Ego was founded when a young chemist, Gerald Oppenheim, and his wife, Rae, a nurse, saw a need for products to restore and maintain healthy skin. In the laundry of their suburban Melbourne home they developed Ego Pine Tar Bath Solution, later called Pinetarsol, which remains one of Australia’s most widely used inflammation treatments. Ever since Ego has continued to research and develop products and treatments to care for and meet the skin needs of all people.
Gerald Oppenheim passed away in 1995 leaving his legacy, Ego, to the family. His sons, Alan Oppenheim the Managing Director, and David Oppenheim both sit on the Board of Directors. As does Dr Jane Oppenheim, Alan’s wife, who is the Scientific and Operations Director.
Proudly Australian-owned, Ego Pharmaceuticals has led the way in the development, manufacture and marketing of innovative skincare products for 60 years. Our mission is to exist for people who want healthy skin. Ego is the specialist in skincare, backed by science. We make our products in Australia for the people of the world. We provide consistently high quality products, underpinned by heritage and integrity.
From its inception as a family business in 1953, Ego has grown to become a world leader, producing a comprehensive skin and health care range for sale in Australia and around the world. Our reputation is built on consistently delivering effective, high-quality and innovative products to meet a diverse range of needs, and we are committed to creating the best possible skin therapies for our customers.
We have hundreds of testimonials that tell us people trust Ego to help care for their skin every day.
The name ‘Ego’ is an acronym for Erwin and Gerald Oppenheim. Dr. Erwin Oppenheim, Gerald’s father was a dermatologist.
QV Skincare is the brainchild of Ego Pharmaceuticals (Ego), which was founded in 1953 by young chemist, Gerald Oppenheim, and his wife, Rae, a nurse.
It was in response to a request from the dermatology ward of Melbourne’s iconic Queen Victoria Hospital, that Gerald Oppenheim created a specialist skincare product that would later become known as QV Bath Oil (named in honour of the hospital).
Favoured for its soft, gentle formula, QV Bath Oil became extremely popular, and three short years later was made available for sale in Australian pharmacies, cementing the QV name and brand in the minds and hearts of Australians looking for a gentle way to cleanse and moisturise their skin.
(Photo credit: Graeme Butler)
With an eye on the future, QV Skincare is always innovating to provide new products to its legion of satisfied customers. A leader in its field for more than 55 years, parent company Ego is continuing to influence the industry with the development, manufacturing and marketing of innovative skincare product ranges, of which QV Skincare is but one.
Almost four decades after the birth of QV Skincare, the name QV remains synonymous with quality and innovation. An iconic Australian brand trusted by generations to cleanse and moisturise dry sensitive skin, QV Skincare is embraced by people wanting products suitable for use with their sensitive skin.
Still proudly family owned and Australian made, there are now more than 50 QV products sold in more than 20 nations across the world. And with well over 50 million units sold, QV is as gentle for sensitive skin today as it was in 1975.
