There’s something magical about Tuscany that encourages you to slow down and savor the little things. With its rolling hills, cypress trees and olive groves, life here is rooted in nature and tradition. That spirit is at the heart of The Face Planner, an Italian skincare brand born out of a family’s estate and olive mill in Tuscany: The Frantoio.
Founded by Emma Dobbie, a former finance professional who left the high-speed world of London and New York to focus on something more personal, the idea for The Face Planner came to her during a pivotal moment in her life: the months leading up to her wedding.
Like so many brides, she wanted glowing, healthy skin for her big day — but what she didn’t want was the endless parade of complicated products her facialist recommended. “I realized you don’t need 20 steps to get great skin,” Emma says. “What really works is consistency, using high-quality products and taking the time to care for yourself.”
That idea of a pared-down, thoughtful routine rooted in local, organic ingredients shaped The Face Planner’s philosophy. Together with a renowned dermatologist, she developed a line with six products that are designed to work together seamlessly while taking the guesswork out of skincare. The focus is on long-term results with nutrient-rich ingredients that nourish, soothe, and plump the skin.
It’s a slow beauty approach that reflects not only Emma’s values, but also the rhythms of life in Tuscany, where everything feels more deliberate and connected to the land. “You don’t need twenty products to feel good and have great results,” says Emma. “Just like with food, use the best ingredients in your skincare and see your body glow from the inside out.”
The Face Planner product line includes:
- The Cleanser: Gentle, effective, and packed with ingredients to refresh your skin.
- The Balancer: A liquid exfoliant that helps keep pores clear and skin smooth.
- The Super Hydrator: Your morning pick-me-up packed with Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid for radiant skin.
- The Protector: A day cream that locks in hydration and shields your skin.
- The Brightener: The ultimate eye cream with ceramides, peptides and caffeine to nourish and fortify the under eye skin.
- The Revitaliser: A face mask infused with rice oil and burdock root to calm and even out your complexion.
The brand also sells their products in plans, making it easy to refresh, renew and elevate your skincare routine knowing that all of the products are made to work together and enhance one another.
One of the things that makes The Face Planner stand out is its focus on skincare routines, rather than individual products. “So many people are overwhelmed by the sheer number of brands and products out there,” explains Emma. “Our plans take the stress out of it by giving you everything you need in one go.”
There’s also something undeniably indulgent about this approach to skincare. In a world where we’re constantly rushing, The Face Planner encourages you to slow down and take five minutes for yourself, whether it’s cleansing your face in the morning or winding down with a revitalizing mask at night.
The formulations are super gentle, tested on sensitive skin and are compatible alongside other beauty treatments, like botox or micro-needling, without being abrasive or causing irritation. And bottled in Italian glass, the products not only have a reduced carbon footprint, but they feel luxurious and look beautiful on your beauty counter.
A Skincare Philosophy Inspired by Tuscany
The Frantoio, Emma’s family estate near Lucca and Pisa, serves as The Face Planner’s “brand home” and where the skincare line all began. This beautifully-restored historic olive mill dates back to 1804 is still a working farm. Every year, the family hand-harvests olives, almonds and sunflowers, all of which find their way into The Face Planner’s formulations.
Extra virgin olive oil is at the heart of The Face Planner’s line — not just as a nod to Tuscany’s most famous ingredient, but because of its incredible properties. Rich in antioxidants, vitamins and fatty acids, olive oil deeply hydrates the skin while helping to protect against signs of aging. Just like extra virgin olive oil supports your overall health and wellbeing, applying it topically is equally nourishing and beneficial for your skin.
The Face Planner’s other natural ingredients are equally thoughtful:
- Sweet almond oil helps retain moisture and calm irritation.
- Sunflower seed oil strengthens the skin barrier with antioxidants and linoleic acid.
- Fennel oil, sourced from Rimini, reduces pore size and evens skin tone.
- Burdock root, grown in Emilia-Romagna, is antibacterial and soothing.
Every product is crafted in small batches at a lab in Trento, balancing cutting-edge dermatological science with a commitment to Italian-grown ingredients ensuring they are fresh and potent.
The Frantoio also welcome guests for retreats and wellness events. With 6 bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, the luxury villa can accommodate up to 12 guests. Amenities include a saltwater swimming pool, two large kitchens and countless communal spaces — indoors and out — for gathering, feasting and unwinding.
The property regularly hosts retreats which combine skincare, movement and breathwork with good food and plenty of time to relax. “Skincare is about more than just products,” says Emma. “It’s about how you live — what you eat, how you move, how you breathe.”
What I love most about The Face Planner is how personal it feels, coupled with the sense of place. You can almost imagine the olives being pressed and the fennel growing in the fields as you smooth on their moisturizer or mask. It’s skincare that’s tied to the land in a way that feels honest and authentic — a little slice of Tuscany in your daily routine.
If you’re ever in the area, The Frantoio is worth a visit, whether it’s for a retreat or just to soak in the beauty of the estate. And if not, The Face Planner’s products bring a bit of that Tuscan magic to wherever you are.
This story was produced in partnership with The Face Planner.
