Founder and Formulator of Sustainable Skincare Company Sabbia Co.
Founder and Formulator of Sustainable Skincare Company Sabbia Co.
With a passion for environmentally-friendly beauty and a commitment to promoting sustainable practices, Katie Eales created the skincare brand Sabbia Co., combining the power of natural ingredients with eco-conscious packaging and manufacturing. we chatted to Katie about her inspiration for creating Sabbia Co., and how she has seamlessly integrated sustainability into every aspect of her skincare line. Get ready to be inspired!
How long have you been a Gold Coast local?
10 years on and off, I moved to the Gold Coast when I was 18 for uni and then returned back to Palm Beach where I now live with my husband and son after traveling on and off for a few years.
What do you love the most about the Gold Coast?
The lifestyle, I love how beautiful our beaches, creeks and hinterland is. I love that you can choose to have a slow-paced weekend but there’s enough happening to have a fun-filled weekend when you need.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I grew up in Port Douglas, in a half Italian / half Australian household. Growing up diving the Great Barrier Reef, camping under the stars and eating 90% homegrown was where I found my deep love and appreciation for the planet. I moved to the Gold Coast to study marketing straight after year 12, I then went on to travel throughout many Asian countries, Europe and the States.
In 2017 I met my now husband Dave, in 2018 we found ourselves on a remote beach in Sri Lanka and devastated over the amount of single-use personal items we were surrounded by. When we arrived home we decided to minimise all single-use items in our home. As we started to research and test reusable products we fell in love with many amazing sustainable swaps. Our mission was no longer to overhaul our home but everyone else’s.
And this is when Sabbia Co was born. An ethical brand with minimal impact on the environment, that creates unique facial kits out of sustainable, biodegradable, reusable and chemical free tools. Along with sustainably sourced and packaged skincare that is formulated by myself.
We launched in September 2019, with 3 products. Our hero ‘face it face kit’, cleanse kit and tone kit. 3 kits that remove makeup/zinc, cleanse and exfoliate with just water. This was essential for us as we love to travel and pack light.
As our community grew the need for sustainable skincare was a daily request, so for our first birthday, we launched sustainably sourced and packaged skincare. Something I had always dreamt of. Over the years I have studied Cosmetic Chemistry, Traditional Chinese Medicine (Gua Sha, Facial Massage, etc), and many other ‘alternative’ (as my Mum might say) practices.
In 2022 we brought our son Louie into the world, which has made our passion to protect our beautiful planet even stronger. We also launched our Refill / Recycle Program where customers can send back old products for recycling or keep their bottles and purchase refill sachets that can also be returned for recycling. I can visually see the difference we are making and the education we are sharing. We are now selling almost 90% refills to returning customers. Our return customer rate is currently sitting at 69% which means we have reduced our carbon emissions by over 75% per product.
Tell us about Sabbia Co.
Sabbia Co offers refillable sustainably sourced and packaged skincare which is made in Australia. Along with sustainable skin tools that include biodegradable sponges and reusable bamboo makeup-removing pads that replace up to 1,000 single-use makeup wipes annually. We are a multi award-winning brand that bridges the gap between scientific chemistry and natural plant medicine to create sustainable skincare that is results driven – with over 1000, 5 star reviews to prove it.
How did Sabbia Co. come about?
In 2018 we found ourselves on a remote beach in Sri Lanka and devastated over the amount of single-use personal items we were surrounded by. When we arrived home we decided to minimise all single-use items in our home. As we started to research and test reusable products we fell in love with many amazing sustainable swaps. Our mission was no longer to overhaul our home but everyone else’s.
Why is sustainability so important to you?
Growing up immersed in nature, whether it was the rainforest, outback, or ocean has definitely made me understand its beauty and purpose. I grew up on Kukuk Yalangi land and our school always had elders sharing bush and plant medicine which fascinated me. My parents and grandparents also always shared home remedies and the importance of eating from the land and seasonally. My childhood was so focused on what we put in we get out. As I started to move and travel I noticed that not everyone had that same understanding and respect for the planet. Both my husband and I want to do whatever we can to protect and preserve our planet for our children to have healthy and fulfilling lives.
What does a typical day in your life look like?
I start my day between 5 and 6am, Louie and I have breakfast, I tried to journal and meditate, and walked down to the beach for a play. He then has a short nap and I go through my emails and prioritise what I need to get done for the day. I love Pilates and am so thankful to have found a space that has crèche and then we head into the warehouse together or sometimes I can get to go solo and Louie hangs out with his grandparents. A lot of my day is based around our community. Helping with skin concerns, making content to educate on our products and working on new formulations. I also host a podcast – Authentic Verdict, which I record fortnightly. We head back down to the beach for an afternoon dip before starting Louie’s bedtime routine. Dave and I have dinner around 6.30pm, wind down with stretching and are usually in bed by 8.30pm.
What is your most popular product?
We have 3, the Matcha Clay Mask (which is currently on preorder for the 100th time! It’s impossible to keep up with the demand), Collagen C Serum and Mineral BB Cream.
What does the future have in store for Sabbia Co. products?
I am currently in the final stages of a cream cleanser and our community has requested a Vitamin A. We are also in the final stages of testing our mum and bub range.
What are your Gold Coast favourites…
Café/coffee spot: Espresso Moto is our local and the team are so beautiful.
Restaurant: Etsu, Glenelg Public House and Jimmy Wah’s
Bar or place for a drink: We love Balter, the vibe is always good or out the front of home, where we’ve met some beautiful families that we spend most weekends at the beach with.
Beach: Palm Beach, we’re lucky to live out the front of the reef break which makes for a very happy husband!
How do you choose to spend your days off?
I love walking to Talle Creek and catching up with friends, treating my body to a Suana at Freedom Float or something crafty, a big goal for this year is to get back into pottery.
