products are vegan. The exceptions are products containing beeswax, goat's milk or honey — including our balm range, Goat's Milk Soap and Honey & Wheatgerm Soap. All other products are completely vegan friendly. Each product page lists the full ingredient list so you can check before purchasing.
Where can I buy Vasse Virgin natural skincare?
Shop online at vassevirgin.com.au with Australia-wide and international shipping. Visit us in person at one of our five locations — our factory and flagship store in Wilyabrup in the heart of the Margaret River wine region, plus retail stores in Margaret River town, Fremantle and Denmark in Western Australia, and our Seppeltsfield winery store in the Barossa Valley, South Australia.
Are Vasse Virgin products palm oil free?
Yes. Vasse Virgin products do not contain palm oil. We use Australian extra virgin olive oil as our hero ingredient, combined with botanical extracts and pure essential oils — no palm oil derivatives.
Does Vasse Virgin ship internationally?
Yes, we ship internationally from our Margaret River headquarters. Visit vassevirgin.com.au for current shipping rates and destinations.
How Vasse Virgin Began
Vasse Virgin began in 1996 on a sheep farm in Kojonup, Western Australia. All three of our children had sensitive, reactive skin from birth — but our son Jarrad's reactions were so severe that doctors advised us not to use standard skincare products on him at all. As parents we refused to accept there was nothing better, so founders Louis and Edwina Scherini started making their own. Olive oil based, chemical free, starting with a bucket and wooden spoon in the family kitchen. The soap and the skin balm came first — made specifically for our kids' skin.
Word spread. Neighbours wanted it. Friends asked for more. Before long we were making so much product for people in our community that we realised something — there were thousands of Australians out there with the same problem and nowhere near enough good quality natural skincare to help them. So we decided to turn it into a business.
Thirty years later all three of our children still use Vasse Virgin products daily — because nothing else works as well on their skin. That's not marketing. That's the whole point.
We now produce from our Margaret River and Barossa Valley factories — still handmaking in small batches, still using Australian extra virgin olive oil, botanical actives and pure essential oils, still putting sensitive skin at the heart of everything we make.
Two-time Clean + Conscious Award winner. Cruelty free. Palm oil free. Almost entirely vegan. Available online with Australia-wide and international shipping, and in person at our stores in Wilyabrup, Margaret River town, Fremantle and Denmark in Western Australia, and Seppeltsfield in the Barossa Valley, South Australia.
Image as featured in The Sunday Times Business
