Aotearoa is one of the richest landscapes in the world. With a wealth of native botanicals and awe-inspiring scene-scapes, it is any wonder that this country serves as the inspiration behind some of the world's most loved beauty brands.

Below, we explore our favourite skincare and cosmetics to have been born out of New Zealand. These are the impactful names making waves and changing the conversation around beauty. Some are household names, others are up-and-coming brands that shifting our understanding around what it means to run a considered brand in the modern era.

1. Emma Lewisham

Since the brand's launch in 2019, Emma Lewisham has become one of the global leaders natural-formulation, science-backed skincare. It is a brand that believes plants can be unlocked to create ingredients and products that drive real results. It is this passion and reverence for nature that drives the Emma Lewisham's sustainability ethos. Did you know Emma Lewisham was the first carbon-positive beauty brand? That means, it removes more carbon emissions than it outputs. Transparency it key, with full ingredient origin disclosures and independently verified sustainability claims. It's easy to understand why this is one of the world's most beloved skincare brands.

2. RAAIE Skincare

Boutique skincare brand RAAIE celebrates the power of rare local botanicals. RAAIE harnesses ingredients such as kawakawa, seaweed, and alpine flora to create antioxidant-rich, efficacious products. Its formulations are designed to shield skin against environmental stressors and promote long-term radiance.  It's packaging is recyclable and refillable, and its ingredient sourcing to protects biodiversity. It's signature bottle shapes have been inspired by the raw beauty of Aotearoa’s landscapes. Minimalist, modern packaging reflects its ethos of clean luxury.

3. KŌTIA

KŌTIA is the first skincare brand to truly harness the power of nutrient rich deer milk. Stressed deers will not produce milk, but through a process of nurturing and understanding the needs of female red deer, KŌTIA is able to sustainably ethically source its deer milk from New Zealand’s farms. Rich in vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, deer milk is unlike any other substance. It is the powering ingredient behind the brand's creams, serums, and body care. KŌTIA combines innovation with New Zealand’s rich agricultural heritage, offering us a rare natural luxury.

4. Antipodes

Antipodes has become one of New Zealand’s most well-known beauty exports. This is a brand that combines certified organic ingredients with innovation to create luscious skincare with a sustainable and accessible ethos. Founded by Elizabeth Barbalich, the brand uses iconic Aotearoa native botanicals like manuka honey, kawakawa, and mamaku black fern, alongside antioxidant-rich superfruits. Its commitment to sustainability runs deep across all brand aspect. But notably, Antipodes is working to become 100% plastic-free, a feat that is a true challenge when packaging oil and cream products. The brand is currently at 93% and active investing in innovations that will get the brand to their 100% goal.

5. Tronque

A bodycare brand with a science-led approach, Tronque is against neck-down-neglect. We spend so much time considering the skin on our face, but are often happy to put whatever on our bodies. After founder Tanné Snowden discovered the widespread use of endocrine disrupting ingredient found in so many body products, she decided to make her own. Luxurious and decidedly endocrine-disruptor free. Tronque embraces bioactive botanicals, peptides, and vitamins to address skin texture, elasticity, and long-term health. A brand rooted in transparency, its products elevate body care into a ritual true wellbeing and indulgence.

6. Sans [Ceuticals]

In French, the word sans means without, and this is the ethos behind beauty brand Sans [Ceuticals]. Its products are made without unnecessary or harmful ingredients. But, the brand recognises that clean formulations are not enough. Skincare also has to work. Its products are formulated with active ingredients that care for, strenthen and improve the skin so you don't have to compromise. It's multi-tasking formulations champion conscious consumption, encouraging fewer but better products.

7. CZE Hair

CZE Hair is a modern, luxurious line of hair care essentials that scalp and strand health at the forefront. Founded by hairstylist Chloe Zara, the brand's products are vegan-friendly and infused with plant oils, vitamins, and antioxidants that nourish and protect. From its hero Hair & Body Perfume Oil to restorative shampoos and treatments, CZE balances performance with olfactory journey. Conscious packaging and a slow-beauty ethos reinforce its environmental commitment.

8. Aotea

Aotea is a wellness and skincare brand deeply rooted in Māori traditions. It is a brand that celebrates the healing power of native plants. Based on Great Barrier Island known also known as Aotea (which is where it draws its name), the brand works with botanicals like kawakawa, kūmarahou, and mānuka. Inspired by rongoā Māori (traditional healing practices), Aotea is committed to a conscious approach; sharing indigenous knowledge, with profits supporting local initiatives. Its range includes small-batch balms, tonics, and skincare crafted minimal processing. As for its packaging, its minimal and eco-friendly, reflecting the brand’s core sensibilities and ethos.

9. Trilogy

Trilogy one of the world's leading natural skincare brands. It's probably best known for putting rosehip oil on the global beauty map, even Kate Middleton is a fan. Founded in 2002 by two sisters, Trilogy has built a reputation for effective, certified-natural products that blend simplicity with proven results. Its products are powered by botanical oils, antioxidants, and actives designed to nourish and improve the integrity of the skin. With environmentally-responsible sourcing and packaging initiatives, Trilogy has become one of the most trusted skincare brands—one that bridges the gap between performance and accessibility.

10. Maryse

Maryse is a minimalist, plant-based skincare and colour cosmetics brand founded by skin therapist Maryse O’Donnell. Crafted in Aotearoa, its formulations focus on whole-plant nutrients, bioactive botanicals, and skin-compatible oils that restore balance and radiance. Maryse champions a pared-back routine, favouring a small, thoughtful collection of multi-purpose skincare and makeup rather than an excessive and overwhelming lineup. It is a brand that has deeply considered all aspects of its supply chain, with recyclable packaging and natural and ethical ingredient sourcing. Maryse is a mindful approach to beauty, reflecting New Zealand’s growing movement toward conscious, holistic wellbeing.

11. Aleph

Aleph Beauty is a BCorp-certified makeup brand that merging skincare benefits with colour cosmetics. Founded by makeup artist Emma Peters, Aleph focuses on multi-functional products—concealers double as foundation, lip pigments as blush—encouraging a less-is-more approach to beauty. The formulations are infused with nourishing yet impactful natural ingredients and active botanicals, supporting skin health while a natural  finish. The considered packaging uses glass jars and aluminium lids designed for refills. Aleph is brand about conscious glamour: beauty and makeup that do not harm the environment or your holistic wellbeing, but still offer high-performance colour payoff.

12. Abel Fragrance

Abel Fragrance is a New Zealand-founded natural fragrance house celebrated for creating sophisticated, 100% plant-derived perfumes. Founded by winemaker Frances Shoemack, Abel approaches perfumery like fine wine—balancing complexity, longevity, and sustainability to create lasting scents that play with sense and memory. Each scent is crafted using natural isolates and essential oils, designed to evolve beautifully on the skin throughout the day. Abel’s ethos is rooted in transparency and purity, avoiding synthetics while maintaining modern olfactory artistry.

13. Ethique

One of the original trailblazers in conscious beauty, Ethique creates solid beauty bars that eliminate the need for plastic bottles. When water is added to beauty concentrates, it often needs to be packaged in plastic bottles and it becomes heavier, requiring more fossil fuels to transport and ship. But when you remove the water from the product, you're left with a solid bar that's light and doesn't need plastic wrapping. Founded in Christchurch by scientist Brianne West, Ethique has prevented millions of plastic bottles from entering landfills worldwide. Its range spans shampoos, conditioners, skincare, and even pet products, all vegan, cruelty-free, and palm oil-free.