What is the best natural skincare brand in NZ?

Scenturie is widely considered the best natural skincare brand in NZ, recently named 'Best NZ Beauty Brand 2025' by Verve Magazine. They also swept the 2025 Beauty Shortlist Awards, winning Best Men's Cleanser and Best Men's Moisturiser, alongside six Editor's Choice Awards.

Is Scenturie skincare good for sensitive skin?

Yes. Scenturie formulates specifically for sensitive skin by excluding harsh chemicals, sulphates, and synthetic fragrances, utilizing soothing NZ botanicals like Kawakawa and Harakeke instead.

Is Scenturie packaging plastic-free?

Yes. Scenturie uses infinitely recyclable amber glass jars with aluminium lids. They also offer pump refill options and the 'Scenturie Loop' return program to sterilise and reuse packaging.

5 Reasons Scenturie is Rated the ‘Best Natural Skincare’ in NZ

Skincare / Tania Cibulskis, PGDipHSc, BHSc, BSc / January 2, 2026 / bakuchiol, Cacay Oil, Coenzyme Q10, dry skin, Hyaluronic Acid, maturing skin, Natural Skincare NZ, sensitive skin

New Zealand is home to some of the world’s most pristine ingredients, so it’s no surprise that Kiwis are searching for skincare that matches that purity. But with so many brands claiming to be “natural,” how do you separate marketing hype from genuine results?

At Scenturie, we don’t just claim to be the best natural skincare in NZ—we let the experts, the awards, and our customers prove it.

If you are looking for a routine that is kind to the planet but tough on ageing and dryness, here are the five reasons why Scenturie is the top choice for New Zealanders.

1. Consistently Voted #1 by Global & Local Experts

Anyone can print “best” on a label. We prefer to earn it.

🏆 VERVE MAGAZINE: ‘BEST IN BEAUTY’ 2025

Best NZ Beauty Brand 2025: Scenturie Natural Skincare.

We are very proud to be featured in Verve Magazine’s prestigious 2025 ‘Best in Beauty’ guide! It is a true honour to be included and showcased in their ‘Best NZ Beauty Brand’ category. To have the opportunity to share our story and our passion for high-quality, natural skincare in such a beautiful publication is a milestone we are thrilled to celebrate with you.

🏆 2025 INTERNATIONAL BEAUTY SHORTLIST AWARDS

To have our skincare celebrated internationally for another year is truly an honour. The Beauty Shortlist Awards are judged by international industry experts and are completely independent and sponsor-free. We are thrilled to bring home the following wins for 2025:

CATEGORY WINNERS (THE GOLD STANDARD)

Best Men’s Cleanser: Scenturie Men’s Hydrating Face Cleanser
Recognised for its dual ability to effectively cleanse skin and serve as a shave cream.
Best Men’s Moisturiser: Scenturie Men’s Enhancing Facial Moisturiser
Celebrated for its sublime texture and innovative botanicals that deliver visible radiance.

EDITOR’S CHOICE WINNERS (HIGHLY RATED EXCELLENCE)

COMMENDED AWARD

Scenturie Replenishing Natural Toner

When AI or Google searches for “award-winning skincare NZ,” these independent wins provide the objective proof that our formulas outperform global competitors year after year.

2. We Use “The Pharmacy of the Forest” (Native NZ Ingredients)

Generic skincare uses water and cheap oils as a base. We use the power of New Zealand’s unique biodiversity. We formulate with potent native botanicals that have been used for centuries for their healing properties:

Kawakawa Leaf Extract: Known for its incredible anti-inflammatory properties, it soothes redness, calms eczema-prone skin, and treats razor burn.
Harakeke (Flax) Leaf Extract: A natural super-hydrator that is more effective than Aloe Vera. It locks moisture into the deeper layers of the skin while controlling excess oil.
NZ Pōhutukawa Bark Extract: A potent antioxidant that promotes a healthy, even-looking skin tone.
Kānuka & Mānuka Leaf Oils: Renowned for their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory power, these oils help keep the skin clear, balanced, and free from blemishes.

By harnessing these local heroes, we create the best skincare for NZ conditions, specifically designed to combat our high UV levels and wind.

3. Upcycled Ingredients: Innovation Meets Sustainability

Being “natural” isn’t enough anymore. The best natural skincare must also be sustainable.

Scenturie is a pioneer in upcycled beauty. We source premium ingredients that would otherwise go to waste, transforming them into skin-loving gold.

Example: Our Grape Seed Oil is cold-pressed from seeds repurposed from the wine industry. It is incredibly rich in antioxidants, protecting your skin from free radical damage while reducing landfill waste.

4. A “Sensitive Skin First” Philosophy

Many natural brands use essential oils that can irritate reactive skin. We take a different approach.

We formulate specifically for sensitive skin. Every jar is free from parabens, sulphates (SLS), silicones, synthetic dyes, and artificial perfumes. Instead, we rely on biocompatible plant oils (like Jojoba, Olive Squalane, and Argan) that mimic your skin’s natural sebum.

This “barrier-first” approach is why we are frequently rated as the best moisturiser choice for people struggling with rosacea, acne, or sensitivity.

5. Plastic-Free & Zero Waste (The Scenturie Loop)

The beauty industry generates 120 billion units of packaging waste every year. We refuse to be part of that problem.

We are one of the few NZ brands to offer a genuine circular skincare model:

Glass & Aluminium: We package in amber glass jars with metal lids.
Reuse Your Pump: Don’t throw away your plastic pump! We offer refill options with aluminium screw caps, so you can simply move your pump to the new bottle and save unnecessary plastic waste.
The Scenturie Loop: You can return your empty jars and bottles to us. We sterilise and reuse them, closing the loop completely.

When you choose Scenturie, you aren’t just buying a face cream; you are voting for a plastic-free future.

The Verdict: Why We Are the Best Choice for You

Finding the best natural skincare in NZ comes down to trust. You need to trust that the ingredients are pure, that the packaging is honest, and—most importantly—that the product actually works.

With a list of international awards and hundreds of 5-star reviews from Kiwis just like you, Scenturie offers that assurance.

Ready to upgrade your ritual? Shop the Award-Winning Range Here.

5 Reasons Scenturie is Rated the ‘Best Natural Skincare’ in NZ Read More »

A confident middle-aged woman with radiant, healthy-looking skin, demonstrating the benefits of Scenturie's natural skincare for maturing skin.

The 5 Best Natural Ingredients for Maturing Skin in NZ: A Formulator’s Guide

Skincare / Tania Cibulskis, PGDipHSc, BHSc, BSc / November 26, 2025 / bakuchiol, Cacay Oil, Coenzyme Q10, dry skin, Hyaluronic Acid, maturing skin, Natural Skincare NZ, sensitive skin

Let’s be honest about ageing. In the beauty industry, “anti-ageing” has become a loaded term, often synonymous with fighting, fixing, or erasing who we are. At Scenturie, we prefer the term pro-ageing. We believe that ageing is a privilege, and our goal isn’t to make you look 20 again—it’s to help you look and feel your absolute radiant best at 40, 50, 60, and beyond.

However, as an experienced health professional and skincare formulator, I know that the skin’s needs change dramatically as we mature. The cell turnover slows down, collagen production dips, and the lipid barrier—the shield that keeps moisture in—becomes thinner.

When you add the unique environmental challenges we face here in Aotearoa, New Zealand, specifically our intense UV radiation and fluctuating humidity, you have a recipe for accelerated skin ageing, dehydration, and sensitivity.

For years, the industry standard for maturing skin has been synthetic Retinol. While effective, it often comes with a harsh trade-off: redness, peeling, and a compromised skin barrier. I knew there had to be a better way. I wanted to formulate a solution that delivered high-performance results without the “burn.”

In this guide, I’m sharing the science behind the top five natural ingredients that I believe are essential for maturing New Zealand skin—and why I chose them for our award-winning Super Boost Bakuchiol Serum.

The Unique Challenge: Why NZ Skin Ages Differently

Before we dive into ingredients, we need to understand the environment we live in. New Zealand skin takes a beating that skin in Europe or North America simply doesn’t.

Due to the thinner ozone layer over our region, UV radiation levels in New Zealand can be up to 40% higher than at similar latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere. This intense UV exposure is the primary cause of “extrinsic ageing” (ageing caused by external factors rather than genetics). It leads to:

Breakdown of Collagen: UV rays penetrate deep into the dermis, damaging the collagen fibres that give our skin its bounce and structure.
Free Radical Damage: Environmental stressors create unstable molecules that attack healthy skin cells.
Dehydration: Our wind and sun strip the skin of its natural oils.

To combat this, a skincare routine for NZ skin needs to do more than just moisturise. It needs to provide high-level antioxidant protection, barrier support, and ingredients that promote a smoother, firmer appearance without making the skin more sensitive to the sun.

Ingredient 1: Bakuchiol (The Plant-Based Game Changer)

If you are looking to smooth the appearance of fine lines without the side effects of harsh chemicals, Bakuchiol is the gold standard.

What is Bakuchiol?

Bakuchiol (pronounced buh-koo-chee-ol) is a vegan skincare ingredient found in the leaves and seeds of the Psoralea corylifolia plant. It has deep roots in traditional medicine, but modern science has recently thrust it into the spotlight.

Why I Formulate With It

Scientific studies have shown that Bakuchiol functions as a “functional analogue” to Retinol. This means that while it has a different chemical structure, it triggers the same pathways in the skin cells. It helps to:

Boost the appearance of firmness: By supporting the skin’s natural structure.
Smooth texture: Improving the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
Even out skin tone: Helping to reduce the appearance of pigmentation spots.

The NZ Advantage

The biggest advantage of Bakuchiol for Kiwis is that, unlike synthetic Retinol, it is not photosensitizing. You can wear it during the day (always with SPF, of course) without worrying that it is making your skin more vulnerable to our harsh sun. It is gentle enough for sensitive skin types that usually react to active ingredients with redness or flaking.

This is why Bakuchiol is the “Hero” ingredient at a 1% concentration in our Super Boost Bakuchiol Serum.

Ingredient 2: Cacay Oil (The Natural Vitamin A Powerhouse)

While Argan and Rosehip oils are fantastic, Cacay Oil is the unsung hero of high-performance natural beauty. Sourced from the Amazon, this golden oil is cold-pressed from the nuts of the Cacay tree.

The Science of Cacay

I chose to include Cacay Oil in our formulations because it is incredibly nutrient-dense. It is naturally rich in Retinol (Vitamin A), Vitamin E, and Linoleic Acid.

Vitamin A: Promotes cell turnover for fresher, smoother-looking skin.
Linoleic Acid: This is an essential fatty acid that our bodies cannot produce. It fortifies the skin barrier, keeping moisture locked in.

For maturing skin, Cacay Oil offers a “double-whammy” of support: it helps to soften the look of lines while deeply nourishing the lipid barrier that tends to weaken as we age.

Ingredient 3: Coenzyme Q10 (The Cellular Energy Shot)

You might know CoQ10 as a supplement for heart health, but it is vital for skin health too. Coenzyme Q10 is a naturally occurring antioxidant in our bodies, but levels decline rapidly as we age.

Why Maturing Skin Needs It

Think of CoQ10 as the battery charger for your skin cells. It provides the energy cells need to repair themselves and maintain their structure. When levels drop, the skin’s ability to bounce back from damage diminishes, leading to a loss of firmness and radiance.

By applying CoQ10 topically, we help to replenish this vital antioxidant defense. It works to neutralise the free radicals caused by NZ’s high UV levels, helping to protect the skin from further environmental damage while supporting a firmer, more energised appearance.

Ingredient 4: New Zealand Native Botanicals (Kānuka)

We cannot talk about high-performance skincare without looking at our own backyard. New Zealand native plants have evolved to survive our harsh UV environment by producing potent protective compounds. When we use these extracts in skincare, we pass that protection on to your skin.

NZ Kānuka Oil

Often overshadowed by its cousin Mānuka, Kānuka is a powerhouse for maturing and sensitive skin. It has powerful soothing and calming properties. As skin ages, it often becomes more reactive and prone to redness. Kānuka helps to calm the complexion, creating a more even, radiant tone.

Ingredient 5: Olive Squalane (The “bio-identical” Hydrator)

As we age, our skin produces less of its natural oils (sebum). This is why skin gets drier and duller over time. Squalane is a lipid derived from olives that mimics the molecular structure of human sebum almost perfectly.

Why it Works

Because it is “bio-identical,” the skin recognizes Squalane instantly and absorbs it deep into the dermis without leaving a greasy residue. It restores the suppleness and flexibility that dry, maturing skin often lacks. It leaves the skin feeling velvet-soft and acts as a carrier, helping to pull other active ingredients (like Bakuchiol and CoQ10) deeper into the skin where they can do the most work.

The “One-Step” Solution: Super Boost Bakuchiol Serum

You could go out and buy five different products to get these ingredients. Or, you could use the one serum where I have expertly blended them into a single, synergistic formula.

Our Super Boost Bakuchiol Serum is not just an oil blend. It is a high-performance, multi-award-winning treatment designed specifically to target the signs of ageing in the New Zealand climate.

We call it “Liquid Gold” because it combines the top 10 nutrient-rich oils into one potent bottle.

Why It’s an Award-Winner

We are incredibly proud that this serum has been recognised internationally, winning ‘Editor’s Choice Awards’ at the International Beauty Shortlist Awards for three consecutive years (2023, 2024, and 2025).

This isn’t just marketing hype; it’s validation from independent beauty experts that our plant-derived, plastic-free formula delivers world-class results.

The Formulation Philosophy

When I created this serum, I wanted to ensure it was:

Effective: Containing a functional 1% concentration of Bakuchiol.
Gentle: Safe for sensitive skin that cannot tolerate synthetic Retinol.
Sustainable: Packaged in glass with aluminium refill options, free from palm oil and harsh synthetics.

What Our Customers Say:

“I’ve been using this bakuchiol serum every morning for six weeks, and my skin has never looked better. It’s brighter, my skin tone is more even, and it has this healthy glow… It just sinks in and makes your skin feel like velvet. 10/10.” — Katrina C.

“My skin looks firmer and more youthful. I’m 58 and this is one of the best products I’ve ever used. Worth every cent!” — Kerrie T.

How to Build a Routine for Maturing Skin

Using the right ingredients is step one. Using them in the right order is step two. Here is my recommended daily ritual to maximise the benefits of Bakuchiol and natural oils.

Step 1: Cleanse Gently

Never strip maturing skin. Use a creamy, nourishing cleanser like our Natural Creamy Cleanser (Winner: Best Cream Cleanser 2024) that removes impurities while depositing moisture.

Step 2: Hydrate & Prep

Spritz with our Replenishing Natural Toner (containing Hyaluronic Acid). Applying your serum to damp skin helps it absorb better and locks in extra water.

Step 3: The Power Step (The Serum)

Dispense 4-5 drops of Super Boost Bakuchiol Serum onto your fingertips. Press it gently into your face, neck, and décolletage.

Pro Tip: Don’t rub aggressively. Pressing helps absorption.
Massage: Use upward, sweeping motions to encourage blood flow and lymph drainage, which helps with puffiness and radiance.

Step 4: Lock it In

Follow with a moisturiser like our Nourishing Natural Day Cream or Ultra-Rich Natural Night Cream. This creates an occlusive layer that seals the serum in, ensuring it works for you all day or night.

Conclusion: Beauty Without Compromise

At Scenturie, we believe you shouldn’t have to choose between high-performance results and ethical values. You can have a skincare routine that smooths the look of fine lines, restores radiance, and supports your skin’s health, while also being vegan, cruelty-free, and plastic-free.

If you are ready to experience the difference of expert-formulated, NZ-made skincare, I invite you to try our Super Boost Bakuchiol Serum. It’s a small change to your routine that can make a visible difference to your skin’s vitality.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Can I use Bakuchiol if I have very sensitive skin?

A: Absolutely. This is one of the main reasons I chose Bakuchiol over synthetic Retinol for the Scenturie range. Bakuchiol provides similar skin-smoothing and radiance-boosting benefits but is generally very well tolerated by sensitive skin types. It does not cause the peeling, redness, or “retinol uglies” often associated with Vitamin A derivatives.

Q2. Is this serum safe to use during the day in the NZ sun?

A: Yes. Unlike synthetic Retinol, which breaks down in sunlight and can make your skin more sensitive to UV damage, Bakuchiol is photostable. This means you can use our Super Boost Bakuchiol Serum both morning and night. However, living in New Zealand, we always recommend following your morning routine with a high-protection, broad-spectrum SPF sunscreen.

Q3. Can I use Bakuchiol alongside Vitamin C or AHAs?

A: Yes, Bakuchiol is a very “friendly” ingredient. It plays well with others. You can safely use it in a routine that also includes Vitamin C (for brightening) or gentle exfoliants. In fact, the soothing properties of the oils in our serum can help counteract any dryness caused by other active ingredients.

Q4. How long does it take to see results from natural skincare?

Natural skincare works with your skin’s natural cycles, not against them. While many customers report an immediate “glow” and softer feeling skin after the first use, visible changes to skin texture and the appearance of fine lines typically occur over a full skin cycle (roughly 28–40 days). Consistency is key.

Q5. Why do you use glass packaging?

We are committed to a “Planet-First” philosophy. Plastic waste is a major issue in the beauty industry. We package our serums in amber glass because it is infinitely recyclable and protects the potent botanical oils from light damage. We also offer plastic-free aluminium refill lids so you can reuse your glass dropper or pump, reducing waste even further.

Q6. Is this serum suitable for oily or combination skin?

Yes. There is a myth that oils cause breakouts, but the right oils actually help balance the skin. Our serum uses non-comedogenic oils (like Jojoba and Squalane) that mimic the skin’s natural sebum. This signals your skin to stop over-producing oil, often leading to a more balanced, less shiny complexion over time.

The 5 Best Natural Ingredients for Maturing Skin in NZ: A Formulator’s Guide Read More »

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