Bioactive Totarol™ is a sustainably sourced, organic super ingredient. Unique Bioactive Totarol™ is sustainably sourced from fallen Tōtara Trees in New Zealand. In its purest, organic form: a natural preservative that’s also an anti-microbial, antioxidant, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory. Its high antioxidant properties have been tested and proven to be seven times more effective than Vitamin E.

Golden Hemp Seed is extracted from Hemp hearts resulting in an high-quality extra virgin pressed oil. Hemp Oil dramatically decreases dryness, alleviates itching and irritation and has high anti-inflammatory properties. Perfect for all skin types, including acne prone skin, because it can help moisturise without clogging pores. It can also help regulate oil production while providing optimal hydration. The powerful anti-inflammatory effects of omega 6 fatty acid, and GLA (Gamma Linolenic Acid) found in Hemp Oil, help soothe the skin and encourage new skin growth and cell regeneration. Hemp Oil is also proven to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

Green Hempseed Oil is a full spectrum oil, extracted from the whole plant. Hemp oil dramatically decreases dryness, alleviates itching and irritation and has high anti-inflammatory properties. Perfect for all skin types, including acne prone skin, because it can help moisturise without clogging pores. It can also help regulate oil production while providing optimal hydration. The powerful anti-inflammatory effects of omega 6 fatty acid, and GLA (Gamma Linolenic Acid) found in Hemp Oil, help soothe the skin and encourage new skin growth and cell regeneration. Hemp Oil is also proven to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

A plethora of studies have confirmed that the hydrating and plumping effect of red seaweed on the skin, is attributed to the various mix of versatile biomimetic sulphated gycosaminoglycans (sGAG). These natural biopolymers are known to form a fish-net like matrix that can help hold water molecules, while also acting as a structural scaffold to tighten the skin.

Some of New Zealand native plants have developed marvellous biomimetic biopolymers as defensive and adaptive mechanisms to survive and thrive in their unique New Zealand environment where the thin ozone layer offers little protection against aggressive UV rays. Botanicals like Mamaku - Black fern produce mucilage containing Glucuronomannans, which play a major role in forming 3D - viscoelastic matrix that can rapidly hydrate. Consequently, this synergistic activity provides immediate lifting and tightening of the skin.

Micropiper excelsum colloquially known as Kawakawa tree by New Zealand native Māori is one of the most commonly used medicinal plants in Rongoa - traditional Māori healing, featuring calming, detoxifying and anti-inflammatory benefits either taken orally or applied topically. Leaves of New Zealand native Kawakawa bear a similar milieu of bioactives to its relatives in the Piper family, as it is high in diayangambin, elemicin, myristicin and vitexin glucoside. Diayangambin, elemicin and myristicin are bioactives known to possess high level of anti-inflammatory activities, while vitexin glycoside and elemicin have antimicrobial activities.

Native to New Zealand, the Mānuka plant is widely known and sought after for its honey. For centuries native Māori of New Zealand used various parts of the Mānuka tree to treat numerous skin and body conditions. The Mānuka leaf possesses strong anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties known to kill acne and helps reduce irritation and redness of the skin.

Centella asiatica (Gotu Kola) is another top tier, a potent natural ingredient used to brighten the skin. Studies have shown that Gotu Kola coveys this through a different mechanism of action than Liquorice root. Gotu kola is abundant in asiaticoside, which inhibits the expression tyrosinase, thereby reducing pigmentation in the long run Furthermore, UEA - Ultrasound assisted extraction of Gotu Kola [which is a part of our proprietary TPT Xtraction® technology], has been proven to improve these properties by increasing the amount of asiaticoside that can be extracted.

Glycyhrriza glabra (Liquorice root) is a highly sought after skin brightening and depigmentation cosmetic ingredient as it inhibits tyrosinase through mechanisms other than oxidant reducing activity at the enzyme’s active site. Instead, the compounds within Liquorice root block the active site of tyrosinases, so they temporarily cannot perform their catalytic activities to produce melanin. Furthermore, Gotu Kola can help improve skin’s protective barrier and help restore the skin after sun damage.

Mānuka honey is world renowned for its nonperoxide anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which act synergistically to calm and soothe inflamed skin. There are mounting studies that associate these attributes to the abundance of unique polyphenols within Mānuka honey. Supporting Kawakawa’s unique mode ofaction, Mānuka’s milieu of polyphenols stimulate both proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory processes. This fortified mechanism of action promotes the inflammation to proceed on its natural course, resulting in faster healing processes and contributing in calming and soothing of the inflammed area.

EGCG is the major catechin in green tea, that mainly has a protective function on the skin. It reduces reactive oxygen species (ROS) on the skin by inhibiting the infiltration of UV-induced, ROS-producing CD116+ cells, while up-regulating epidermal antioxidant enzymes. Furthermore, it reduces oxidative stress by reducing inflammatory processes, via managing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-6 and IL-12. EGCG is also known to stimulate hair growth by inducing the proliferation of human dermal papilla cells via a cell proliferative pathway and an anti apoptotic pathway.

The abundance of anthocyanins from New Zealand grown blackcurrants help restore the production of elastin, collagen I and III. Blackcurrants also have UVB protective and anti inflammatory effects, as one particular anthocyanin, Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G), is known to reduce UV induced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-8 which causes oxidative stress.

Pomegranate seed oil is one of the only plant sources of conjugated fatty acids, and has an extremely high level of punicic acid (78%). This acid has been called a "super CLA" (conjugated linoleic acid). CLA helps skin retain moisture by boosting ceramide synthesis in skin cells; this fortifies the skin barrier and helps to retain moisture in the skin.

Jojoba is a liquid wax made up of esters of saturated and mono-unsaturated, fatty acid and fatty alcohols. This fascinating chemistry gives Jojoba excellent stability and versatility. The composition of Jojoba is similar in many ways to sebum produced by our own skin which is perhaps why it is so nourishing, protective and well-tolerated. It penetrates the skin easily and can help to reduce water loss through the skin by forming a protective film. Jojoba oil is also an excellent emollient and moisturiser for young skin types as it helps to regulate sebum production and is non-comedogenic. Prized for its excellent moisturising and nourishing properties and recommended for use on all skin types.