Kiwi brand Tahi Skincare evolves its offering with beautiful new skincare products that harness native botanicals.
The skincare scene is fast paced, with cutting edge ingredient development happening all the time.
But what if, along with that innovation, we look back to the local ingredients that have long been used to soothe and protect skin?
That’s the ethos behind Aotearoa New Zealand’s tahi skincare. The brand’s journey started in 2016, with a small range inspired by founder Jackie Lee’s exploration of native ingredients and their use in traditional medicine.
Now, the tahi range has been refreshed, morphing into just three key products designed to simplify skincare rituals while delivering deep, nourishing results.
There’s a Cleansing Oil that contains mānuka and propolis, a Toning Face Mist with lavender and koromiko extracts and an Oil Moisturiser with kawakawa for inflammation, harakeke and koromiko for essential nutrients, and totarol — a rare antioxidant from the tōtara tree — to protect and clarify.
Made entirely in Aotearoa using 100% natural ingredients, each formulation embraces the beneficial properties of native plants chosen not only for their efficacy in boosting skin, but for their connection to whenua (land), whakapapa (lineage), and wellbeing.
“Our philosophy is simple,” explains Lee. “When we slow down and work with nature, we take better care of ourselves and our environment. Every Tahi product is created with that in mind — a way of returning home to ourselves.”
We spoke to Lee about creating natural products that easily fit into a busy routine.
What made you decide to refresh the range?
Originally, we had the Toning Mist and four separate oil blends. I felt it could be even simpler and more streamlined for our customers. So, I combined all the benefits of those oils into one powerful, deeply nourishing, all-in-one moisturiser. We also refined our Cleansing Oil so that it now works beautifully with water—making it easier than ever to use.
Another important update was improving the shelf life of all our products. They’re still 100% natural, but now they stay fresher for longer. That means less waste, more value, and more confidence that what you’re putting on your skin is in its best form.
Packaging was something I was personally keen to improve. As a busy mum—and based on lots of feedback—it was clear we needed something more user-friendly. We’ve upgraded to pump-style lids for quick, clean application, and we now print directly onto the bottles instead of using labels, which didn’t hold up well with oily products. These small changes make a big difference in everyday use.
It’s still the same care and intention at the heart of tahi—just simpler, stronger, and made to fit more naturally into your everyday.
How do you use the products in your day?
My daily routine starts with our Cleansing Oil first thing in the morning, followed by the Toning Mist and then our Oil Moisturiser. In the evening, I repeat the same steps—though if I’ve worn makeup or feel like my skin needs a deeper clean, I always double cleanse.
I use the Toning Mist throughout the day. It’s my natural perfume and gives me a little lift whenever I need it. I always keep one in my handbag, especially in summer—it comes everywhere with me.
I’ve also just had another baby, and during my pregnancy, I used the Oil Moisturiser on my body every day. It made such a difference in keeping my skin hydrated and really helped prevent stretch marks.
What excites you about these new releases?
I’m really excited about how the ingredients in our range work together. These days, it’s common to buy separate products for every skin concern—but the beauty of our formulations is that each one is packed with powerful benefits straight from the plant. It’s a bit like feeding your body a nourishing meal full of whole foods, vitamins, and minerals—except for your skin.
Our new routine delivers exactly what your skin needs to stay healthy, balanced, and naturally glowing. There are a few little extras I’m excited to develop in the future, but for now, this core range truly gives your skin everything it needs.
Do you have any tips for using the products?
I think a lot of people won’t realise just how versatile these products are until they start using them. When you only have a few essentials, you begin to see how many ways they can support your skin and daily routine.
One of the things I’ve loved most about the Toning Mist is that it’s become my natural perfume—I do not like synthetic fragrances, so having something that smells beautiful and feels refreshing has been a game changer. My 7-year-old daughter has asked for perfume a few times, and instead, I let her use a spritz of the mist each day. She absolutely loves it, and I love knowing it’s safe.
How did you discover the skin benefits of native plant extracts?
It all came together quite naturally. I had just started studying herbal medicine, including a course on Rongoā Māori, and around that time, I met my now husband, Nate. We moved into a beautiful home together, surrounded by native bush. I was struggling with my skin back then, and with the knowledge I was gaining through my studies—and Nate’s encouragement—I began experimenting with the ingredients growing in our own backyard.
The experience had a profound impact on me. My skin cleared up quickly and I developed a deeper connection to myself. Everything has its own energy, its own life force—its own mauri—and that understanding completely shifted the way I approached self-care. It became a lot deeper than the surface results I had been chasing.
I think it is important to see, touch, and feel the ingredients in their whole form, this is one of the reasons we use plants native to Aotearoa New Zealand. Again, it is the same as food—there’s something powerful about knowing where it comes from and how to prepare it from its natural state. That’s the kind of connection I want to bring to skincare—for us, and for our children.
Why are oil based products so beneficial for skin?
Our skin needs oil. Using harsh products that strip away our natural oils can do more harm than good. Those oils are there for a reason—they help protect and heal the skin. When we strip them away, we can end up with dryness, irritation, and even signs of stress and ageing appearing sooner. Hydrated skin is healthy skin, and it naturally looks more radiant.
For those with oilier skin types, a lighter option can help bring things into balance without overloading. That’s where our new Oil Cleanser really shines. It gently cleanses while supporting your skin’s natural barrier.
Where do you source your ingredients?
We partner with a small Christchurch-based company called The Sourcery to help us source our ingredients—and they’ve been amazing to work with. Our kawakawa oil is crafted by soapmakers right here in the South Island, and our native plant extracts come from Organic Bioactives, a New Zealand company founded by Andrea Taimana. The mānuka essential oil we use is sourced from the East Cape Mānuka Company, who work closely with their local community—supporting locals to harvest and supply the mānuka for processing.
For us the goal has always been to use as many locally made ingredients as we can and to support the communities behind them. It’s really important to me that people in Aotearoa, especially in smaller towns, see opportunities around them. We have so much here—so much knowledge, land, and potential—and I truly believe we can build something beautiful from that.
