About BV
Erin Schmidt is the neurodivergent founder and CEO of Bella Vida SB, an award-winning luxury skincare house inspired by the coastal beauty and botanical richness of California.
Schmidt launched the brand in 2019 after a deeply personal journey with cystic acne, a few skin cancer scares, skin sensitivities and concerns about the unnatural or petroleum derived ingredients often hidden in beauty products. Being a mom to a girl with moderate Autism and her own mother dying from cancer, Erin was determined to create a more elegant, clean and responsible approach to skincare that honored Mother Earth.
Today, Bella Vida SB has earned 28 international beauty awards and is known for its luxurious textures, high-performance formulas and its commitment to clean, cruelty-free formulations.
Our philosophy is simple:
luxury skincare should be both extraordinarily effective and uncompromisingly pure while not being overly complicated.
Before entering the beauty industry, Schmidt spent more than two decades working with children with disabilities as a speech-language professional. Her entrepreneurial journey was also shaped by raising a daughter on the autism spectrum and navigating her own experience as a founder with high-functioning autism and ADHD—perspectives that inform her thoughtful approach to leadership, creativity, and resilience.
Based in Santa Barbara, California, Schmidt continues to lead Bella Vida with a vision rooted in California luxury, conscious beauty, and timeless elegance, creating skincare designed to help women age beautifully while honoring their health and the planet.
Most of all- we want to be a company you love and are proud to support!
About our Founder:
Certified Disability owned (ADHD and High-functioning Autism) by DisabilityIN: #US01634
Certified Disability, Woman and Small business by Supplier Gateway #SG04239272809225
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
We have supported the following non-profits with our proceeds:
Wounded Warriors Project
Special Needs Network
Oceana
Feeding America
BARE Truth Organization for homeless in LA
Terracycle
Band Together Foundation
The Red Cross
Clean Beauty Gives Back
And various small giving programs to help those in need directly with medical costs and funeral costs for loved ones.
By an Autism mom who gets how your skin is changing
Our story begins in a tiny apartment kitchen in Santa Barbara, California in 2019 overlooking the Pacific Ocean. With A dream to create a truly clean luxury skincare brand. Created by Certified Organic Skincare Formulator, Erin Schmidt, a neurodivergent mom of a girl with Autism.
Erin has very sensitive skin and suffered for many years with cystic acne and skin cancer scares. She deeply understands your mature, sensitive skin.
Real Women, Real Results.
Made for women who are changing and transforming
We were tired of unsophisticated sensitive skincare brands that didn't get mature women and their needs. We created a company that helps to gently and effectively rejuvenate menopausal skin without harsh ingredients that delivers real results with no irritation.
OUR CERTIFICATIONS
