Erin Schmidt, CEO and Organic Skincare Formulator

When Erin was in her 20's and 30's, she suffered from cystic acne.  After having a child with moderate Autism and years of pain and discomfort, and countless medical treatments that harmed her skin and animals, Erin sought alternative modes of healing and, with the help of licensed Estheticians and her skincare formulation training, she began educating herself on natural skincare remedies and founded Bella Vida Santa Barbara.

"I often get asked why I wanted to form a skincare company.  As a serial entrepreneur, I had formed a few fashion e-commerce sites, yet my struggles with my skin led me to develop a deep desire to help others find better alternatives to what was on the market.

In 2018,  I decided I wanted to create a clean, luxury skincare brand that I felt was missing from the market place as many luxury brands were (and still do) using harsh chemicals and were far from sustainable and most are not cruelty-free. My journey began as a teenager into my thirties with my personal struggle with cystic acne and the unique challenges of my sensitive, fair skin as a natural redhead.  I have had a few skin cancer scares where I have had several spots removed that thankfully were benign, but I have to see a dermatologist every 3 months as some looked precancerous.  All of these issues lead me to want to create a clean, effective and luxurious line for myself and my customers.

All the years of traditional skincare and harsh treatments that simply didn't work and wasted lots of money, left me longing for alternatives that were gentle on the skin, the body, and the planet. After having a daughter on the Autism spectrum and after losing her mother to cancer, I was determined to seek cleaner, safer products for her family and herself.  Bella Vida Santa Barbara emerged from humble beginnings in my small Santa Barbara bungalow kitchen. 

Bella Vida Santa Barbara reflects my dedication to creating an elegant, botanical-based skincare line that marries efficacy with ethical integrity. We formulate and manufacture in small batches and package our products by hand right here in California. We prioritize formulas that are predominantly vegan and certified clean by Think Dirty and the Good Face Project, maintaining high standards for natural and sustainable ingredients and a minimal environmental footprint.

Partnering in mid 2024 with CMO David Hill, successful black serial entrepreneur and media mogul of VYRE media, BVSB is expanding and growing in the US and internationally.

Our commitment extends to sustainable practices as well: we advocate for reduced waste and are striving to become nearly plastic-free. We believe in the responsibility of beauty brands to lead the way in reducing ocean pollution and preserving our planet’s resources. At Bella Vida Santa Barbara, we take pride in fostering a clean, cruelty-free, and environmentally conscious approach to luxury skincare, where beautiful skin is just the beginning of a beautiful life.

Most of all- we want to be a company you love and are proud to support!"

About our Founder:

Master's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology and worked with children with disabilities for over 25 years

Mother of a girl with Moderate Autism

Award-Winning Organic Skincare Formulator

Member of the Los Angeles Tribune Elite Podcast Network

Featured in Foundr Magazine and Podcasts in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022

Featured in interviews in: Foundr Magazine, Los Angeles Tribune, LA Fashion Magazine, Think Dirty's Female Founders to Watch for Women's Day in 2020, Bella Vida Magazine, Canvas Rebel, WTVOX,  Dieline Magazine and more