8 Kiwi Skincare Brands You Should Know About

If you’re someone who appreciates skincare that’s clean, intentional, and made close to home, you’re at the right place. At Moody Lemon, we believe Kiwi beauty has something truly special to offer — thoughtful formulations, natural ingredients, and a whole lot of heart.

To celebrate the incredible makers creating small-batch, ethical, and effective products across Aotearoa, we’ve rounded up eight New Zealand skincare brands that deserve a proper spotlight. These aren’t the brands you’ll typically see in major beauty aisles — but once you come across them, they genuinely stand out.

Consider this your guide to the NZ brands shaping a kinder, cleaner future for skincare. Here are 8 New Zealand skincare brands worth discovering and why they deserve a spot on your shelf.

1. Earth Row Skincare

Earth Row is rooted in the beauty of simple, no-fuss skincare. Their philosophy is wonderfully clear: gentle plant-based formulas that nurture the skin without cluttering your routine. Whether your skin is reactive or you simply prefer a calming, minimalist approach, Earth Row feels grounding and dependable.

Why Earth Row stands out:

• Botanical Face Oil — Lightweight, deeply hydrating, and rich in Vitamin A from Cacay Oil. It supports smoother texture, healthier tone, and a radiant finish.
• Refreshing Face Mist — Made with NZ botanicals like Manuka, Lavender, and Pohutukawa to soothe dryness, calm irritation, and support refined-looking pores.
• Suitable for all genders and skin types, especially sensitive skin.
• Focuses on real concerns: uneven tone, dryness, inflammation, visible ageing.
• Vegan, cruelty-free, and blended with care in NZ.

2. Lumini

Lumini brings a gentle, heart-led approach to skincare for pre-teens and teens. The brand is rooted in one beautiful intention — helping young people build healthy habits without harsh ingredients.

Every product is clean, comforting, and designed to keep things simple rather than overwhelming young skin.

What makes Lumini special:

• Soft, natural ingredients are safe for developing skin.
• Free from parabens, sulphates, and harsh actives.
• 2025 Verve “Best in Cleanser” award winner.
• Recognised by the UK Beauty Shortlist Awards for teen skincare.
• Thoughtfully made to support confidence and good routines early on.

3. Wildflower & Bee

If you love skincare that feels handmade, soothing, and nature-first, Wildflower & Bee is a beautiful fit. This small-batch NZ brand embraces the healing qualities of honey, botanicals, and plant oils to comfort stressed skin.

What sets Wildflower & Bee apart:

• Bee-powered goodness — honey-based formulas that soothe and heal.
• Gentle botanicals are ideal for dryness, sensitivity, and inflammation.
• Small-batch, multi-purpose products that feel handcrafted and nurturing.
• Magnesium oil and wellness blends that support skin and relaxation.
• Ethically created in NZ with a focus on purity and mindful production.

4. Pākau Skincare

Pākau Skincare brings together nature, mindfulness, and gentle formulation in the most thoughtful way. Each product is handcrafted in small batches, using nourishing ingredients that respect sensitive or easily irritated skin.

Why Pākau shines:

• Handcrafted in New Zealand with a personal, artisan touch.
• Soft, nurturing formulas that hydrate and balance reactive skin.
• Clean ingredients with no harsh chemicals or unnecessary fillers.
• A versatile range of balms, toners, masks, and serums.
• Rooted in a holistic, self-care–first philosophy.

5. Gela Skincare

Gela is inspired by the ocean, the outdoors, and the quiet calm of nature. Each product is made in small batches with botanicals and sea-inspired minerals that protect skin from NZ’s sun, wind, and coastal climate.

Why people love Gela:

• Thoughtfully crafted in limited batches for freshness.
• Balances potent actives like CoQ10, bakuchiol, and marine minerals.
• Designed to support skin exposed to our harsh elements.
• Clean, cruelty-free, and carefully sourced ingredients.
• A soothing, ritual-focused approach to skincare.

6. Weleda

Weleda is one of the world’s most trusted natural skincare brands — and it has deep roots here in New Zealand too. With over a century of plant-based science behind every formula, Weleda blends nature and research in a way few brands can match.

Why Weleda continues to lead:

• Over 100 years of botanical expertise.
• NATRUE-certified natural skincare — no microplastics, mineral oils, or GM ingredients.
• Ingredients grown using biodynamic and organic farming methods.
• A holistic philosophy that treats skin, body, and wellbeing as connected.
• Deep commitment to ethical sourcing and regenerative practices.

7. LuxiBuff

Luxi Buff is a Christchurch-based artisan brand that creates small-batch skincare with a focus on purity, sustainability, and simple luxury. Their products feel comforting, soft, and honest — like something lovingly made just for you.

Why LuxiBuff is a delight:

• Handcrafted soaps and balms made in small, thoughtful batches.
• No palm oil, parabens, preservatives, or unnecessary additives.
• Eco-conscious packaging with minimal waste.
• Rich natural oils and butters for deep hydration.
• Cruelty-free and created with family-friendly ingredients.

8. Honest Hair & Co

Honest Hair & Co blends clean beauty with real performance — especially when it comes to lashes and hair.  The brand focuses on gentle actives that support natural growth and strength of lashes. 

What makes Honest Hair & Co stand out:

• Nourishing formulas powered by castor oil, peptides, biotin, and ginseng.
• Vegan, cruelty-free, and made with integrity.
• Lash lift kits enriched with keratin, aloe, and peptides.
• Locally designed in NZ, inspired by real beauty routines.
• Simplifies daily care while boosting confidence naturally.

Why We Curated These Brands at Moody Lemon

These eight brands share values we care deeply about — and we believe you’ll feel the difference the moment you try them.

Local roots, real craftsmanship

Each brand is Kiwi-owned and shaped by the environment we live in. When you shop through Moody Lemon, you’re supporting local makers who pour genuine care into their products.

Clean, trustworthy ingredients

We don’t list “just any” skincare. Everything here is chosen for its integrity — gentle formulas, ethical sourcing, and ingredients that respect your skin.

Something for every skin story

From soothing botanicals to teen-friendly routines to lash serums that actually work, you’ll find a wide variety of products — without the overwhelm.

Small-batch goodness

Many of these makers create in limited batches, which often means fresher products, less waste, and more intentional formulation.

Skincare you can truly rely on

These are long-term staples, not trends. Thoughtful, effective, and built to support healthy, happy skin.

Final Thoughts

New Zealand’s skincare world is blossoming — and these eight brands prove it. They’re thoughtful, clean, ethical, and made with the kind of care that’s hard to find elsewhere.

At Moody Lemon, we’re proud to bring them together in one place so you can explore and support the beauty happening right here at home.

Your next favourite skincare brand?

It might just be a Kiwi one.