Why New Zealand’s Natural And Eco-Friendly Beauty Rituals Will Be Your Next Skincare Obsession

In addition to recently declaring that New Zealand is virus-free, there’s even more to love about this island country.

Yes, New Zealand has been making headlines during COVID-19 for their swift and forward-thinking action when combating the coronavirus.  But, this tiny island nation in the Pacific isn’t only worth recognizing for their efforts on this front, they also have their own unique beauty movement worth taking note (and maybe even adopting). Here are our favorite New Zealand beauty rituals, plus the brands and products we are coveting – we’re calling it NZ-Beauty.

First things first, Kiwis are typically extra mindful to take care of their skin when it comes to the sun. This is because the sun’s rays have less pollution to block out UV light than in the northern hemisphere. “If you want to visit New Zealand, most people don’t realize they’ll have to level up their sunscreen,” explains celebrity makeup artist Stacy Chachki. “I use 30+ SPF in China and Korea but 50+ here or 70+ for a beach day.”

Beautytap Advisors (aestheticians, facialists, makeup artists, and beauty professionals) recommend these sunscreens.

New Zealand is known for a being a mecca for those who love the outdoors so it’s no surprise plenty of Kiwi’s take care of looking after their skin in the sun, especially when some of nature’s best beauty rituals are at their doorstep. “I love the bubble mud pool and hot spring pool in Rotorua,” Chachki explains of New Zealand’s plethora of natural beauty offerings. “It’s a volcanic zone and the pure, natural geothermal pools are such a Kiwi thing [to include in your beauty ritual].

Nature, beauty, and wellness are deeply interlinked in New Zealand culture. Beyond what nature has provided Kiwis to enjoy in terms of geothermal activity, beauty and skin care rituals center around products that keep nature in their ethos. “New Zealand consumers are drawn to more natural formulations with authenticity and consciousness around sustainability and products that are kinder to our world and to us,” says Ashely & Co Founder, Jaqueline Ashley.

For Ashely & Co, that means trying to be sustainable as often as possible while also relying on the natural bounty of New Zealand’s flora to create unique beauty products. Just take their recently released lip balm and tint, the Tint Me Lip Punch; a buttery beeswax lip balm, bolstered with essential oils and natural red radish pigment for a subtle pop of color. “Uncontrived ingredients that are easy to wear make it the most ‘Kiwi’ addition to our range,” Ashley notes.

Beyond sustainability, indigenous ingredients, especially those historically part of Maori healing culture, are integral to Kiwi beauty and wellness regimes. “New Zealand is doing a really good job of bringing Maori culture and ways of thinking [to the forefront],” explains Tama Toki, founder of Aotea Made, a therapeutic beauty company focusing on traditional indigenous plants and Maori healing recipes. For Aotea that mean products like their Everything Nalm with Kawa Kawa oil that works to reduce inflammation or a Manuka Oil that naturally helps balance the skin’s PH. “People have a real interest in the history of the herbs and how things like honey have been used for hundreds of years by Maori people and now we have the science to underscore those anecdotes as well.”

Beautytap Advisors (aestheticians, facialists, makeup artists, and beauty professionals) recommend this natural moringa oil.

If there’s one thing you can take away from these New Zealand based beauty experts and Kiwi-founded brands, it’s approaching beauty in a holistic way that’s tied deeply to nature both in terms of clean natural ingredients. Here’s so a happier and healthier you, naturally!